BALTIMORE -- Trevor Rogers' offseason took an expected turn on Monday evening.
The Orioles extended a qualifying offer to Rogers ahead of the 5 p.m. ET deadline to do so, meaning the 28-year-old left-hander has the option of returning to Baltimore on a one-year contract worth $23.15 million. Rogers has until Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. ET to make that decision.
It would be a bit surprising, though, if Rogers accepted the QO. Since this system was implemented by MLB in 2012, only 18 of the 157 players to receive one have accepted it.
Also, Rogers has entered a free-agent market in which he is arguably the second-best available left-handed starting pitcher, behind only two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. So, Rogers could be in line to land a significant multi-year deal -- whether that’s with Baltimore or one of the other 29 clubs.
If Rogers declines the qualifying offer, the Orioles will receive Draft pick compensation.
The National League Rookie of the Year Award runner-up and an All-Star in 2021, Rogers spent five seasons with Miami before getting dealt to Baltimore ahead of the ‘24 Trade Deadline. He immediately struggled for the O’s, recording a 7.11 ERA over four starts and getting optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
But Rogers has had a remarkable comeback since then, posting a 3.16 ERA in 48 starts for the Orioles over the past two seasons. He was the club’s Most Valuable Oriole Award winner in 2025, when he recorded a 1.81 ERA in 109 2/3 innings over 18 starts.
Although Rogers had a 4.03 ERA over 30 starts in 2026, he owned a 2.90 ERA over his final 20 starts from June 4-Sept. 25.
Rogers has repeatedly said how much he’s enjoyed playing in Baltimore, praising the team’s pitching department for helping to get him back on track and thanking fans for their support. It would make sense for the O’s to pursue a reunion with Rogers, as the only lefty now in their big league rotation mix is Cade Povich.
Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin are also now free agents, with Eflin’s $25 million mutual option getting declined by the Orioles last Friday. That leaves right-handers Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Brandon Young as the probable locks in Baltimore’s rotation.
When Rogers was asked about his future following his final 2026 start at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 25, the southpaw expressed optimism about becoming a free agent for the first time.
“Get to test the market, see what that says, and that’s kind of the exciting thing about the whole ordeal, I finally get a say about where I want to go,” Rogers said. “I’ve made it known how I feel about this place. We’ll see how the business of baseball works out. ...
“It’s going to be fun, talking through that with teams. I’m looking forward to it.”
Teams that sign players with a qualifying offer attached must forfeit a Draft pick, though that would not be the case for the Orioles if they worked out a new deal with Rogers.