Hot Stove: 2018 RFA

[Cubs GM (Beau)]

2018 RFA Rundown

PB Restricted Free Agency mirrored the slow pace of the RL offseason. Contracts were hard to come by, as buyer's are being patient. It wasn't bad news for the high end talent though. Characteristically of this week, some serious cash separated from team coffers. After last year, the Braves are on the receiving end of the largest contracts. The 25-year old Machado breaks the $30M AAV barrier.
Anthony Rendon wasn't far behind landing $25M on the South Side. White Sox signed two 7-year contracts, also signing YU Darvish to a $19.5M AAV.

Pitching was pricey. Gerrit Cole landed $20.5M with the Mets, costing New York Chase Anderson. Mid-tier pitchers were not exactly cheap either. Duffy, Matz, Miller, Pomeranz, Verlander, and Wacha all cashed in on multiple years between 12 and 15M annually. Pomeranz found himself traded to KC, a huge addition to the Royals fantasic pitching staff. In the bullpen, Brian Shaw looks like a good deal at $4M.

Not as many obvious team friendly deals this year. The steal of the day came for the Boston Red Sox, getting Yadi Molina on a 3-year contract at minimum due to a somewhat-controversial bid from the Cubbies. Even if Justin Turner maintains steady decline-phase production, there may be good value there. As for draft picks, only Avisail Garcia was awarded to the bidding team. New Diamondbacks GM Ethan will select Supplemental First, Pick S1.1.


Strike through equals bids nullified by priority lists

Cabrera 12, 12, 9.81, 9, 9, 6
Cervelli 4.7, 4.52, 0.55
Cole 20.5, 19.55, 19.5, 18, 15.166,14.4,14, ++++
Corbin 12, 7, 5
Cueto 9.22, 8, 8, 7
Darvish 19.5, 17.5, 15, 12.15, 12.1, 12, ++
Didi 14, 10.1, 8, 7
Duffy 12.1, 12, 12, 10.39, 10, 8
Farqhuar 4.82
Fowler 8, 5.99
Garcia 9.51, 8
Gardner 9, 8.5, 5.7, 5
Gennett 8, 6.58
Grandal 5.3
Machado 30.2, 22.5, 20.5, 15, 15, 14, 11.27 * Two illegal bids that were > 30.2M
Matz 15,12,11,10, 9, ++++
Miller 12, 11.57, 9, 8
Molina 6.87, 3.1, 0.55
Morton 12, 8.93, 8
Pearce 4.23
Pomeranz 15, 15, 12, 10, ++
Reddick 7.46
Rendon 25, 23, 20.5, 19.5, 19, 15, ++ * One illegal bid > 25.0M
Reyes 1.1
Shaw 8.05, 4
Strop 6, 5, 3
Turner 12.5 ,12, 12, 9
Verlander 13, 12, 12, 11.86, 10, ++
Wacha 15, 14.4, 11, 10, 9, +++

[Rangers GM (Victor)]

I sure wished I got one of the lower bids on Didi. LOL. 14 isnt too bad but would have loved $10M or less. LOL