Yankees’ 3B Prospect Ignores QO

Now that he has more time to consider his options, Matt Chapman can work with the New York Yankees to sign a multi-year contract.

The New York Yankees’ prospective free agent turned down his qualifying offer and plans to pursue multi-year offers from other teams.

Matt Chapman of the Toronto Blue Jays would have received a guaranteed $20.325 million in 2024 if he had accepted the qualifying offer. Rather, he is going to look for a deal that will pay him over $100 million.

The options available to the Yankees at third base from the previous season may need to be upgraded. Despite having three years left on his contract, DJ LeMahieu spent 69 of his 136 games last season at third base. Given his prior experience playing both first and second base, he is still a capable player who could assist the Yankees in a utility capacity.

Compared to Oswald Peraza, who started 36 games at third base the previous season, Chapman has more experience. He is capable of playing middle infield roles.

According to The Athletic, Chapman enters the market as a Top 10 free agent. The 30-year-old cut in 2023.240/.330/.424/755 in 140 games with 17 home runs and 54 RBI. That .His batting average of 240 corresponds with it.240 for his seven-year career batting average.

The 36 home runs he hit with the Oakland Athletics in 2019, his only All-Star season and the reason he finished sixth in the American League MVP voting, are not something he has duplicated. However, in addition to a 24-home run season in 2018 with the Athletics, he has hit 27 home runs twice, in 2022 with Toronto and in 2021 with Oakland.

In addition, he brings a superior glove to the hot corner, where he has 92 career defensive runs saved and three AL Gold Glove awards.

Out of the 124 players who have received the qualifying offer since 2012, only 13 have accepted it. This offseason, only seven players received the offer.

After Chapman signs, the Blue Jays will receive some form of draft compensation because he declined the qualifying offer. That choice may be made after Competitive Balance Round B, which comes after the second round, or after the fourth round, which could occur between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A.