Executives and agents left baseball’s general managers’ meetings last week more optimistic than they usually are. In recent years, it has become more common for parties to talk over each other – failing to communicate the type of information that can lead to a free agent signing – and cause the league to shut down in winter. major league baseball before it even begins.
This year’s conversations seemed productive to a number of people involved. Teams have identified their free agent targets. The agents suggested reasonable financial parameters. None of this means that a rapidly evolving market will necessarily follow, but if one were to emerge, the clarity provided by the San Antonio 72 Hours offers a reason.
The segment of the market most likely to evolve quickly, both sides suggested, is launch. This is the deepest position in the category, full of high-end, mid-range, and inexpensive options. There are one-year compensation deals on pitchers with Cy Young-level cap numbers and short-term commitment opportunities to attract marquee talent. Pitching will be expensive – it always is – but teams have prepared for that.
The heaviest hitter class could dictate how the rest of the market operates. The limited number of impact hitters may wait for the right deal to materialize, especially with the lack of top-tier bats available via trade.
Complicating matters is the collapse of MLB’s regional sports network structure. RSN money has supported the league over the past decade and the transfer of a half-dozen teams to the league that runs their local television operations — and the uncertainty of another half-dozen teams. TV free agents or who could find themselves without one at home amid the legal troubles of Diamond Sports Group, whose financial problems run deep — means less revenue.
The deep divide in local television is becoming even more evident as Diamond Sports’ next court hearing approaches. Biggest teams – Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays – all have stable RSN situations. The number of small-market teams affected by Diamond’s potential failure — the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays, among others — only deepens a financial chasm which already existed.
Despite these factors, some teams are willing to spend big in a year with stars such as Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki and Corbin Burnes headlining a strong free agent class. Here’s everything you need to know about the winter ahead, from free agent hits and throws to top potential trade options.
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