How the Slow Offseason Could Affect the Royals and Their Free Agents

Daily Clips

December 30, 2017

LOCAL

How the slow offseason could affect the Royals and their free agents

December 29, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star

Wade Davis reportedly agrees to a record deal with the Rockies

December 29, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star

MINORS

Wade Davis Inks Deal With Rockies

2016 Storm Chasers pitcher signs with Colorado

December 29, 2017By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasers

NATIONAL

Rockies' pitcher show gets Wade better

December 29, 2017By Thomas Harding/MLB.com

Reports: Padres reuniting with Ross, Young

December 29, 2017By Ben Weinrib/MLB.com

MLB TRANSACTIONS
December 30, 2017 •.CBSSports.com

LOCAL

How the slow offseason could affect the Royals and their free agents

December 29, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star

If there is a silver lining in gridlock, in the slow, bumper-to-bumper traffic snarling Major League Baseball’s free-agent market, it is this: If you haven’t been paying attention, you haven’t missed much.

Fifty-seven days after players officially became free agents, and four days after Christmas offered a momentary break, the offseason is still moving at a historically slow pace. The winter’s top free agents are still waiting to find homes. The game’s moneyed franchises are still resisting the annual splurge. The numbers reveal a system on hold.

On Friday, former Royals closer Wade Davis agreed to a three-year, $52 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, a deal that constituted a breakthrough in this climate and pushed the total money spent on free agents past $500 million. Across the last three offseasons, aggregate spending had exceeded $1 billion by the final weeks of December. On Friday, the largest contract of the offseason still belonged to first baseman Carlos Santana, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. By this time last year, teams had doled out eight deals worth at least $60 million.

As a result, the Royals’ former triumvirate of Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain remains on the open market, their futures more murky than they were a month ago. What once seemed like a sure thing — Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain signing long-term deals worth generational wealth — now seems more tenuous and uncertain by the day.

Industry observers offer a list of theories to explain the light spending. Maybe it’s a young generation of analytical general managers who believe more strongly in the flaws of free agency; maybe it’s the cyclical nature of a number of big-market clubs — the Dodgers, Nationals, Yankees and Cubs, to name four — having few holes and little motivation to spend big. Maybe it’s the desire of those same teams — the Dodgers and Yankees, in particular — to stay under the game’s competitive-balance tax threshold and reset the punitive taxes they pay in advance of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado becoming free agents next year. (The Yankees, of course, already took on nearly $300 million by trading for Giancarlo Stanton.) And maybe it’s agent Scott Boras, too, who has five of the biggest free agents in the market, including Hosmer, Moustakas, Greg Holland, Jake Arrieta and J.D. Martinez, and appears to be in an industry-wide stare down with teams.

Whatever the case — and, after all, it’s likely a combination of factors — the shape of the offseason could turn the month of January into a frenzy as free agents attempt to find landing spots before the season. Whatever the case, the Royals could find themselves weighing some unexpected scenarios as they transition to a rebuilding phase and seek to restock their farm system.

From the beginning of the offseason, the Royals have been publicly consistent in their desire to pursue Hosmer, a 28-year-old first baseman coming off the best season of his career. They appeared less bullish about exploring possible deals for Moustakas or Cain. The philosophy stemmed from the idea that while a six- or seven-year deal for Hosmer could fit into a new rebuilding plan, long-term deals for Cain or Moustakas made less sense. Cain will be 32 years old in April. Moustakas comes with more durability concerns than Hosmer as he ages into his early 30s. The Royals also have Cheslor Cuthbert ready to step in at third base. The next window to contend may not open for three to four years.

This calculus, of course, was made based on the assumption that Moustakas would command offers that made little fiscal sense. Yet to this point, the markets for Hosmer and Moustakas have appeared nebulous, while Cain appears stuck amongst a middle-class of free agents who are waiting for the market to start churning.

The climate could be helpful if the club seeks to retain Hosmer or another piece of its former core. Yet it’s also adding some risk. Because the Royals offered qualifying offers to Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain, the team is in line for three compensatory picks if those players sign elsewhere. The quality of those selections, however, will depend on how much the players sign for. If the player signs for more than $50 million, the compensation pick will come after the first round. If the deal is for less than $50 million, the pick will be after Competive Balance Round B, which comes after the second round.

For now, the wait continues. Hosmer appeared to be a solid fit for the Red Sox, a rare big-market team in position to add. Yet Boston signed free agent first baseman Mitch Moreland and remains in the hunt for Martinez, the top offensive performer on the market. Moustakas, meanwhile, appeared to be a decent fit for the Los Angeles Angels or San Francisco Giants. But the Angels moved quickly to sign former Reds shortstop Zack Cozart to play third base, while the Giants traded for Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria.

Hosmer still appears to have interest from the San Diego Padres, though recent reports that the club was prepared to offer a six-year, $120 million contract were based on incorrect interpretations of earlier reports from ESPN’s Buster Olney. For now, the market has been so slow that even idle chatter from the winter meetings can be dissected and ground to a nub.

In some ways, of course, the slow nature of the offseason could buoy the Royals’ hopes to re-sign Hosmer. Two years ago, the club waited out free agent Alex Gordon and came to terms with him in early January. Yet the current offseason offers some uncertainty.

On Friday, the gridlock loosened for just a moment as Davis officially signed with the Rockies. Was the deal an exception or an omen?

Wade Davis reportedly agrees to a record deal with the Rockies

December 29, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star

Another former Royals closer got a nice payday from the Colorado Rockies.

On Friday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported that Colorado had a deal in place with former Royals/Cubs closer Wade Davis. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports and Passan reported that the deal is for $52 million over three years. The average salary per season of $17.33 million is the highest ever for a relief pitcher, Passan reported.

Davis, who was traded from the Royals to the Cubs last December, had 32 saves and 2.30 ERA in 59 games for the Cubs, who advanced to the National League Championship Series.

The Rockies’ closer in 2017 was Greg Holland, who saved 41 games in his first season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015, when he was with the Royals.

Thomas Harding, the Rockies’ beat writer for MLB.com, on Thursday wrote that Holland “remains the favorite to return as the Rockies’ closer.”

It remains to be seen if the Rockies feel like Davis will be the closer or if they will also try to bring back Holland, who is a free agent.

Holland made $15 million this year, but he did not exercise his $15 million player option after the 2017 season.

MINORS

Wade Davis Inks Deal With Rockies

2016 Storm Chasers pitcher signs with Colorado

December 29, 2017By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasers

The Colorado Rockies on Friday afternoon officially announced they had signed reliever Wade Davis to a three-year contract. Davis, who notched 32 saves with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and will always be remembered by Kansas City Royals fans for securing the final three outs of the 2015 World Series, pitched in Omaha during part of the 2016 campaign as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment.

The right-hander did not allow a run while striking out three in two spotless innings over two appearances with the Storm Chasers in 2016, fanning three batters. One of those outings came at Werner Park on August 30, 2016, while the other came against in Iowa, facing the Triple-A affiliate of his future club, the Chicago Cubs.

After being acquired by Kansas City in a trade prior to the 2013 season, Davis accumulated a 27-15 record and 2.94 ERA (104 ER/318.0 IP) with 348 strikeouts in 216 career appearances (24 starts) with the Royals. He notched 47 regular season saves, 44 of which came between the 2015-16 campaigns, earning American League All-Star honors in each of those seasons. It was during those two years that Davis was most dominant with Kansas City, totaling a 10-2 mark and 1.30 ERA (16 ER/110.2 IP) with 125 strikeouts. He also finished in the top eight in American League Cy Young Award voting twice in 2014 and 2015.

Davis in 2017 compiled a 4-2 mark and 2.30 ERA (15 ER/58.2 IP) with 79 strikeouts over 59 relief outings with the Chicago Cubs, helping lead them to the postseason. In nine Major League seasons, he has accrued a 59-39 clip and 3.45 ERA (320 ER/835.1 IP) along with 79 saves and 768 strikeouts between Tampa Bay (2009-12), Kansas City (2013-16) and Chicago (2017). He was selected by the Rays in the third round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Lake Wales High School in Florida.

NATIONAL

Rockies' pitcher show gets Wade better

December 29, 2017By Thomas Harding/MLB.com

The Rockies' bullpen buildup hit a new level on Friday, when closer Wade Davis agreed to come aboard on a three-year, $52 million contract.

The deal breaks down in salaries of $16 million in 2018, $18 million in '19 and $17 million in '20, with a $1 million buyout on a $15 million vesting player option, according to a Major League Baseball source. The Rockies re-signed lefty setup man Jake McGee and signed righty setup man Bryan Shaw, formerly with the Indians, to three-year deals worth $27 million earlier this month.

General manager Jeff Bridich finished the offseason bullpen construction by landing Davis, 32, a top closer. Davis replaces former Royals teammate Greg Holland, who recorded a National League-leading 41 saves for the Rockies in 2017 and is a free agent.

During the 2017 regular season, Davis saved 32 games and posted a 2.30 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings as the Cubs won the NL Central title. Davis' postseason highlight was his 2 1/3-inning save in the deciding NL Division Series Game 5 against the Nationals. The right-hander finished with four postseason saves. Davis was also on the mound for the Royals as they clinched the '15 World Series over the Mets.

"[He's] a guy who's taken very seriously when he comes into the game," Bridich said. "If you're the opposition and you see Wade Davis coming in, just like Greg Holland and other top closers, those guys are taken seriously. The other team knows that they have it in for them to try to win that game that night.

"It's a big thing for a team with playoff aspirations, and hopefully it's a good thing for the organization for a number of years with Wade."

Bridich said Davis and Holland were among the free-agent options considered, and the club also looked at the trade market. The contract, which gives Davis the highest average annual value of any reliever (the Yankees' Aroldis Chapman's five-year deal in 2016 gave him a $17.2 million AAV), quickly came together last week, Bridich said. According to the contract, if Davis finishes 30 games in '20, he can pick up a '21 option worth $15 million or accept a $1 million buyout.

Like Holland, Davis joins the Rockies with familiarity. Pitching coach Steve Foster was a coach with the Royals when Davis arrived in a trade with the Rays. Holland was Davis' predecessor as the Royals' closer.

To make room for Davis on a full 40-man Major League roster, the Rockies designated righty reliever Shane Carle for assignment. Carle, 26, debuted in the Majors in 2017 and posted a 6.75 ERA with no walks and four strikeouts in three big league appearances. He went 3-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 36 games at Triple-A Albuquerque. Carle originally joined the Rockies in a Nov. 11, 2014, trade with the Pirates for reliever Rob Scahill.

The Rockies earned the second NL Wild Card in 2017 -- and made their first postseason appearance since '09 -- in large part because of a staunch bullpen. Relievers combined to convert 77 percent of their save opportunities -- tops in the NL and second in the Majors to the Indians at 78.7 percent, according to Stats, Inc.

The Rockies passed on Holland and lost righty Pat Neshek, who signed a two-year, $16.25 million contract with the Phillies, but are moving ahead with Davis and Shaw in their stead. The Rockies can splurge on the bullpen because they have managed a solid starting rotation despite having just one starting pitcher -- righty Chad Bettis -- reach his arbitration years.

"The aggressiveness in the bullpen, especially this offseason, fits with a grander plan about our pitching, just adding the level of talent, the level of impact, and trying to do so in waves -- not just one guy here, one guy there," Bridich said.

The Rockies' bullpen also includes lefties Chris Rusin, who led the NL and was second in the Majors in relief innings pitched (85) while putting up solid numbers (5-1, 2.65 ERA, two saves), and Mike Dunn (5-1, 4.47 ERA), who led the team with 68 appearances. Three other intriguing options are righties Adam Ottavino, who slumped to a 5.06 ERA in 2017 after posting a 2.67 ERA in '16, and Scott Oberg and Carlos Estevez, each of whom finished last season on the postseason roster after experiencing youthful ups and downs.

Davis comes with a reputation for being a mentor to younger relievers, partly by being a solid example.

Carl Edwards Jr., Davis' former teammate with the Cubs, said, "He doesn't give in. He's the same guy every day. He goes out there and does what he has to do. He's a really big part of the team, and the bullpen, especially. He comes in and there's no second thoughts, just go right after guys."

Because Davis received a qualifying offer from the Cubs, the Rockies will lose their third-highest pick in the 2018 Draft, currently No. 61 overall. The Cubs will be awarded a compensatory pick, currently No. 75. Other free-agent signings can affect the exact pick numbers involved.

Reports: Padres reuniting with Ross, Young

December 29, 2017By Ben Weinrib/MLB.com

The Padres are bolstering their rotation with a pair of familiar faces, reportedly agreeing to Minor League contracts with free-agent right-handers Tyson Ross and Chris Young.

SB Nation was first to report of the reunion with Ross, while the San Diego Union-Tribune initially reported the deal with Young. The club has not commented on the reports.

Ross, 30, pitched for the Padres from 2013-16 and held a 3.16 ERA with 531 strikeouts over 522 innings. He earned his lone All-Star appearance in 2014 when he held a career-best 2.81 ERA over 195 2/3 innings.

Ross has battled injuries throughout his career, which contributed to the Padres non-tendering him last offseason. He signed with the Rangers but pitched only 49 innings with a 7.71 ERA after missing time recovering from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and battling blisters throughout the 2017 season.

Young, 38, had his best Major League success in San Diego from 2006-10, earning his sole All-Star appearance in '07, when he held a 3.12 ERA over 173 innings. Throughout his five years with the Padres, he compiled a 3.60 ERA with 489 strikeouts over 550 2/3 innings. Last season with the Royals, he held a 7.50 ERA over 30 innings in 14 appearances (two starts).

A starter throughout his tenure in San Diego, Young made 49 of his 50 relief appearances during the past three seasons with Kansas City. He could provide length out of the bullpen if he doesn't earn a spot in the rotation.

The Padres will have plenty of competition for rotation spots in Spring Training. While Clayton Richard, Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet's spots seem fairly secure, Ross and Young will be in the running for the last two spots with Colin Rea, Robbie Erlin, Bryan Mitchell and Jordan Lyles, among others.

MLB TRANSACTIONS
December 30, 2017 •.CBSSports.com