MLB Free Agents: 5 pitchers ready to test the market in 2021
Here are five starting pitchers that have the potential to sign huge deals as MLB free agents following the 2020 season.
This offseason, major contracts were awarded to players who came off impressive campaigns.
Starting pitchers, especially, got paid very well. Very, very well.
The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a record-setting contract for a pitcher, nine-years, $324 million. Cole has a phenomenal 2019 with the Houston Astros. Over 33 starts, he went 20-5, posted a 2.5 ERA, and struck out 326 batters over 212.1 innings.
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Another pitcher that received a monster contract is Stephen Strasburg. After he opted out of his deal with the Washington Nationals, he decided to stay with the World Series champions by signing a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Nationals. In 2019, Strasburg led the National League in wins, 18, and innings pitched, 209. He was a huge part of their postseason success.
Zack Wheeler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Madison Bumgarner, and Dallas Keuchel all signed to new teams for next season; all getting fair contracts and fairly big money.
Next year’s free-agent class has a lot of pitching depth but is currently lacking superstars like Cole and Strasburg.
This is going to be an analysis of the five starters that could sign the biggest deals for a starter after the 2020 season. Pitchers, like former Cy Young Award winners Corey Kluber and Jake Arrieta both have club options for the 2021 season, so they were not taken into account. This is just evaluating players that are going to be unrestricted free agents next offseason.