With a month left until 2024 spring training begins, some crucial free agents are still up for grabs, including third baseman Justin Turner, center fielder Cody Bellinger and left-handed pitcher Blake Snell.
This offseason has become costly for many teams, but none compare to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers spent over $1 billion in free agency, with $700 million of that total dedicated to pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. Despite the massive sum, Ohtani’s contract terms also made history with its team-friendliness, with $680 million deferred to the end of his contract. As such, he will only be paid $2 million per season over the next 10 years.
After Ohtani, the Dodgers signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year deal for $325 million. After both star-studded pitchers were taken, teams had to change their game plan and with that, free agency slowed down.
But there are still plenty of stars available to be signed. The top four, which includes Bellinger, Snell, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery and third baseman Matt Chapman, are all represented by the infamous agent Scott Boras. Boras is notorious for getting his clients the best deals, no matter how long it may take.
“Boras is the best and most powerful agent in the game because he gets great contracts for his clients, even if he has to drag their free agency out until late in the offseason,” wrote CBS Sports writer Mike Axisa.
Center fielder Cody Bellinger
Bellinger hit a rut in his last year with the Dodgers, but quickly pulled out of it after joining the Chicago Cubs, winning National League Comeback Player of the Year. It’s rumored that the Cubs will re-sign him, but only if Boras agrees to a lower asking price — a rare occurrence for the veteran agent.
The San Francisco Giants and the Toronto Blue Jays could emerge as other options for the outfielder, but the latter seems unlikely since they just re-signed center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. However, Bellinger could also play first base, which he did frequently for the Cubs in 2023.
“The [Los Angeles] Angels, [San Francisco] Giants, Mets, and [Seattle] Mariners all make sense as potential landing spots for Bellinger, but none of those clubs appear to be ready and/or willing to pay the asking price, which is believed to be north of $200 million,” MLB Analyst Mark Feinsand wrote.
Left-handed pitcher Blake Snell
Where might this two-time Cy Young Award winner end up? Snell exceeded expectations in the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres posting a 14-9 record and a 2.25 ERA, which was the lowest in the MLB. As of today, the New York Yankees are the only team to offer Snell a contract, according to Feinsand. The contract offered would extend over six years for $150 million.
Snell would join the reigning Roberto Clemente Award recipient and center fielder Aaron Judge as well as the highly sought-after right fielder Juan Soto. The latter also played alongside Snell for the Padres, so will the two reunite again in the Bronx? Or will another suitor win him over?
There are a number of teams looking to add depth to the bullpen which is crucial if they hope to compete with Ohtani and Yamamoto of the Dodgers and Josh Hader of the Astros. Another pitcher to look out for is Jordan Montgomery, who most recently played with the Texas Rangers. Which brings us to:
Left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery is one of the best available starting pitchers, Snell being the other. The midseason trade that landed him a contract with the 2023 World Series champions resulted in a 2.79 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 11 starts. It’s likely the Rangers will sign him again according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Given that Montgomery was essential to the Rangers’ championship win, a return to Arlington makes the most sense. There are concerns that the Rangers cannot land a top-shelf pitcher this offseason due to complications with their TV rights deal. Should that be the case, other top options for Montgomery include the Giants and the Angels.
Third baseman Matt Chapman
Chapman is a two-time Platinum Glove award winner and a strong hitter despite having a tough time at the plate batting .205 from May on, but we can blame that on his right-middle finger injury. The Jays put a qualifying order on the table for roughly $20 million, but he declined.
Both the Yankees and the Giants have been closely linked to Chapman, but the latter seems a better fit. The Giants have significant space in their payroll after losing out on both Ohtani and Yamamoto, so this might be the right move.
According to Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, “Chapman would help address the Giants’ shortage of power while providing, along with free-agent center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, the type of everyday anchor they lacked last season. He also would increase the defensive stability on the left side of the infield, something the Giants will need if they make rookie Marco Luciano, 22, their everyday shortstop.”
J.D. Davis, current Giants third baseman, put up good numbers in the 2023 season, but failed to avoid arbitration as his agent’s ask was almost half a million more than what was offered. Davis is entering the final year in his contract which would open up a spot for Chapman.
There are 30 teams vying for these two star pitchers and two strong field players. Will the clubs give into these players’ asking price or will Boras continue to freeze up the free agency market?