There were only 3 players to take the 15.8 million dollar qualifying offer this year: Colby Rasmus, Matt Wieters, and Brett Anderson. All three players took the qualifying offer because it was the best deal they were going to get this offseason, in my opinion. This up coming season gives them a chance to prove themselves before they hit free agency again.
Colby Rasmus is 29 years old, and has played 7 seasons in the majors. He is coming off his second best season as a major league baseball player. Rasmus finished the season with 25 home runs, 61 RBI's, and a .238 average. Rasmus as never been someone that hits for average, but mainly for power. This year marks the 4th time he has hit 20 plus home runs in 7 seasons. He fits the Astros style, which is to hit a lot of home runs, and strike out a lot. Rasmus is also a solid outfielder who can play all three positions in the outfield. My guess to the reason the Astros offered Rasmus the qualifying offer is because of what he did in the playoffs. Rasmus hit 3 home runs 5 RBI's, had 6 walks, and a .429 average.
Matt Wieters is 29 years old and has played 7 seasons in the major leagues. Wieters is a 3 time All-Star and a 2 time Gold Glove winner. He rattled off 4 straight seasons of solid catching and hitting. The problem with Wieters is he has rattled off 2 straight years of injury riddled seasons. Wieters at one point looked to be the next best catcher in the league, but the injuries have put that on hold. In my opinion, the Baltimore Orioles offered him the qualifying offer because they are not quite ready to give up on him. This is saying you got one more year to prove you can stay healthy, and show a glimpse of your old self.
Brett Anderson is 27 years old and has played 7 seasons in the major leagues. Anderson has battled injuries most of his career. The Dodgers gave him a chance last year, and he didn't disappoint as a 5th man in the starting rotation. Anderson is coming off one of his better seasons as a Professional. He had 31 starts, 10-9 record, 180.1 innings pitched, 116 strike-outs, and a 3.69 ERA. The Dodgers have had injuries in the rotation the past couple years, so the qualifying offer was to add some depth to the rotation.
Marco Estrada denied the qualifying offer, and decided to accept a 2 year contract worth 26 million dollars from the Blue Jays. Marco Estrada is 32 years old and has played 8 seasons in the major leagues. Estrada was an average to below average starter for the Milwaukee Brewers for the past 5 years. Last season the Toronto Blue Jays signed Estrada and he didn't disappoint the team this year when he finished with a 13-8 record, 3.13 ERA, 186.1 innings pitched, 131 strike-outs, and in 28 games started. All career highs in a single season besides strike-outs. The Blue Jays will more than likely be losing David Price, and this isn't a bad start adding to the starting rotation.
Franklin Gutierrez has signed a 1.5 million dollar deal with the Seattle Mariners. Gutierrez is 32 years old and has played 10 major league seasons. Gutierrez had a couple good years in the outfield for the Mariners between 2008-2010, and even won a Gold Glove. The past couple of years he has been battling injuries and has been reduced to a back up. He is coming off a good year as a back up where he hit 15 home runs, 35 RBI's, and a .292 average in 59 games played. Gutierrez brings depth to the Mariners outfield.
A.J. Pierzynski signed a one year deal worth 3 million dollars by the Atlanta Braves. A.J. is 38 years old and has played 18 seasons in the major leagues. He is one of the better hitting catchers of his time. I am assuming that this will be his last year in the majors. The Braves signed A.J. as insurance in case Christian Bethancourt isn't ready to take over the starting catching job. A.J is one of the best back up veterans you can sign at this time. The Braves just need to be careful not to play him too much.
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