LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made the qualifying offer to free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez but not to pitcher Walker Buehler.
The qualifying offer for 2025 is a one-year, $21 million contract. Hernandez is not likely to accept the qualifying offer. He made more last season on his one-year deal with the Dodgers and enjoyed an All-Star-caliber season that is certain to draw multi-year offers for higher salaries.
The Dodgers can still sign Hernandez whether he accepts the qualifying offer or not. If he signs with another team, the Dodgers would receive draft pick compensation.
Buehler, meanwhile, was a surprising choice not to be tendered a qualifying offer. If offered and accepted, it would represent a significant raise from the $8.25 million he made in 2024 despite his poor regular-season results (a 1-6 record and 5.38 ERA) after returning from Tommy John surgery. But it would have recognized his outstanding postseason performance and given him a year to re-establish his value before re-entering the free agent market at age 31.
Another Dodgers free agent pitcher, Jack Flaherty, was not eligible for the qualifying offer because he was traded during the season. Other free agents – pitchers Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and utility man Kiké Hernandez – did not have high enough salaries to make the qualifying offer sensible.
In other contract news, the Dodgers picked up the option on veteran infielder Miguel Rojas. Rojas, 35, will make $5 million in 2025. He has said he expects to have sports hernia surgery this offseason but he plans to have it early enough in the offseason to be at full strength for spring training.