Two months doesn’t seem like a long time in a player’s career, but for a select group of those headed for free agency, what they do down the stretch could dramatically change their offseason market.
Although teams will take into account what the player has done throughout his career to know if they sign him or not, the last impression is a real factor for some free agents.
Here, we feature nine players who have a lot to gain (or lose) from what they do for the rest of this season.
Javier Baez, SS, Mets
The Puerto Rican is believed to have been asking for $ 200 million in his negotiation with the Cubs over a contract extension. Given how loaded the shortstop group will be in this free market, Baez will likely have trouble landing such a deal, no matter what happens in the last two months of the season. But the 28-year-old shortstop will have a better chance if he increases his value with a good performance with the Mets.
After eight years of career, we are not going to see a drastic change in the aggressiveness at the plate of Baez, something that can limit his ceiling. But the Puerto Rican remains an excellent defender and if he can resume his offensive form from 2018-2019 (.286 / .321 / .544) for the next two months, he could be getting a $ 150 million offer in the offseason.
Kris Bryant, 3B / OF, Giants
After 2019, Anthony Rendón, then 29, signed a seven-year, $ 245 million deal with the Angels. It’s the kind of contract Bryant, who turned 29 in January and is a Scott Boras client, just like Rendón, could be aiming for. He’ll find it? What you do in the next two months will be vital.
Bryant has been one of the best hitters in the National League for much of the year, with an OPS of 1.078 in April, .961 in May and .922 in July. But the .445 OPS he had in June weighed on his numbers a bit. The recent defensive versatility he’s deploying will help increase his value.
Michael Conforto, OF, Mets
When George Springer signed a six-year, $ 150 million deal with the Blue Jays in January, speculation began that Conforto might pursue something similar after this season. That possibility has been weakened, with Conforto hitting .201 / .331 / .339 with seven home runs in 76 games on the year. In terms of guaranteed money, Conforto must go out in search of a contract close to that of Nick Castellanos (US $ 64 million) or that of the Dominican Marcell Ozuna (US $ 65 million). If he continues to have problems, perhaps the patrol car will go on a one-season deal to increase its value in 2022.
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants
Can Gausman get the highest contract for a starter this offseason? Could be. Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke could go on short deals due to their ages and Justin Verlander and Noah Syndergaard are coming from Tommy John surgeries. That leaves Gausman, Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodón vying for first place.
Gausman has been one of the best starters in the majors the past two seasons, with a .272 ERA (154 ERA +). How the 30-year mound ends in 2021 could be very important for the value of the contract.
Kenley Jansen, RHP, Dodgers
It appears that, for the third year in a row, there are questions surrounding Jansen as a closer. The right-hander had an impressive 1.24 ERA by the All-Star break, but has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits in the second half.
Will he continue to receive interest as a closer in the offseason? What the 33-year-old pitcher does in the remainder of 2021 will impact his value, especially without a weighty free-market closer (assuming Craig Kimbrel’s option will be exercised by the White Sox).
Tommy Pham, OF, Parents
Pham will enter free agency for the first time in his career at age 33. The patrolman is a disciplined hitter with good power and solid base speed, but he has proven to be a hitter in recent years. After posting an OPS of .624 in 31 games in 2020 and .509 in the first 36 of 2021, Pham hit 1,027 between May 15 and July 1. However, his OPS in his last 28 games has been .641.
A good end of the campaign would be of great help.
Robbie Ray, LZ, Blue Jays
Though he had a 6.62 ERA with a MLB-high of 45 walks in 51.2 innings between the D-backs and Blue Jays in 2020, Toronto quickly signed him to a year and $ 8 million as soon as free agency began. pass. Ray has made a great recovery, dropping his passport rate to 6.7% (the best of his career), 11.2 points better than last year. By throwing 6.0 blanks on Saturday against the Red Sox, he improved his ERA to 2.90.
If the southpaw can put the finishing touches on a great season, he can expect a great deal.
Trevor Story, SS, Rockies
It’s been a rough year for Story, who had to deal with trade rumors all season, only to ultimately not be traded. Statistically speaking, he is having one of the worst seasons of his career. Like Báez, Story enters a free market rich in shortstop, like Corey Seager, Puerto Rican Carlos Correa and Marcus Semien. Everyone except Báez will be eligible for a qualifying offer.
A solid season finale could help offset the numbers. In the last 10 games, Story is hitting .395 / .477 / .789 with three home runs and six doubles.
Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets
Syndergaard hasn’t pitched a single pitch for the Mets since Sept. 29, 2019. The right-hander missed all of 2020 recovering from Tommy John surgery and then relapsed earlier this year.
The Mets hope to have the mound back in September, but even in the best of times, they probably won’t finish the season with more than 30 innings. Anyway, those tickets will be very valuable. They will serve to show the teams how healthy the law is.
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