LAS VEGAS — Neither Randy Arozarena, nor his agent Scott Boras, have notified the Mariners that he will not be accepting the one-year qualifying offer of $23.15 million for the 2027 season.
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto expects that will come in the days leading up to the Nov. 17 deadline.
“With those qualifying offers, there are some I’m sure over the course of time that you could point to and obviously say, ‘oh, he’ll accept that’ and even then those guys mostly don’t,” Dipoto said. “Randy’s coming off a career-best season, a five-year run of being as consistent a producer as you can be. And if the goal for him is to outdo on a total contract what the one-year QO provides. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be able to make that happen.”
With the Mariners expected to receive draft pick compensation when Arozarena signs with another team, it also makes them more willing to sign a player, who has a qualifying offer attached to them, which comes the penalty of giving up a draft pick.
But what is the market for the best right-handed hitter available in free agency?
It is limited due to a number of reasons, including his age, what he’s asking for, his defense and where he prefers to play geographically. Sources indicate that Boras is pushing for a deal somewhere around six years for at least $150 million for Arozarena, who turns 32 on February 28.
That sort of asks limits the market immediately. Only certain teams are willing to invest that sort of money in a free agent.
Arozarena, who resides in the Tampa area, would also prefer to play on the east coast and for a team that holds spring training in Floria, further reducing his market.
Only a handful of teams like the Red Sox, Phillies, Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays fit both criteria.
Logically, Arozarena might only get a four-year contract with a higher average annual salary and perhaps a vesting option for a fifth season, which is more tolerable to teams. He would also want some trade protection having been traded twice in his career.
Sources indicate that the Phillies aren’t looking to add another player in his 30s to an aging roster. The Red Sox would be an ideal fit, but their front office has hinted to Boston media about limited payroll flexibility. The Yankees and Mets aren’t afraid of the money, while the Blue Jays are always a possibility but are also carrying Anthony Santander’s 5-year, $92.5 million contract he signed before the 2025 season.
Boras is expected to hold his state of his clients address on Wednesday at the GM meetings, which could be informative as well as entertaining.