Minnesota Twins Extend Qualifying Offer to Free Agent Starting Pitcher

The Minnesota Twins have extended a qualifying offer to free agent starting pitcher Sonny Gray.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN:

Here is the full list of players to receive a qualifying offer, per ESPN sources: Shohei Ohtani Aaron Nola Blake Snell Cody Bellinger Josh Hader Matt Chapman Sonny Gray

Players who didn't receive it: Teoscar Hernandez, Jorge Soler, Rhys Hoskins, Mitch Garver

The qualifying offer is a one-year, $20.325 million contract. Players have until 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 to accept it. If they reject it, the teams that sign the player gives up a draft pick, which depends on their payroll from this season. The teams that offered one get a comp pick.

The qualifying offer is a one-year, $20.325 million contract. Players have until 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 to accept it. If they reject it, the teams that sign the player gives up a draft pick, which depends on their payroll from this season. The teams that offered one get a comp pick.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2023

It's mildly surprising to see the Twins' extend this offer, considering they usually operate from a mid-level payroll. But Gray is widely expected to seek a multi-year deal that will pay more than this, so there's likely not a harm in offering it. Getting a draft pick back would help ease the pain of losing a top of the rotation arm.

There's also a chance that Gray re-signs with the Twins himself on a multi-year deal.

The 33-year-old righty went 8-8 this season and helped the Twins win the American League Central. They also won a wild card series against the Toronto Blue Jays before bowing out in the ALDS. Gray pitched to a 2.79 ERA.

He just finished his 11th season in the big leagues with the A's, Yankees, Reds and Twins. He's 98-85 lifetime with a 3.47 ERA. He is a three-time All-Star.

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