MLB’S free-agent frenzy finally cools off
TEMPE, ARIZ. Major League Baseball’s free-agent frenzy was fun while it lasted.
Less than two weeks after it started in the wake of the MLB lockout, it’s pretty much over.
Now that the dust has settled, some of the biggest moves weren’t a huge surprise: Freddie Freeman is closer to home with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nick Castellanos chose the Philadelphia Phillies while Trevor Story picked the Boston Red Sox.
Other signings were more unexpected: The Minnesota Twins swooped in to snag star shortstop Carlos Correa while versatile slugger Kris Bryant surprised most of baseball after his big deal with the Rockies.
For teams that missed out on marquee additions, there isn’t much left.
Outfielders Michael Conforto, Tommy Pham and Kevin Pillar are probably the biggest names left without a team. Right-hander Johnny Cueto is among the leading pitching options.
Free agency was a bit more fastpaced than normal because of a 99-day lockout that froze 40-man roster transactions from Dec. 2 to March 10.
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman compared the early free agency action to “drinking out of a firehose” during a dizzying few days of negotiating.
These days, it’s more like drinking from a regular old water fountain as the sport’s April 7 opening day rapidly approaches.
Ohtani on the bump.
Two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani had a solid spring training debut on the mound, striking out five batters while giving up one run over 2L innings for the Los Angeles Angels.
“Felt good out there for my first start,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Last year’s American League MVP was sharp in the first, getting a called strike on his first pitch to Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel and then earning the strikeout by blowing a high fastball past the left fielder three pitches later.
The right-hander retired seven of the 11 hitters he faced. He threw 50 pitches, including 33 strikes. He was expected to throw about 45 pitches.
“The last two hits I gave up were sliders down the middle, so that’s something I need to work on,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani led the American League with 46 homers and was 9-2 on the mound with a 3.18 ERA last season.
Perez to D-backs.
The Diamondbacks made a few moves with their pitching staff, signing veteran left-hander Óliver Pérez to a minor league deal and claiming left-hander Caleb Baragar off waivers.
The 40-year-old Perez is attempting to play in his 20th big league season. He debuted as a 20year-old with the San Diego Padres in 2002. Perez had five scoreless outings for Cleveland last season, giving up five hits over 3M innings and striking out four.
The 27-year-old Barager had a 2.78 ERA over 49 appearances for the Giants over the past two seasons.