Mariners Offer Arozarena Contract After Breakout Season

WHO:

MLB.com - The Seattle Mariners extended a qualifying offer to outfielder Randy Arozarena, 31, after his career-best season.

MLB.com - Seven other players received qualifying offers: Jake Bauers (Brewers), David Bednar (Yankees), Ryan Jeffers (Twins), Brandon Lowe (Pirates), Adrián Morejón (Padres), Trevor Rogers (Orioles) and Seiya Suzuki (Cubs).

MLB Trade Rumors - The eight qualifying-offer recipients were Arozarena, Bauers, Bednar, Jeffers, Lowe, Morejón, Rogers and Suzuki; the report attributed the information to Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

WHAT:

MLB.com - The qualifying offer is a one-year contract worth $23.15 million for 2027. It represents the mean salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players in the preceding season.

MLB.com - Arozarena recorded 5.5 FanGraphs wins above replacement, tied for sixth in MLB and the highest mark on Seattle. He hit .281/.381/.484, with an .865 OPS, 26 home runs, 34 doubles, two triples, 79 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.

MLB.com - Arozarena’s 148 OPS+ was the highest full-season mark of his career, ranked fifth among qualifying-offer recipients, and exceeded his 121 OPS+ from 2019–25. He had six consecutive 20-20 seasons and played 913 games over that span, more than all but six players.

MLB.com - If Arozarena signs elsewhere for at least $50 million, Seattle would receive a draft pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A; below $50 million, the pick would come after Competitive Balance Round B.

MLB Trade Rumors - Teams signing a player who rejected a qualifying offer face draft-pick penalties and may also forfeit international bonus-pool space.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The Mariners are based in Seattle; Arozarena’s potential draft-pick compensation would apply to Seattle.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The offer deadline was Monday at 2 p.m. PT. Players had until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 17 to accept or decline.

MLB Trade Rumors - Players had until 3 p.m. Central on November 17 to decide; they could discuss contracts with other clubs while considering the offer.

WHY:

MLB.com - The qualifying offer gives Seattle a chance to receive draft-pick compensation if Arozarena signs with another team.

MLB.com - Arozarena’s strong season and position among the leading hitters in the free-agent class could support a lucrative multiyear contract.

HOW:

MLB.com - A player who accepts the offer is signed with his current team for the following season at the designated value. A player who rejects it remains a free agent; if he signs elsewhere, his original team receives draft-pick compensation.

MLB.com - Since the qualifying-offer system began in 2012, 157 players had received an offer and 18 had accepted. Seattle had previously offered it to Kendrys Morales in 2012 and Hisashi Iwakuma in 2015; both rejected.

Seattle offered Randy Arozarena a one-year, $23.15 million contract after his career-best season. Seven other players also received offers, which carry potential draft-pick compensation if rejected. Players have until November 17 to accept or decline the 2027 contracts.