There was some real action this week with the top two free agents on the market signing as well as some notable second-tier free agents, particularly in the backstop department. Somehow, though, only 48% of the listed free agents on the free agency tracker are still available. With pitcher and catchers set to report on 2/9, there will likely be substantial movement over the next month or so. Should be exciting!
#1 — Kyle Tucker, OF (LAD)
4 years, $240 million
Opt-outs after Years 2 + 3
Sixty million dollars a year feels like a lot, even for a player as talented as Tucker. The Dodgers now boast a lineup with three future Hall of Famers, and Tucker who could potentially join that tier if he can stay healthy. It sure must be fun to be a Dodgers fan but one has to wonder how a deal like this might affect upcoming labor negotiations.
Kyle Tucker. Photo credit- Rick Scuteri
#2 — Bo Bichette, SS/3B (NYM)
3 years, $126 million
Opt-out after Year 1
The Mets missed out on Tucker and immediately pivoted to Bichette who will reportedly be playing third base for them. The bat should play but it remains to be seen if Bichette can handle the hot corner. A bit of a surprise pivot here.
#13 — J.T. Realmuto, C (PHI)
3 years, $45 million
Realmuto will return to the Phillies, just like teammate Kyle Schwarber though at less of a raise. Still, $15 million a year isn’t bad for an aging catcher.
#46 — Victor Caratini, C (MIN)
2 years, $14 million
A two million dollar raise from his previous two-year contract. Caratini is extremely valuable as he can hit and play first base in addition to his ability to catch. One of the best backups in the league.
#61 — Jakob Junis, RP (TEX)
1 year, $4 million
All Junis does is consistently get batters out, and every offseason he has to settle for a one-year deal. The Rangers did well on this one.
Jakob Junis. Photo credit- David Richard-Imagn
#90 — Willi Castro, UT (COL)
2 years, $12.8 million
The Rockies are so weird. Castro was awful last year. Two years guaranteed is wild.
#95 — Taylor Clarke, RP (ARI)
1 year, $1.55 million
Clarke was almost out of baseball a year ago. He put together a nice season for the Royals and will now return to the team that drafted him as a middle reliever.
#160 — Jorge Mateo, SS (ATL)
1 year, $1 million
Signed after Ha-Seong Kim messed up his hand slipping on ice in Korea. One man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity.
#187 — Trent Thornton, RP (CHC)
Minor League deal
#193 — Ryan Borucki, RP (CHW)
Minor League deal
The leftiest with a pulse lefty with a pulse.
#224 — Sam Huff, C (BAL)
Minor League deal
Proof that if you are a catcher and had a good couple of weeks with the bat one time, you will continue to get work indefinitely if you want it.
#241 — Sean Hjelle, RP (NPB)
Terms TBD
Keep an eye on him- if he’s a starting pitcher and has success, he’ll be someone who returns to a nice contract stateside.
Sean Hjelle. Photo credit- MLB.com
#276 — Zach Penrod, RP (WAS)
Minor League deal
Carlos Pérez, C (HOU) — Minor League deal
Seth Brown, OF (NYY) — Minor League deal
Amos Willingham, RP (HOU) — Minor League deal
Trevor Gott, RP (WAS) — Minor League deal
Nick Robertson, RP (LAD) — Minor League deal
Miguel Castro, RP (LAA) — Minor League deal
Yacksel RÃos, RP (CHC) — Minor League deal
Yacksel Rios. Photo credit- Tampa Bay Times.