2021/2022 Free Agency Thread

[Grant77]

 

Ken Rosenthal

@Ken_Rosenthal

 

Free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz in agreement with Nationals on one-year contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.

 

Ken Rosenthal

@Ken_Rosenthal

 

Deal includes mutual option for 2023, per source

 

Ken Rosenthal

@Ken_Rosenthal

 

Cruz guarantee is $13M

 

 

 

It seems that he got tired of waiting for the Dodgers to sign Freeman.

[Brownie19]

Odd that Cruz would decide to sign with the Nats. He can't be hurting for money - why spend the year on a s***** team?

[Laika]

Odd that Cruz would decide to sign with the Nats. He can't be hurting for money - why spend the year on a s***** team?

 

C.R.E.A.NelsonCruz

[connorp]

Odd that Cruz would decide to sign with the Nats. He can't be hurting for money - why spend the year on a s***** team?

 

I guess that’s going on the assumption that every veteran is dying to win. I’d imagine mlb is sort of like real life. You can have an office full of people making a good salary, some are content just coming to work and cashing the nice check and others are looking to step on someone’s throat to move up. Not a perfect parallel of course, but he’s probably gotten used to losing and made peace with it. Or at least doesn’t put winning at top of priorities at least

[BTS]

I guess that’s going on the assumption that every veteran is dying to win. I’d imagine mlb is sort of like real life. You can have an office full of people making a good salary, some are content just coming to work and cashing the nice check and others are looking to step on someone’s throat to move up. Not a perfect parallel of course, but he’s probably gotten used to losing and made peace with it. Or at least doesn’t put winning at top of priorities at least

 

I’ve always thought that fans really overestimate how much most players actually care about winning. It might not even really register for a lot of guys, despite the lip service. Money, personal success, city being a good personal fit, friends on the team etc… are all things that might be more important, depending on the player.

[Jonn]

God do I want Kyle Schwarber. He absolutely transforms this already good lineup. High on base slugger that hits lefty. Can rotate between 1B, LF, and DH.

 

Bat him second

 

Springer

Schwarber

Vlad Jr

 

Due up in the first inning every night. You can’t pitch around that. They are either doing damage or getting on base.

[Grant77]

God do I want Kyle Schwarber. He absolutely transforms this already good lineup. High on base slugger that hits lefty. Can rotate between 1B, LF, and DH.

 

Bat him second

 

Springer

Schwarber

Vlad Jr

 

Due up in the first inning every night. You can’t pitch around that. They are either doing damage or getting on base.

 

I have little interest in a guy who is nearly unplayable in the field. It doesn't fit our current roster construction very well at all and we already have enough issues defensively. Someone like Chapman is a far, far better fit.

[glory]

With Correa's options shrinking, I wonder if he becomes a realistic target here. If the Jays were in on Seager as reported, and in on Freeman (who aside from being LH is a horrible positional fit), then Correa probably isn't an unrealistic target, especially if he is looking into a high AAV short term deal to get back on the market next year (an idea that Rosenthal played around with, no clue if it's likely). I don't see any team giving him $350m or close to it other than maybe the Astros, but their last offer was WAY below that and I doubt they increase it that much when his market has dried up since then.

[Brownie19]

I guess that’s going on the assumption that every veteran is dying to win. I’d imagine mlb is sort of like real life. You can have an office full of people making a good salary, some are content just coming to work and cashing the nice check and others are looking to step on someone’s throat to move up. Not a perfect parallel of course, but he’s probably gotten used to losing and made peace with it. Or at least doesn’t put winning at top of priorities at least

 

Yeah that's fair. I just curious at age 41 what his motivation to continue is and probably assumed it was to win. $13M is $13M, but I'd have thought if he didn't care much about winning that he'd choose a better city at least (like a warm one). Also curious why the Nats would go after him. I guess to flip him at the deadline for a prospect - and maybe Nelly knows that's what will happen and knows he'll have a chance to win then too.

[Sammy225]

With Correa's options shrinking, I wonder if he becomes a realistic target here. If the Jays were in on Seager as reported, and in on Freeman (who aside from being LH is a horrible positional fit), then Correa probably isn't an unrealistic target, especially if he is looking into a high AAV short term deal to get back on the market next year (an idea that Rosenthal played around with, no clue if it's likely). I don't see any team giving him $350m or close to it other than maybe the Astros, but their last offer was WAY below that and I doubt they increase it that much when his market has dried up since then.

 

I am starting to wonder if he stays in Houston.... Cubs and Yanks seem out on him I can maybe see the twins take a stab at him or Storey, i just don't see who else is out there looking at him.

[Grant77]

Yeah that's fair. I just curious at age 41 what his motivation to continue is and probably assumed it was to win. $13M is $13M, but I'd have thought if he didn't care much about winning that he'd choose a better city at least (like a warm one). Also curious why the Nats would go after him. I guess to flip him at the deadline for a prospect - and maybe Nelly knows that's what will happen and knows he'll have a chance to win then too.

 

In some ways, signing with a non contender on a 1 year deal is a more likely path to the playoffs than signing with a fringe team like the Phillies or Twins who are a coin flip to make the playoffs, but won't trade you.

[Jonn]

I have little interest in a guy who is nearly unplayable in the field. It doesn't fit our current roster construction very well at all and we already have enough issues defensively. Someone like Chapman is a far, far better fit.

 

And I remain very thankful you’re not the General Manager.

[Grant77]

And I remain very thankful you’re not the General Manager.

 

So am I, but disagreeing with stupid takes doesn't mean someone thinks that they are smarter than the GM.

[Jimcanuck]

I’m sure Cruz and the Nats have an agreement he will be traded to a contender on request. And he probably gets to pick the acceptable teams

[Krylian]

I’m sure Cruz and the Nats have an agreement he will be traded to a contender on request. And he probably gets to pick the acceptable teams

 

Assuming that Cruz doesn't fall off a cliff and his value becomes nil.

[Slade]

Doesn't look like a lot is left on the RP market but still feel like we should add another arm and more minor league deals when the market eventually dries up.

[wilko]

Doesn't look like a lot is left on the RP market but still feel like we should add another arm and more minor league deals when the market eventually dries up.

 

[Jonn]

So am I, but disagreeing with stupid takes doesn't mean someone thinks that they are smarter than the GM.

 

Yes signing Kyle Schwarber is a stupid take ok buddy lol.

[jerb]

 

Red Sox Stats

@redsoxstats

 

Nikkan is reporting Suzuki to the Padres for 5/$70M, with opt-outs. Mentions he wanted to play in a warm climate.

https://t.co/jEFDqn1Epz

[Grant77]

Yes signing Kyle Schwarber is a stupid take ok buddy lol.

 

Overpaying for a guy that doesn't fit our needs at all and suggesting that we play him at a position where he is an absolute trainwreck is a stupid take.

[Jonn]

Overpaying for a guy that doesn't fit our needs at all and suggesting that we play him at a position where he is an absolute trainwreck is a stupid take.

 

How does he not fill a need? Whose the other power hitting Lefty with a great on base percentage in our lineup? Biggio? Sometimes the exact need for your team is not available. Realistically we are probably starting the season with Espinal at Third and Biggio at Second. So you go out and get a bat that can help you. He fits beautifully. He can be rotated at 1B, LF, and DH. Making sure Springer and Vlad get DH at-bats. The only real issue is Grichuk. And who cares about Grichuk.

[wamco]

How does he not fill a need? Whose the other power hitting Lefty with a great on base percentage in our lineup? Biggio? Sometimes the exact need for your team is not available. Realistically we are probably starting the season with Espinal at Third and Biggio at Second. So you go out and get a bat that can help you. He fits beautifully. He can be rotated at 1B, LF, and DH. Making sure Springer and Vlad get DH at-bats. The only real issue is Grichuk. And who cares about Grichuk.

 

I’m on Schwarber train as well

[Grant77]

How does he not fill a need? Whose the other power hitting Lefty with a great on base percentage in our lineup? Biggio? Sometimes the exact need for your team is not available. Realistically we are probably starting the season with Espinal at Third and Biggio at Second. So you go out and get a bat that can help you. He fits beautifully. He can be rotated at 1B, LF, and DH. Making sure Springer and Vlad get DH at-bats. The only real issue is Grichuk. And who cares about Grichuk.

 

This team led the league in OPS against right handed pitchers last year. Guys like Guerrero Jr, Gurriel Jr, and Jansen had negative splits.

 

The ability to hit right handed pitching isn't an issue for this team, period. Infield depth, team defense, and pitching are our biggest issues in that order. Paying Schwarber a bunch of money solves none of those issues. In fact, it makes them worse.

 

If we fill our hole at 3B and get some relief help and still have 15 million burning a hole in our pocket then sure, sign me up for Schwarber, but It's a silly notion right now.

[RustyTrombone]

This team led the league in OPS against right handed pitchers last year. Guys like Guerrero Jr, Gurriel Jr, and Jansen had negative splits.

 

The ability to hit right handed pitching isn't an issue for this team, period. Infield depth, team defense, and pitching are our biggest issues in that order. Paying Schwarber a bunch of money solves none of those issues. In fact, it makes them worse.

 

If we fill our hole at 3B and get some relief help and still have 15 million burning a hole in our pocket then sure, sign me up for Schwarber, but It's a silly notion right now.

 

Stop trying so hard. There is no universe where Schwarber makes us a worse team

[Laika]

Yeah I'd take Schwarber unless the cost got too stupid. He'd be the DH for me though and Grichuk is on the bench. That's a 2 win upgrade...

 

... but I get where grant is coming from. I doubt Toronto actually wants to clog up the DH spot. Schwarber is a pretty bad OF, you would not want him out there all the time.

[Terminator]

Let's get Matt Chapman and Schwarber. There's room for both.

[Terminator]

Grant's irrational hatred of the Red Sox is so immense that he even hates players who wore a Sox Jersey for a couple of months after being traded there. That's why Grant hates Schwarber.

[RustyTrombone]

My number one choice would still be to sign Freeman and move slimmer Vladdy to 3b where he has the most experience and let Espnial and Biggio fight for 2b.

[Dick_Pole]

 

Red Sox Stats

@redsoxstats

 

Nikkan is reporting Suzuki to the Padres for 5/$70M, with opt-outs. Mentions he wanted to play in a warm climate.

https://t.co/jEFDqn1Epz

 

Such a ridiculous take, especially from a player presumably not spending his off season in America. When it comes to baseball's regular season, I'm taking May, June, July, August and September in Toronto, Chicago, Boston or New York over anything south of Pittsburgh. April and October are toss-ups and if you're playing in November you should feel happy to be playing anywhere in November. Hopefully his agent helped in educating him about this continent's climate.

[glory]