Eight players get $23.15 million offers

Eight major league players received $23.15 million qualifying offers on Monday.

The group includes New York Yankees closer David Bednar, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, and Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena. Milwaukee first baseman and outfielder Jake Bauers and Baltimore left-hander Trevor Rogers also received the offers. Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers, Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe, and San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon round out the list.

Players have until Nov. 17 to accept the money. The amount is set by the average of the top 125 major league contracts from this year. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season. Only 18 of the 157 prior offers have been accepted. A free agent must have been with the same team continuously since opening day to be eligible. The player must also have never received a qualifying offer before.

If a player signs with a new club before the next amateur draft, the former team receives draft pick compensation. The placement depends on the new contract amount and the revenue-sharing status of the losing team.

Philadelphia third baseman Alex Bohm was not among those receiving an offer. Twenty-eight other players became free agents Monday. This raises the total number of free agents to 183. Players could start negotiating with all teams at 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday. Major League Baseball is expected to impose a lockout when the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. This timing may create a signing frenzy in the final days before the stoppage.

Baltimore declined a $7.5 million option on first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. Mountcastle played only eight games this year due to a broken left foot. The Orioles also turned down a $3.5 million option on left-hander Dietrich Enns. The contract included a $125,000 buyout.

Corbin Burnes decided not to opt out of the final four seasons of his $210 million contract with Arizona. The deal pays $35 million annually, including $11 million in deferred payments each year. The 32-year-old right-hander returned to the majors on Sept. 8 after Tommy John surgery. He made three starts before going back on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Toronto right-hander José Berríos also declined to opt out of his contract. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on May 20.