Top 50 Free Agent Review

[reillymcshane]

The following is a rundown of the Top 50 free agents (per MLB Trade Rumors). I've bolded the players still available - which is about 1/3 of the guys on the list.

 

Looking through these players, it looks like quality relievers got more than predicted. With the exception of Addison Reed, almost every decent reliever got more - or close to - what was predicted. Also, you can see that there are very few longer term deals. Only two - thus far - over three years. Teams appear to be giving a bit more money but fewer years (just a generalization). Other observations: corner bats are not getting great deals (or any deals). This happened last year as well. Still, the best bats appear to waiting for the dominos to fall (meaning JD Martinez first).

 

The big backlog is at the top of the list, where 7 of 11 of the top guys are still unsigned. I'm guessing the starting pitchers still get good coin, but maybe not quite as many years as they thought. Also, teams willing to pay big bucks for relievers may be gone, which could be a problem for Greg Holland. Moustakas may be a numbers victim as well - a good corner player that just doesn't have a team willing to pay him top dollar. Guys like him and Morrison may end up signing one or two year deals.

 

It will be interesting to see how things play out, but it appears that guys signing early got the good deals. And now some teams may be getting squeezed on their budgets.

 

1. Yu Darvish – PREDICTION: Cubs. Six years, $160MM. ACUTAL: Cubs. Six years, $126M

2. J.D. Martinez – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Six years, $150MM.

3. Eric Hosmer – PREDICTION: Royals. Six years, $132MM. ACTUAL: Padres, eight years, $144M (or opt out after five years, $105M)

4. Jake Arrieta – PREDICTION: Brewers. Four years, $100MM.

5. Masahiro Tanaka – PREDICTION: Phillies. Five years, $100MM. ACTUAL: Opted into Yankees contract.

6. Mike Moustakas – PREDICTION: Braves. Five years, $85MM.

7. Lorenzo Cain – PREDICTION: Giants. Four years, $70MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Five years, $80M

8. Wade Davis – PREDICTION: Astros. Four years, $60MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $52M

9. Lance Lynn – PREDICTION: Rangers. Four years, $56MM.

10. Greg Holland – PREDICTION: Cardinals. Four years, $50MM.

11. Alex Cobb – PREDICTION: Twins. Four years, $48MM.

12. Carlos Santana – PREDICTION: Indians. Three years, $45MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Three years, $60M

13. Zack Cozart – PREDICTION: Padres. Three years, $42MM. ACTUAL: Padres. Three years, $38M

14. Jay Bruce – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Three years, $39MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Three years, $39M

15. Logan Morrison – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Three years, $36MM.

16. Addison Reed – PREDICTION: Cubs. Four years, $36MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $16,75M

17. Todd Frazier – PREDICTION: Mets. Three years, $33MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $17M

18. Mike Minor – PREDICTION: Dodgers. Four years, $28MM. ACTUAL: Rangers. Three years, $28M

19. Brandon Morrow – PREDICTION: Rockies. Three years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $21M

20. Jonathan Lucroy – PREDICTION: Rockies. Two years, $24MM.

21. CC Sabathia – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Yankees. One year, $10M

22. Yonder Alonso – PREDICTION: Angels. Two years, $22MM. ACTUAL: Indians. Two years, $16M

23. Carlos Gomez – PREDICTION: Royals. Two years, $22MM.

24. Juan Nicasio – PREDICTION: Twins. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Mariners. Two years, $17M

25. Bryan Shaw – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M

26. Michael Brantley – PREDICTION: White Sox. Two years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Indians exercised option.

27. Andrew Cashner – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Orioles. Two years, $16M

28. Neil Walker – PREDICTION: Brewers. Two years, $20MM.

29. Tyler Chatwood – PREDICTION: Phillies. Three years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Three years, $39M

30. Jake McGee – Cubs. PREDICTION: Three years, $18MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M

31. Jaime Garcia – PREDICTION: Royals. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Blue Jays. One year, $10M

32. Alex Avila – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Diamondbacks. Two years, $8.25M

33. Jhoulys Chacin – PREDICTION: Reds. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Two years, $16M.

34. Welington Castillo – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: White Sox. Two years, $15M

35. Eduardo Nunez – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Red Sox. One year, $6M.

36. Anthony Swarzak – PREDICTION: Brewers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $14M

37. Steve Cishek – PREDICTION: Rangers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $13M

38. Brandon Kintzler – PREDICTION: Nationals. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $10M

39. Jon Jay – PREDICTION: Rangers. Two years, $14MM.

40. Carlos Gonzalez – PREDICTION: Orioles. One year, $12MM.

41. Tommy Hunter – PREDICTION: Braves. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $18M

42. Jarrod Dyson – PREDICTION: Pirates. Two years, $12MM.

43. Pat Neshek – PREDICTION: Mariners. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $16.25

44. Tony Watson – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Giants. Three years, $7M

45. Howie Kendrick – PREDICTION: Giants. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $7M

46. Jason Vargas – PREDICTION: Orioles. One year, $10MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $16M

47. Chris Tillman – PREDICTION: Tigers. One year, $10MM. ACTUAL: Orioles. One year, $3M

48. Lucas Duda – PREDICTION: Mariners. One year, $6MM.

49. Michael Pineda – PREDICTION: Rays. Two years, $6MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $10M

50. Miles Mikolas – PREDICTION: Padres. Two years, $10MM. ACTUAL: Cardinals. Two years, $15.5M

 

Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

[TJseven7]

Walker and Lucroy look like they are looking at 16/2 offers from everything that signed around them. Maybe lucroy even less as the catcher markets rough.

 

My question at this point is what are these guys waiting for? The market isn't going to miraculously change. Right now you take what's offered. Make your choice, shorter term higher priced or longer term and discounted. Those are the options.

 

Prove it deals came into fashion in the NFL one random offseason after a CBA. Now it's in vogue for the MLB. When a few key big spenders are looking at the tax line and 2019... and a few others are already maxed on crap they signed years ago this is going to happen. If the tops not being auctioned off to the big markets the middle markets demand isn't going to soar and they won't fight over marginal upgrades.

[KeithStone53151]

Sure seems that way, the guy I'm the most shocked by is Moustakas. 38 HR year and almost nobody has interest, reportedly anyway. I think some rebuilding teams will pick up some of the lower tier outfielders hoping to flip later. I also think with 2 SP signing today, I get the impression teams want to get their SP squared away before spring training games start. I could see Cobb/Lynn signing very soon. I'm sticking to my Arrieta doesn't sign until May or June prediction.

[KeithStone53151]

Walker and Lucroy look like they are looking at 16/2 offers from everything that signed around them.

 

My question at this point is what are these guys waiting for? The market isn't going to miraculously change. Right now you take what's offered. Make your choice, shorter term higher priced or longer term and discounted. Those are the options.

 

Prove it deals came into fashion in the NFL one random offseason after a CBA. Now it's in vogue for the MLB.

 

The problem is too many Boras clients. I especially think Martinez and Arrieta could hold out into the season. Hosmer's offers are good to the point that he'll probably sign. I fully expect Lynn/Cobb to sign in the next week or so.

 

As much as I'm generally on the team side of things, I find it a bit irritating that teams are using time as leverage. Wait until the season is closer and for players to potentially panic, it's a really dirty tactic in my opinion. I get the players are millionaires in most cases but it's still their livelihood.

[reillymcshane]

My question at this point is what are these guys waiting for? The market isn't going to miraculously change. Right now you take what's offered. Make your choice, shorter term higher priced or longer term and discounted. Those are the options.

I think there's some possibility that things open up a bit, but it's a risk. Some teams probably have money - it's just a matter of where to spend it. The Nationals, for instance, may be interested in a starting pitcher. But if they don't get what they want, perhaps they add Lucroy.

 

Still, you have to wonder if anyone (outside of the Top 10 or so players) will get more than two years.

[reillymcshane]

By the way, can you imagine how much money Lucroy has missed out on? A year ago people were saying 4-5 years at $16-18M per. He'll still make millions - but wow - he lost a ton of cash by having such a down year.

[MVP2110]

Yea the only thing players might be holding out hope for is an injury of some sort. Can definitely see the pitchers signing in the next few days as team will want them ready to start games in a week so they can get ready for the season. Hitters probably still have a few weeks.

[TJseven7]

Walker and Lucroy look like they are looking at 16/2 offers from everything that signed around them.

 

My question at this point is what are these guys waiting for? The market isn't going to miraculously change. Right now you take what's offered. Make your choice, shorter term higher priced or longer term and discounted. Those are the options.

 

Prove it deals came into fashion in the NFL one random offseason after a CBA. Now it's in vogue for the MLB.

 

The problem is too many Boras clients. I especially think Martinez and Arrieta could hold out into the season. Hosmer's offers are good to the point that he'll probably sign. I fully expect Lynn/Cobb to sign in the next week or so.

 

As much as I'm generally on the team side of things, I find it a bit irritating that teams are using time as leverage. Wait until the season is closer and for players to potentially panic, it's a really dirty tactic in my opinion. I get the players are millionaires in most cases but it's still their livelihood.

 

I'm sorry but boras is a blowhard hype man who has sold teams on a "marginally better is worth a ton" mantra for years.

 

He's selling lemons consistently to these teams and you had to figure they'd eventually wise up. Baseball is becoming so metric based and numbers savvy that the other shoe was bound to drop. You add these bright young minds into positions of power in the league and you'll eventually get to a point where the market collapses on over priced "impact."

 

The players all have offers they don't think are good enough. They are the delay not the owners or FO. No FO is going to risk low balling talent to a point where they give their competition an value contract. They've just stopped jumping through boras' hoops. The agents burnt bridges in the sport and now the numbers are exposing them for what they are. They mouthed off to their clients expecting a new crop of suckers and the wrong suckers bailed out of the market and the teams left aren't falling for it.

 

It would be like the nfl owners FOs realizing keenum foles bortles with a good OC can win so there's no reason to pay carr garrapolo smith the same money as Rodgers... because they are worth about half of that. Then realizing interior OL is actually worth more than WRs and RBs. But that would take production metrics... oh wait!

 

Shorter term deals on RP going up...

Owar and Dwar producing bats still sought...

None of the arms are the rare 6war stars so they aren't worth crazy money...

 

It's very logical why this is happening.

[PeaveyFury]

Getting near the point where you have to wonder if Walker would accept a short deal just to get into camp. I'm moderately surprised that he hasn't signed this week.

[MVP2110]

Getting near the point where you have to wonder if Walker would accept a short deal just to get into camp. I'm moderately surprised that he hasn't signed this week.

 

I think most hitters can still give it about 2-3 weeks. They don't need that much time to get ready and can wait and see if there are any injuries.

[adambr2]

By the way, can you imagine how much money Lucroy has missed out on? A year ago people were saying 4-5 years at $16-18M per. He'll still make millions - but wow - he lost a ton of cash by having such a down year.

 

Although he's still made millions, Lucroy has been a victim of bad timing his entire career. Signed a team friendly deal (which I still agree with doing, even though it didn't work out for him). Outperformed the deal and had his best years during the deal.

 

Then he tried to get the Indians to drop his option to accept a trade there, which they obviously wouldn't, otherwise that would have worked out great for him. Instead he goes to Texas, they exercise his option, he has a down year and then the market crashes when he reaches FA. Bad timing on both.

 

Good chance the best catcher in team history never even pulls down $7M in a single season.

[JosephC]

Sure seems that way, the guy I'm the most shocked by is Moustakas. 38 HR year and almost nobody has interest, reportedly anyway. I think some rebuilding teams will pick up some of the lower tier outfielders hoping to flip later. I also think with 2 SP signing today, I get the impression teams want to get their SP squared away before spring training games start. I could see Cobb/Lynn signing very soon. I'm sticking to my Arrieta doesn't sign until May or June prediction.

 

IMO he's the guy who shouldn't get anything close as to what the expectation was entering the off-season. 38 home runs last year but only averaged 16 home runs per season from 2012-2015 (skipped 2016 because he only played in 27 games). Has the reputation of a great third baseman but over the course of his career is only a +7 DRS (so about +1 DRS per season) and +4.5 UZR/150...and was actually on the negative side in both during 2017. He's averaged 120 games played over the last five years. Granted, that number is skewed because he only played 27 games in 2017, but even completely throwing out that season, he's playing in 142 games and missing 20 games per season. And by far the biggest problem, he just makes too many outs. Has played in parts of 7 seasons and only one time has been above .314 OBP. Lifetime .305 OBP performer.

 

When I look at him and think what he does great....he hits home runs....well at least he did in 2017. Outside of that there isn't really all that much to get excited about.

[Fear The Chorizo]

By the way, how smart do Casey Close and Tanaka look for not opting out of their deal with the Yankees?

 

Cobb and Lynn are the only remaining FA's near that top ten list not represented by Boras who haven't signed...I also see those being the more realistic options signed by the Brewers at this point. None of the top 20 FAs that signed are represented by Boras. Starting to see a pattern here?

 

Normally, the top FAs sign relatively quickly if their perceived market value matches what clubs value them at - when a certain super agent who always overvalues his clients tries to draw a line in the sand with a talented but flawed group of clients and tries to force open a market for them that just isn't there, it looks alot like this type of offseason.

[JosephC]

A quick look at the representation for those who haven't signed.

 

2. J.D. Martinez – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Six years, $150MM. Scott Boras

3. Eric Hosmer – PREDICTION: Royals. Six years, $132MM. Scott Boras

4. Jake Arrieta – PREDICTION: Brewers. Four years, $100MM. Scott Boras

6. Mike Moustakas – PREDICTION: Braves. Five years, $85MM. Scott Boras

9. Lance Lynn – PREDICTION: Rangers. Four years, $56MM. Excel Sports Management

10. Greg Holland – PREDICTION: Cardinals. Four years, $50MM. Scott Boras

11. Alex Cobb – PREDICTION: Twins. Four years, $48MM. Beverly Hills Sports Council

15. Logan Morrison – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Three years, $36MM. ISE baseball

20. Jonathan Lucroy – PREDICTION: Rockies. Two years, $24MM. Excel Sports Management

23. Carlos Gomez – PREDICTION: Royals. Two years, $22MM. Scott Boras

28. Neil Walker – PREDICTION: Brewers. Two years, $20MM. Hendricks Sports

39. Jon Jay – PREDICTION: Rangers. Two years, $14MM. CAA Sports

40. Carlos Gonzalez – PREDICTION: Orioles. One year, $12MM. Scott Boras

42. Jarrod Dyson – PREDICTION: Pirates. Two years, $12MM. CSE

44. Tony Watson – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Two years, $12MM. Scott Boras

46. Jason Vargas – PREDICTION: Orioles. One year, $10MM. CAA Sports

47. Chris Tillman – PREDICTION: Tigers. One year, $10MM. Beverly Hills Sports Council

48. Lucas Duda – PREDICTION: Mariners. One year, $6MM. Beverly Hills Sports Council

 

[Fear The Chorizo]

Very interesting list...has anyone Boras represents in the top 50 signed a deal yet?

 

EDIT: Nope...

[JosephC]

Representation of players that have signed. Agent information from baseball-reference.com

 

1. Yu Darvish – PREDICTION: Cubs. Six years, $160MM. ACUTAL: Cubs. Six years, $126M - Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock

7. Lorenzo Cain – PREDICTION: Giants. Four years, $70MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Five years, $80M - ?

8. Wade Davis – PREDICTION: Astros. Four years, $60MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $52M - Jet Sports Management

12. Carlos Santana – PREDICTION: Indians. Three years, $45MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Three years, $60M - Octagon

13. Zack Cozart – PREDICTION: Padres. Three years, $42MM. ACTUAL: Padres. Three years, $38M - Excel Sports Management

14. Jay Bruce – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Three years, $39MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Three years, $39M - Matt Sosnick

16. Addison Reed – PREDICTION: Cubs. Four years, $36MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $16,75M - Wasserman Media Group

17. Todd Frazier – PREDICTION: Mets. Three years, $33MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $17M - CAA Sports

18. Mike Minor – PREDICTION: Dodgers. Four years, $28MM. ACTUAL: Rangers. Three years, $28M - Jet Sports Management

19. Brandon Morrow – PREDICTION: Rockies. Three years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $21M - Wasserman Media

21. CC Sabathia – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Yankees. One year, $10M - Roc Nation Sports

22. Yonder Alonso – PREDICTION: Angels. Two years, $22MM. ACTUAL: Indians. Two years, $16M - MVP Sports Group

24. Juan Nicasio – PREDICTION: Twins. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Mariners. Two years, $17M - Reynolds Sports Management

25. Bryan Shaw – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M - Rowley Sports Management

27. Andrew Cashner – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Orioles. Two years, $16M - CAA Sports

29. Tyler Chatwood – PREDICTION: Phillies. Three years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Three years, $39M - Bob Garber

30. Jake McGee – Cubs. PREDICTION: Three years, $18MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M - Wasserman Media Group

31. Jaime Garcia – PREDICTION: Royals. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Blue Jays. One year, $10M - Melvin Roman

32. Alex Avila – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Diamondbacks. Two years, $8.25M - Excel Sports Management

33. Jhoulys Chacin – PREDICTION: Reds. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Two years, $16M. - Rep 1 Baseball

34. Welington Castillo – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: White Sox. Two years, $15M - ISE Baseball

35. Eduardo Nunez – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Red Sox. One year, amount unknown. - ISE Baseball

36. Anthony Swarzak – PREDICTION: Brewers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $14M - Jet Sports Management

37. Steve Cishek – PREDICTION: Rangers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $13M - Jet Sports Management

38. Brandon Kintzler – PREDICTION: Nationals. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $10M - No agent listed

41. Tommy Hunter – PREDICTION: Braves. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $18M - Moye Sports Associates

43. Pat Neshek – PREDICTION: Mariners. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $16.25 - Meister Sports Management

45. Howie Kendrick – PREDICTION: Giants. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $7M - Larry Reynolds

49. Michael Pineda – PREDICTION: Rays. Two years, $6MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $10M - ISE Baseball

50. Miles Mikolas – PREDICTION: Padres. Two years, $10MM. ACTUAL: Cardinals. Two years, $15.5M - No agent listed

 

[KeithStone53151]

Sure seems that way, the guy I'm the most shocked by is Moustakas. 38 HR year and almost nobody has interest, reportedly anyway. I think some rebuilding teams will pick up some of the lower tier outfielders hoping to flip later. I also think with 2 SP signing today, I get the impression teams want to get their SP squared away before spring training games start. I could see Cobb/Lynn signing very soon. I'm sticking to my Arrieta doesn't sign until May or June prediction.

 

IMO he's the guy who shouldn't get anything close as to what the expectation was entering the off-season. 38 home runs last year but only averaged 16 home runs per season from 2012-2015 (skipped 2016 because he only played in 27 games). Has the reputation of a great third baseman but over the course of his career is only a +7 DRS (so about +1 DRS per season) and +4.5 UZR/150...and was actually on the negative side in both during 2017. He's averaged 120 games played over the last five years. Granted, that number is skewed because he only played 27 games in 2017, but even completely throwing out that season, he's playing in 142 games and missing 20 games per season. And by far the biggest problem, he just makes too many outs. Has played in parts of 7 seasons and only one time has been above .314 OBP. Lifetime .305 OBP performer.

 

When I look at him and think what he does great....he hits home runs....well at least he did in 2017. Outside of that there isn't really all that much to get excited about.

 

It might be that teams are scoffing at his asking price, but the fact that no teams are really showing interest is what surprises me. The Royals, Yankees, and Mets are the only teams I've heard of connected to him. He still probably should get 3/36 with an opt out as he's an above average defender at 3rd and that won't change in 3 years. He's also only 29 so has some prime left. 3 year deal only takes him through age 31.

 

As far as hitting stats, I would focus more on his last 3 seasons. Which comes out to something like 275/325/495. Very solid production for a 3b. He's been about a 2-3 WAR player the last few years as well and royals park is fairly pitcher friendly. I feel like he might hit 45-50 dingers as a yankee.

[KeithStone53151]

Representation of players that have signed. Agent information from baseball-reference.com

 

1. Yu Darvish – PREDICTION: Cubs. Six years, $160MM. ACUTAL: Cubs. Six years, $126M - Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock

7. Lorenzo Cain – PREDICTION: Giants. Four years, $70MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Five years, $80M - Joshua Kusnick

8. Wade Davis – PREDICTION: Astros. Four years, $60MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $52M - Jet Sports Management

12. Carlos Santana – PREDICTION: Indians. Three years, $45MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Three years, $60M - Octagon

13. Zack Cozart – PREDICTION: Padres. Three years, $42MM. ACTUAL: Padres. Three years, $38M - Excel Sports Management

14. Jay Bruce – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Three years, $39MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Three years, $39M - Matt Sosnick

16. Addison Reed – PREDICTION: Cubs. Four years, $36MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $16,75M - Wasserman Media Group

17. Todd Frazier – PREDICTION: Mets. Three years, $33MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $17M - CAA Sports

18. Mike Minor – PREDICTION: Dodgers. Four years, $28MM. ACTUAL: Rangers. Three years, $28M - Jet Sports Management

19. Brandon Morrow – PREDICTION: Rockies. Three years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $21M - Wasserman Media

21. CC Sabathia – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $24MM. ACTUAL: Yankees. One year, $10M - Roc Nation Sports

22. Yonder Alonso – PREDICTION: Angels. Two years, $22MM. ACTUAL: Indians. Two years, $16M - MVP Sports Group

24. Juan Nicasio – PREDICTION: Twins. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Mariners. Two years, $17M - Reynolds Sports Management

25. Bryan Shaw – PREDICTION: Red Sox. Three years, $21MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M - Rowley Sports Management

27. Andrew Cashner – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Orioles. Two years, $16M - CAA Sports

29. Tyler Chatwood – PREDICTION: Phillies. Three years, $20MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Three years, $39M - Bob Garber

30. Jake McGee – Cubs. PREDICTION: Three years, $18MM. ACTUAL: Rockies. Three years, $27M - Wasserman Media Group

31. Jaime Garcia – PREDICTION: Royals. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Blue Jays. One year, $10M - Melvin Roman

32. Alex Avila – PREDICTION: Yankees. Two years, $16MM. ACTUAL: Diamondbacks. Two years, $8.25M - Excel Sports Management

33. Jhoulys Chacin – PREDICTION: Reds. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Brewers. Two years, $16M. - Rep 1 Baseball

34. Welington Castillo – PREDICTION: Athletics. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: White Sox. Two years, $15M - ISE Baseball

35. Eduardo Nunez – PREDICTION: Blue Jays. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Red Sox. One year, amount unknown. - ISE Baseball

36. Anthony Swarzak – PREDICTION: Brewers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Mets. Two years, $14M - Jet Sports Management

37. Steve Cishek – PREDICTION: Rangers. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Cubs. Two years, $13M - Jet Sports Management

38. Brandon Kintzler – PREDICTION: Nationals. Two years, $14MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $10M - No agent listed

41. Tommy Hunter – PREDICTION: Braves. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $18M - Moye Sports Associates

43. Pat Neshek – PREDICTION: Mariners. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Phillies. Two years, $16.25 - Meister Sports Management

45. Howie Kendrick – PREDICTION: Giants. Two years, $12MM. ACTUAL: Nationals. Two years, $7M - Larry Reynolds

49. Michael Pineda – PREDICTION: Rays. Two years, $6MM. ACTUAL: Twins. Two years, $10M - ISE Baseball

50. Miles Mikolas – PREDICTION: Padres. Two years, $10MM. ACTUAL: Cardinals. Two years, $15.5M - No agent listed

 

 

It would be easier for me to buy that teams are colluding to screw over Boras than free agents as a whole. That guy is just dreadful for baseball. All these good players sitting out, I 100% blame him. Him holding out like he is is causing other players not to be signed. I bet the Jon Jay' s and Carlos Gonzalez's of the world would be signed to deals if the rest of the outfield market wasn't holding up the middle class of outfielders.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I all but guarantee that a majority of the remaining FAs would sign somewhere within 10 minutes, particularly the ones represented by Boras, if he received a text message from Bryce Harper saying that he didn't really like how he handled his clients this offseason and he was considering finding more effective representation...

 

I think this has more to do with Boras using his clients this winter as pawns to set things up for next offseason

[Outlander]

On the list of agents for players signed Joshua Kusnick was not the agent for Lorenzo Cain as he has talked about being fired by him

[KeithStone53151]

Another non-Boras top 50 signed today. He's starting to look like a chump.

[JosephC]

On the list of agents for players signed Joshua Kusnick was not the agent for Lorenzo Cain as he has talked about being fired by him

 

Agent information is from the player pages on Baseball Reference. I apologize for any errors, I just went with what they have as I don't have the time to verify that their information is 100% correct.

 

Just did a five minute search on who Cain's current representation is and I couldn't find the answer. Found several articles regarding Cain not working with Kusnick anymore. But other sites like Spotrac still lists Kusnick as his agent.

 

Also updated the post changing Cain's representation to "?"

[brooks_quichenick]

Scott Boras is turned into a villain by ownership because he demands fair value for the players he represents, which is exactly what a good agent does for his client. I used to be in the "I hate Boras" camp too, but within the last few years I've begun to realize that all that mentality does is help the owners in their demonization of the players for wanting their fair share of revenue. I want less money for the owners and more for the players, therefore Boras is good.

[KeithStone53151]

Scott Boras is turned into a villain by ownership because he demands fair value for the players he represents, which is exactly what a good agent does for his client. I used to be in the "I hate Boras" camp too, but within the last few years I've begun to realize that all that mentality does is help the owners in their demonization of the players for wanting their fair share of revenue. I want less money for the owners and more for the players, therefore Boras is good.

 

LOL. You may want to double-check the definition of "fair value"...as there is no way you can call what he negotiates for his players fair value. There's a reason none of his players are signed, dude needs a reality check. There are fewer and fewer boneheads like Dombrowski in the league for him to prey on and tank their ability to compete with his ridiculous contracts.

[bill hAll Star]

Scott Boras is turned into a villain by ownership because he demands fair value for the players he represents, which is exactly what a good agent does for his client. I used to be in the "I hate Boras" camp too, but within the last few years I've begun to realize that all that mentality does is help the owners in their demonization of the players for wanting their fair share of revenue. I want less money for the owners and more for the players, therefore Boras is good.

 

LOL. You may want to double-check the definition of "fair value"...as there is no way you can call what he negotiates for his players fair value. There's a reason none of his players are signed, dude needs a reality check. There are fewer and fewer boneheads like Dombrowski in the league for him to prey on and tank their ability to compete with his ridiculous contracts.

 

Look, man. I agree that Dombrowski and Boras' methodologies are either not ideal or rub people the wrong way.

 

I've really just not seen such a chip on one's shoulder about these things where they can't be discussed realistically.

 

Boras gets a ton of money for his clients. Always has. He's a douche and maybe it's a huge downfall for him this year, but he's trying what has worked for him in the past. He could very well relent at a small cost to his clients down the road.

 

Dombrowski has won at several stops. I get that we as small market fans like to pat ourselves on the back and talk about how bad large contracts are, but he's done very well signing some. I'd take Friedman, Epstein, etc. any day over him, but a market inefficiency can also just be taking known potential huge losses/risks if the salary structure allows it.

 

Dombrowski literally traded Cameron Maybin (pre-good Andrew Miller) and random stuff for Miguel Cabrera. He acquired Max Scherzer for less than he gave up. He probably won the Chris Sale trade. He's brazen and ballsy and has his share of Pablo Sandoval contracts but he also wins majorly for star talent.