Josh Hader and Blake Snell Officially Reject Qualifying Offer from Padres

Both will now enter into free agency.

The San Diego Padres are entering into a critical offseason this year after missing the postseason last season, and they will be working to get themselves back into contention. The Padres remain committed to trying to bring a World Series to the city and will use this offseason to do just that.

They have some big decisions to make regarding their roster construction for next season, and they have some major free agents hitting the market. The two biggest are pitchers Blake Snell and Josh Hader, and both pitchers Josh Hader and Blake Snell officially rejected the qualifying offers from the Padres

As expected and predicted: Seven Players Decline Qualifying Offer: The following 7 players have reached decisions on their Club’s Qualifying Offer:
DECLINED:
Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs)
Matt Chapman (Toronto Blue Jays)
Sonny Gray (Minnesota Twins)
Josh Hader (San Diego Padres)…

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) November 14, 2023

They will now enter free agency and are free to sign with any major league team. If they were to sign elsewhere, San Diego would receive draft compensation for losing them. Unfortunately, both players remain doubtful to return next season, despite both being very valuable members of the Padres pitching staff.

Snell was dominant all season and is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young award for his performance. He posted an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.19 for the year while striking out 234 batters over 180 innings of work.

Hader was once again one of the more reliable pitchers out of the bullpen in the league, putting up an ERA of 1.28 and a WHIP of 1.10. He is going to make whichever team signs him very happy, and he is already being linked to a few playoff teams from this past season.

Assuming they leave, San Diego will have to find a way to replace their production, which won’t be easy considering they were the team's two best pitchers. They likely have a plan in place, but until executed, questions will be asked.