Free agency continues to wind down, with only 33 players still receiving active bids. The top targets remain Akira Eto and Masaki Saito, both of whom are seeing heavy competition for their services.
Bidding Wars Continue
- Akira Eto now leads with 22 total bids, with his latest offer standing at six years, averaging $245,000 per year.
- Masaki Saito remains a highly sought-after pitcher, having received 15 bids, with a six-year offer averaging $240,000 per year.
- Dante Bichette has drawn 9 bids, with a three-year deal averaging $215,000 per year. While Bichette has a cool first name—one that future fans of the Devil May Cry video game franchise might associate with—his production on the field has been inconsistent. Defensively, he is average, playing LF and RF equally well, though his arm is above average. His batting ratings are solid aside from a weak eye, and he tends to chase pitches. Over the last two seasons, Bichette has struck out 145 times in each year. He can hit for power, evidenced by 35 home runs in 1993 and 28 last season, but his career batting average of .228 and OBP of .262 suggest he is not an on-base machine. Despite once hitting 41 home runs in a season, his career WAR sits at just 2.7, making him a short-term solution rather than a long-term asset.
Relievers Getting Attention
- German Jimenez has received 9 bids, currently looking at a two-year, $210,000 per year contract. With cap space at a premium, the question remains—does it make sense to invest this much in a reliever? Jimenez has outstanding movement and control, but his stuff is below average, as are his individual pitches. His career ERA of 3.58 is respectable, and he has never pitched fewer than 30 innings in a season. He is durable with no injury history, but with many teams opting to trade away relievers, his price tag may not be justified.
- Mark Clear has drawn 13 bids, looking at a two-year deal averaging $175,000 per season. Having played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds since debuting in 1979, it will be strange to see him in another uniform. At 38 years old, retirement may have been an option, but for now, he appears set to extend his career elsewhere.
- Rob Murphy has 9 bids, with a four-year offer averaging $140,000 per season. At 34, he remains an effective bullpen arm with the best ratings among the relievers mentioned. His career ERA of 2.88 is impressive, though last season he struggled with a 4.72 ERA, likely due to playing for a struggling San Diego Padres team. He should still be able to contribute for a competitive team.
Veteran Outfielder on the Move?
- Lloyd Moseby, at 35 years old, is a declining outfielder, at least in terms of ratings. He played in only 52 games last season for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, managing 6 home runs and 24 RBIs. His best years are behind him, and he has been in decline since leaving the San Francisco Giants in 1988. However, with a two-year contract offer averaging $100,000 per season, he is still an affordable depth piece. He can provide some power, RBIs, and solid defense, but he is no longer the impact player he once was.
What’s Next?
With only 33 active bids remaining, free agency is nearing its conclusion. Some teams still have major holes to fill, while others are making their final moves to secure roster depth. As the market tightens, the last remaining players will likely sign soon, bringing an end to what has been a highly competitive free-agent period.
Stay tuned for further updates as we track the final wave of signings.