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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

MLB 2017 free agency preview

MLB 2017 free agency preview

The 2017 Major League Baseball season is officially over. The Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to capture their first ever World Series title. With the end of the season comes the offseason and with the offseason comes free agency. Free agency is one of the most exciting times of the MLB offseason. This year’s free agency is no different. It’s packed with star players such as starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder J.D. Martinez along with 23 year old international prospect Shohei Otani.       

Here are my top 10 free agents for the 2017 MLB offseason:

    1. Starting pitcher Yu Darvish: Darvish is the clear number one free agent. He was signed out of Japan in 2012 by the Texas Rangers and was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. Ever since Darvish started playing in the majors, he’s been considered one of the best pitchers in the league. Even though he’s already 31 and recorded just 10 outs in two World Series starts, he’s sure to command a multi-year, one or two hundred million dollar contract from a playoff contender needing the extra push.
    2. First baseman Eric Hosmer: For the last three or four years, Hosmer has been what every team wants. He’s a reliable first baseman who can play great defense and has a good bat. In the past four years, Hosmer has played at least 158 out of 162 games in the season, and even played all 162 this year along with last year. He’s a day in, day out, gold glover who routinely hits around .280 with 25 home runs. To add icing to the cake, Hosmer is only 28 years old. He’s played with the Kansas City Royals his whole career, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t return, but wherever he goes, he’s getting the big bucks for at least five to six years.3.
    3. Outfielder J.D. Martinez: Martinez is one of the most sought-after free agents in this class. Martinez had a batting average of .303 this year to go along with his 45 home runs, which were good enough for 3rd place in the MLB. His power makes him a highly wanted free agent and, according to his agent, he’s a $200 million player.
    4.  Starting pitcher/Designated hitter/Outfielder Shohei Otani: Otani’s situation is different than others on this list. He’s coming over from Japan to play in the MLB and every team wants him, but no team knows what position he is. He’s an outstanding pitcher and hitter who can also play the field. In 2016, he had an outstanding 1.86 ERA over 140 innings..This past year, he was used more as a hitter by his Japanese team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Pacific League.  and hit .332 in 65 games. Otani has a ton of potential, and many teams are going to be bidding to get him when it comes time.
    5. Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta: Arrieta is just a great all-around starting pitcher. He won the Cy Young award in 2015 and was a major part of the Cubs’ World Series run in 2016. Although he’s 31 and his talent is declining, he’s still sure to get a lot of money for at least four or five years on the open market.
    6. Third baseman Mike Moustakas: Moustakas missed almost all of 2016 with an injury, but came back this past year and was one of the best third basemen in the league. He’s a left-handed hitter who can hit for power (38 home runs) and is a pretty good hitter in addition (.272 average). Also, he’s a good defensive third baseman too. He brings left-handed hitting and good defense at a much-needed position. Like Hosmer, Moustakas has been with the Royals his whole career, so we’ll see if he stays, but if he doesn’t, he’ll get a lot of money somewhere else.
    7. Relief pitcher Wade Davis: In a league where bullpen is becoming more and more valuable, players like Davis are also becoming more and more valuable to teams. A closing pitcher who a team can rely on to come in and close out close games for them is what a lot of teams want and is exactly what Davis is. He was fifth in the National League in saves, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, even at age 32. He’s going to get a three or four year deal for tens of millions of dollars from a lot of teams.
    8. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain: Cain is the third of the Royals three top 10 free agents, and just like Hosmer and Moustakas, will get a lot of money on the free agent market. He’s a fast defensive center fielder who can also hit. He hit .300 this year and stole 26 bases, while only getting caught twice. He’s always one of the best center fielders in the league and he’s coming off one of his best years.
    9. Starting pitcher Alex Cobb: Cobb is a right-handed starting pitcher who came up through the Tampa Bay Rays and was stellar across his first four seasons. He went through Tommy John surgery in 2015, and wasn’t quite as good as he was when he first came back, but has picked it back up. Through his last 17 starts this year, he had a 3.07 ERA. Cobb is on the incline and could be a name you hear many teams going after this offseason.
    10. First baseman Carlos Santana: Santana is the second best first baseman in this free agency class and will get a lot of money from one of the many teams who need a first baseman. That is, if the Cleveland Indians don’t resign him. Santana is a switch-hitter who can consistently hit 25 or more home runs and is great at drawing walks (ninth in the MLB this year). In addition to that, Santana is a fantastic defensive player who won the Wilson Defensive First Baseman of the Year. Not to mention he can also play a plethora of other positions. He came up to the MLB as a catcher, was moved to third base and the outfield before coming to first base, so teams can put Santana anywhere they want. He’s a more affordable first baseman if teams don’t have the money to pay Hosmer, and will get paid a lot of money.

 

 

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