Only 13 players in Major League Baseball received the record $21.05 million qualifying offer before Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline, with only one coming from Major League Baseball. New York Yankees.

Unsurprisingly, the recipient is none other than superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who has until 4 p.m. ET on November 19 to make his decision on the offer – an offer he is almost certain to decline.

After hitting 41 home runs and posting an excellent .988 OPS in pinstripes, the 26-year-old slugger is poised to earn a historic and lucrative salary this offseason. If he ends up signing elsewhere, the Yankees would get a compensatory draft pick in return.

The Yankees’ other viable candidate for the qualifying offer was second baseman Gleyber Torres. However, the club chose not to extend the offer. Unlike Soto, Torres could have considered accepting the offer, even though only 13 of the 131 players eligible since the system’s inception in 2012 have done so.

Torres, 27, had a slow start to the 2024 season, but after making adjustments during the All-Star break, he slashed .293/.361/.419 in 61 games in the second half. He reclaimed the top spot in August and became an effective setter for Soto and Aaron Judge during the playoffs, posting a .744 OPS through 14 games. However, he cooled off in the World Series, going 3 for 21 (.143) with a double, a home run, three walks and three RBIs.

Given that his overall performance is below his 2023 numbers, Torres may have considered using his second-half surge to reestablish his value ahead of free agency next year. But with Soto’s free agency looming and New York’s already high competitive balance tax, the Yankees chose not to take that risk.

If Torres signs elsewhere, the Yankees will receive no compensation. They could easily move Jazz Chisholm Jr. from third base to his natural second base position if that happens, but that would create another gap to fill at the hot corner.