A really slow offseason has led to a lot of free agents [VIDEO] not having teams, which includes some of the game's biggest names, but the Free Agent market is slowly starting to develop with multiple free agents already finding teams. While Jake Arrieta [VIDEO], Lance Lynn, Mike Moustakas and other good players remain without a team to play for, teams have reached agreements with other free agents to fill voids on their rosters.
One big name comes off the board
On Monday, the Red Sox offcially signed outfielder JD Martinez to a 5 year/$110 million deal.
Martinez is expected to DH with the Red Sox as they currently have every outfield position occupied. Martinez was one of the best free agents available this offseason, especially with the fantastic season he had in 2017 which saw him hit 45 HR, including 29 HR in 62 games when he was traded to the Diamondbacks mid-season. A big reason why it took really long for Martinez to find a team was because of the asking price he requested which was $210 million over 7 years according to thescore. This signing brings a big name off the board and helps the Red Sox stay competitive with the revamped Yankees who added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton this offseason, who hit 59 HR for the Marlins last year.
Other moves around the league
On Sunday, the Twins signed 1B Logan Morrison to a 1 year/$6.5 million deal. Last year Morrison had a career year as he set career highs in HR (38), RBIs (85) and hits (126). The deal comes with incentives that are unknown, although one of the incentives is that he is able to turn his deal into a 2 year/$16.5 million deal, according to thescore.
Morrison adds another power bat to the Twins' lineup, who made it to the wild card game last season. Morrison is expected to DH for the Twins but will see time at 1B when Joe Mauer needs rest.
On Monday, the Jays signed RP Seung-Hwan Oh to a 1 year/$2 million deal. Oh originally agreed to a deal with the Rangers but that deal fell through because of his failed physical which found elbow damage in his throwing arm.
Oh was the CL for the Cardinals last year until he lost his job during the season. The Jays didn't sign Oh for him to be the CL as they have Roberto Osuna but he is expected to be used in high leverage situations out of the bullpen. Oh, 35 years old, who previously pitched in the Korean league before coming to the MLB 2 years ago, brings a 2.85 E.R.A. and 39 saves to the Blue Jays bullpen.
Yesterday, the Indians signed Mike Napoli to a minor league contract but the intention of the signing was not for him to try and make the opening day roster. The Indians signed him so he can showcase himself to other teams. Indians manager Terry Francona even told Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso who are the 1B and DH on the team that Napoli isn't in camp to "take your job" according to thescore.
If Napoli does end up making the opening day roster, he will earn $1.75 million and can make that into $3.25 million on incentives, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag sports.
Today, the Royals signed 1B Lucas Duda to a 1 year/$3.5 million deal. Duda, who spent last season with the Mets and Rays, will be the starting 1B for the Royals, who are undergoing a rebuild due to losing a lot of key players in free agency. The Royals' previous 1B was Eric Hosmer but he signed an 8 year/$144 million deal with the Padres.
Other free agents that have signed in recent days are Michael Saunders who signed with the Royals and Tommy Layne who signed with the Red Sox.
It remains to be seen if top free agents like Arrieta, Lynn, Moustakas and others sign before the 2018 season starts, which begins March 29th.
