Money matters shake up market

Dozens enter free-agent pool as pandemic forces teams to cut costs

ARLINGTON, TEXAS— What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the off-season following the pandemic began when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong.

The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1-million (U.S.) buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis. Wong hit .265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the first round.

“STL will always have a special place in my heart,” Wong said in an Instagram post.

Many teams are cutting costs following a shortened regular season played with no fans in attendance because of the coronavirus. Many teams already have eliminated front-office staff and many scouts to cut expenses, uncertain what attendance and revenue can be expected in 2021.

Baseball’s labour contract expires after the 2021 season, putting 2022 at risk of a work stoppage.

Others bought out and entering the free-agent pool include four Nationals: right-hander Anibal Sanchez ($2 million instead of $12 million), outfielder Adam Eaton ($1.5 million instead of $10.5 million), and infielders Howie Kendrick ($2.25 million instead of $6.5 million) and Eric Thames ($1 million instead of $4 million). Also bought out: Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner ($2.5 million instead of $10 million), while the Bronx Bombers didn’t pick up the option on lefty J.A. Happ.

About 50 more players will be eligible for free agency if their options are declined by Sunday.

The top of the free-agent class features catcher J.T. Realmuto, infielder D.J. LeMahieu, pitchers Marcus Stroman and Masahiro Tanaka, and outfielders George Springer and Marcell Ozuna.