Atlanta was mostly quiet on the first week of ’18 Free Agency Period. Owner/GM, Jeff Nelson, said, “Our team has a great mix of players already assembled after some early trades. We are excited about our moves so far with adding Goldy, Gregerson, and Tillman. We will continue to monitor the free agency market and the trade block.”
The Braves made two minor signings. Both players are young, elite fielders with upside bats.
• 17 year old C, Victor Heredia
• 18 year old, IF, Angel Lopez
Some major free agents signed in the first week;
• Kyle Seager; MIA; 5YR @ $31M/PY. This is certainly surprising for a guy coming off a down year. Did MIA know this is the elder of the Seager Bros? This is the second biggest annual salary in the MLB after Votto’s $31.5M. MIA is hoping (and better be praying) Kyle will find his prime in his early 30’s - which he currently is.
• Matt Carpenter; CIN; 5YR @21M/PY. Carpenter made a big splash in which will likely be his last big contract. The contract will expire when he is 37 years old. The contract is surprising considering the down year Carp is coming off of, has never hit 30 HRs, nor, has he recorded 100 RBIs in a season.
• Mike Moustakas; TB; 5YR @ $20M/PY. This looks like a bargain compared to Seager’s and Carp’s contract. Moose will only be 29 years old at the beginning of the season – younger than both players above. Moose has shown a high ceiling with his bat the past few seasons. TB is betting Moose will find a hitter friendly home and continue to produce at an All-Star level.
• Brian McCann; DET; 3YR @ $14M/PY. An aging catcher gets quite the pay day. Good news for DET that McCann’s bat defies nature – it continues to get better as he gets older.
• Devin Mesoraco; CHC ; 4YR @ $6.25M/PY. I was just going to write “whaaaattt?” – but that just isn’t the great journalism you’ve come to expect at the Herald. This goes to show that one good year can lead to quite a nice pay day in free agency. Makes one wonder why Mike Trout and Bryce Harper signed extensions earlier this off season.
• Matt Adams; SF; 4YR @ S6M/PY; Nice payday for a guy who DFA’d last year. He did end up producing when given a shot so SF made a nice gamble on Adam’s upside.
• Albert Pujols; SF; 2YR @ S9M/PY. Second 1B signed this week. CI position is filled – or is it?
• Mike Napoli; CLEV; 3YR @ $5M/PY. Nap getting a surprising 3 year deal. He has shown he has a very high ceiling. If he gets close to his ceiling in any year, the contract could be worth the venture.
Both Adrian Beltre and Yunel Escobar are still unsigned. Week Two of FA is underway with the names of Altuve, LaMahieu, and Crawford sparking rumors.
Correction 1/22/18. Elder hermano Seager contract initially was confirmed at 27M annually...actually $31M! wow!
