With free agency scheduled to begin in earnest later today, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Deadline for option decisions:
A number of option decisions were settled over the weekend as players like starters Blake Snell and Sean Manaea opted out of their contracts while outfielder Cody Bellinger and starter Robbie Ray were among those to stick with their current clubs. A handful of option decisions remain, however, and will need to be sorted out before 4pm CT this afternoon. Among the most notable are Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, and Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna. Eovaldi and Kershaw both have the ability to opt out of the final year of their contracts, while Atlanta holds a club option on Ozuna’s services for 2025. While most remaining options will either be straightforwardly picked up or declined, it’s possible some players and clubs could look to get together on a longer, reworked contract as the Royals and right-hander Michael Wacha did yesterday.
Perhaps the most interesting option decision of the day is the one facing the Yankees. Veteran ace Gerrit Cole opted out of the remaining four years and $144MM on his contract with the club on Saturday, but unlike most opt-out decisions that doesn’t automatically make him a free agent. Instead, the Yankees have until this evening to decide whether to allow Cole to test free agency or tack on an additional year and $36MM to the end of his deal, guaranteeing him $180MM over the next five years. $36MM annually through Cole’s age-38 season might be more than he’d earn in free agency coming off an injury-shortened season, but it nonetheless wouldn’t be a surprise if the Yankees went the extra mile to make sure they keep their ace in the fold during an offseason where their attention is going to be squarely focused on retaining Juan Soto.
2. Qualifying Offers to be made today:
Option decisions aren’t the only order of business due by 4pm CT this afternoon. That deadline also applies to clubs wishing to make a qualifying offer to their departing free agents. The QO, which is set at $21.2MM this year, is a one-year contract offer that clubs must make to players in order to receive draft pick compensation should they sign elsewhere in free agency. MLBTR’s Anthony Franco previewed QO decisions for both position players and pitchers last month, with Mets right-hander Luis Severino standing out as perhaps the most interesting borderline candidate to receive a QO. The majority of the winter’s top free agents, including Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, are locks to receive (and reject) the QO. Once the QO is extended to a player, he has until 3pm CT November 19 to decide whether to accept or reject that offer.
3. MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents:
With the 2024-25 class of free agents on the verge of being mostly set in stone this afternoon, we here at MLBTR are excited to unveil our annual Top 50 Free Agents list later today. Some outlets have already published theirs, but we like to wait until the QO decisions have been revealed because they can have such a significant impact on a free agent’s market. This makes us a little bit late to the party but allows us to provide a bit more analysis and (hopefully) more accuracy. It’s our biggest post of the year and you should keep an eye out for it later today! Shortly after that comes out, we will also launch our annual prediction contest, where you can do your best to try and predict the events of an unpredictable offseason.
Yankees need to opt-out of the Juan Soto sweepstakes and spread that money to multiple, quality players.
Please name those players
If I had my druthers, in a perfect world, I’d sign Santander and Walker, plus Tanner Scott. I wouldn’t mind one of Snell, Burnes or Fried if somehow Cole is gone.
Santander is a switch hitter and is a better defensive outfielder and baserunner than Soto. Move Judge to LF.
Walker is as solid as they come on both sides of the ball. Move Jazz back to his natural position at 2nd base and the defense of the infield is excellent.
Scott helps make up for the free agent losses in the bullpen. You can probably sign Santander,Walker and Scott for the same yearly money it would take to sign Soto, give or take.
Yanks are better with those 3 rather than just Soto. Team is more balanced and stronger defensively.
BC85 Yankee Stadium makes up for their small right field by having a large left field and Judge won’t be any better in left than in center. I like your ideas though.
Understood, but Judge needs to get out of CF. Too much wear and tear on that big body as he ages. Dominguez and Grisham can cover CF
The Yankees should make a reasonable offer to Soto and let him walk if another team goes crazy on the dollar amount. It’s going to be tricky to have two right fielders on the team and Judge can’t be counted on to suddenly become a good first baseman and Soto is barely good enough to play Yankee Stadium’s small right field. Also all that much money tied up with Soto could go to getting multiple positions filled with competent fielders.
The problem clubs have us if you’re not really in it, why get involved at all as it just increases the end cost and under the high tide raises all boats theory, it makes it more expensive to sign other top shelf talent. At the same time, get the price up so Cohen or whomever pays even more in taxes.
I agree that contract is not going age well; grab a couple players for 600,000 million not just 1. Yet; they should be publicly connected to Soto for the fan sake and to run the money up on the Mets
I’m amazed at how many fans don’t want their team to sign a transcendent hitter who is only 26 years old.
I think most fans – including myself – would like Soto back, just not at the ludicrous amounts of money being talked about. How is Soto transcendent? He’s not even the best hitter on the Yankees.
He is a flawed player in the outfield, on the bases and – shocking as it may seem – some of us don’t buy the “generational hitter” tag that’s been bestowed upon him.
Soto is more of an on base specialist than a hitter. Yes, he’s also a good hitter, but his talents that are vaunted are his obp and ability to work counts.
He has never put up truly stunning hit totals in any category. Actually, just a couple of years ago, his numbers were not good at all. Not exactly the type of production you’d expect from someone who’s having $45 to $50 million per year used in conjunction with his name.
Personally, if I was Hal, I wouldn’t pay him more per year than Judge makes because Judge is the better player.
BC85,
Was Lou Gehrig not a phenomenal hitter because Babe Ruth was better? The Yankees have had pairs of hitters like that (Gehrig-DiMaggio, DiMaggio-Mantle, Mantle-Maris) at various times because they’re the best franchise in the sport’s history.
Soto hit .288/41/109 with 128 runs and 7 SB this year, with a slash line on .288/.419/.569, and his career numbers are .285/.421/.532. He’s a great hitter for average (relative to his peers) and power, and getting on base – also known as not getting out – is the best things a hitter can do.
“He has never put up truly stunning hit totals in any category.” By categories, do you mean singles, doubles, triples, and homers? I know walks aren’t sexy, but they put a runner on base and avoid an out. He also has 76 HR the last two years.
“a couple of years ago, his numbers were not good at all.” Not good at all? Sure, his BA was only .242, but he had a solid 27 HR, and OBP of .401, and a SLG of .452. That’s far better than “not good at all.” He was 23 in 2022. Do you know where Aaron Judge was at age 23? In the minor leagues.
Soto just finished his age-25 season with 201 HR, 592 RBI, and 655 runs. At the end of Judge’s age-25 season, he had 56 HR, 124 RBI, and 138 runs.
Judge is an absolutely amazing hitter, and I’m stunned that he’s able to play CF at his size. But he’s not an especially good CF, nor is he all that great on the basepaths.
Judge is getting $40M per year for ages 31-39, so baseball’s economic system led him to be underpaid during his late 20s. Soto is a FA at age 26 and is going to get paid market rate for his late 20s plus over a similar age range as Judge. Add two years of inflation and a larger number of teams willing to bid, and he’s going to get paid commensurate with his abilities.
Great job by MLBTR in waiting for QO decisions. As always, look forward to seeing (and obsessing over) your top 50 list!
Yankees (I think) could offer Cole new contract rather than just add 36 M and one year. (5/180) maybe 7/216. More money for Cole. Less AAV for NY
west – That’s the only logical reason I can think of for the Yankees taking this long to give an answer on the voiding of the opt out. They’ve had plenty of time prior to his opting out.
And BTW the deadline isn’t this evening, it’s 5PM EST. Absolutely amazing how many reporters have gotten it wrong.
I don’t think so. They’ll announce it at the 5:00pm deadline tonight, imho. They do nothing quickly. Brian Cashman usually “evaluates the market” for four months before making his offseason moves.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they set up a press conference with a Jersey presentation to Cole also…. lol.
Could be waiting on medicals to be reviewed again by Dr. ElAttrache. Busy time of the year for him I suppose with all the other teams needing to make decisions.
Great point
Even if they renegotiate the deal I have a hard time seeing them go that long.
Can’t wait to go like 3/50 on the Top 50 Free Agents contest!
3/50 is pretty good! I got 2/50, I did horrible last offseason!
Since I can’t get my questions answered in the chat, I’ll ask you guys. First, who do the White Sox rebuild around, assuming they actually ARE going to rebuild, and what FA do you think they’ll try to reluctantly sign? And secondly, what’s Aroldis Chapman’s situation? Is he tied to the Pirates or are they listening to offers? A guy that throws an unhittable 105 mph would be a keeper for me.
Well Avenger just become a subscriber and get your question answered in the Friday chat which would cost you less than $5.00 Canadian a month or 2.99 US, then you can stop about not getting your question answered. Just offering you an option!
Agreed Jaysfan. I get most all my questions answered and even get my mailbag questions answered as well.
Well Joe this site is so refreshing from my other site (sportstnet.ca where all the comments are about management and their terrible record) on here i get to interact with the fan base from all across MLB and then all the perks i am really anticipating the Free agent contest ( i actually got 1 one right last season) Yes i actually called for Teoscar to go to the Dodgers LOL
Weird that the writers pass on questions about the worst team in pro sports
Avenger: My outsider’s opinion is that Getz will acquire and stockpile as much youth as he can from players that are tradeable, ie, Crochet. I don’t believe there is a player they currently have on the roster they are committing to build around. Last season seemed to be a white-flag to initiate the rebuilding process during this offseason.
As far as key FAs go, it is a really unique circumstance because it’s *almost futile to sign any big names, given their competitive window won’t be open for at least a few seasons. However, if they see that their roster is wide open, perhaps they choose a big name or two (or three) to begin building around with hopes of expediting their window.
As for Chapman, yes, he’s incredible when his FB is working and he can locate it. BUT, it is torture to watch him launch 101 past the catcher and give up free bases, or throw completely uncompetitive ABs as a closer. He also has a wicked splitter, but again, it’s 50/50 as to its efficacy.
I think the most important question is: how committed is Reinsdorf to rebuilding a solid team when reports have surfaced he’s looking to sell?
My guess is the “move” is a stadium gambit and they’ll only really look into it if they can’t break loose any money for a new park.
Thanks, Clipper, for your intelligent answer. Nice to see that not everyone on this site is clueless or telling me where to spend my money.
Crise, you’re right. Reinsdorf tried to hold the city up before with his threat to move the team and he’s doing it again because he thinks Sox fans have short memories.
He doesn’t care about the fans, he needs traction with lawmakers that can make budget decisions.
I think that they should just go all in, stop handing out big contracts for a couple of years, trade Crochet and the CFer who’s name is eluding me, get prospects, and focus on developing around Montgomery, Quero, and some of their young pitching.
Sid: What big contracts? The most money they’ve filed out is the 5/75 to Benintendi. Crochet, their best player, is making just over minimum. The CFer is Luis Robert. He had a down year but once he gets away from the depressing atmosphere of the Sox organization, he’ll find his form again.
@Sid: Luis Robert is your elusive CFer.
I actually said to *not* hand out any big contracts. They have overpaid guys for years, with Benintendi maybe being the current and most egregious. But don’t give big money to Vaughn or anyone. No point in extending Crochet. Yes, Robert is the name, couldn’t think of it. Basically trade everything that isn’t nailed down and rebuild.
Thanks Jeff. Couldn’t remember that to save my life.
@Sid: I do a lot of that myself Sid.
I don’t see any impact names being interested in signing with the white Sox. Uncle Jerry doesn’t seem too likely to pay the necessary premium. And given all the dysfunction in that org and the fact that they have just hit a rock bottom that should tell them its time to start a full youth movement ground floor rebuild its hard to imagine any key fa hitching their wagon to a team that’s gonna be uncompetitive for the next few years.
I spent a year watching Chapman here in Pittsburgh and that was enough. I understand how the demise of Bednar made the Chapman signing appear to be an act of clairvoyance when really, he was an unnecessary luxury for a team destined for .500
It was a one year contract
Yeah, he has his moments. He throws hard. He can save tight games. But he also has periods where he can’t find the plate, blows leads thanks to walks and throwing dead red. And he sometimes seems more concerned with staring down a batter after a strikeout instead of buckling down for the next at bat. And they spent $10 mil on the guy
If he’s your keeper, good luck. You might want to buy a season-supply of Tums, too
No offense avenger but Chapman never threw 105. He came close but the present day Chapman tops at 100 and had a 3.80era. In other words, he’s hittable. There were several hard to hit relievers in MLB this season that threw well over 100 and had miniscule eras.
Cole was flat out dominant in a must win elimination game, those runs come from 3, that’s right 3! errors (yeah he did commit one) and then after 40 pitches in the inning gave up hits to two guys who tore the Yankees up. He is effectively a pitching coach and is a leader. I’m ok with it being 3 good years and 2 bad if it keeps him in NY.
And Steinbrenner better sign Soto or sell the club to someone who can, if the Yankees get outbid, they’re not the Yankees. If Soto WANTS to go elsewhere despite the highest offer, that’s fine, but getting outbid by 20m will not be ok. These are the Yankees! 14/50m 700 and a buyout of a 15th year worth 2 million so it’s bigger than Ohtanis to keep Boras (and Soto) happy.
Sooooo 5PM EST Eastern Standard Time today November 4 2024
We will know who gets a QOs offered. Hmm.
AND NYY decision regarding Gerrit Cole >Checks watch
Writers, could you please do this after QOs are announced: list each team and their associated penalties for signing QO denying players. For example, the Giants signed 2 such players last year and had not exceeded the tax threshold the previous year. That meant they lost 2 picks (2and 5). And also lost $500k in international bonus money. If they sign 1 such player they’ll lose 2,3 and 5. And $1 mil. If they sign 2 such players they lose 2,3, 5 and 6 and $1mil. That’s how I read the rule/penalties and that just seems too high a penalty. I doubt I’m right so could the writers at some point cover this info?
Oops, they lost 2 and 3 last year. And if they sign 1 qo denier would lose 2 and 5. And if they sign a 2nd qo denier would additionally lose 3 and 6
Actually, lost 2 and 3 last draft. Not 2 and 5.