NFT: What the hell is happening with MLB free agency

The Yankees will win the next 5 World Series all other teams are saving money for 2023..

Giancarlo/judge/Sanchez omg

Imo.

It's January..

Buyers market

I have to think the trade market is possibly holding things up. I.e. a team like the Giants would prefer to trade for Yelich vs. signing Jay Bruce. But it is very strange.

free agents haven't been signed.

Teams know exactly what value to place on a player, and refuse to budge. I think everyone's saving their money for next year's class, too.

Still in shock on the Stanton pickup. Trying to figure out which FAs let them compete and/or which trade does that.
Everyone waiting for SOMEONE ELSE to make the first signing /trade and the $$$/(farm)players to set the market.
Plus do not want to give up kids they covet.
Nearterm paralysis of analysis.
RSox want to make a move, afraid of JD Martinez price; Dumb dumped the farm, waiting for the last 2 drafts to develop so can't, plus unsure that Devers was a short term spiker that needs to go back, or the true real deal.Stuck.
Fear=status quo.

1. Teams trying to stay below the Salary cap
2. Weak FA class
3. Teams looking at how the Yankees rebuilt their club with youth and are now thinking twice before giving out the gigantic contracts
4. Etc.

Maybe this is a shift in norms for mlb

Everyone is starting to see that overpaying and/or bad contracts can be a franchise killer for years.

I'm glad the Mets have played the market, instead of letting the market play them.

and Boras holds a number of the top end guys. IMO, he misjudged the market and over-promised his clients. Now he's trying to wait out the clubs in hopes that someone will break. The clubs, so far anyway, know his game and are holding fast to true value. We'll see who blinks.

In comment 13780980 bceagle05 said:

Quote:

Teams know exactly what value to place on a player, and refuse to budge. I think everyone's saving their money for next year's class, too.

That too. It would be very silly for any team to commit to Hosmer, Martinez, or Moustakas at their "perceived" values when next years class has potential to be leaps and bounds better.

whose signing should start the ball rolling, is Boston. But Boston is pushing up against the max luxury tax when you consider the number of their own young guys who they will have to extend over the next couple years. They barely have the money now.

Also, maybe teams are saving up for Harper and Machado?

I think most eligible players sign an offer before then - maybe there will be some movement when that's taken care of.

do with there 10 mill i think.....

In comment 13781048 Bill L said:

Quote:

and Boras holds a number of the top end guys. IMO, he misjudged the market and over-promised his clients. Now he's trying to wait out the clubs in hopes that someone will break. The clubs, so far anyway, know his game and are holding fast to true value. We'll see who blinks.

This is exactly it

But in this market you don�t go after an A player unless his years and/or price drops a lot. It�s the second tier guys who can be had right now. And third tier guys will be dirt cheap and forgotten.

That�s why you strike fast in this years free agency and wait for the second wave. Oh wait - forgot to strike first and fast too...

2018 FA Class

they are truly top tier. And suit the need.

For example, Boras can plant all the shit he wants, but it doesn't change the fact that JD Martinez is not a good fit for Fenway. He's a staright away to right center hitter, the deepest part of the yard. So, he did a good job creating a "Martinez to the Red Sox" vibe, but Sox proably don't think he's a fit for them. And other teams who may have interest buy into the Sox story and don't want to bid aginst themselves.

is essentially acting as a salary cap for the typical big spenders in the market (Dodgers, Yanks). I think there's definitely a link to next year's free agent class, and just how strong it is, and resetting the tax bracket for these heavy spenders can save millions and millions of tax dollars.

I also think that the cream of this year's FA crop, all come with age/injury concerns. JD Martinez and Yu Darvish are 30 and 31 respectively, and how many years and how much money do you want to commit to them? I think the Darvish domino, will lead to the other pitchers beginning to sign, like Arrieta, Lynn, and Cobb.

Regarding the other position players, I think there are a glut of similarly valued/skilled players depressing their markets. Low average guys with some pop that can be had for lower prospects at the deadline like Logan Morrison, Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce.

The Royals trio is holding out for the best deal, and they all have their warts. Cain is the only one that really surprises me at this point, I think he ends up being a great value for a team.

incur it.

They�ve done it before

Alex Cobb is asking for 17M PY, but you can't say if it's exorbitant until Arrieta signs.

Jon Morosi
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Sources: Gerrit Cole trade to #Astros imminent. @MLB

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Nice Yanks dodged a bullet on that one...

Let them get bent over for a mediocre pitcher.

In comment 13781270 HomerJones45 said:

Quote:

They�ve done it before

Could be collusion. Could also be that teams realized that the cost of deals signed early vs those signed late are dramatically different. I think everyone is waiting the middle market out and there will be a flurry of deals in the next couple weeks.

In comment 13781097 Shecky said:

Quote:

But in this market you don�t go after an A player unless his years and/or price drops a lot. It�s the second tier guys who can be had right now. And third tier guys will be dirt cheap and forgotten. That�s why you strike fast in this years free agency and wait for the second wave. Oh wait - forgot to strike first and fast too...

Annnnnnd, it�s official

.

The steroid era bounced those salaries nicely and added many years to the deals. Party is over. New stats allow owners to clearly see what they are buying.

Salaries are still very high. Wade 17 plus million for 71 innings wow.Santana 20 million. What leg do the players have to stand on alleging collusion?

Its few and far between when long term deals work out. ARod, CC Tex were poor deals.

Its a young mans game. Long term post 30 deals are bad deals for the clubs but spectacular for players.

I see it carrying over to this 'big' class next year. Maybe a tinge of rationality is finally descending on the owners. Heck you can probably pick the Duda's or Morrisons of the world up later in the year if you see a need