There may be another name to watch on the free agent market, as Japanese infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda has declared free agency and is looking for a deal with a major league club, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The 32-year-old has spent the vast majority of his time at third base while playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Matsuda has delivered consistent power numbers over the years, but showed a significant increase in his home run output last year, when he swatted a career-best 35 long balls. However, as Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker notes on Twitter, that tally was likely boosted by a favorable change in his home park’s dimensions. Over 603 plate appearances on the year, Matsuda slashed a robust .287/.357/.533. While his age (and lack of MLB experience) limits his value, the veteran does have the benefit of entering a market that lacks much in the way of hot corner options. And because he was eligible to become a free agent, he won’t need to go through the posting process (or have any part of his potential earnings reduced by a release fee).
Here are more notes from around the game as the free agent market kicks into gear:
- Japanese righty Kenta Maeda likely won’t be posted until after the “Super 12” tournament is completed in late November, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports. His team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, is still expected to make the intriguing starter available. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes took an early look at Maeda as a part of his annual top fifty free agent list, explaining that the Diamondbacks could be a strong contender for his services.
- Reliever Darren O’Day is drawing a lot of attention early in the offseason, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. While a variety of large-budget clubs — including the Tigers, Nationals, Mets, and Yankees — are expected to have interest, Sherman says the Orioles will have a chance to match any offers.
- Lefty Mark Buehrle still has not told his agents whether or not he’ll pitch next year, Sherman adds. But he’ll draw plenty of interest if he does, as about ten clubs have already reached out to see whether he would be pitching or retiring.
- Free agent outfielder Nori Aoki is completely healthy after dealing with concussion issues late in the season, agent Nez Balelo tells Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Giants’ decision to decline a seemingly affordable option on the veteran was motivated by a desire for flexibility, Balelo indicated, rather than Aoki’s ability to return at full speed. Aoki remains an often-underappreciated player, and he’ll be an interesting target for teams looking for value in the corner outfield.
- It’s shaping up as a strong market for righty Jeff Samardzija, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. He struggled mightily in the run prevention department last year, but many executives remain big fans of his stuff and makeup.
- Southpaw Johan Santana still wants to return in 2016, agent Peter Greenberg tells Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The 36-year-old’s most recent comeback attempts have been derailed by an array of ailments, but the two-time Cy Young winner is evidently still committed. He last threw in the big leagues in 2012.
- If you’re interested in reading up on what this winter may have in store, here are a few pieces looking at the market from a broader perspective. In an interesting and well-researched piece, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca explains that the addition of the second Wild Card has made deadline additions more difficult — which, in turn, makes it all the more important to build a team over the winter. The active period of front office turnover that we just experienced may lead to increased activity on the trade market, Sherman suggests.
- Likewise, a variety of outlets have recently taken different approaches to looking at individual players. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney provides a list of free agents who he thinks could be under-valued on the market. And ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick surveyed executives around the league on a variety of subjects, providing extensive quotes and analysis on different segments of the market.
I wonder who is a fit for Maeda? There are probably 10-12 teams that have the need and capital.
Dbacks are definitely an option. They were heavily connected with him last season.
I wonder if the Red Sox would have interest or if they’re still feeling burned by Matsuzaka.
It’d be great to see Johan compete in the league again.
I would too, but I imagine he’ll get more of the treatment like Barry Zito got from Oakland last year. Give him a few starts at the end of the season and call it good.
Only if he can make it to the end of the season without getting injured….
Touché.
Aoki’s market is tough to gauge. I thought he got way less than he was worth last off-season, and the Giants not thinking he’s worth the $5m (or somewhere in that ballpark) on his 2016 option is a head-scratcher, especially considering they pay Gregor Blanco only slightly less to come off the bench.
The fact that Aoki only played in 93 games may have something to do with it. Still very puzzling they turned down such a reasonable option.
I do wonder if it’s more or less for keeping all options on the table. Maybe they attempt to sign someone like Upton? Who knows?
For all we know, they could re-sign Aoki, but I have doubts he’ll be cheaper than what his 2016 Option could have been.
I wonder Aoki would be a good fit with the Angels. wouldn’t cosyt to much and wouldn’t have to sign him to a 6+ year deal and pay 100+ mil
Aoki would be a fit if the Angels decide to spend their money on an infielder or pitcher. If they go with their internal options in the infield I think the Angels will go after a more impactful bat in LF.
I totally agree. I’m just thinking of fun ways the angels could get what the need with out having to sign the guy into his late 30’s. we don’t need a bunch of guys with massive contracts. it will kill the future
CarGo to me makes the most sense for left field. He only has 2 years left on his deal. He will be 30 next season. And see if the Rockies will throw in DJ LeMahieu as well. Yes I know the Angels will have to trade good players to get them. Right now I would rather give up minor league players. That over pay what outfielders are available in the free agent market. Just don’t give up Newcomb.
The Angels basically have 3 good trade chips, Newcomb, Heaney and Richards (you could possibly add Skaggs to that list but he is coming off TJ surgery so his value is probably pretty low). After that the Angels’ farm system drops off substantially.
I don’t see anyway the Angels make any significant trades without parting with one of Newcomb, Heaney or Richards. Trading any of those pitchers would hurt the Angels more than another large FA contract.
Cron would be a chip that could help them get CarGo. There is more pitchers available in the free agent market than left handed hitting power outfielders. Hayward would be more expensive and no power. Gordon solid defender but wont add any protection for Pujols. Upton is all or nothing hitter. And the Angels are too right handed heavy already. So it is trade for a left handed bat. Or over pay in free agency. Richards along with Cron Marte and another minor league starting or Shoemaker most likely would be enough to get CarGo and possibly LeMahieu. And they could sign a second teir free agent starting pitcher to replace Richards.
Matsuda did not even hit that well in Japan, better hitters have come from there to MLB and struggled. Pass.
Matsuda had the 6th best OPS in the Pacific League this season (8th overall in NPB), so I’m not sure how he “did not even hit that well in Japan.”
Saying the Mets are, “a large budgeted club” is at best a joke. They were 21st in team payroll to start 2015. Their payroll was eclipsed by such powerhouses as the KC Royals (#16, $113m), MN Twins (#18, $109m), and MIL Brewers (19th, $105m).
I’d love for the Wilpons/Coupons to raise their payroll to be AT LEAST in the top half of the league. I mean..they are only in the #1 media market and were the WS runner-up, but I’m sure they’ll plead poverty like the past 5+ years…
Is a low payroll the product of not having a large budget or is it a product of simply having low-cost players who are doing well?
I really don’t know the answer, just something I thought of.
There have been dozens are articles detailing the payroll restrictions for the Mets since the Bernie Madoff debacle w. Mets ownership. The Mets have fielded a team despite very restrictive spending limits. In the near past the Mets owners had to borrow money from MLB to cover payroll/expenses. The Wilpons have/had close ties w MLB leadership, so they have gotten a pass. They are run like a small market team…with money problems. It is pathetic.