As spring training inches closer, free agents are looking for options.
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in less than a month, yet several big free agents remain unsigned. Pete Alonso, Ha-Seong Kim, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, Jurickson Profar, Jack Flaherty, and Tanner Scott are just some of the players that remain unsigned.
The slow market has caused at least a few free agents to consider a short-term deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He reports that Alonso has offered the Mets a three-year contract with opt-outs in an effort to get into camp with the hopes of signing a more lucrative deal next off-season. And he may not be the only free agent considering this strategy.
At least two — right-hander Jack Flaherty and outfielder Anthony Santander — are open to considering short-term deals with high average annual values, according to league sources briefed on their discussions.
Having a late start to the season for a free agent can be damaging to their season. Last year, pitcher Jordan Montgomery did not sign a contract until late March, the went out and posted a 6.23 ERA, by far the worst season in his career. Blake Snell also signed in late March, and got off to a terrible start with a 6.31 ERA at the All-Star break. However he finished very strong and was able to parlay his one-year deal into a lucrative five-year deal with the Dodgers.
The Royals would be unlikely to pursue Flaherty, but Santander could be on their radar if they still seek a middle-of-the-order bat to improve the offense. The 30-year-old outfielder hit .235/.308/.506 with a career-high 44 home runs with the Orioles last season and is said to be seeking a $100 million deal. But teams seem unwilling to match the asking price of a one-dimensional hitter who has only one 30+ home run season prior to last year and has a career on-base percentage of .308. He may have to settle for a one-year deal to prove his performance was no fluke, much like Tesocar Hernández did last off-season.
Another free agent that could be of interest to the Royals is Profar. He was an All-Star last year for the first time, hitting .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs. But his performance was so out of line with his career numbers and a disastrous 2023 season, that teams are likely skeptical he can repeat those numbers. Profar turns 32 next month and was likely looking for a three-year deal, but may have to settle for a contract for two, or maybe even just one year.
The Royals are already projected to have a $110 million payroll, which is pretty close to their $115 million Opening Day payroll in 2024. Royals GM J.J. Picollo has said the team has “a little bit of money to spend” for “the right player”, and has indicated that ownership has a flexible approach to spending. They may be wary of tying themselves to a long-term contract that hampers future payrolls, but if the team is looking to contend this year, splurging on a short-term deal could make a lot of sense if free agents are willing to play ball.