Call to the pen
Fansided

What do these 8 MLB teams have to be thankful for?

By Darren Klein

BOSTON, MA - MAY 31: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the ninth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 31, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 31: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the ninth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 31, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Cubs, Willson Contreras
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 23: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs adjusts his ear piece to communicate to the pitcher through PitchCom during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cubs defeated the Phillies 6-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Part two of this story will explore which teams in the National League must show thanks by resigning their free agents. The New York Mets have Jacob deGrom. The Atlanta Braves have Dansby Swanson. The Chicago Cubs have Willson Contreras. The San Francisco Giants must resign Carlos Rodón.

New York Mets

Starting pitcher Jacob deGrom has been the best Met player during his tenure. deGrom has put the team on his back when they were incapable of scoring runs. He is a guy that everyone trusts and has comfort when he takes the ball. His career ERA is 2.52 and his strikeouts per nine innings are just under 11. deGrom has had health issues, but his contract is worth the risk. Resigning him puts the Mets in the best position to compete for a championship. They didn’t even get to see a full season of him and Scherzer together. Taking a few shots at a World Series with those two has so much upside. If deGrom is back, the Mets could be the NL East favorites and possibly of the entire National League.

Atlanta Braves

Shortstop Dansby Swanson had a career year, winning a Gold Glove and hitting a career-high 96 RBI. Swanson was the one guy that played every day. He’s durable and dependent. At 28 years old, the arrow is only pointing up for Swanson. He’s been in Atlanta his entire career and his teammates love him. He also stole a career-high 18 bases. With the rule changes next season, his speed could make him even more valuable. He helped them win a World Series in 2021 and he’s a key to their success.

Chicago Cubs

Catcher Wilson Contreras wasn’t traded last season at the deadline. The Cubs could’ve gotten something for him, but now they can’t let him walk for nothing. Contreras is an offensive catcher. He hit 22 home runs which were second on the team despite only playing 113 games. His OPS of .815 led the team and his bat is one of the few impactful ones in their lineup. Losing him would create a black hole that they couldn’t replace. They won’t find a better catcher on the market. The Cubs need to take a step forward not backward.

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San Francisco Giants

Carlos Rodon was the best pitcher on their staff last year. Rodon has the best strikeout stuff with his fastball in the high 90s and his wipeout slider. He lead the Giants with 237 strikeouts and his ERA was 2.88. He threw 178 innings and proved he’s seemingly past his injury concerns. At 30 years old, he could command the largest contract on the pitching market. Rodon would be a good first step in showing that the Giants want to compete next year.

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