It would be an understatement to say that the 2017-18 MLB off-season was more than slow to develop. On December 20, Carlos Santana signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Phillies. Nine days later Wade Davis signs a three-year, $52 million contract to anchor the back of the Rockies bullpen and close out games. After that, most people were checking their phones to see if any big signings occurred which didn't until Eric Hosmer signed an eight-year, $144 million contract with the Padres on February 19.
Multiple free agents find teams for 2018 season
While it did take a lot of time for Free Agents to sign a contract, they finally did. While it isn't ideal for players or even teams, especially quality caliber players, to agree to deals this late into the off-season with spring training already underway, like the old saying goes, it's better late than never.
On March 10, the Royals brought back 3B Mike Moustakas on a one-year, $5.5 million deal according to the score. The Royals didn't expect to bring him back as they were focusing on re-signing Eric Hosmer which he eventually left for greener pastures in San Diego. As the Royals are undergoing a rebuild and are not expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, it is likely that the Royals will try and trade him at the trade deadline to attempt to improve a weak farm system.
Today, the Oakland Athletics nabbed C Jonathan Lucroy on a one-year, $6.5 million contract according to the score. Before the signing of Lucroy, the Athletics catching situation was shaky as they were projected to open the season with Bruce Maxwell as their starting C who is more suited as a backup C. While the Oakland Athletics are not going to be contenders in 2018, the singing was most likely to be able to flip him to a contender that's in need of a C at the trade deadline in order to bolster their farm system.
Lucroy isn't the only big signing that happened today as the Rockies re-signed Carlos Gonzalez to a one-year, $8 million contract according to The Score. Gonzalez will be returning for a 10th season with the Rockies. Gonzalez did not have a great season last year as he only batted .262 which is his lowest average in a season other than his rookie year.
Gonzalez or who is best known as "Cargo" joins a crowded Rockies outfield that consists of Charlie Blackmon, Ramel Tapia, Gerardo Parra and David Dahl but he is expected to get the starting job in RF.
Coming off a wild card loss, going into the off-season, the Twins prioritized to improve their pitching both in the rotation and bullpen as they hope to make the playoffs again this season.
For their bullpen, the Twins signed 41-year-old Fernando Rodney to close out games as well as Addison Reed to pitch in the seventh and/or eighth inning.
For their rotation, they acquired Jake Odorizzi via trade from the Rays and added veteran Anibal Sanchez on a one-year deal(who they ended up releasing a few days later).
Odorizzi and Sanchez weren't enough to make them serious contenders, especially with Ervin Santana, set to open the season on the DL with a finger injury. Another move was made today, as well as the Twins signed Lance Lynn to a one-year, $12 million deal according to The Score. Lynn was going into the off-season looking for a multi-year deal, but he ultimately had to settle for a one year deal. The Twins should be ecstatic that they were able to add Lynn as he is coming off a quite productive season as he went 11-8 with a 3.43 E.R.A. with the Cardinals last season.
Jake Arrieta was the second best pitcher (behind Darvish) available on the free agent market. Lots of people found it surprising that he still didn't have a team to play for this late in the offseason but that all changed today as the Phillies signed him to a three-year, $75 million deal according to The Score.
This singing has the Phillies adding an experienced starter to their young rotation.
Arrieta brings tons of experience to a young Phillies team who are at the end of their rebuilding stages and are now inching closer to being contenders. The young players on the Phillies have a lot to learn from Arrieta who has eight years of big league experience as well as a Cy Young award which he won in 2015, a world series ring from 2016 and he also threw two no-hitters over the course of his career.
Notable names still left
While most free agents have found new homes for the 2018 season, there are still notable names left on the free agent market. Alex Cobb is the best starting pitcher available for any teams that are in need of starting pitching.
Last season with the Rays, he went 12-10 with a 3.66 E.R.A. Some teams that are in need of starting pitching are the Orioles, Mariners, Angels, Brewers and a few other teams as well. Another notable name available on the free agent market is Greg Holland who tied for the most SV in the NL last season.
With bullpens playing a big role in baseball especially in the playoffs, contending teams would be wise to add him as he is an experienced CL who has 186 SV over seven seasons. Teams that are in need of a CL are the Cardinals, Angels, Nationals and a few other teams as well. It remains to be seen if Cobb, Holland and other free agents find a team to play for before the 2018 season gets underway.
