Free agency has officially entered the first-come, first-sign stage, as no new bids have been placed on remaining free agents. With teams now focused on final roster adjustments, only six teams remain below the league-mandated 50-player minimum.
The final major signing of free agency was Dante Bichette, who inked a three-year deal with the Seattle Pilots, averaging $340,000 per year, for a total contract value of $1,020,000.
A Look at the Free Agency Numbers
With the addition of AAA rosters and an increased player minimum, this was one of the busiest free agency periods in DBL history. Here are some key stats:
- Only 23 players received contracts of three or more years.
- Masaki Saito was the only player to receive a six-year contract, signing for $290,000 per year.
- Rob Murphy received the only five-year deal, averaging $130,000 per year.
- Two players signed four-year contracts:
- Ron Mahay (4 years, $130,000 AAV)
- James Baldwin (4 years, $130,000 AAV)
Players Who Signed Three-Year Deals
| Player | Contract Length | Average Annual Value |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Keyser | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Akira Eto | 3 years | $500,000 |
| Mark Sweeney | 3 years | $75,000 |
| George E Williams | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Rikkert Faneyte | 3 years | $85,000 |
| Jeff Juden | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Carlos Quintana | 3 years | $130,000 |
| Hal Morris | 3 years | $120,000 |
| Bill Simas | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Jeff Pico | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Doug Brady | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Benji Gil | 3 years | $100,000 |
| Dante Bichette | 3 years | $340,000 |
| Eric Owens | 3 years | $80,000 |
| Mark Clear | 3 years | $165,000 |
| Dan Plesac | 3 years | $240,000 |
| Edgar Caceres | 3 years | $75,000 |
| Fred McGriff | 3 years | $200,000 |
| Lee Smith | 3 years | $150,000 |
What’s Next?
With free agency winding down, teams will now focus on finalizing their rosters, completing position learnings, and preparing for the upcoming season. While most teams are nearly at full capacity, a few are still working to meet the league’s 50-player minimum.