MLB Rumors: Dodgers To Extend Qualifying Offer To Starting Pitcher

It was viewed as one of the toughest decisions for a team to make of all the impending free agents: Should the Los Angeles Dodgers extend the $19.65M qualifying offer to starting pitcher Tyler Anderson? Going into his age-33 season, Anderson is coming off a breakout season in 2022, the best year of his career by a long shot. The Dodgers are apparently betting on a repeat performance.

Word is, good chance the Dodgers extend the $19.65M qualifying offer to All-Star pitcher Tyler Anderson
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 9, 2022

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, there's "a good chance" the Dodgers extend the QO to Anderson.

The 32-year-old became an All-Star this season, posting a 15-5 record with a 2.57 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and a 138:34 K/BB ratio. Batters had a tough time barreling up on him this season, as he finished in the 98th percentile in average exit velocity and hard-hit rate. And he kept the ball in the park, with 0.71 HR/9.

For context, Anderson had all sorts of trouble giving up home runs throughout his career before 2022, and hadn't had an ERA below 4.37 since his rookie year in 2016.

But the Dodgers bet on him last year, signing him to a one-year, $8M deal, and he put it all together. LA is apparently ready to bet on him again, with the $19.65M qualifying offer for 2023. But does he accept it, or decide to try and cash in on a multi-year deal on the open market? It could be a tough decision for him. He has to make the call by EOD Thursday.