258 in seven season with the Orioles.
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The qualifying offer is a relatively new concept in Major League Baseball. Ken Rosenthal broke the news yesterday afternoon that Rasmus was the accepting the offer, previously, none of the other 34 players who were offered a qualifying offer took it. This offseason, a record 20 players were extended the qualifying offer to return to their 2015 team, but will Rasmus be the only one to take it? Catcher Matt Wieters has accepted the Baltimore Orioles’ $15.8 million qualifying offer, saying his decision was based primarily on his comfort level with the team. Rasmus started more than 30 games in all three outfield positions this year. Beginning in 2012, Type A and Type B free agent designations were eliminated and replaced with qualifying offers.
Wieters has hit 100 career homers and batted.
He followed in six playoff games by hitting.411, with four runs, one double, four home runs, six RBIs, one stolen base, a. 583 on-base average and 1.176 slugging percentage. By accepting the offer, Rasmus is betting on himself to have a similar season this year which should allow him to earn a multi-year deal next year. He also struggled defensively, committing five errors – fifth most among all AL outfielders though he had five assists and was part of three double plays. Luhnow made an expensive bet that Rasmus would not sign a one year deal.
Despite the injury and down year, Wieters was still the top free-agent catcher (and ranked No. 10 on Jeff Passan’s Ultimate Free-Agent Tracker). “I think that’s what made past year so hard, thinking that I may not be in that clubhouse, and now I’m extremely excited to know that I’ll be back in there with those guys and going to battle each day”. Per ESPN, Weiters told reporters that he re-signed with the Orioles because he is comfortable with the organization.
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By accepting the offer, Wieters will make just under $16 million next season and is not tradable until next June.
