Almost three months after the Venezuelan Jose Altuve took the last rolling of 2017, we are still unsure of when the avalanche of free agent signings promised to us in the Major Leagues will occur.
But, for the moment, these are the latest news about five of the best players available.
J.D. Martinez: The Boston Herald reported a few weeks ago that the Red Sox offered Martinez five years and $ 125 million. So far, there is no evidence that Boston has withdrawn or improved that offer. Therefore, the battle to see who flashes first, whether the team or agent Scott Boras, continues.
A source said Monday that Martinez has at least one other offer on the table, but did not specify which team made it.
The patient plan of the Red Sox with Martinez suggests that they are sure that no one will offer more to the gunboat. Until now, they seem to be correct. It's hard to imagine that Martinez's offers change dramatically unless a stellar patroller is injured during training.
Boras, however, is going to take advantage of a detail of the firm of Lorenzo Cain for five years and the US $ 80 million with the Brewers: Cain, 32, is under contract until 36 years. For something similar to happen with Martinez, he would have to receive a seven-year pact. But there are those who wonder if Martinez, with the doubts that there are about how his defense will be devalued over the years, will receive an offer for so many seasons.
Yu Darvish: An industry source said the Twins are willing to offer Darvish five years, while the Cubs are comfortable with four. When contacted by MLB.com, the teams did not confirm whether they had made offers, and Darvish's representatives have not commented on the negotiations.
The Dodgers are still interested in re-signing Darvish. The Los Angeles Times has reported that they would probably need to exchange Matt Kemp, Logan Forsythe or Cuban Yasmani Grandal to be able to hire Darvish and at the same time ensure that they will stay below the luxury tax limit for this year of US $ 197 million.
Jake Arrieta: Arrieta has been one of the most mysterious free agents of this dead season. So far, and at least publicly, there are more teams interested in Darvish even though Arrieta has a better postseason curriculum.
The Giants want a starting pitcher after changing Matt Moore to the Rangers but are more inclined to look for a fourth or fifth starter than to put on the table what Boras is asking for Arrieta.
The Brewers remain a possibility for Arrieta, although it seemed more logical to improve the rotation by changing the Dominican outfielder Domingo Santana for a pitcher.
Eric Hosmer: The Royals have been increasing their chances of retaining Hosmer by lightening their payroll with a couple of changes this month (they moved the Mexican Joakim Soria on January 4 and Brandon Moss on Monday). It is not clear if they improved the offer for seven years that supposedly did.
Mike Moustakas: The Cardinals, who have also been linked with Hosmer, are still a club that fits Moustakas, given the ability of Matt Carpenter to play first or third.
Of the rest, few teams seem to be looking for a third base this winter. The Braves and the White Sox are entering a new phase of their rebuilding process, but they have not yet expressed public interest in signing Moustakas.
So Moustakas might have to wait for Darvish to make his decision. Why? If Darvish signs with a team other than the Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman should have room on the payroll to look for Moustakas or free agent Todd Frazier.