Four players accepted the qualifying offer from their 2022 clubs sit out free agency for at least one year:

New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff and Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga accepted their qualifying offers Tuesday, meaning they’ll return to their respective teams in 2026 at salaries of $22.025 million.

The other nine players who were extended qualifying offers turned them down, which means that if they leave in free agency, those organizations will receive draft-pick compensation.

ESPN.com

I understand Woodruff and Grisham. Woodruff did not pitch much due to injury, and Grisham posted a season well above his career averages. Imanaga is past his prime and did not replicate is excellent 2024 season.

Torres I don’t understand. He is still in his prime, coming off a good year, and projects to be nearly a three fWAR player. While he received a raise, I think he would have done better on the open market.

The article suggests uncertainty about the labor situation at the end of 2026 played a role. I would think, that like Josh Naylor, Torres may just like playing in for his current team.