Dodgers’ expected qualifying offer decision becomes official after Monday deadline…

**Dodgers’ Expected Qualifying Offer Decision Becomes Official After Monday Deadline**

As Major League Baseball’s offseason moves into full swing, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision on qualifying offers has become a point of focus. The team has until Monday to extend qualifying offers to their free agents, a critical decision that will shape their roster construction for the 2024 season. The Dodgers are expected to make a formal announcement once the deadline passes, though details are already emerging about the likely moves the team will make.

A qualifying offer, valued at $20.3 million for 2024, is given to free agents who have been with a team for at least one full season. If a player accepts the offer, they are under contract for the upcoming season. However, if the player rejects it and signs with another team, the original team receives a compensatory draft pick.

The Dodgers are poised to extend qualifying offers to several of their free agents, with the most prominent names being pitcher Julio Urías and outfielder JD Martinez. Both players had significant roles in the team’s success during the 2023 season, and their futures in Los Angeles are a key part of the team’s plans for next year.

### Julio Urías: The Franchise’s Ace

Urías, 27, has been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent and reliable pitchers over the past several seasons. After posting a 4.10 ERA in 2023 with a 13-7 record, the left-hander remains a key piece of the Dodgers’ pitching staff. He is widely expected to receive a qualifying offer, as the team would prefer to retain his services, particularly given the relatively weak free-agent pitching market.

While Urías has dealt with some injury concerns in recent years, his upside as a top-of-the-rotation starter makes him an essential part of the Dodgers’ future. The team will likely extend the qualifying offer in hopes that he either accepts the one-year deal or helps boost his value for a potential long-term extension negotiation.

### JD Martinez: The Veteran Power Bat

Martinez, 36, was an offensive spark for the Dodgers in 2023, slugging 33 home runs and driving in 105 RBIs, helping anchor the middle of their lineup. The veteran designated hitter and outfielder is coming off a one-year contract with Los Angeles, and while there are questions about his age and defensive limitations, his bat still makes him a highly valuable asset. A qualifying offer would allow the Dodgers to keep him for another season or gain compensation should he sign elsewhere.

While it remains to be seen whether Martinez will accept the offer, his consistent production in the heart of the Dodgers’ order makes him a prime candidate for the qualifying offer, especially as the team looks to retain key veterans while planning for younger talent.

### What’s Next?

Once the qualifying offers are extended, the clock begins ticking for free agents to make their decisions. While the Dodgers’ front office is focused on making these key moves, the broader offseason picture will quickly come into focus as they continue to shape their roster for a potential World Series run in 2024. With the Monday deadline looming, fans and analysts alike are waiting for the official word on how the Dodgers plan to navigate this crucial aspect of their offseason strategy.