Mariners, Cubs Extend Qualifying Offers to Arozarena, Suzuki
Seattle and Chicago each offered one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offers to outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
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The Mariners and Cubs extended one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offers to Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki on Monday. Each player has until November 17 to accept or decline the offer.
Why it matters
A qualifying offer gives each player the option to accept a one-year deal or decline it and test the market for a different agreement. The move comes after MLB Network Radio host Mike Ferrin urged the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished last in OPS from right-handed hitters in 2026, to pursue both players.
Arozarena's 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases complement a .381 on-base percentage, while Suzuki posted an .841 OPS with 86 RBIs across 143 regular-season games. Neither player's decision on the $23.15 million offer has been announced.
The players
Randy Arozarena
The 31-year-old outfielder hit .281 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases for the Seattle Mariners in 2026.
Seiya Suzuki
The outfielder hit .270 with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs across 143 regular-season games for the Chicago Cubs in 2026.
Mike Ferrin
The MLB Network Radio host publicly urged the Philadelphia Phillies to pursue both free-agent-eligible outfielders.
The details
Ferrin shared his assessment on X on Thursday, arguing Philadelphia should pursue both outfielders. Declining a qualifying offer preserves the opportunity to negotiate a different contract.
Timeline
Monday: Mariners and Cubs extended the qualifying offers.
Thursday: Ferrin shared his assessment on X.
November 17: Deadline for Arozarena and Suzuki to accept or decline.
Roadmap
The qualifying offer system under MLB's collective bargaining agreement gives teams a tool to retain players while preserving a path to free agency. Seattle and Chicago are using that tool on two outfielders whose 2026 production sets up a test of the open market.
Accepting a qualifying offer would give each player a one-year, $23.15 million deal, while declining it opens the door to a longer contract with another club. Fans following fantasy baseball will see whether either outfielder stays with his current team for 2027.
The takeaway
Qualifying offers give players a choice between a guaranteed one-year salary and the chance to test the free-agent market. The November 17 deadline will reveal how each outfielder weighs that trade-off.
What happens next
Arozarena and Suzuki must accept or decline their qualifying offers by November 17.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage across the league.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
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