New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto plans to decline the one-year, $18.4-million qualifying offer tendered to him Sunday and will become a free agent, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Conforto, 28, became a staple of the Mets' lineup after debuting during their pennant-winning 2015 campaign and was named an All-Star two years later. However, he's entering free agency after a bit of a down 2021 season, hitting .232/.344/.729 with 14 homers and 55 RBIs across 125 games. He also spent time on the injured list with a hamstring ailment.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos also plans to reject his qualifying offer, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is expected to decline as well, per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien will also decline, sources told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi and Hazel Mae.
Castellanos opted out of his deal with the Reds after enjoying a career-best season at the plate in 2021. Seager, meanwhile, is near the top of a loaded class of free-agent shortstops following a stellar seven-year run in Los Angeles. Semien, who was named an AL MVP finalist Monday, received a qualifying offer from Toronto after hitting 46 homers in his first full season at second base.
Conforto, Castellanos, Seager, and Semien will now be tied to draft-pick compensation in free agency. The Mets, Reds, Dodgers, and Blue Jays will each receive draft picks if their player signs elsewhere this winter, while teams that sign them will lose draft picks.
The 14 players who were tendered qualifying offers Sunday have until Nov. 17 to accept or decline.
