2018 MLB Free Agency All-Star team is actually very good
By Kyle Cardoza
MLB free agency — First Base: Eric Hosmer
Logan Morrison reignited his career last season, but Eric Hosmer continues the most legitimate option for teams in need of a first baseman.
The Kansas City Royals don’t seem too obliged to hand Hosmer a gaudy long-term deal. San Diego already offered the infielder the type of contract he desires, but he has not accepted anything to this point.
Teams are hesitant to give in to Hosmer’s demands, as he is not a top-tier first baseman worth an eight-year deal worth a gargantuan $200 million. But he is still a productive middle-of-the-lineup power option. And he plays almost every game.
The 28-year-old Royal played in at least 130 games in all but one of his seven seasons. And the free agent put together a career-best campaign in 2017, hitting .318 with 25 bombs, as well as a Gold Glove award and Silver Slugger award.
Although he ranked seventh in WAR among first baseman, he was more consistent at the plate than younger guys like Cody Bellinger. Hosmer’s power numbers aren’t out of this world, but his durability is a plus – honestly, double-plus.
Altogether, Hosmer is a much better player than most first basemen in the MLB based on recent numbers and his ability to stay healthy. Not many guys play in every regular season game anymore, but he did.
Maybe Hosmer will give in and accept a shorter deal, especially if it involves nearly $20 million a year. Either way, Kansas City or San Diego are more likely to sign the All-Star at this point.
Third Base: Mike Moustakas or Todd Frazier
It is surprising to see both of these guys still on the free agent list. Most teams in need of a corner infielder are waiting until the players give in to a fair contract.
But neither Frazier nor Moustakas caved throughout the past three months.
And both are arguably better than guys in the hot corner on some teams. Frazier’s WAR ranked ahead of notable guys like Miguel Sano and Kyle Seager. Moustakas had a higher OPS than Manny Machado and Evan Longoria.
Although that doesn’t mean these players are better options than those guys, it puts into perspective the types of seasons they can have.
Frazier’s biggest issue is putting the ball in play. The slugger hit just .225 in 2016 and .213 in 2017. Nevertheless, he crushed 67 home runs and accumulated 174 RBIs in that span.
What was most impressive last season was Frazier’s ability to remain patient at the dish. After whiffing a career-high 163 times in 2016, he struck out just 125 last year. More importantly, he drew a career-high 83 walks, which was about 14.4 percent of his plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Moustakas put together his best campaign at the plate. He blasted a career-high 38 home runs and sported a .835 OPS. The two-time All-Star never hit more than 22 homers before last year.
While the uptick in power is promising, the free agent third baseman might have hit his peak. Considering that he’s never been a top-tier power guy, last season might be an anomaly.
He doesn’t strike out a lot, but he also doesn’t walk a lot either. And he’s typically an average fielder, though his ability is nothing special. He’s a run-of-the-mill starter, but he’s not worth what he’s asking.
And that might be the most worrisome aspect of this free agency period. Guys like Moustakas desire the big bucks when they don’t deserve nearly as much. Even with all of the career-high numbers, the former Royals infielder owned a meager 1.8 WAR.
That being said, he’s still more qualified in the hot corner than someone like Nicholas Castellanos or Maikel Franco.