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Rasmus, Wieters, Anderson accept qualifying offers

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters high-fives teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Baltimore. Catcher Matt Wieters has accepted the Baltimore Orioles' $15.8 million qualifying offer, saying his decision was based primarily on his comfort level with the team. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Wieters said Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, "For a one-year deal, there's no place more comfortable than playing baseball for the Orioles." (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters high-fives teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Baltimore. Catcher Matt Wieters has accepted the Baltimore Orioles' $15.8 million qualifying offer, saying his decision was based primarily on his comfort level with the team. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Wieters said Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, "For a one-year deal, there's no place more comfortable than playing baseball for the Orioles." (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters high-fives teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Baltimore. Catcher Matt Wieters has accepted the Baltimore Orioles' $15.8 million qualifying offer, saying his decision was based primarily on his comfort level with the team. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Wieters said Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, "For a one-year deal, there's no place more comfortable than playing baseball for the Orioles." (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Houston outfielder Colby Rasmus, Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson have become the first three players to accept qualifying offers rather than remain free agents.

The trio, who accepted $15.8 million, one-year contracts Friday, were among 20 players given the offers last week. Another of the 20, Toronto pitcher Marco Estrada, agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract that was announced just before the 5 p.m. EST deadline to accept qualifying offers.

None of the 34 qualifying offers was accepted in the first three years of baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement.

Among those who turned down the offer this year were second baseman Daniel Murphy (Mets) and right-hander Ian Kennedy (Padres).