The Cincinnati Reds on Sunday extended an $18.9 million qualifying offer to right-hander Trevor Bauer, the favorite to win the 2020 National League Cy Young Award.
Bauer is expected to decline the offer prior to the Nov. 11 deadline and become a free agent.
The Reds will receive draft pick compensation if Bauer declines the offer and signs with another team.
Bauer is expected to command a hefty long-term contract with an annual salary much higher than the qualifying offer.
Bauer, 29, went 5-4 with an NL-leading 1.73 ERA in 11 starts for the Reds in 2020. He struck out 100 and allowed just 41 hits and 17 walks in 73 innings.
Bauer has a 75-64 record and 3.90 ERA in 205 appearances (195 starts) with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2012), Cleveland Indians (2013-19) and Reds. He was an All-Star with the Indians in 2018.