Grisham, Torres, Imanaga, Woodruff accept QOs

New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff and Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga accepted their qualifying offers on Tuesday, meaning they'll return to their respective teams in 2026 at salaries of $22.025 million.

The other nine players who were extended qualifying offers turned them down, which means that if they leave in free agency, those organizations will receive draft-pick compensation.

That list includes Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber, Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez, Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, Astros pitcher Framber Valdez, Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette, Padres pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King, Mets closer Edwin Diaz and Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen. All are still free to sign back with their old teams as well as with any other organization.

Coming into the winter, only 14 out of 144 players have accepted the qualifying offer since its inception in 2012. That total rose to 18 out of 157 after the four players accepted theirs on Tuesday. Grisham, Torres, Woodruff and Imanaga probably would not have gotten more in annual value on the open market, choosing a higher salary for one season while understanding there is a potential labor battle brewing due to the expiration of the CBA after next year. It's unclear what the economics of the game will look in 2027 or beyond.

Grisham hit .235 with a career high 34 home runs last season, his second with the Yankees. Those homers helped lead to a career high .811 OPS and the subsequent qualifying offer from New York. By accepting it, he gets a $17 million raise from 2024.

Imanaga, 32, also will be getting a raise after earning $13.25 million last season. He went 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 2024 but struggled in September and October.

Woodruff, 32, returned from a shoulder injury in 2024, appearing in 12 games before missing the postseason with a lat ailment.

Torres, 28, made $15 million last season, his first with the Tigers. He hit .256 with 16 home runs and drove in 74 runs.

The rest of the group are free to sign elsewhere but it will cost their new teams in draft pick compensation just as it will benefit their old teams in the same manner.