Updated Suitors for Every MLB Star That Turned Down a Qualifying Offer

It's now the second year of the new MLB qualifying offer compensation system, and still not a single player has ever accepted an offer.

Last winter, nine players received offers and all nine turned them down. This year, the number was up to 13 offers, but still there have been no takers.

For the premier free agents, the decision was nothing but a formality. For lesser stars, however, the decision to decline an offer can have a devastating effect on a player's value on the open market.

Here's a look at where all 13 players stand in the process, whether they've made the right move and where they'll land in 2014:  

1. Robinson Cano

2013 Stats: .314/.383/.516, 27 home runs, 107 RBI

When a player is in the market for a reported 10-year, $305 million deal, a $14.1 million qualifying offer isn't in the picture.

Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News confirms that Robinson Cano has rejected the offer, which means that the Yankees will receive a compensation draft pick if Cano leaves via free agency. Just who exactly, though, would be willing to match Cano's outlandish valuation?

The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be out, as the club has already secured second baseman Alex Guerrero. Andy McCullough of the Star Ledger speculated that the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals could be in on the bidding. No team—including the Yankees—is going to reach either his exorbitant asking price or his goal of ten years. 

2014 Team: Yankees

Projected Contract Value: Eight years, $200 million

2. Jacoby Ellsbury

2013 Stats: .298/.355/.426, 9 home runs, 53 RBI

The first of the Boras clients to hit the list, there was never a chance that Jacoby Ellsbury would accept a qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox. The official confirmation that Ellsbury has rejected the Red Sox offer came from Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.

Boras told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that he expects Ellsbury to land a more lucrative deal than the $142 million contract Carl Crawford scored. That seems like a big ask, then again, the agent also compared his client to an “aircraft carrier:”

Clubs like the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Tigers could all use upgrades in center field.

2014 Team: Mariners

Projected Contract Value: Six years, $126 million

3. Mike Napoli

2013 Stats: .259/.360/.482, 23 home runs, 92 RBI

As Alex Speier of WEEI reports, Mike Napoli has rejected the Red Sox qualifying offer. It's a shrewd move by Naploi, as his explosive bat is about to earn him a major raise from the one-year, $5 million deal he was playing on in 2013.

Mike Axisa of CBS Sports pointed out that the Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Mariners, Cleveland Indians, and Rangers could all use a powerful right-handed bat.

With so many potential options, there's no question that Napoli made the right call in turning down the Red Sox qualifying offer. Once he's "shopped around," though, look for Napoli to remain with the World Series champions.

2014 Team: Red Sox

Projected Contract Value: Three years, $42 million

4. Shin-Soo Choo

2013 Stats: .285/.423/.462, 21 home runs, 54 RBI

According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Shin-Soo Choo has officially declined the qualifying offer from the Cincinnati Reds. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN explained just what kind of a deal Boras is looking for instead: 

Choo is not getting that much money, but there's a chance he might come close. The list of teams who would benefit from the acquisition of Choo includes the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Houston Astros and the Tigers. Houston desperately needs talent, and Choo provides a rare combination of power, speed, and on-base skills.

2014 Team: Astros

Projected Contract Value: Six years, $120 million

5. Brian McCann

2013 Stats: .256/.336/.461, 20 home runs, 57 RBI

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported that Brian McCann has officially rejected the Atlanta Braves' qualifying offer. Based on the market that is developing for the catcher, accepting was simply never an option.

According to Heyman, the catcher has caught the eye of the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. In total, Heyman reported that nine teams are interested in the seven-time All-Star. With so many suitors, McCann is in line for a major payout.

The Rangers decision to re-sign Geovany Soto appeared to rule out Texas, but not according to a report from Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram. On the Rangers' decision to bring back Soto, McCann's agent B.B. Abbott told Wilson that he didn't think it would be “a factor” in his client's decision.

With A.J. Pierzynski's deal up, the fiery McCann would be the ideal replacement for the Rangers behind the plate.

2014 Team: Rangers

Projected Contract Value: Five years, $80 million

6. Stephen Drew

2013 Stats: .253/.333/.443, 13 home runs, 67 RBI

Stephen Drew is yet another Boras client who never gave the slightest consideration to accepting a qualifying offer. Edes provides the confirmation on that decision:

According to a report from Heyman, Boras “wouldn't even address the qualifying offer issue,” and “scoffed” at the notion that Drew would have to settle for a three-year deal.

Much to Boras' dismay, there is a very real chance that Drew will end up with just a three-year contract. WEEI's Rob Bradford reported that “a bunch of teams are moving quick” on the 30-year-old. One of those team's could be the St. Louis Cardinals. Heyman pointed out that Drew could plug the Cardinals' “sinkhole at shortstop.”

No team wants to give up a first-round draft pick, but the potential loss of Carlos Beltran and subsequent compensation pick his departure would bring makes the loss far more palatable.

2014 Team: Cardinals

Projected Contract Value: Three years, $39 million

7. Nelson Cruz

2013 Stats: .266/.327/.506, 27 home runs, 76 RBI

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Rangers have been officially informed by Cruz's agent that the slugger is declining the team's qualifying offer and testing the free agent market.

In 2013, Cruz was tied for second among all free agents with 27 home runs even though he only played in 109 games. Cruz's agent Adam Katz told Todd Willis of ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth: “Nelson is generating a lot of interest.”

While Katz didn't name any names, just about every team in baseball is in the market for a right-handed power hitter like Cruz. Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com suggested possible destinations like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Mariners and Yankees. 

2014 Team: Royals

Projected Contract Value: Three years, $45 million

8. Kendrys Morales

2013 Stats: .277/.336/.449, 23 home runs, 80 RBI

According to Heyman, Kendrys Morales has officially declined the Mariners' qualifying offer.

Boras had no intention of letting Morales settle for a $14.1 million salary in 2014. Unlike with his other three three clients, however, in Morales' case that might just prove to be a terrible miscalculation. At the end of the Mariners season, Buster Olney explained how the decision to reject the offer would effect Morales' value.

If Olney is correct, Morales could become the Kyle Lohse of this offseason. Lohse, of course, is also a Boras client.

The best way for Morales to avoid such a fate would be to avoid testing the open market. A two-year deal would be the perfect meeting place between Boras' demands and a qualifying offer.

2014 Team: Mariners

Projected Contract Value: Two years, $28 million

9. Curtis Granderson

2013 Stats:.229/.317/.407, 7 home runs, 15 RBI

Curtis Granderson had no business accepting a qualifying offer. According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the outfielder definitely won't be taking the Yankees up on their qualifying offer:

The outfielder struggled through an injury-plagued campaign in 2013, but in 2012 and 2011 he was one of the most dynamic players in all of baseball. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports observed, Granderson's career slash line compares very favorably to that of Nick Swisher. The switch-hitter snagged a four-year, $56 million deal from the Cleveland Indians last winter.

Rosenthal suggested that the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Cubs, Phillies and Mariners could “be tempted to dive in.” As Rosenthal noted, all of those teams have a protected first-round pick, and as a result would only lose a second-round pick in exchange for signing the veteran outfielder.

Andy Martino of the Daily News also identified the Mets as a potential landing spot, reporting that they have expressed “preliminary interest."

2014 Team: Mets 

Projected Contract Value: Three years, $42 million

10. Ublado Jimenez

2013 Stats: 13-9, 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

For Ubaldo Jimenez there's no doubt he made the right decision to reject the qualifying offer from the Cleveland Indians, as Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. The right-hander racked up 194 strikeouts in 2013, and during the second half of the season Jimenez posted a 1.82 ERA.

The 30-year-old should draw plenty of from teams in the market for starting pitching. Clubs who need help with their starting staffs include the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Giants, Pirates and Orioles.

2014 Team: Twins

Projected Contract Value: Three years, $45 million

11. Carlos Beltran

2013 Stats: .296/.339/.491, 24 home runs, 84 RBI

As Stan McNeal of FOX Sports Midwest reported, Carlos Beltran has rejected the qualifying offer from the Cardlnals, as expected.

While Beltran is unlikely to do substantially better than $14 million per season, he has an excellent chance at landing a multi-year deal. According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the veteran is seeking a three to four year contract this winter.

It's hard to see any team giving the soon-to-be 37 year old three years, let alone four. However, Brown noted that six teams have already “expressed varying degrees of interest in Beltran.” The list includes the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies and Rangers.

New York would appear an ideal match—especially if Beltran is willing to make due with a two-year deal. The Yankees could offset the potential loss of a draft pick if Granderson were to leave through free agency, as well. 

2014 Team: Yankees

Projected Contract Value: Two years, $30 million

12. Ervin Santana

2013 Stats: 9-10, 3.24 ERA, 1.42 WHIP

As John Morosi of FOX Sports reports, Ervin Santana has turned down the Kansas City Royals' qualifying offer.

After posting a career-best 3.24 ERA in 2013, Santana is well-positioned to earn a major multi-year deal. Rosenthal reported via “major league sources” that Santana is in the market for a $100 million payday. 

While it's unlikely will hit his target figure, he'll still have plenty of options. Santana will top the wish list for just about every club in the market for a starting pitcher. That list could include teams like the Rangers, Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Giants and Orioles.

2014 Team: Orioles

Projected Contract Value: Five years, $75 million

13. Hiroki Kuroda

2013 Stats: 11-13, 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP

Feinsand has reported that Hiroki Kuroda has declined New York's qualifying offer. The decision was a no-brainer for the veteran. As Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York noted, the $14.1 million actually equates to a minor pay-cut for the right-hander who earned $15 million in 2013. 

Kuroda is likely to either remain with the Yankees or return to Japan. That means it was in Kuroda's best interest to decline the qualifying offer, and see what kind of a one-year deal the Yankees will consider.

2014 Team: Yankees

Projected Contract Value: One year, $15 million