As each MLB team prepares for 2019, several players will be rocking new colors for the next season. But the two biggest names on the market still have yet to sign with any teams. Whenever that may be, the baseball world will be watching wherever Manny Machado and Bryce Harper will call home.
Here is some of the latest news from this offseason.
As of right now, the Chicago White Sox have officially made an offer to Manny Machado. However, the details on that offer have yet to be announced. Several experts say that the offer will unlikely have double-digit years and well below $300 million. As of this moment, Chicago has the second lowest payroll coming into 2019. Not to mention they sit at the bottom half in average salaries for MLB teams. However, the White Sox have a formidable infield in the works. With a crew that features Jose Abreu and Yonder Alonso, adding Manny Machado could give strength to a rebuilding White Sox team.
Phillies reportedly set to make next move in Bryce Harper sweepstakes with face-to-face meeting. Image Courtesy of NBC Sports
The Chicago White Sox will still have work to do, even if they manage to bring in Machado or Harper. For one thing, Chicago had one the worst pitching outings of 2018. It’s going to take more than just a big free agent signing to turn their luck around.
Bryce Harper, on the other hand, has yet to receive an offer in 2019. Since turning down a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Washington Nationals last year, Harper has remained a free agent. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies are among those after the star outfielder. On one hand, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made huge moves, mainly involving the Cincinnati Reds. Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Matt Kemp have all moved east in this mega-trade. Not to mention LA will send another $7 million to the Reds in September as part of the trade, ESPN reports.
On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs have the bank account advantage going in. With one of the largest payrolls of any MLB team, playing for the Cubs has its fair share of perks. But several Cubs players are getting paid massive bucks in 2019 and beyond. Jason Heyward, Jon Lester, Cole Hamels, and Yu Darvish are each getting paid at least $20M this coming season. Plus, Heyward and Darvish will have plenty of money flowing in i2020se 2020’s. If Chicago wants Harper (or Machado), the roster may have to be shaken up a bit.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Machado and Harper are not the only big names still on the market. Several stars have yet to land on a roster for the 2019 MLB Season. Craig Kimbrel, Adam Ottavino and Dallas Keuchel are amoung the pitchers still on the market. Kimbrel is coming off of a World Series winning season with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. Kuechel has a World Series as well, just the year prior. Gio Gonzalez and Derek Holland are also available for teams looking to improve their pitching staff.
Several positions players names can prove helpful for teams who aren’t seeking out Machado or Harper (for whatever reason). Jed Lowrie and A.J. Pollack lead their positions in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), coming out of the 2018 outing. Lowrie, a third baseman, made his presence felt as an Oakland Athletic, as well as making the All-Star roster for the American League. Pollack, a former Arizona Diamondback, is the current leader in WAR for center fielder free agents. Not to mention he was an All-Star and Golden Glove winning while in Arizona.
Nick Markakis, DJ LeMahieu and Mike Moustakas are also great options available. All three have tasted playoff action in 2018, and are good offensive additions for teams needing to improve batting production. But as they always say, “Get the good ones before they’re gone.” MLB team ought to get moving to bring the few big names that are still up for grabs before someone else does.
Featured image courtesy of The Chicago Tribune
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