Traditional MLB Free Agency Is Dying Before Our Eyes

[Mr KLC]

Moneyball is now on steroids. Most owners are seeing now that the jurassic ways of blindly paying long term contracts for free agents like Pujols, Cabrera, Chris Davis, etc. are not a good business model. Players like Keuchel and Kimbrell are still out there in the cold having to decide if they need to swallow their pride, and sign short term deals just so they can get back on the baseball diamond. If you're not a Trout, Machado, or Harper, nothing is guaranteed in baseball's new economics system.

One after effect that I like from this is that players are now reconsidering signing extensions with their current clubs for financial security reasons. Players like Blake Snell and Alex Bregman are signing early contract extensions that go into their free agency years. It's not only good to see them getting paid early, but also knowing that they will be the potential faces of their respective franchises for many years to come. It's also bleeding into established players like Chris Sale, Paul Goldschmidt, and Justin Verlander either landing, or close to landing, extensions.

Don't get me wrong, I always love to see a good trade, but I miss the days when good players spent a decade with a team. We might be swinging our way back to that direction, at least until the current CBA runs out in 2021.

[Hman]

MLB will always suck in many people's opinions until there is a salary cap

[MinnesotaFats]

Forcing guys into extension good for game & small market midwest teams

[SamsNCharge99]

12 year deals are flat out stupid. After 3-4 years, the player or the team want to cut ties

[DeathAdder]

These guys play 162 games per season + spring training and playoffs. They deserve every last penny of their 12 yr 100-400 Mill contracts.
In many cases, a lot of MLB players aren't getting paid enough.

[Mr. Teaser]

Things are going to change next collective bargaining agreement. They actually started early and are working on it now.

[Mr KLC]

Verlander agrees to 2 year/$66 million extension. Another free agent off the 2020 board.

[Mr KLC]

Though the Yankees’ rotation was dealt a substantial blow yesterday with the news that Luis Severino would be shut down entirely for another six weeks, the organization isn’t hitting the panic button and making a sudden push for lingering free-agent Dallas Keuchel, SNY’s John Harper reports. New York general manager Brian Cashman would prefer to “exhaust all of the alternatives” before pursuing Keuchel unless the former Cy Young winner’s price tag drops even further. SNY’s Andy Martino tweets a similar sentiment, suggesting there’s no interest in Keuchel at this time.

[gojetsgomoxies]

it does seem that there is a huge change occurring right now in terms of many of these contracts being signed.

a good young player making $500k a year getting a "voluntary" 5 year $50MM dollar contract is excellent business for both player and team. player gets money he might never have gotten (injury, fall-off) and mental relief. teams get stability, which aids marketing/planning.

chris sale deal made sense even though he's been terrible since signing it..... not sure exactly the motivation for justin verlander deal/extension.... i understand the young player extensions. i don't necessarily understand the sudden interest in extensions for established players.

BTW, were cabrera or chris davis free agents?

[gojetsgomoxies]

also,

cabrera, pujols and chris davis WERE trout, machado and harper when they signed their deals. harper deal is going to look terrible over time.

[444]

True. Also Keuchel and Kimbrel just aren't very good anymore and that's the main reason why they are still on the shelf. People don't want to pay anywhere close to the amount that they are asking for. They aren't worth it.

Trout took a discount IMO.

[Mr KLC]

The draft pick attachment goes away first minute Monday, at 12:01 am. So look for Keuchel/Kimbrel to sign after that, maybe not too long after. Hear Yankees/Braves strongly in on DK; Twins, Brewers, Cards, Rays among others. CK market also active. ATL, PHI, MINN, TB, many more.

In 3 hours Keuchel and Kimbrel can sign w/o the signing team losing a draft choice. Rumors of Keuchel seeking just the Qualifying Offer prorated ($11-12M) are unfounded. If that’s all either sought, both would be signed, GMs say. In other words, that’s there but they seek more.

[Big Bear]

True. Also Keuchel and Kimbrel just aren't very good anymore and that's the main reason why they are still on the shelf. People don't want to pay anywhere close to the amount that they are asking for. They aren't worth it.

Trout took a discount IMO.

The Mariners could sure use Keuchel and Kimbrel

[Mr KLC]

Yankees say Keuchel would have to shave his signature beard if he signed w/them, and he’s said he’s willing to do so. However, the Yanks — considered favorites to sign DK w/ Braves and Cards — as of early today still were thought apart on $. Twins, Crew, Rays other possibilities.

[Big Bear]

[QUOTE=Mr KLC;28672740]Yankees say Keuchel would have to shave his signature beard if he signed w/them, and he’s said he’s willing to do so. However, the Yanks — considered favorites to sign DK w/ Braves and Cards — as of early today still were thought apart on $. Twins, Crew, Rays other possibilities.[/QUOTE

let that man have his beard


Without his beard his curveball may be flat