MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports that the Indians won’t make a $17.2 million qualifying offer to any of their impending free agents. Those are 1B/DH Mike Napoli, and outfielders Rajai Davis and Marlon Byrd.
That Napoli won’t receive a QO is a bit surprising. He had a productive season and will likely draw a good deal of attention in free agency. If Napoli had received a QO and rejected it, then signed with another team, the Indians would have received draft pick compensation.
Napoli finished the regular season with an .800 OPS along with 34 home runs and 101 RBI in 645 plate appearances. He had a dismal postseason performance, batting .173, but he did hit an important two-run home run in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Blue Jays.
Bastian adds that, according to Indians president Chris Antonetti, the team is still interested in bringing Napoli and Davis back.