New York, NY (Sports Network) - Outfielder Josh Hamilton turned down a one-
year, $13.3 million qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers on Friday.
Although the Rangers are expected to make a big pitch to re-sign the five-time
All-Star and 2010 American League MVP, the move that was made a week ago was
required for Texas to get compensation should Hamilton sign with another club.
Outfielder B.J. Upton, who has played his entire career with Tampa Bay, also
declined his $13.3 million package from the Rays. He's coming off a career-
high 28-homer season.
Also rejecting qualifying offers from their former clubs were three Yankees -
pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Rafael Soriano, and outfielder Nick Swisher.
Michael Bourn, David Ortiz and Adam LaRoche officially declined their offers.
In the new collective bargaining agreement, a team had to make qualifying
offers to their free agents last week. The offer would be a guaranteed one-
year contract equal to the average salary of the league's 125 highest-paid
players.
Ortiz agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Red Sox.
The Sports Network