The story still remains. No free agent has ever accepted the qualifying offer from their MLB team from the previous year. All 12 players who were presented with the one-year, $15.3 million contract after the 2014 season declined it and will now test free agency.
This comes as a bit of a surprise because a number of these players (Ervin Santana and Nelson Cruz) rejected the same deal last season only to sign a less lucrative contract or couldn't land the deal they desired. Additionally, some of these players are likely to receive less annual money in a multi-year contract. For example, instead of accepting his offer from the Colorado Rockies, outfielder Michael Cuddyer declined and signed a two-year, $21 million contract with the New York Mets on Monday.
Teams make the offer to their valuable impending free agents because if these players opt to decline and sign with another team, then the organization that loses them will receive draft pick compensation from the player's new team. Those who (rightfully) declined because they're expected to land large multi-year contracts include third baseman Pablo Sandoval (SFG), starting pitcher Max Scherzer (DET), starting pitcher James Shields (KC) designated hitter Victor Martinez (DET), shortstop Hanley Ramirez (LAD), outfielder Nelson Cruz (BAL), outfielder Melky Cabrera (TOR) and catcher Russell Martin (PIT).
The others - closer David Robertson (NYY), starting pitcher Ervin Santana (ATL), outfielder Michael Cuddyer (COL) and starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (PIT) - perhaps should have accepted their offers because the demand for their services at the price they are requesting is likely low. Many believed Robertson would have accepted his without a doubt because he's not expected to garner as much interest as some of the other perennial free agents and the fact that he's a closer will dissuade teams from offering him the money he wants. Also, the Yankees have so many costly contracts on the books and are looking to fill holes elsewhere on the roster that it's unlikely they give Robertson the multi-year deal he wants. They can simply let him walk, put Dellin Betances in the closer role and receive a draft pick when he signs elsewhere.
As for the others, Santana declined his qualifying offer last year and signed for the same amount with Atlanta. His 14-10 record with a 3.95 ERA and 1.30 WHIP shouldn't make him a gem in the free agent market this offseason. Cuddyer was injured for a majority of the year and played in only 49 games, so it was surprising he didn't take the money, but he probably had his reasons. Liriano had two good seasons with Pittsburgh, but he's been largely inconsistent throughout his career, and the fact that he's 31 years old isn't going to help him get the years and money he wants.
"Players offered the qualifying offer carefully considered their options and decided to pursue further free agency rather than accept a $15.3 million contract in a market that should be robust given the economic health of the game," union head Tony Clark said in an email to ESPN.com. "I expect free agent compensation will be an important part of bargaining in 2016, as it has been over our entire history."
We'll see if these players work out a deal with their incumbent teams or find new homes for the 2015 season.
