Star second baseman Marcus Semien rejects Blue Jays' qualifying offer

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetNovember 08, 2021 - 9:54pm

Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien rounds the bases on his solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Bailey Ober in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Minneapolis. (Jim Mone/AP)

Marcus Semien has rejected the Toronto Blue Jays‘ qualifying offer, making the second baseman a free agent.

No surprise here, but Marcus Semien has rejected the $18.4 million qualifying offer from Blue Jays, source tells @thehazelmae and me, sending him full on into free agency.

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) November 9, 2021

Semien made the call on Tuesday, the same day he was named one of three finalists for the American League’s MVP Award, along with teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.

Semien was named a Gold Glove winner over the weekend.

Signed to a one-year, $18 million deal by Toronto last off-season, Semien went on to hit 45 home runs — an MLB record for a second baseman — and had 102 RBIs.

By making Semien a qualifying offer, the Blue Jays ensured they will receive compensation if he signs elsewhere.

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