Three MLB free agents that need a strong September
The pool of players to become MLB free agents in 2020 is absolutely stocked. However, these players, more than others, need to have strong September.
As the 2019 MLB season is nearing its’ end of the regular season, speculation about the upcoming offseason enters baseball’s everyday conversation. Similar to the last few Winters, this impending free agency is expected to be beyond busy.
With about 25 days left in the season, this is crucial for looming MLB free agents. These last few weeks are an opportunity for players to raise their value by finishing the season strong. Players can end up making millions more on their new contract based off how they performed in September and in October if their team makes it to the postseason.
In 2018, right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was signed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, after missing all of 2017 to recover from his second Tommy John surgery. On July 25th, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox, the best team in baseball at the time. Eovaldi struggled in his first few starts with Boston but really brought everything together in September.
He went 1-0 in September, tossing 20 innings with an ERA of 1.35. His successful September set him up for huge roles in the Red Sox 2018 World Series run. In the 2018 postseason, Eovaldi pitched 6 games, starting two of them, and had a 1.61 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. His dominance was key to the Red Sox triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Eovaldi went on to sign a four-year, $68 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. He is a prime example of how September and October weigh heavy significance when it comes to offseason contracts. Here are three impending MLB free agents that need to have a strong September and possible postseason if they want a more lucrative deal.
2020 MLB Free Agents
Dallas Keuchel, SP, ATL Braves
Dallas Keuchel was seeking a lucrative, multi-year deal last offseason, before signing with the Atlanta Braves to a one-year, $13.2 million contract in June. Through 14 starts, Keuchel is 6—5 with a 3.72 ERA.
His performance has been satisfactory, but not good enough to give a 32-year old pitcher a huge deal. He needs to utilize his last few starts and work on bringing his ERA closer to 3.5.
Since he spent 2012 to 2018 with the Houston Astros, he is an experienced postseason pitcher. The 2015 Cy Young award winner needs to be the ace he has shown he can be during the postseason.
The Atlanta Braves are powered by electric bats like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman. Julio Tehran has been a consistent starter for the Braves for the year, and they have solid young pitchers in Mike Soroka and Max Fried.
Keuchel needs to have a strong September, but more importantly, he needs to be lights-out for the Braves in October. He is one of their most crucial components if they want to make a World Series run.
Finishing strong will improve his market value and give him a better chance at landing a multi-year deal than free agency.
2020 MLB Free Agents
Nicholas Castellanos, OF, CHC
After being traded to the Chicago Cubs from the Detroit Tigers at the deadline, Nicholas Castellanos has been one of the hottest players in baseball. In 31 games since joining the Cubs, he is hitting .346 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles, and 24 RBI. He is on pace to hit 50 doubles for the first time in his career.
The 27-year-old has improved his free agency value in the second half. He is just reaching his prime. He has shown flexibility in the field, being able to play in both corners and at third base. Teams are going to be very willing to offer him a contract of at least five years.
If he continues to play at the caliber that he has been at since he has joined the Cubs, his value will continue to increase. Ever since he has been traded to Chicago, he has hit for much more power. He has more home runs in his 31 games with the Cubs than he did in 100 games with the Tigers in 2019.
As of now, the Cubs are in second place in the National League Central division and hold the second Wild Card Spot. This will give Castellanos an opportunity to play in the postseason for the first time since 2014. His performance in September and October are crucial for his looming contract.
2020 MLB Free Agents
Zack Wheeler, SP, NYM
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Zack Wheeler is going to be one of the most interesting MLB free agents in baseball this Winter. The 29-year-old is on-pace to pitch around 190 innings and strikeout close to 190 strikeouts. This has been one of his more durable seasons, and he has shown glimpses of dominance this year. However, his ERA is 4.41and his WHIP is 1.30. He has been prone to giving up home runs and is on pace to give up a career-high in hits and earned runs.
These last five starts in September are absolutely key for Wheeler. If he pitches deep into games and limits the home runs, he will be more appealing to teams. His second half of 2018 was elite. His ERA was 1.68 and he went 9-1, pitching 75 innings and striking out 73 batters.
Teams know that Wheeler has the potential to be an ace and would be willing to take a risk on him in free agency. The New York Mets are most likely going to offer Wheeler the qualifying offer, so he would be looking for around $17 million a year.
Next. Twins: The elite RP you probably never heard of. dark
Even though he will most likely fall short of the 200 inning-200 strikeout mark, he has shown that he has the potential to get there and be a top of the rotation starter.