This time of year, we obviously talk a whole lot about free agents, but it seems as if it’s been even more this year. Obviously, we’ve talked plenty about the current crop led by the likes of J.D. Martinez, Yu Darvish, and Wade Davis. Additionally, there’s also been plenty of talk around next year’s legendary class that includes some of the biggest names in the game.
Anthony Rendon is ready to commit to Washington
Monday morning’s Say Hey, Baseball includes a star who is willing to talk extension, the death of the DH, and the Yankees’ power.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
At this point it seems as if all of the top talent to become available next year will avoid signing an extension and instead test the free market. Looking a little further down the line, though, one of the potential top free agents a few winters from now in Anthony Rendon could be ready to skip that process and instead negotiate an extension with the Nationals.
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From the player’s point of view in this case, it’s not a complete surprise that Rendon would want to talk extension right now. The Nationals third baseman has been a solid player for a long time, but in 2017 he played like a legitimate superstar and MVP candidate. If there is ever a time to cash in on your talent, this is it. In addition to the obvious, it is also clear Rendon is very comfortable in Washington. It’s easy to forget that normal human reasons can affect these decisions, but it obviously plays a role.
Meanwhile, this makes a lot of sense for the Nationals as well. Although basic economics would tell you never to buy high, things don’t work in that kind of vacuum in baseball. While Rendon is coming off a career year and is going to cost some more because of it, the Nationals should still consider this. For one, Rendon has always been known to have big-time talent and there isn’t a lot to suggest this season was a fluke.
Furthermore, the Nationals are built to win over the next few years even with Bryce Harper’s impending free agency, and they should keep as much of their core intact as possible. It seems like most stars right now are intent on hitting the open market, so the Nationals would be wise to jump on the chance to extend one of their stars who is willing to undergo the process.
- We are coming off the worst season for DH’s around the league in a couple of decades. Is this the future we’re looking at for the position?
- Perhaps you’ve heard about the Yankees now featuring a roster with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. They are going to have some stupid power in 2018.
- Former Yankee prospect Dustin Fowler, you may recall, suffered a major knee injury just a couple of outs into his major league career. Now, he’s suing the White Sox.
- The top-level free agents are still on the market, but Darvish has been continually connected to the Cubs.
- There have also been rumors around the possibility of Evan Longoria being sent away from the Rays. These continue to make little sense.
- Carlos Santana has moved on to Philadelphia after a long career in Cleveland. He was never really Cleveland’s best player, but he’s someone who has made a big impression on Indians fans.
- The Rangers haven’t made any blockbuster moves this winter, but a couple of small acquisitions have filled their biggest holes.
- Once upon a time Yovani Gallardo was the Brewers ace and a generally underrated pitcher in this league. He’s past that point, but he’s headed back to his old stomping ground.
- The Athletics, as always, have been at least a little busy this winter. Now, what is left to do?
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