MLB Free-Agent Watch: Two Available All-Stars Find Separate Homes To Land Multi-Million Deals

The MLB free-agent block still houses a roster of notable names, but two players from that pack have already decided their fate after re-signing with their current teams.

On one end is Joc Pederson, who accepted a $19.65 million qualifying offer to stay with the San Francisco Giants.

"I think we definitely underperformed," Pederson said as quoted by the Associated Press. "We're going to get back to winning ballgames and back to the playoffs. I'm definitely looking forward to that."

The Giants finished with an 81-81 win-loss record, good enough for third place in the NL West.

This paled in comparison to their performance last season where San Francisco had a franchise-best 107 wins and a division title in 2021 before bowing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series in five games.

The 30-year-old outfielder batted .274 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs this year.

But down the stretch of the season, the two-time World Series champion found his groove, recalling his swing that did not go unnoticed by the Giants' head honchos.

It was also mentioned by Farhan Zaidi—the president of baseball operations—that there were discussions of a multiyear deal.

However, both camps eventually decided to settle for a one-year deal.

Ironically, Martin Perez agreed to a deal with the same amount to stay with the Texas Rangers.

Perez put up good numbers last year, hitting .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs.

The Giants utilized him almost exclusively against right-handed pitchers and frequently took him out in late innings in lieu of defensive replacements.

The 30-year-old did explore the free agent market and had multiyear discussions with other MLB teams.

But in the end, Perez opted to agree to a one-year deal–something that more than doubled his prior single-season salary of $7.75 million.

There remain more than a dozen of free agents who rejected qualifying tenders from their respective teams.

That list includes outfielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Trea Turner, shortstop Xander Bogaerts, right-hander Jacob deGrom, shortstop Dansby Swanson, left-hander Carlos Rodón, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, catcher Willson Contreras, right-hander Chris Bassitt and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.

Players who reject qualifying offers are saddled with draft-pick compensation, which can depress a player's market.