During the 2022-23 MLB offseason, we have been witnessing the ample spending power teams have.
The next time you are told that a player is too expensive for “X” contender, don’t believe them: most MLB teams are able to afford most free agents – especially big-market teams – they just don’t want to.
Look at this fascinating bit of information that MLB insider Jeff Passan shared in recent hours.
“With the latest frenzy of spending — Aaron Judge for $360 million, Masataka Yoshida for $105.4 million, Willson Contreras for $87.5 million, Taijuan Walker for $72 million — Major League Baseball teams now have guaranteed more than $2 billion in future salaries this winter,” he tweeted.
With the latest frenzy of spending — Aaron Judge for $360 million, Masataka Yoshida for $105.4 million, Willson Contreras for $87.5 million, Taijuan Walker for $72 million — Major League Baseball teams now have guaranteed more than $2 billion in future salaries this winter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
Do you want to know something really impressive?
That was before the San Diego Padres threw $280 million to shortstop Xander Bogaerts late at night.
Additionally, big-money players such as Carlos Rodon, Brandon Nimmo, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, and Kodai Senga haven’t signed.
Money Talks In Free Agency
When all is said and done, we might be looking at a record offseason of spending.
This is the result of having CBA (collective bargaining agreement) certainty and no lockout, plus the increasing CBT (competitive balance tax).
Lots of teams have money, and lots of teams want to be competitive in 2023 and beyond.
Even teams with losing records in 2022, like the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs, are throwing money to free agents like there is no tomorrow.
Heck, even the Oakland Athletics spent money on a free agent!
Fans, of course, love it.
The more competitive teams there are, the better it is for the show.
The best is yet to come, and the offseason is far from over.