When the Phillies offered starter Jeremy Hellickson the qualifying offer of $17.2 million for a one-year contract, some worried it would be an "overpay". However, in the early stages of MLB free agency after the exclusive window for teams to negotiate with their free agents, agents and teams are getting to have some conversations. Given what has gone on thus far, one report says the Hellickson will decline the Phillies' offer.
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports the news:
While many executives think free agent pitcher Jeremy Hellickson should play it safe and accept the $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Phillies, indications are strong he will reject it. Word is, the ultra-weak starting pitching market is a major factor in the back-and-forth in the Hellickson camp, and agent Scott Boras said an open market could be “very advantageous” to Hellickson here Wednesday.
With the exception of catcher Matt Wieters with the Baltimore Orioles last year, rarely do players whose agent is Scott Boras accept the offer.
Last season, comparable starting pitcher Ian Kennedy received a contract of five years and $70 million. Kennedy's agent is Boras, and some argue that the two pitchers are similar. If Hellickson and Boras were confident that they were able to secure three years and $42-45 million, that likely would be enough to decline the qualifying offer. Total dollars are often a focus of Boras, who realizes that a pitcher is one "Tommy John" surgery away from ending their playing career.
Players who have been extended a qualifying offer must decide by Monday. Should Hellickson decline the offer, the Phillies would receive a late first round draft pick as compensation. The Phillies declined moving Hellickson in a trade before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline likely because they believed they could do better with a draft pick than what they were offered.
