The hot stove season has arrived with some excitement. Where will these top three MLB free agents land? Let’s take a closer look.
Washington D..C- formerly a place of ineptitude throughout its sports culture. The Capitals could not find their way out of the second round of the playoffs, the Redskins are a shining example of how not to run an organization and the Nationals might never win a playoff series. This commonly held joke it the recent past is simply laughable now.
Two of these three teams have now claimed the ultimate glory of a world championship, however, the Nats are primed to lose their regular-season MVP and their postseason MVP. the loss of Rendon and Strasburg, respectively, can either handicap the aging Nats for the foreseeable future or free enough space up to get younger and make substantive change.
Keeping both of these stars would likely mire them in a stalemate of the luxury tax and little return on investments due to the increasing age of those under long term deals. In essence, GM Mike Rizzo can forge a new path for his team, while also spending a deal of the money that was freed up.
As for their World Series opponents, the future may not be quite so hopeful. Many of the Astros key players are on expiring contracts- George Springer, Justin Verlander, and Carlos Correa are not signed long-term. Therefore, it makes retention of the dominant Cole seem like a dream.
Also, the Cranes do not allow the same salary cap leeway as the Lerners- perhaps that will change now too with a World Series trophy on the shelf. Thus, it is likely that these three MLB free agents will be wearing new uniforms next season and the MLB landscape should change for it.