MLB free agency: Three possible landing spots for Kolten Wong
MLB teams in need of a Gold Glove second baseman are now free to talk with Kolten Wong.
Joining a long list of MLB teams declining 2021 options on high-priced, productive players, the St. Louis Cardinals elected to not pick up Kolten Wong‘s $12.5 million option for next season, making the eight-year MLB veteran a free agent.
Wong had been with the Cardinals since the organization used a first-round pick on him back in 2011.
In 852 games as a Cardinal, Wong slashed .261/.333/.384 with 53 home runs, 124 doubles, and 53 triples. He rarely stuck out (15% K-rate), continued to find success in the major leagues as a contact hitter while the rest of the league became more of a three true outcome league, and compiled 55 Defensive Runs Saved while flashing the leather as one of the top defensive infielders in baseball.
The current financial state of baseball and uncertainty about the future are set to impact many free agents across the league, but Kolten Wong is sure to be in demand this offseason. While the St. Louis Cardinals may view $12 million as too much for Wong, plenty of other teams may be a bit more comfortable paying for his services in 2021.
At least I hope so. Wong’s eye at the plate, glove in the field, and reliable health are all impressive and will be a huge asset to a contending team.
With free agency now officially underway, here are three teams that make a lot of sense as possible landing spots for Wong.
The Los Angeles Angels have already been connected with Kolten Wong this offseason.
Could the Los Angeles Angels replace one middle infielder with a decent bat but elite glove with another? It makes a lot of sense.
The Angels need multiple starting pitchers and even though they don’t have a general manager in place at the time of this writing, whoever takes over in LA needs to be aggressive this offseason. It’s going to be a little more difficult this offseason with so many ugly contracts still on the books, but how much longer can this organization waste Mike Trout‘s once in a generation talent?
The Halos have already been connected to Didi Gregorius and re-signing Andrelton Simmons is an option, but adding Wong and his contact ability would be a welcomed addition to this LA lineup.
David Fletcher has been a productive piece in his first three seasons and has the versatility to move around the infield, including shortstop, if the Angels bring in Wong. Having Wong’s left-handed bat in the lineup would also add a bit of balance to LA’s right-handed heavy lineup and a steady force who can get on base and steal some bases at the top of the order.
Worst case scenario, replacing Simmons with Wong keeps the middle of the infield solid defensively and at best provides a slight upgrade overall when you factor in Wong”s on-base ability and speed. The Angels have plenty of needs in the rotation and bullpen, but bringing in Kolten Wong still makes this team better.
The Philadelphia Phillies need pieces up the middle.
Last season, the Phillies took a gamble on shortstop Didi Gregorious, a move that turned out well as Gregorious played in all 60 games for Philadelphia and hit .284 with a 116 wRC+ after a disappointing 2019 season with the New York Yankees.
Gregorious is now on the free agent market and the Phillies could use either a shortstop or second baseman to fill out the 2021 roster, depending on where the Phillies plan on playing Jean Segura in 2021 (played 2B, SS, and 3B last season). Keeping Kolten Wong in the National League and bringing him in on a multi-year deal would be a boost to the Phillies lineup.
In 2020, the Phillies saw very little production from their second basemen. They ranked 22nd among MLB clubs in terms of combined wRC+ (76) and put together a combined slash line of .225/.295/.362.
Philadelphia has a core of players in place to make a run in the National League, but recent signings haven’t been enough to push this team over the edge. Finding a way to bring back J.T. Realmuto, upgrading the pitching staff, and adding a defensive glove like Wong’s to the lineup would go a long way.
The Braves will continue to be the Braves, the Marlins surprised everyone and could be aggressive this offseason in an attempt to return to the playoffs in 2021, and the Mets just might be able to finally turn things around with competent ownership in place.
If the Philadelphia Phillies want to remain competitive in the East, they will need to be just as aggressive.
The Oakland A’s could use a high-contact hitter.
MLB Trade Rumors recently predicted Kolten Wong to the Boston Red Sox on a two-year/$16 million deal, but there’s another team that may end up making more sense, depending on how the market shakes out.
The Oakland A’s are coming off yet another disappointing playoff performance and both shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Tommy La Stella are free agents. One or both could end up returning, but with so few shortstops available this offseason, Semien may be in higher demand as a stopgap option for a contending team, and La Stella could command a respectable contract with his defensive versatility and quality production in his last two seasons.
Oakland’s offense ranked 15th overall in terms of wRC+, but hit just .225 as a team. Only five other MLB teams put up a lower team batting average in 2020. Adding a high-contact bat is a necessity if Oakland wants to remain competitive next season.
With a deep class of second basemen available, and Wong not being one to put up large power numbers, his market may be depressed and a team like Oakland who doesn’t normally like to spend big in free agency could secure Wong for a more attractive price this offseason.
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There are a lot of uncertainties, but Kolten Wong will provide value for whichever MLB team ends up signing him. Will it be one of these three organizations? Or will a team like New York or Boston sweep in and shore up their infield? Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long to find out.