Top 50 Trade Candidates For The 2019 MLB Trade Deadline
2019/06/top-50-trade-candidates-2019-mlb-trade-deadline.htmlWe’re bringing back our annual series in the run-up to the trade deadline, drawing from our power ranking approach to pending free agents. … He's promised just $2.25MM this year, with a $500K payout for a 2020 mutual option.
Cubs Sign Craig Kimbrel
2019/06/cubs-to-sign-craig-kimbrel.htmlThat said, it's very common for free agents to hit the market with a big asking price as a starting point, yet Kimbrel's market never seemed to really develop even as the offseason continued and his contract demands fell into the three-year range. … (Links to Twitter.) Games-finished escalators can boost the option buyout value from the $1MM base; Kimbrel can add another $1MM apiece by reach 53 games finished in 2020 and 2021.
Phillies Sign Bryce Harper
2019/03/phillies-reportedly-agree-to-sign-bryce-harper.htmlAt the time of our initial top 50 rankings, we were of the belief that because Harper and Machado were non-traditional free agents (i.e. … He'll then be paid $26MM annually from 2020-28 and $22MM annually from 2029-31.
A Closer Look At The Red Sox And The Luxury Tax
2019/02/a-closer-look-at-the-red-sox-and-the-luxury-tax.htmlSale and Bogaerts are free agents after the 2019 season, and Martinez has an opt-out provision that he'll presumably exercise if he produces anywhere near his 2018 levels. … Should paying more in terms of prospects be preferable to lessening the 2020 draft budget? Some might argue that it's preferable to go ahead and commit to taking the draft hit in order to gain the advantages of a bolstered bullpen from the start of the season.
Cubs To Sign Brad Brach
2019/01/cubs-to-sign-brad-brach.html(MLBTR ranked Brach 41st on our Top 50 Free Agents list, with Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Jeff Todd projecting Brach for a two-year, $12MM deal.) The mutual option does provide the right-hander with the ability to test free agency again next winter if he returns to his old form, making the deal essentially a pillow contract. … The mutual option is also more of a dual option for the 2020 season, similar to what we've seen in recent contracts for Zach Britton and Yusei Kikuchi.
Dodgers Sign A.J. Pollock
2019/01/dodgers-to-sign-a-j-pollock.htmlMLB Trade Rumors projected Pollock to land a four-year, $60MM contract in our Top 50 Free Agents rankings, with Pollock ranked eighth in the Top 50 list. … Pollock could alternatively opt out after the third campaign -- and keep his $5MM buyout -- if he reaches one thousand total plate appearances in 2020 and 2021 or if he tallies 1,450 from 2019 through 2021.
Athletics Sign Joakim Soria
2018/12/athletics-nearing-deal-joakim-soria.htmlA two-year commitment to Soria in the $15.5MM range is within reasonable proximity, albeit a bit shy, of the two-year, $18MM contract MLBTR estimated when ranking the game's top 50 free agents in early November. … In addition to salaries of $6.5MM (2019) and $8.5MM (2020), Heyman tweets, Soria can earn $250K apiece upon finishing 35 and 40 games.
Rays Sign Charlie Morton
2018/12/rays-to-sign-charlie-morton.htmlMLBTR's ranked Morton 14th on our list of the offseason's top 50 free agents and projected Morton for a two-year, $32MM commitment, so he could greatly surpass that figure should that option year be exercised at the full amount. … DECEMBER 23: The value of Morton's option will drop to $10MM if he spends 31 to 90 days on the DL by the end of 2020, $5MM for 91 to 150 days, $3MM for 151 to 200 days and $1MM for more than 200, Heyman tweets.
Nationals Sign Kurt Suzuki
2018/11/nationals-sign-kurt-suzuki.htmlSuzuki checked in 46th on MLBTR's ranking of the Top 50 free agents this offseason, with an estimated two-year pact worth a total of $8MM. … 19, 11:10am: Suzuki's contract is a two-year, $10MM deal that'll pay him $4MM in 2019 and $6MM in 2020, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets.
Offseason Outlook: New York Mets
2018/11/offseason-outlook-new-york-mets-9.htmlBeyond that trio, fellow relievers Zach Britton, Andrew Miller, Joe Kelly, Cody Allen, Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria, Bud Norris, Brad Brach and Jesse Chavez are also among MLBTR's top 50 free agents. … However, even though the Mets play in the majors' biggest market and have zero dollars on their books past 2020, it's hard to imagine them reeling in either.
2018-19 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
2018/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2019.htmlMLB Trade Rumors is proud to present our 13th annual Top 50 Free Agents list! For the entire list of free agents, plus the ability to filter by signing status, position, signing team, and qualifying offer status, check out our mobile-friendly free agent tracker here. … A team would be paying entirely for Richards' 2020 season.
2018-19 International Signing Period Opens Today
2018/07/mlb-international-bonus-pools-free-agency-rules.htmlBadler's Top 50 ranking has full scouting reports and expected destinations/bonuses for the top free agents in the 2018-19 class, while Sanchez has his own Top 30 with free scouting reports (and likely destinations). … The Braves, in particular, are facing significant long-term penalties following last November's punishment for violating international spending guidelines; they'll be limited to a hard cap of $10K per player in 2019-20 and will be stripped of half their league-allotted bonus pool in the 2020-21 period.
Top 50 MLB Trade Candidates
2018/06/top-50-mlb-trade-candidates.htmlWe’re bringing back our annual series in the run-up to the trade deadline, drawing from our power ranking approach to pending free agents. … Castro is owed $10MM this year and another $12MM thereafter (including a $1MM buyout on a 2020 option), so the Fish would mostly just be looking to save some money by striking a deal.
Orioles Sign Alex Cobb
2018/03/orioles-to-sign-alex-cobb.htmlWhile many free agents left this winter's market feeling short-changed, Cobb ended up finding his desired four-year guarantee and a very healthy salary. … He'll make $14MM in each year from 2018-2020, including $6.5MM deferred without interest this season and $4.5MM deferred without interest in both '19 and '20.
Cubs Sign Yu Darvish
2018/02/cubs-to-sign-yu-darvish.htmlIn particular, many have theorized that teams may have been waiting for Darvish to sign before moving onto lesser free agents such as Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn. … It breaks down as follows, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter): $25MM in 2018, $20MM in 2019, $22MM apiece in 2020 and 2021, $19MM in 2022, and $18MM in 2023.
Indians Sign Yonder Alonso
2017/12/indians-sign-yonder-alonso.htmlThat quality season landed him 22nd on MLBTR's list of the top 50 free agents, with a prediction of a two-year, $22MM contract. … 23, 10:32am: Jordan Bastian of MLB.com provides some additional details on Alonso's 2020 option.
Rockies Sign Bryan Shaw
2017/12/rockies-close-to-deal-with-bryan-shaw.htmlMLB Trade Rumors ranked Shaw 25th on our list of the winter's Top 50 Free Agents, predicting him for a three-year deal worth $21MM. … 16: Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports breaks down Shaw's contract in a tweet, noting that the right-hander will earn $7.5MM in 2018, $8.5MM in 2019, and $9MM in 2020.
Cubs Sign Tyler Chatwood
2017/12/cubs-sign-tyler-chatwood.htmlChatwood, who'll turn 28 in a couple of weeks, was one of the youngest free agents on the market. … By operation of an escalator provision, that $13MM salary for 2020 will climb to $15MM if he earns an All-Star nod in each of the next two seasons or receives one Cy Young vote in either of those years.
Twins, Brewers Enter Offseason In Position To Spend
2017/11/twins-brewers-enter-offseason-in-position-to-spend.htmlEach year, our top ranking of the top 50 free agents and their projected contracts/destinations prompts many to raise an eyebrow. … Minnesota doesn't have a single dollar committed to the books in 2020.
Orioles Interested In Ian Desmond
2016/11/orioles-interested-in-ian-desmond.htmlThe 31-year-old Desmond signed a one-year, $8MM contract last offseason -- a disappointing outcome for a player who just six months earlier looked poised to enter the market as one of the premier free agents available. … The Orioles are interested in free agent Ian Desmond as a potential corner outfield option in 2017 and beyond, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network (Twitter link).
Offseason Outlook: Seattle Mariners
2015/11/offseason-outlook-seattle-mariners-6.htmlThe Angels signed some major free agents when Dipoto was GM, though it's well-known that owner Arte Moreno played a huge role in the signings of Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. … He's a bit old for a rookie (Karns turns 28 in November) but he's controlled through the 2020 season and looks to be a very promising arm in the M's rotation for years to come.
Yankees Agree To Sign Jacoby Ellsbury
2013/12/yankees-agree-to-sign-jacoby-ellsbury.htmlThe Yankees have been in simultaneous talks with Shin-Soo Choo, Carlos Beltran, and many other top free agents, including their own Robinson Cano. … The seven-year contract takes the outfielder through 2020 with a club option for 2021.