Yankees News: Kuroda, Soriano and Swisher decline qualifying offers

The New York Yankees are now officially down three members of the roster as Hiroki Kuroda, Rafael Soriano and Nick Swisher all declined qualifying offers made by the team over one week ago.

General manager Brian Cashman was not all that surprised suggesting the market was dictating the players would be more valuable on the open market.

"You never know. You don’t know how discussions are. But our estimation was the market would probably dictate a ‘no.’"

Nick Swisher will likely be catering to other fans next season. (Image: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE)

Only Kuroda was a real possibility to accept the offer (each worth one-year/$13.3 million) as he had indicated that he would accept a one-year deal for 2013. That one-year contract could be higher if multiple teams get in on the bidding. Since the starting pitcher market is especially thin he’s got already got suitors like the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers calling. Both teams can pay him top dollar.

Soriano and Swisher were felt to be goners much earlier. Soriano opted out of his contract ready to cash in on his 42 saves this season. Swisher let it be known during the season that he’d be looking for a multiyear deal.

The Yankees will continue to discuss terms with the players but with the competitive balance tax threshold for 2014 looming, the Yankees will have to be certain any signing this offseason plays into their current and future plans.

If any of the players sign elsewhere the Yankees will receive a compensatory pick in the 2013 First-year Player Draft which is a round in between the first and second round. The picks are placed based on reverse order of winning percentage from 2012, so the Yankees will have the last batch of picks. There were nine qualifying offers made around MLB and one player, Boston’s David Ortiz has already signed an extension with the club leaving the possibility of eight picks in the compensation round.