MLB free agency is, in essence, supply vs. demand.
If there aren’t many teams looking for, say, an impact bat, and there are several of them available in the market, their price will decrease.
If, for example, there is a league-wide need for pitching and not that many quality, difference-making hurlers, their price will go up.
It’s basically a market in its own right.
There are lots of pitchers available in free agency this year.
Truly difference-making arms?
Not a lot.
Uber-agent Scott Boras is already implying that the dynamics of the market will likely result in mammoth contracts for pitchers around the league.
“Boras said he’s already had seven teams tell him they are looking for at least two starting pitchers, which echoes what GMs said yesterday: Starting pitching market is going to be extremely competitive,” MLB insider Chelsea Janes tweeted.
Boras said he’s already had seven teams tell him they are looking for at least two starting pitchers, which echoes what GMs said yesterday: Starting pitching market is going to be extremely competitive.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) November 8, 2023
Six starting pitchers and a reliever stand out above the rest: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, and Aaron Nola are part of that first tier, while Josh Hader is by far the best bullpen piece available.
Those players will be in high demand and will end up “getting the bag,” as fans say.
There is a solid second tier, though: Eduardo Rodriguez, Marcus Stroman, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Lucas Giolito will likely get nice contracts, too.
Clayton Kershaw will likely sign a one-year deal, probably with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but is out until the summer.
All things considered, contenders will have a few arms available to target as they look to bolster their pitching staffs.
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