The four-year, $30.5MM deal the Cardinals and left-hander Brett Cecil agreed to Saturday is a “market changer,” multiple executives and agents have told Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, who expects relievers to continue raking in big money this offseason as part of a weak free agent class (Twitter links). FanGraphs’ Jeff Sullivan disagrees that Cecil’s contract is unexpectedly high, though, noting that the Orioles’ Darren O’Day inked a nearly identical pact last offseason (four years, $31MM) prior to his age-33 campaign. As Sullivan points out, the numbers Cecil posted from 2014-16 are similar to O’Day’s production from 2013-15, and the former is younger (31 in July).
A couple more items on free agency:
- While third baseman Trevor Plouffe is disappointed the Twins moved on from him Friday, he saw the writing on the wall after agent Nez Balelo met with the team’s new baseball department heads – Derek Falvey and Thad Levine – last week, per Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. “They probably want (Miguel) Sano to be run out there every day (at third),” Plouffe told Berardino. “This guy has unlimited potential. I hope I was able to help him become a good player. I’m happy they made the decision as quick as they did. It gives me the chance to sign on with somebody else.” Even though he’s fresh off a subpar season, Plouffe shouldn’t have much difficulty finding work – the only better third base options on the market are Justin Turner and Luis Valbuena.
- The Mariners aren’t ruling out eventually re-signing reliever Tom Wilhelmsen, whom they designated for assignment Friday, general manager Jerry Dipoto told Greg Johns of MLB.com. Seattle was up against the 40-man roster limit when it parted with Wilhelmsen, and the club likely would have had to pay the arbitration-eligible right-hander in the $4MM neighborhood in 2017 had it retained him. It’s now possible the Mariners could re-up Wilhelmsen at a cheaper price in the coming months. “He did a good job, and I wish him well in free agency,” said Dipoto. “And this leaves something of an open door if something else arises and we want to bring him back.”
Just a question… why could the Mariners resign him for a cheaper price? His arbitration estimate was $4MM neighborhood, so why should he sign for less?
Obvious answer, he sits and isnt signed. But reliever prices are going up.
Plouffe made $7.25m in 2016. He wasn’t going to get $4m in arb.
He was talking about Wilhelmsen.
Peters was clearly commenting on Wilhelmsen (“Mariners”, “$4MM” and “Reliever” – all tings which do not apply to Plouffe)
Not to be that guy, but didn’t ask about Plouffe. And to answer your question @petersdylan36, since he is likely to elect free agency, he no longer is subject to an arbitration salary. If a team gave him $10 million they could, most likely, he’ll sign for less than what he was projected in arbitration.
He could sign for less depending on other teams willingness to offer a MLB contract. Relievers are rough to predict.
You are mistaken in that reliever prices are going up. The prices for good and consistent relievers are going up. Wilhelmsen does not fit that mold.
I’d argue the market changers for relievers are the trades we’ve seen for Giles, Kimbrel, Chapman, and Miller.
They can sign him for less because they released him, he is also free to sign with anyone now
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Yanks trade Headley, and give Plouffe a chance. Right handed power bat, and will be cheaper.
Unless the Yanks eat some salary, I can’t see them having an easy time to trade Headley
Apparently they’ve received a few calls about him. I could see them eating some salary in a move similar to the one they did to trade McCann. Don’t see the return being as strong, maybe a team’s 12-15 prospect at best.
I can see Wilhelmsen resigning with the Mariners. It’s the only place that’s he has had any real success. Most likely the Mariners are going to offer him a minor league deal with an invite to ST. I only see him signing elsewhere if a team offers him a major league deal/a somewhat guaranteed spot on the roster (which is not a given) or another team offers more money.
You don’t think Texas would want to sign him? Lol
I would like to get him back not sure what the deal in Texas was but he has been pretty good here. I was a bit surprised to see him released but it seems like a gamble they think they can win.
O’Day has out performed Cecil. Not even close.
But Cecil is a lefty. That makes up for it.
O’Day has killed lefties and righties… so his pitching arm is insignificant…
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That’s only if you count Cecil’s starting days. As a reliever Cecil is way more dominant
Humorous that people are still trying to play Sano anywhere but first base. That is where he will inevitably end up without question
Unfortunately there’s a huge obstacle there in Minnesota. I know teams hate to turn young players into DH-only types, and Sano is athletic, but that’s probably his destination.