The pace of MLB free agency

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Maybe there is an obvious answer to this but I've always been curious.

 

Why do free agents take so long to sign with an MLB team once the offseason starts? By contrast, NFL and NBA teams have usually signed the best players within the first day or two.

 

Is it because there is no cap in baseball, so agents feel they can take more time to let teams perhaps overpay? Or something else I'm missing?

[Guest]

In the NBA, players are often choosing from more or less identical offers, so they can make their decision pretty quickly.

 

The NFL has some different dynamics. I won't claim to be a pro, but I believe the fact that contracts are not guaranteed and the fact that there are so many positions/players(and only X money b/c of the salary cap) motivates players to get deals done that favor them as fast as possible.

 

By contrast, MLB is a (largely) uncapped league, so stringing out negotiations has a much lower likelihood of blowing up in a player's face, and instead netting them that extra year or bit of AAV they want.

[Cubswin11]

I'd also add to TT's, which is a good summation, that MLB FA really doesn't last that long. By and large it's about 45 days from the day FA starts and most guys of any significance are signed. Sure it's longer than other leagues but it's not that long. Edited November 25, 2015 by Cubswin11

[sneakypower]

http://forgifs.com/gallery/d/147636-2/Dominoes.gif

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd also add to TT's, which is a good summation, that MLB FA really doesn't last that long. By and large it's about 45 days from the day FA starts and most guys of any significance are signed. Sure it's longer than other leagues but it's not that long.

 

45 days? Free agency started November 7th. 45 days would be prior to Christmas and guys of significance wait past that time to sign.

 

It's not just the length though, the point is nothing happens early on, whereas other leagues have a first day spending spree. We're three weeks in and Rich Hill to Oakland is one of the biggest moves still.

[Cubswin11]

I'd also add to TT's, which is a good summation, that MLB FA really doesn't last that long. By and large it's about 45 days from the day FA starts and most guys of any significance are signed. Sure it's longer than other leagues but it's not that long.

 

45 days? Free agency started November 7th. 45 days would be prior to Christmas and guys of significance wait past that time to sign.

 

It's not just the length though, the point is nothing happens early on, whereas other leagues have a first day spending spree. We're three weeks in and Rich Hill to Oakland is one of the biggest moves still.

I feel like most guys sign by Christmas but maybe I am wrong

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd also add to TT's, which is a good summation, that MLB FA really doesn't last that long. By and large it's about 45 days from the day FA starts and most guys of any significance are signed. Sure it's longer than other leagues but it's not that long.

 

45 days? Free agency started November 7th. 45 days would be prior to Christmas and guys of significance wait past that time to sign.

 

It's not just the length though, the point is nothing happens early on, whereas other leagues have a first day spending spree. We're three weeks in and Rich Hill to Oakland is one of the biggest moves still.

I feel like most guys sign by Christmas but maybe I am wrong

 

A very large chunk will, but I feel like Christmas - New Years is a big week for big guys and quite a few last into January.

[Cubswin11]

I'd also add to TT's, which is a good summation, that MLB FA really doesn't last that long. By and large it's about 45 days from the day FA starts and most guys of any significance are signed. Sure it's longer than other leagues but it's not that long.

 

45 days? Free agency started November 7th. 45 days would be prior to Christmas and guys of significance wait past that time to sign.

 

It's not just the length though, the point is nothing happens early on, whereas other leagues have a first day spending spree. We're three weeks in and Rich Hill to Oakland is one of the biggest moves still.

I feel like most guys sign by Christmas but maybe I am wrong

 

A very large chunk will, but I feel like Christmas - New Years is a big week for big guys and quite a few last into January.

Yeah I guess my 45 days was a little off, but in my head I was thinking start of FA-around Christmas seems to be when most guys sign and I pegged 45 days on it.

[davell]

It seems to be much slower this year than most to me. It seems like relievers are signed by now at least, with some 2nd/3rd tier starters. I expected Monday/Wednesday to be big news days this week with the rest of the week being dead. l definitely think mid January usually has a couple of big names out there, but I think the busiest time is the Winter Meetings thru Dec 23rd. I think the league offices are closed the last week of the year- I think things are relatively quiet usually that week before picking back up in early January.

[davell]

No idea where to put it, but Toronto just signed JA Happ to a 3/36 deal. Biggest signing so far obviously.

[SouthSideRyan]

No idea where to put it, but Toronto just signed JA Happ to a 3/36 deal. Biggest signing so far obviously.

 

Less than a year after they traded him away for Michael Saunders.

[Tryptamine]

No idea where to put it, but Toronto just signed JA Happ to a 3/36 deal. Biggest signing so far obviously.

 

Stroman,Happ,Dickey,Chavez,Hutchison and Estrada. I do believe the Blue Jays are now out on Price. They just signed Happ and Estrada in FA, they picked up Dickey's option and traded for Chavez.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Maybe smart people can post a bunch of numbers that say otherwise, but wow that seems a lot for JA Happ. I wouldn't even be excited to sign him, let alone for $12 million per.

[Tryptamine]

Maybe smart people can post a bunch of numbers that say otherwise, but wow that seems a lot for JA Happ. I wouldn't even be excited to sign him, let alone for $12 million per.

 

Last year he put up a 3.61ERA, 3.41FIP, 3.69xFIP with a 3.3fWAR. This included a sub 2.00ERA after being traded to Pittsburgh.

[Guest]

Maybe smart people can post a bunch of numbers that say otherwise, but wow that seems a lot for JA Happ. I wouldn't even be excited to sign him, let alone for $12 million per.

 

Last year he put up a 3.61ERA, 3.41FIP, 3.69xFIP with a 3.3fWAR. This included a sub 2.00ERA after being traded to Pittsburgh.

 

Put another way, his 11 starts in Pittsburgh were the first time he pitched at a truly above average pace in his entire career. 3/36 won't sink anyone's payroll, but it's tough to see too much upside in locking down Happ. He doesn't have much of a track record, he doesn't have strong stuff, and he hasn't proven much in the way of durability/eating innings.

[jersey cubs fan]

open up 'dem flood gates

[Old Style]

The Price is right, bitch.

[UMFan83]

I almost want the Cubs to do anything noteworthy, even if its a move I don't approve of, just for the sake of discussion. Can't wait for the Winter Meetings to get here.

[davell]

I thought after Price, Greinke would sign quick and we'd see a few more fall off the board too(including a Cubs signing/trade. Oh well, we're just a few days away now.

[Banedon]

I almost want the Cubs to do anything noteworthy, even if its a move I don't approve of, just for the sake of discussion. Can't wait for the Winter Meetings to get here.

 

Apparently Bruce Levine said on the radio this morning that the Cubs want to have a free agent signed before the meetings start on Sunday.

[KrisBryantisaBeast]

I almost want the Cubs to do anything noteworthy, even if its a move I don't approve of, just for the sake of discussion. Can't wait for the Winter Meetings to get here.

 

Apparently Bruce Levine said on the radio this morning that the Cubs want to have a free agent signed before the meetings start on Sunday.

 

They better hurry up then!

[UMFan83]

I almost want the Cubs to do anything noteworthy, even if its a move I don't approve of, just for the sake of discussion. Can't wait for the Winter Meetings to get here.

 

Apparently Bruce Levine said on the radio this morning that the Cubs want to have a free agent signed before the meetings start on Sunday.

 

They better hurry up then!

 

PTR has his penny jar dumped out on the table and is counting them up as we speak.

[Guest]

I almost want the Cubs to do anything noteworthy, even if its a move I don't approve of, just for the sake of discussion. Can't wait for the Winter Meetings to get here.

 

Nothing happened for a while last year either and then they got Montero, Hammel and Lester in the span of a week.

[davell]

Where are we going to put the signings that aren't Cubs? O'Day got 4/31 and is staying in Baltimore.