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5 free agents unlikely to sign soon
- Updated: December 20, 2016
As we inch closer to the holidays and get ready to flip the calendar to 2017, a large pool of talented players is still available on the free-agent market. Of the more high-profile guys who remain unattached, the five below may take a while to find a permanent home.
Note: The ages listed below are as of Opening Day 2017.
Edwin Encarnacion, first baseman, 34 years old: The first-base market has been heavy in supply and less in demand this offseason. Now, the Blue Jays are seemingly out of the Encarnacion discussions after reportedly pulling their four-year, $80 million offer upon signing Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce. Additionally, the Rockies filled their first-base need by signing Ian Desmond to play there, an unexpected twist that has further complicated Encarnacion’s free-agent status by taking away another team that was looking for help at the position. With Mike Napoli and Mark Trumbo both unsigned as well, Encarnacion’s market has taken a tumble temporarily. But Encarnacion remains the best available bat on the market, and several teams could use his middle-of-the-lineup presence. Look for his situation to rebound as either the Rangers, Indians, Cardinals or Yankees make him a four-year offer — albeit one that is a below-market deal from what I predicted earlier in the offseason.
Matt Wieters, catcher, 30 years old: Wieters has some pretty impressive numbers on his resume, including two Gold Glove Awards, three 20-plus homer efforts, and four All-Star Game appearances in the last six seasons. That type of player, in a premium position behind the plate, …
