We don’t really know whether or to what extent extension talks will continue during the coronavirus hiatus. But as I wrote recently, it seems reasonable to think they’ll be explored. Some may already have advanced nearly to completion before the global pandemic intervened.
While we may have to wait to learn who the targets are and see what deals get done, there’s a silver lining: more time for rampant speculation! Okay, we’re not going to speculate here; rather, we’ll tick through some interesting possibilities on paper. Remember, we’ve seen an increasing prevalence of deals with less-experienced players (even some without any MLB service) and with new player types (early-career relievers and utilitymen).
In the present MLB environment, value is king and the old forms are fading. We’ve already checked in on the NL East and NL Central. Here are some names to chew on from the NL West …
Diamondbacks
The Snakes have managed to control costs, compete, and build their farm system all at the same time. It’s a tricky balancing act to manage over any length of time. And extensions are a key component. Ketel Marte, Nick Ahmed, Eduardo Escobar, and David Peralta are already playing on extensions. There are some other candidates on the roster as well.
Several Arizona veterans are conceivable candidates, not that any seems particularly likely to agree to terms. Hurler Robbie Ray is heading into a walk year, but comes with a pretty wide risk/upside spread. Recently acquired outfielder Starling Marte is already 31 years of age, so the club probably won’t be in a rush to work out a new deal with two years of control remaining. Reliever Archie Bradley is also two years from the open market; an extension could make sense in his case. The team will be looking at a big arbitration bill next year if Bradley racks up saves, while he’d surely be open to eliminating some personal health/performance risk.
The younger class of players contains some rather intriguing possibilities. Catcher Carson Kelly and starter Luke Weaver are both entering their final pre-arbitration season (the former via Super Two status). Though 2019 trade deadline addition Zac Gallen isn’t even close to arbitration, it could be an opportune moment to get something done.
Dodgers
When the Dodgers acquired superstar outfielder Mookie Betts, they knew they were giving up significant value for just one season of performance. Now, with the season on hold, there’s newfound uncertainty for all involved — particularly given that it’s not even clear yet whether Betts will hit the open market as expected this coming fall. After a few happy weeks together this spring, could the sides take advantage of the lull to discuss a longer-term relationship?
There’s no evidence of that happening, but it’d be a potential coup for the Dodgers. It would also be extremely costly. No doubt the team is at least as intrigued by the idea of finding some savings by locking in superstar slugger Cody Bellinger. Trouble is, the 24-year-old just landed a whopping $11.5MM contract as a Super Two. His arbitration eligibility could easily set an overall record and he’ll expect a long-term deal to reflect that and pay at a premium rate for any future free-agent campaigns.
There was a time when Corey Seager would’ve seemed an obvious extension target, but his place in the team’s plans is uncertain after some injury-limited campaigns. More interesting at this point are some of the newest members of the L.A. roster. Backstop Will Smith and infielder Gavin Lux each carry huge promise and some MLB experience. Though the Dodgers haven’t led the league with aggressive early-career extensions, both of these players are sensible targets.
Giants
Yikes. It’s not a good sign to see a roster that lacks for extension candidates — unless, perhaps, many young players have already agreed to deals. In this case, the Giants have a combination of veterans playing out underperforming contracts and largely un-established younger players who don’t really seem in line for any long-term commitment.
If you squint hard enough, you could see Mauricio Dubon as a candidate if the team has really fallen in love since acquiring him last summer. But that’s probably unnecessarily aggressive. Otherwise, basically every conceivable possibility has too many areas of concern to warrant serious consideration. Perhaps the situation will look different this time next year — someone might step up with a big season; top prospects like Joey Bart or Heliot Ramos may turn into candidates for early-career extensions — but it’s hard to see much reason for talks at the moment.
Padres
The ideal outcome would be to secure the services of Fernando Tatis Jr. with a deal along the lines of the Braves’ pact with Ronald Acuna Jr.. The Friars will probably have to keep dreaming about that team-friendly arrangement, but there has been some reporting indicating the sides could hold talks. Tatis himself said in late February that nothing was cooking, but there’s every reason to keep a conversation going if there’s mutual interest. Righty Chris Paddack could certainly also be a candidate as well, though perhaps the added risks on the pitching side will keep the sides apart for the time being.
There are other younger players that could hold appeal in the right situation. On the position player side, Trent Grisham, Franchy Cordero, and Francisco Mejia could be considered. And among pitchers, you could easily see the merit of locking in Dinelson Lamet or Joey Lucchesi.
Oh, and the Friars do have one notable veteran in an obvious extension stance: closer Kirby Yates. There’s reason to believe the sides have some interest, but it’s not clear how likely it is a deal will come together. Yates is a late-emerging star reliever who’s two days from his 33rd birthday and one season away from free agency. His age limits his overall contractual upside, but he was absurdly dominant in 2019. It’s certainly possible to imagine both player and team seeing the sense in a deal.
Rockies
The Rox already have long-term control over German Marquez and Nolan Arenado. So … why not add Jon Gray and Trevor Story, making a strong core four over the long haul? Well, it’s not a simple situation for the Colorado organization. Trouble is, some brutal fortune in the free agent market has left little financial flexibility and a top-heavy roster. We can’t rule out deals for Gray and/or Story, but they’ll both cost a ton and would be hard to pull off — particularly given the ongoing drama with Arenado.
That’s not to say the Rockies couldn’t still look to other ways of achieving value. In particular, outfielders David Dahl and Sam Hilliard could be interesting targets. The former has had quite a few injuries and the latter has only spent about a month in the majors, but those factors might also drive down the price tag and with it the contractual upside. Otherwise, you could perhaps see some daylight for a deal with reliever Carlos Estevez if the Rox are fully sold on his 2019 showing. But the team already made a deal with its best reliever (Scott Oberg) and probably doesn’t need any more long-term bullpen entanglements.
Mrtwotone
I could see a carson kelly extension
Bleedsblue81
No discount will be given by Bellinger a Boras client. He will surely be testing the FA market unless he gets some record extension money since he will be setting Arb records.
Four4fore
If there is no season, did the Red Sox win the trade?
Bleedsblue81
Totally they did, 3 cost controlled players to help Boston in the future and LA gets an abbreviated season of Betts if there is a season.
JohhnyBets67
If there’s any part of a season Boston still won the trade for themselves. Boston wasn’t going to make a run at October this year and Mookie is a pending free agent. The offers weren’t going to get any better in July.
The only question is what LAD gets out of Mookie. The Red Sox couldn’t have done any better. TBD for LA
Chief Two Hands
It’s ridiculous…Boston got a pretty weak haul for Betts headlined by an outfielder who can’t stay healthy and has a questionable attitude. Quite frankly the Dodgers can absolutely afford to make that trade and if they so desired could match any offer for Betts as a free agent. Boston fans and Los Angeles haters alike will try to spin it the other way but that’s just bias.
dynamite drop in monty
Think they’re going for a twin or a queen ?
dynamite drop in monty
Aw man,
You edited it. No fun.
jimthegoat
@Chief Two Hands they didn’t have to trade for Betts first in order to match any offer. But frankly, I don’t see it happening. LA has given out ONE nine-figure contract while Friedman has been the GM.
JohhnyBets67
Two hands and no brain. LAD could’ve matched whatever offer in free agency without trading for Betts.
JohhnyBets67
It’s not a blemish on Friedman’s record either. Very few people anticipated the coronavirus becoming a potential game stopper. For the Red Sox, they were very fortunate to have sold. It’s the equivalent of a person who sold a stock in the beginning of February. If you did that, you did very well for yourself right now. It’s really hard to debate that. You come off as a severe homer when you try to say BOS didn’t do well.
dynamite drop in monty
Was thinking about that today. Talk about a Chauncey Gardner move.
brucenewton
If the Dodgers don’t drop 400 million on Mookie, they definitely lose the trade.
Chief Two Hands
What did Boston gain other than a few roster fillers?
jimthegoat
@brucenewton if they drop $400m on Mookie that makes the trade even worse because it means they paid for him twice.
Phanatic 2022
They did
The Human Rain Delay
Seager will not be with the Dodgers past 2021-
Im in the belief they view him less than what his current market value is perceived
I dont hate Corrie Seager at all but theres no way Im investing over 100 mill on this guy going forward and the Dodgers won’t either …..
Wish they woulda tacked on a 2nd option year to Muncy as well but super happy to see that deal just get done; Huge Bargain
MWeller77
Stan Kasten’s burner account, ladies and gentlemen
Bleedsblue81
He was mentioned as a trade candidate this offseasons so I believe you are right. Too young to be injured so much already. Hopefully he has a great year if there is a season.
Afk711
If Seager would sign long term for 100 million the Dodgers would write a check right now. Thats nothing for a star player.
DodgerNation
I can see the dodgers signing Lindor in 2 years instead of Seager as long as they haven’t invested in Mookie/Cody instead.
The Human Rain Delay
Yup Lindor is the target….a real star
SalaryCapMyth
Right..I mean look at all the real star players the Dodgers have signed or traded for in the past. The list of players just goes on and on.
You have Mookie Bets..and..ummm…
jimthegoat
@SalaryCapMyth, well you did forget Manny Machado =/
gkrake
And Yu Darvish and Manny Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez…
Afk711
Betts and Bellinger will both get well over 300 million at free agency. My prediction is if the Dodgers win the title this year they let Betts walk.
jimthegoat
Why would whether or not they win a title have any bearing on whether the Dodgers let Betts walk?
5TUNT1N
I feel like Marco Luciano being omitted from the giants list is an error granted he has a few years, I feel he is much more likely than Dubon (who has impressed so far).
rightyspecialist
The Giants. Yikes
OntariGro
You think it’s an error to leave a 17 year old who has played 38 Rookie League and 9 Low-A games total off a list of EXTENSION CANDIDATES? Does your list of candidates just say “Everyone, I guess. Why not?” or something?
377194
The Rox need to lock up Story, if no one else.
BennyTheBoss
Arizona should thank the Cardinals for the Kelly, Weaver, and Galen trio
Bleedsblue81
Yikes the Giants have no extension candidates, the futility will continue.
rightyspecialist
The Giants.Lol
mfm420
the will smith link is to the braves pitcher, not the dodgers catcher.