The Biggest Losers of MLB's Controversial Offseason Market
The 2017-18 MLB offseason has featured an unprecedented staring contest between the top free agents and the teams in need of their services.
Yes, a handful of players have inked sizable contracts. But many of the winter's glitziest names remain on the board in mid-February.
Blame it on the luxury tax. Blame it on teams saving their money for the epic 2018-19 free-agent class, which could include superstars such as Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Clayton Kershaw. Blame it on collusion, as super-agent Scott Boras intimated was taking place, per Zachary Ripple of the New York Daily News. (We'll circle back to Boras shortly.)
Wherever you lay the blame, facts are facts: This has been a controversial offseason—and there will be losers. As pitchers and catchers report to spring training, here's a look at six of them.
Carlos Gonzalez
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With so many free agents flapping in the breeze, we could highlight any number who'll be forced to accept fewer years and dollars than they'd hoped.
Let's consider a pair of instructive examples, beginning with Carlos Gonzalez.
Following the 2016 season, the Colorado Rockies right fielder was a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner with the credentials to command top dollar.
Then, in 2017, Gonzalez tumbled amid shoulder troubles. He posted full-season lows in batting average (.262), OPS (.762) and home runs (14) and put up minus-three defensive runs saved.
What's worse, Gonzalez sported abysmal splits, as he slashed .203/.274/.332 away from Coors Field.
At the not-over-the-hill age of 32, he might have gotten the benefit of the doubt in a different offseason. This year, he appears destined to accept a short-term "show-me" contract in the hopes of rehabbing his value.
Mike Moustakas
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Continuing on the theme of players who hit the market at the wrong time, Mike Moustakas is floating in an unfair but understandable free-agent purgatory.
The once and possibly future Kansas City Royals third baseman set career highs in home runs (38), RBI (85) and OPS (.835) in a contract year last season. He's 29 years old.
Normally, that would equal a payday somewhere between excessive and gaudy.
Instead, Moustakas is waiting out tepid interest from the Royals while other potential suitors either hang back or move on.
"We felt that Hos is the priority," said Royals general manager Dayton Moore, discussing free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer, per Soren Petro of 810 WHB. "We have options at third. I wouldn't say absolutely not. We want to make it clear that Hos is the player that fits us for the future. I want to get through the Hosmer negotiations before we work on Moustakas."
Translation: Wait your turn, Moose, and swallow what crumbs you get.
Scott Boras and His Clients
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Now we arrive at super-agent Scott Boras and his indelible role in this topsy-turvy offseason.
Boras' reputation for getting his clients paid is well-known. This winter, however, a gaggle of his players have been left hanging.
Boras represents right-handed starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, Hosmer, outfielder J.D. Martinez, Moustakas and right-handed reliever Greg Holland.
That's arguably the top five remaining free agents, and none seem to be on the verge of signing.
Boras has complained publicly about the way the 2017-18 market has unfolded. He's insinuated collusion, as mentioned.
Recently, MLB Chief Legal Officer Dan Halem hit back.
"If Mr. Boras spent as much time working on getting his players signed as he does issuing inflammatory and unsubstantiated statements to the press, perhaps the events of this [offseason] would be different," Halem said, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Boras is undoubtedly working to get his clients paid. But his powers appear to be waning in this new world order.
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Boston Red Sox
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The Boston Red Sox finished last in the American League in home runs in 2017. They watched the archrival New York Yankees acquire reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton and his 59 dingers.
Boston's offseason directive was clear: get power.
Other than re-upping first baseman Mitch Moreland, however, the Sox haven't done anything to upgrade the offense. The clock is ticking.
Martinez has seemed like an obvious fit all winter, and the Red Sox have given him an offer in the vicinity of $100 million, though they're wary of bidding against themselves, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Fair enough. But another suitor such as the Arizona Diamondbacks—with whom Martinez enjoyed great success after a deadline deal from the Detroit Tigers last season—could swoop in. The D-backs, Heyman reported, are trying to get "creative."
If that happens, Boston could be left without the impact bat it needs and wishing it had blinked first.
MLB's Labor Stability
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Zooming further back, none of this is good for MLB's labor situation.
The last time baseball endured a strike was 1994, when the World Series was canceled. The game has coasted on a prolonged streak of stability since then and reaped the rewards.
Now, even with a collective bargaining agreement in place through 2021, the free-agent market's glacial pace has players sharpening their pitchforks.
"Bottom line, the players are upset. No, they are outraged," wrote CAA Baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen in a scathing statement posted on his Twitter feed. "Players in the midst of long-term contracts are as frustrated as those still seeking employment. Their voices are getting louder and they are uniting in a way not seen since 1994."
It's doubtful a strike is imminent. But it's also obvious resentment and trouble are brewing, and Commissioner Rob Manfred may be powerless to stop it.
The Fans
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Who loses most in all of this? The fans.
They would suffer if this offseason stalemate were to curdle into labor unrest. Even without a strike, however, this free-agent freeze-out has consequences.
Hot-stove machinations make the long, chilly slog between the World Series' final out and spring training's first pitch bearable.
Yes, this winter featured a handful of memorable signings and transactions—notably the Miami Marlins' fire sale, Shohei Ohtani's arrival in Los Angeles and Yu Darvish's recent deal with the Chicago Cubs. And, sure, eventually every player worthy of a big league gig will ink a contract.
Clearly, though, MLB needs to get its house in order and find a compromise between the demands of players and agents and the constraints and hesitation of owners.
This showdown isn't good for either side, mostly because it's not good for the folks who buy the tickets.
All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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