Rangers extend qualifying offer to Josh Hamilton: MLB moves
Yankees make qualifying offers to 3 players
The Texas Rangers have made a $13.3 million qualifying offer to Josh Hamilton, ensuring them draft-pick compensation if the slugger signs with another team.
General manager Jon Daniels said Friday that the team isn't making the same offer to Mike Napoli, though there is mutual interest of the catcher returning to the Rangers. Napoli made $9.4 million this season.
Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, hit a career-high 43 homers and drove in 128 runs for the Rangers this season. He is one of the biggest free agents on the market.
Daniels, speaking shortly before the deadline for offers, said the team knows there's no chance of Hamilton accepting that offer.
That doesn't change Hamilton's plans of exploring free agency or the Rangers discussing a new deal with him.
Yankees ensure compensation for trio of players
The Yankees have made qualifying offers of $13.3 million to pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Rafael Soriano, and to right fielder Nick Swisher.
If any of the three sign a major league contract with another team, New York would receive draft-pick compensation in next year's amateur draft.
Under baseball's new labour contract, the qualifying offers replace the team agreeing to go to salary arbitration. A player has until Nov. 9 to accept the $13.3 million deal.
Soriano opted out of a $14 million salary for next year, preferring a $1.5 million buyout.
New York had 10 other players who became free agents: pitchers Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Freddy Garcia, Derek Lowe and Pedro Feliciano; outfielders Raul Ibanez, Ichiro Suzuki and Andruw Jones; catcher Russell Martin; and third baseman Eric Chavez.