Angels decline qualifying offer on David Freese

In a somewhat surprising move, the Angles have opted not to offer David Freese a qualifying offer, signaling the end of the third baseman's tenure in Anaheim. This also means, of course, the Angels will get nothing for their troubles beyond the .258/.322/.401 line he posted in two years in Anaheim.

Freese, of course, came over in a controversial trade with St. Louis along with Fernando Salas for outfielders Peter Bourjos and Randall Grickuk. It was a steep price to pay as Grichuk outproduced Freese this year as a rookie and looks to be a mainstay in the Cardinals' outfield for the foreseeable future.

Freese appeared to be a prime candidate for a qualifying offer, considering the lack of viable third baseman on the market this year. Just a month ago, we all seemed to agree this was the way to go. With no player ever accepting a qualifying offer, there seemed to be little risk in extending one to Freese. In the only other instance in which the Halos could have potentially made a QO, Jason Vargas was also allowed to walk in 2013. Vargas would go on to sign a 4-year/$32 million contract with Kansas City.

This leads us wonder whether it is Arte Moreno himself making these calls, failing to see the value in a potential draft pick and instead living in fear of a relatively small one-year investment. Either way, he does Freese a solid by removing the draft pick penalty from around his neck, allowing him to maximize his next contract.

In other, less surprising news, David DeJesus has also been cut loose, with the club opting to skip on his $5 million option and will instead pay him a $1 million buy out.