This FA Market

[Phillies GM (Zach)]

So I’ve wanted to bring this up just for a fun discussion...what is going on with MLB free agency? Is this the fault of the system put in place, the owners, the agents wanting too long of deals, the use of saber metrics? What do you guys think about it?

Personally, I think it’s just the market correcting itself. The past has shown long deals worth too much money that hurts teams in the end. They correct that by not giving long deals and relying on farm system. It’s the smart way to go. The only way a player gets paid is dependent on what a team is willing to give. Not willing to give long term deals? Make an adjustment and accept less years and more money. Interested to hear your thoughts.

In regards to my squad, if I end up with both Hosmer and Arrieta for 20+ mil on my team and they don’t sign it could go down as worst FA moves in base knock history. 😂

[Astros GM (Will)]

Well the luxury tax limit isn't supposed to act like a salary cap, but this year it is. Some CBA fights are going to be coming up next round of negotiations. But yeah,free agency isn't somewhere to find bargains so it makes sense that owners would try to drive the price down.

[Nationals GM (Tim)]

Will knows stuff about things.

[Das (Former Giants GM)]

Todd Frazier just signed a two year contract for $17M, I don't know that the players have anything to complain about, sign or don't, I get that they want as much of the piece of the pie as they can get, but for real, baseball players are getting paid. I'm more concerned with how little the minor leaguers are expected to live on, it seems baseball should be doing more to invest in the future of the game.

[Blue Jays GM (Stephen)]

If there is a Soft Cap, I think there should be a soft floor as well. Tax teams for not attempting to compete or spend because that is not a good thing either. I am interested to see if these unsigned players just sit out or actually do the "Free agent" spring training that has been threatened.

Also, I completely agree with Das that the minor leaguers do not get paid much at all unless you are a top draft pick.

[Braves GM (Jared)]

I agree that it’s the market correcting itself. There will be players worth 10 yr deals (next yr), but players in this years crop shouldn’t be getting the mega deals. Teams have been burned over the last 8-10 yrs by those huge deals, and now are getting smarter

[Cubs GM (Tanner)]

I feel like a lot of it is because of the free agents available next offseason. That class is gonna be absolutely loaded with guys who will demand big contracts like Donaldson, Machado, Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon, and Dallas Keuckel just to name a few. Yes, the guys out there now would make a lot of teams much better, but this is one extra year for those teams to stay under the luxury tax. Another reason is clearly because of the players demand. That Giancarlo deal kinda screwed everything up because now players are gonna be demanding even more with contracts increasing each and every year, which not every team wants to pay. I’m hoping to see some players take either less years on their contracts, less years, or both.

[Gene (Former Athletics GM)]

I believe it is a market correction of sorts. Teams have learned that long term contracts with players underperforming on the back end hamstring their ability to make moves. Research has shown that after 3 years, a contract with a 30 y/o+ player is not a good investment (there are exceptions, but often not). The players have always said they want their market value; well, they shouldn't have a problem going back out to the market after taking an initial 3-4 year guaranteed contract and see what their market value is again at that time (obviously we know why they rather nor to so).
Also, there are savings to have an up and comer minor leaguer take a roster spot as opposed to paying an underperforming veteran late in a long term contract.
The luxury tax does play a part at times if teams want to "reset" but is not the sole cause and I do think a "floor" would be a good idea.
I also think that the financing that many teams have with their banks in part is a factor as the loans will have certain restrictions or guidelines (ratios etc.) that need to be met and these impact budgets etc.
Front offices and owners have gotten smarter in their analysis and in allocating their resources. All these factors have converged.

[Marlins GM (Travis)]

Phillies GM (Zach), go back to watching old WS till baseball starts again 😉