Free agency lost yet another marquee name when outfielder Marcell Ozuna signed a one-year, $18MM contract with the Braves on Tuesday. Ozuna was, of course, a prominent part of the top 50 list of free agents MLBTR put together when the offseason began in November. Since then, just about every member of that class has come off the board during what has been a much quicker-moving winter than the previous couple. To be exact, 46 of MLBTR’s top 50 have already found teams. Here’s a look at the four still out there with spring training creeping ever closer…
8. Nicholas Castellanos, OF (original prediction: four years, $58MM)
- The Rangers have been mentioned more than anyone else in connection with Castellanos lately, but the deal Ozuna inked could be a negative portent for the former’s earning power. He and Ozuna, who aren’t that different in overall value when they take the field, were projected to rake in lucrative multiyear contracts as the top two outfielders on the market. The good news for Castellanos is that he’s younger (28 in March; Ozuna’s 29) and, unlike Ozuna, not saddled with a qualifying offer.
37. Yasiel Puig, OF (original prediction: one year, $8MM)
- Puig your friend? Tell that to the teams in search of an outfielder. Interest in the former star has been scarce since he completed an underwhelming season in Ohio in 2019, and clear fits are hard to find with teams like the Braves, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Marlins and Reds having addressed their outfields this winter.
41. Brock Holt, UTIL (original prediction: two years, $8MM)
- The Holt rumor mill was silent until recently. Since last week, both the Reds and Blue Jays have sprung up as reported suitors for the former Red Sox utilityman. Considering Holt’s defensive versatility and passable offense, and the fact that he won’t cost a ton to sign, it’s not hard to see the appeal.
49. Pedro Strop, RP (original prediction: one year, $5MM)
- For the most part, Strop has been eminently effective since his career began in 2009. That said, his numbers trended downward last year. In what could go down as his final season as a Cub, he pitched to a 4.97 ERA/4.53 FIP with 4.32 walks per nine and a 93.6 mph average fastball velocity. Those figures all rank among the worst of his career. On a better note, Strop once again struck out double-digit hitters per nine and recorded another groundball rate upward of 50 percent. Still, relative to the rest of his time in the majors, it looks as if the 34-year-old Strop is a free agent at the wrong time. That doesn’t mean teams aren’t interested, though, as Strop’s said to be weighing offers from the Cubs, Marlins, Brewers and Rangers.
ExileInLA 2
Well, the narrative of “the big deals all happen late” didn’t work out this year…
Vandals Took The Handles
It appears that after so many years, Scott Boras influence has gone into overdrive……
More and more players want to hit free agency. Especially those that have had a few good years. And why not? If they sign an extension with their current team, they wind up being underpaid by the 2nd year.
So now when FO’s look at acquiring a Bryant, Betts, or Arenado, they’re looking at how many years those players are under control. The old mentality of – “he’ll see what a wonderful organization we are and therefor sign for more years once he experiences us” no longer holds. Add to that more and more franchises getting burned by giving out huge, long-term contracts. Arenado signed for 7 years, and after one he’s got the Rockies over the barrel with an untradable contract, as well as potential problems in the clubhouse that very well can sink that entire organization for years to come. (Quality players want a contract for a minimum of 5 years now – look back 5 years and see how many teams have remained consistently competitive through that period.)
So when it comes to trades – again – FO’s only view the player as to how many controllable years they’ll have him for. Consequently, the mentality of a team like the Cubs trading Bryant for 3 decent young players to do a rebuild on the fly is a pipe dream – no franchise is going to give up multiple quality young players with years of control for a guy that’ll play for them for a year or two. And guys like Arenado and JD Martinez are even worse with their opt out clauses – which turns the team trading for him into an insurance company responsible for years of high salaries for little production if he gets injured or suddenly goes downhill. Maybe the Yankees and 2 or 3 other teams can survive a Jacoby Ellsbury situation, but almost all remaining MLB teams would be paralyzed by a bad contract like that.
The name of the game now is developing your own in the major leagues. Teams such as the Braves and Cardinals are joining the Rays, Indians, A’s and other small market teams in adapting to market realities.
josh_hutzol
I hate Boras, don’t like him one bit but I can respect how he played teams against each other and how he got his big guys to sign first to up the value of Ryu and Keuchel…very smart. Made for a very very interesting offseason!
chickensgotmyhens
hahahaha
fishy14
Wish the Sox would completely go all in esp if can get
Strop
Puig on one year deals
bryzzo_2016
Are the Sox all in? Aren’t they trying to get below the tax threshold? Perhaps even moving Betts, they may not be adding at all.
123redsox
I think he meant the white Sox. Puig would be the Red Sox 4th outfielder.
Cincyfan85
I would rather have Puig than Jackie Bradley Jr.
Anthony Princeton
If you are referencing the White Sox, then Puig is a bad fit and Strop is unnecessary. Mazara hits RHP very well and the AL Central does not have any LH starters of note other than Boyd. Puig also has reverse splits and is better against RHP. Leury hits LHP better and can platoon some with Mazara.
Strop isn’t much of an upgrade over what the White Sox have now. The White Sox have several young quality RP’s on the way in Tyler Johnson, Ian Hamilton, Codi Heuer and Zack Burdi. Plus they signed Cishek and already had a middle of the pack pen in 2019 behind Bummer, Colome, Marshall, Cordero and Herrera.
If you are talking about the Red Sox, then I don’t know.
chickensgotmyhens
nick is a dh
DarrenDreifortsContract
I hope Puig enjoys playing in Japan.
astros_fan_84
Japan is pretty awesome. There are worse fates.
scarfish
Such as Darren dreifort’s contract
iamhector24
I love when folks say the stupidest things to look edgy.
mcdusty49
You must be the pioneer of this concept
User 163535993
I still say the Cubs should sign Nick and trade Schwarber. Major League hitter compared to the Sultan of Whiff. And he can certainly play LF as well as whiffer.
Ry.the.Stunner
Over the past three seasons, Schwarber has averaged four more strikeouts than Castellanos.
bryzzo_2016
Yep and he’s a helluva lot cheaper w/more power.
iml12
Schwarber has done nothing but improve the last 3 years. He is the last guy I want to see the cubs trade.
The Human Toilet
Schwarber was a monster in the 2nd half and the breakout is real. No way trading him and plus he is still a lot cheaper than Nick.
I would love to have Nick back but does not look realistic unless they trade Heyward which is not going to happen
User 4245925809
Cardinals sure lucked out when heyward chose the Cubs over them.. in fact? they have been bridesmaid’s cpl of times with huge offers made and players have become terrible quickly. Fowler is really the only awful deal they made which looked that way from the start the last few years.
Benklasner
And Mike Leake. But we were able to squirm our way outta that one. Still paid through through the nose.
megaj
You have to have liked your own comment. Any person that has watched the Cubs at all the past two years realize that Schwarber is the much better player. Your comment is completely without merit.
Jeff Zanghi
Schwarber hit 38 homers last year while hitting .250 – not saying Castellanos isn’t a good player but I think I’d take Schwarber’s 38 Homers over Castellano’s probably 25 or so (I know he hit more last year but over his career he’s more of a 25 HR guy) especially considering how much cheaper Schwarber is going to be next season!
gbs42
Over his career, is Schwarber a 38-HR guy?
amk3510
No one wants to touch Puig with a 50 ft pole. What a deal the Dodgers made with the Reds.
Joeyjoejoe
As a Reds fan I would take Puig back in a heartbeat.
amk3510
You’d take Downs and Gray back even more
deweybelongsinthehall
Not a Reds fan but you can’t measure the Dodgers’ trade on production alone. Reds ownership last year made moves to try to create excitement. If they caught lightning in a bottle they could have been competitive for a playoff spot. Look at what Boston did in 13. Different but it turned out to be bold. In my view Sherington delivered on moves that at the time seemed non-important. Getting Napoli and Gomes for example meant nothing to most fans at the time. The Reds last year knew long term the deal was not good but took a shot to generate a local buzz.
spinach
Trying is passé. Selling a bill of goods with a five-year delivery date is all the rage.
redmatt
Not necessarily. We’ll see what happens in a few years.
stratcrowder
I totally agree Joey! He wasn’t great, but his presence was. Puig was adored by us Reds fans! I was hoping we’d sign him this winter. The ability is off the charts, and his teammates loved him.
mike156
Puig would be a fascinating 4th outfielder and DH. He’d never agree, but he could be a weapon in that role. As to Castellanos, it’s possible he’s this year’s bridesmaid, settling for a one year deal for less than Ozuna.
timewalk42
Strop was in the top 50 ? Somebody is drinking the wrong Kool aid
Bill M
Agree. He does NOT belong there
Russianblue35
Puig to the Marlins
Strop to the Marlins
Castellanos to the Rangers
Holt to the Reds
Strike Four
There’s going to be so many trades in Spring Training and into April this year. So many teams are thin right where other teams have surpluses. Plus a lot of out of options guys who would be everyday players on rebuilding teams could be had for a useful 2020 piece on a contender. Injuries in ST are going to force a lot of these hands.
Vandals Took The Handles
No.
There will be some at the trading deadline, but as happened in 2019 the number will not be close to the expectations.
holycow16
Go Cubs Go
holycow16
We keep Nick
dixoncayne
At the right price, Puig and the Indians seem like a clear fit.
Vandals Took The Handles
Maybe if Puig plays for minimum wage.
R.D.
Strop to the giants
Puig to the marlins
Castellanos to the a’s(1 year deal)
Holt to the cardinals
Ejemp2006
Castellanos would hit 75 doubles in the Coliseum
Ejemp2006
Tell me it doesn’t feel right for the As to sign Puig and then see Puig become a MVP caliber player. Cespedes 2.0
puigpower
I’ve literally been pining Puig to the As since the start.
A'sfaninLondonUK
Not happening. The A’s have a stacked outfield already that – guess what – is economical. There’s a mix of Piscotty, Laureano, Canha, Pinder, Grossman plus Dustin Fowler. I love Puig to bits – as a lovable lunatic – but he doesn’t have the discipline required by the A’s front office. He is great fun to watch – on somebody elses team….
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
If only the RS had been able to keep Holt..
Looks like they could have kept him for about what they paid for his inferior replacement.
AtlSoxFan
It appears blooms MO is to cut the dependable, solid if not spectacular guys who make cheap/reasonable money and sign has been lottery tickets in the hope one hits it big. Thus the handling of holt/leon/etc
Kidcub23
So… Castellanos needs to be a Cub. Ya I know they say they tapped out. Well Z’s contracts of the books, and teams today not only need to make moves for them, moves that make other teams within the division play catch-up. Again So. Ozuna is no longer available to the St. Louis, so who can they get? Cubs again grab Nick, and if they do end up trading Bryant you saved $ loaded up on youth and didn’t lose much of offense by adding Nick C. But bigger if forced St. Louis to over pay for Arenado. Handcuffs cardinals at trade deadline and With a Bryant trade allows Cubs to add.
shanefalco50
Maybe there is still time for some more broken down pitchers to come out of retirement so the Phils can flesh out their bullpen………I hear Klentak has decided to move in a bunch of RV’s in the parking lot across from the stadium in Clearwater so all the guys they have invited to big league camp will have a place to stay……
Jbarger
You spelled “Cubs” wrong
AllinTX
Rangers should sign Strop and Holt on one year deals and Castellanos to a 3 or 4 year deal (50-60MM)
AllinTX
Rangers should sign Strop and Holt on one year deals and Castellanos to a 3 or 4 year deal (50-60MM)
T_Rexx2
I would really like the Phillies to take a chance on Strop. It can’t possibly be a lot of money, and could be mostly incentives.
Puig makes a lot of sense on the rebuilding team like the Marlins who could use someone to bring in fans. I think he’d do well there.
Holt makes sense on any team and a bench/utility guy. He hits okay and plays every position.
Castellanos is tough to place since he can’t play defense well, but there’s no denying the bat. Probably best to go to the AL so Texas makes sense but The team that makes a lot of sense to me is Toronto. He can DH and possibly play first/OF if needed.
bhambrave
I wish the Braves would go after Holt.
urnuts
Love to see the Angel sign Puig to a 1 year $5 million contract. Give Adell one full year at AAA.
Hated him as a Dodger but loved his fire with the Reds. Angels could use a little swagger in the club house.
stratcrowder
You’re going to love Adell. He went to high school here and was an absolute BEAST
weaselpuppy
Cubbies can’t compete w an outfield giving most if the PAs to Almora, Happ,Bote and Hayward at 2nd center and right. Treat Almora like the 4th OF he is and Happ like the pinch hitter he is and spend a little dough on Nick The Stick.
Jeff Zanghi
I would have expected Puig to have a bigger market from non-competitive teams on a 1-year “show me deal” hoping for a return to form and thus potentially allowing said team to flip him at the trade deadline for a solid return. I mean he’s clearly capable of putting up “AS-caliber” offensive numbers and he’s still relatively young (28) so you’d think there’d be a team out there willing to give him 1/$8-$10M in hopes of a big first half. Overall I still think he’s got a chance to turn things around and live up to some of the hype that surrounded him when he first broke into the bigs. If he’s got his head on straight (granted a significant “if” ) he’s still capable of a .275-.290 Average and 25-30 HRs. That’s production most teams would welcome to their lineup assuming he also keeps his attitude in check.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
Phillies have one sure thing (Harper- RF) in their OF. The other two spots are question marks. LF belongs to Cutch right now, but can we depend on him to play 140 games and be productive? Dunno. Coming off a torn ACL makes me wonder.
CF? Possibilities is Haseley and Quinn. One is unproven and the other is unproven and can’t stay healthy. Odubel or Moniak? Forget ’em. Odubel forever and Moniak for this year.
Thus Castellanos would be a good add for a team supposedly all-in about making the playoffs. Also, only have one reliable bullpen arm (Neris) right now, so I wouldn’t mind seeing Strop in red pinstripes.
All might be a moot point. Klentak shot up his budget when he gave Wheeler $118 million. Would be nice if Klentak could move Arrieta’s contract, but no rival GM is foolish enough to take that.
Sorry, Phillies fans. Looks like a 4th place finish in the NL East this summer. Nats, Braves and Mets are all better teams. Maybe, if the Phillies finish fourth and hover about .500 again, Cigar Guy will get smart and send Klentak packing.
justme
Strop has a lifetime 9 war and 3.2 era.. injuries derailed last season but could be a reasonable bounce back candidate for someone.