Remember when teams had no money, recoiled at the asking price for free agents and were content to let the marquee stars rot at home all winter?
Oh, how five days can dramatically change the baseball world.
Suddenly, everyone has found money under their couch cushions.
It began Sunday when the Chicago Cubs out-bid everyone for third baseman Alex Bregman, signing him to a five-year, $175 million contract.
The Boston Red Sox, who had offered $165 million, immediately pivoted and signed starter Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who had been sitting back since signing Edwin Diaz, pounced with a stunning four-year, $240 million contract for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
The Mets, who offered $220 million to Tucker, barely had time to blink, let alone shed a tear – and immediately turned around to sign infielder Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract.
The Mets not only dramatically improved their lineup – though Bichette has never played third base in his career – but stole away him away from their hated rivals in Philadelphia.
The Phillies, according to two persons with direct knowledge of the negotiations, met Bichette’s request on a seven-year, $200 million contract Thursday night. The Phillies believed they just had to cross the t’s and dot the i’s.
Instead, less than 12 hours later, Bichette is a Met, accepting four fewer years, but earning $13.5 million more a season.
He also has opt-outs after each season with a full no-trade clause. So if he doesn’t like New York or believes he can make a financial killing in a year as the potential No. 1 free agent, you’ll see him back on the market again making even more money.
The Phillies, who had acrimonious negotiations with catcher J.T. Realmuto all winter, turned aound and suddenly met Realmuto’s request for a three-year contract. They signed him to a three-year, $45 million contract after refusing to give him longer than a two-year deal all winter.
Add it all up, and that’s $716 million just on five players in five days.
Considering all of the money suddenly thrown around, the Yankees’ five-year, $155-160 million offer to bring back outfielder Cody Bellinger feels outdated.
No wonder Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball union said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports:
“We just completed one of the greatest seasons in MLB history, with unprecedented fan interest and revenues. While the free agent market is far from over, it is gratifying to see players at all levels being rewarded for their incredible accomplishments by those clubs that are trying to win without excuses.’
It was just four years ago when no one player in baseball history ever made more than $40 million in a season.
Now, we have one $70 million player in Shohei Ohtani (albeit deferred), a $60 million man in Tucker, Juan Soto making $51 million and the newest member of the $40 million club in Bichette. Five new players will be receiving at least $30 million with Bregman, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber and Dylan Cease.
And there will be at least two more members of the $30 million club – if not higher – with Bellinger and starter Framber Valdez.
“It has taken a long time,’ one veteran agent said, “but we’re finally catching up to the NBA and NFL.’
When the free-agent dust settles, the two-time defending Dodgers will naturally draw the most scrutiny with a CBT payroll of about $413 million. They have $2.1 billion of financial commitments on the books, according to Spotrac, $900 million more than any team.
The Dodgers, even with $30 million of Tucker’s deal deferred, are spending $119.9 million for Tucker’s services alone this year.
They paid an MLB-record $169.4 million in luxury tax penalties last year, and now will even pay more this year.
Yet, while the Dodgers have become Exhibit 1-A for MLB’s argument of a salary cap in negotiations this summer, they actually are a role model for large-market clubs.
Take a close look at the contracts for their position players and the actual cash they’re paying them this season:
- They are paying Ohtani just $2 million this year, with a $46 million hit on the luxury tax.
- They are paying All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman $15 million each of the next two seasons with deferrals.
- All-Star shortstop Mookie Bets is earning $25.1 million this season with deferrals.
- All-Star catcher Will Smith is earning $12.9 million with deferrals.
- Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is earning $4 million with deferrals.
So, you wonder why they were able to slide Tucker into their budget as the Ohtani signing continues to be the greatest cash cow in baseball history?
“They have worked the system to their benefit,’’ one agent said. “They should be applauded, not scolded. They’re doing everything they’re allowed to do, and laughing to the bank.’
Along with annual trips to the jeweler.
Now, we’ll see who steps up next to put a speed bump in the Dodgers’ path to one of the greatest dynasties in National League history.
You don’t think the Mets are going to stop after signing Bichette, do you?
Then you don’t know owner Steve Cohen, who’s not worth $21 billion from hot dog sales at the ballpark.
The Mets still want a front-line starting pitcher, and are the perfect fit for starter Zac Gallen or Valdez, while remaining in the market for Bellinger.
The Blue Jays wanted Tucker, too, and had Bichette as a backup plan. Why not pivot to Bellinger?
The Baltimore Orioles were the runner-up in the Suarez sweepstakes, and now are in the Valdez and Gallen markets.
And, oh, the Red Sox still have a huge vacancy in the infield after missing out in Bregman. They have the starting pitching, and could certainly acquire St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, or circle back with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Ketel Marte. While the D-backs publicly declared that Marte is off the trade block, they could change their mind if the right offer comes along.
Stay tuned, but after being in hibernation all winter, the free-agent market finally has woken up.
That roar is echoing from coast to coast.
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