Report: D-backs’ A.J. Pollock, Patrick Corbin decline qualifying offers

Two Arizona Diamondbacks free agents, pitcher Patrick Corbin and outfielder A.J. Pollock, have declined their qualifying offers, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.

The D-backs extended the $17.9 million qualifying offers on Nov. 2, and the players had until 5 p.m. Monday to accept or decline the offer.

As Heyman notes, both players are likely to receive paydays much larger than the $17.9 million of security that the qualifying offers would give them. But with with each player declining the qualifying offers, the D-backs will now receive draft pick compensation if Pollock or Corbin sign with another team this offseason.

For each player that inks a deal for at least $50 million, Arizona could land a draft pick after the first round and before Competitive Balance Round A because the Diamondbacks are considered a revenue-sharing team.

For each player that signs elsewhere for less than $50 million, the D-backs will earn picks after the second round and after the Competitive Balance Round B.

Pollock, 30, batted .257 with 21 home runs and 65 RBI over 113 games played in 2018. The former All-Star hit for a career-high .315 batting average in 2015 to go with 20 home runs that year.

Corbin, meanwhile, had a career year in 2018, making his second All-Star team and pitching to a career-best 3.15 ERA in exactly 200 innings pitched and 246 strikeouts, which was fifth in MLB. He also pitched a complete game shutout for the first time in his career.

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