It all kicks off today! MLB free agents can officially sign with a new team or their old team starting at 5 PM, ET this evening. Which teams will be aggressive and which ones will pick and choose their battles is yet to be seen, but don’t be surprised if teams like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs dive in head first and try to make an early splash!
MLB.com reports that some decisions have already been made by a few key players on the market.
The San Francisco Giants will have right-hander Johnny Cueto back after he decided to exercise his player option rather than become a free agent. The Dodgers Andre Ethier will test the market after 12 seasons with Los Angeles after they declined to pick up his option.
Cubs eye Arrieta, Darvish or someone else?
Will the Chicago Cubs re-sign pitcher Jake Arrieta? It looks doubtful, but you never know. Right now the rumor mill has Arrieta hooking up with the Milwaukee Brewers or possibly the LA Dodgers. The Cubs are one of many teams that are rumored to have a strong interest in Yu Darvish. If that’s true, you know the odds of possibly bringing back Arrieta are slim to none.
How about Jd Martinez? Martinez without a doubt is the hottest hitter available on the market. While strong rumors have Martinez tied to the Boston Red Sox, don't be surprised if the Diamondbacks counter offer a deal. In his half-season with Arizona, Martinez smashed 29 home runs and drove in 62, making fans in the desert yearning for more!
Martinez said he would love to return to the Detroit Tigers, and fans in Motown would love to have him back as well. However, the odds of JD and the Tigers brass agreeing on a contract don't seem realistic at this time.
Another player the Tigers and several other teams would love to see in their uniform is Eric Hosmer. Hosmer is being linked to several teams at the moment, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, but don't be surprised if the Royals offer him big bucks to stay in Kansas City.
Last season the KC brass and Hosmer couldn't agree on an extension, but now the Royals have to shell out or risk Hosmer leaving the only organization he has played for.
Shohei Otani sweepstakes
One question a lot of baseball fans are asking is where will Shohei Otani land? If you haven't heard about Otani, you will soon. Otani is being hailed as one of the greatest two-way baseball stars to ever hit the field in Japan. Scouts say he can pitch like Roger Clemens in his prime and hit like Babe Ruth.
Fans here in the US may have to wait another season to see if Otani decides to head to the majors as it is being reported that he has yet to obtain an agent. The 23-year-old has compiled a 42-15 record for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
He also can mash with the best of them as he has a career batting average near .300 and has hit several tape measure home runs.
Rumor has it since Otani may not be able to get the payday he is looking for under the current MLB CBA, he may not head to the states for a year or two from now.
If any major deals are struck this afternoon, they will be updated in the comments section below.
Let the free agency madness begin!