CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman shares his predictions about where this offseason’s top 50 free agents will earn in their next contracts. Be sure to check out MLBTR’s own top 50 free agents list, as Heyman and Tim Dierkes have a few interesting differences over some contract values and where some players are ranked within the top 50. In other news from Heyman, his latest Inside Baseball column recaps several items that he and others have reported over the last few weeks, as well as some fresh hot stove tidbits…
- The Dodgers, Nationals, Red Sox and Tigers are among the many teams who have already shown interest in Darren O’Day. It’s no surprise that quartet has been particularly eager to check in with O’Day given how all four teams are known to be hunting for bullpen upgrades this winter. The Orioles, the righty reliever’s former team, “are trailing at present.”
- The Royals will look to re-sign Alex Gordon but are hoping to do so on a three- or four-year contract. Given how Gordon’s well-rounded game makes him a fit on several teams, he’ll easily top the three-year plateau and even four might be a pipe dream for Kansas City unless the Royals inflate his average annual value. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes predicts Gordon will land a five-year contract worth $105MM.
- We’ve already heard that the Twins were disappointed by Torii Hunter’s retirement, and beyond the loss of his clubhouse leadership, Heyman adds that the team will miss him from an on-field standpoint as well. Hunter would’ve been an insurance policy since the Twins aren’t sure if former top prospect Byron Buxton is ready for an everyday job. Buxton’s rookie season was a forgettable one, as he hit .209/.250/.326 over 138 plate appearances and also spent about seven weeks on the DL with a sprained thumb.
Holy monopoly money! Anyone else notice the $180m prediction for Chris Davis and go, whoa …. If he’s worth that kind of cash, what could the Rockies get for Carlos Gonzalez (who is the same age) or the Reds for Jay Bruce?
Neither Car Go or Bruce are free agents. There’s a big difference in spending money (which is in abundance since the new tv contracts) and trading players.
It might be in abundance but this is where big and small markets will likely grow more apart. Small owners will pocket most of the new TV deal while large market teams that have their own networks or large deals will just inflate salaries. I mean I just looked at the Red Sox resigning Leon… 275k to play in the minors? It’s getting out of hand with salaries.
my God, an extra $275k??? These salaries are completely out of hand. The horror, the horror.
OMG $275,000 to play in the minors. Completely outrageous for a backup catcher who can’t even hit his weight. But necessary as an insurance policy.
Found it interesting that he has Fister signing for 2 years at 10mil per and states he could be a “bargain”. Or if he pitches like last year he could be a waste of 20mil.
That’s the going rate for a pitcher like him. Brett Anderson for example got 1 yr $10M. Surprised to see a second year though
O’Day makes too much sense for the Mets, who had loads of bullpen issues in the playoffs. So of course they won’t be anywhere near him and will instead claim that they can’t spend this offseason.
edit: For whatever it’s worth, Marc Carig of Newdsay is reporting that the Mets have interest in O’Day: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-gm-sandy-alderson-s-job-keeping-national-league-champions-at-that-level-1.11071967
You could say the same thing for the Dodgers and tigers too
Spending big on relief is more important for contending teams. I’m not sure the Tigers are one of them. The Dodgers are, but who knows how much they’re going to spend this offseason.
O’Day was originally with the Mets, and to their perpetual dismay, they let him go. I’m sure they’d love to have him back
Tigers need O’day we need relief, If Avila isn’t top 2 with O’day I would be surprised
Interesting to note that Buxton has been a “top” prospect for so long that he’s now ineligible for the list, and still not ready for a starting job. The term “slightly overrated” comes to mind.
What’s the draw with Gordon? No real power, no speed and he’s an average hitter?