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MLB Free Agency: 2018 class is just a warmup for future insanity

By David Hill

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 08: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on July 8, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 08: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on July 8, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Think the leadup to this year’s class of impending free agents was over the top? Just wait until the excitement about surrounding the 2020 class in MLB free agency.

It is easy to see why teams would be excited for MLB free agency this offseason. With stars like Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and possibly Clayton Kershaw coming available, this year’s upcoming free agent class was the talk of baseball last year. Understandably, teams avoided the flawed 2017 class in an effort to save money and get below the luxury tax threshold, with an eye towards making a splash the following year.

However, for all the hype and buildup that the upcoming MLB free agency class has had, it is just a tease. The real hysteria will come in two more years, when the class of 2020 gets to test the open market. That list of potential free agents would be enough to give any front office dreams of what could be.

To lead off, let us begin with the best player on the planet. Mike Trout, at just 30 years old, could enter the market. The Angels star center fielder has gotten better almost every season, and has already put together a Hall of Fame career. For as much as teams may spend on Machado, Trout has the potential to set the record for the largest contract in baseball history.

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If that honor does not fall to Trout, it could come to Mookie Betts. A three time All Star, Betts already has a runner up finish in the MVP balloting, finishing behind Trout in 2016. The stellar all around right fielder is earning $10.5 million this season, his first in arbitration. That number will only continue to rise, and given his contentious dealings with the Red Sox before the hearing, an extension may not happen. If he does reach the market, Betts would only be 28 years old, a premier player just entering his prime.

While those are the two biggest names for position players, there are other stars that could become available. Need a catcher? J.T. Realmuto could be on the market. The underrated Starlin Castro would be 30 years old, and well on his way towards a possible run at 3000 career hits. If Castro isn’t the type of second baseman you like, Dee Gordon has an opt out for that season as well.

Then, there is the pitching side. Clayton Kershaw, who is easily the best pitcher on the planet when healthy, would be a free agent. Even though he has been beset by injuries over the past few years, Kershaw has still dominated on the mound, finishing second in the Cy Young vote last year, leading the National League in wins and ERA.

Joining Kershaw could be Jacob deGrom, the Mets ill-fated starter. He has been just as dominate as Kershaw or Chris Sale, but has little to show for it due to the Mets offensive ineptness. The two time All Star leads the NL with a 1.68 ERA, but has a 5-4 record. In his last eight no decisions, deGrom has posed a 0.55 ERA. Along with those two aces, the likes of Robbie Ray, Masahiro Tanaka, Aaron Sanchez, James Paxton, and Trevor Bauer could be available. Just don’t expect a multi-year deal with Bauer, for his own personal safety.

Next: All time NL All Star Team

The 2018 free agent class has some excellent players. But that is just the warmup for the insanity that could occur in 2020.

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