:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46177296/usa-today-8524140.0.jpg)
While the 2015 season just started, it's never too soon to start talking about the impending free agent market. The 2015 offseason has a great group of players that are ready to take in some serious cash. With each start, their stock is affected, and can cost them money down the road. Here is a quick look at some of the upcoming free agents and how their season has started:
David's Price keeps climbing
Price has started off as well as anyone could have hoped. While he has just one win to show for it, all of his other peripherals are fantastic. Price has posted an ERA of 0.40, an FIP of 2.48, and averaged over seven innings in each start. The free agent market has been good to pitchers in recent years, and in Price is likely set to make some serious money. Just last season, Jon Lester and Max Scherzer signed highly lucrative contracts, for $155 million and $210 million, respectively.
While Price likely would have liked to hit free agency before turning 30, both of the aforementioned players were older at the time they signed their contracts. There are a number of elite pitchers set to hit the market for the 2015 offseason, but Price will not come cheaply. Based off his colleagues' contracts, a seven-year contract worth $175 million doesn't seem unreasonable.
Will errors cost Ian Desmond in free agency?
Desmond is one of the few shortstops in the game today that has legitimate power. In 2014, he led the field in home runs (24) and RBI (91) . While he's off to a good start offensively (.314/.375/.451), his defense has been atrocious.
And the call is overturned. Harang is safe and Desmond is charged with his 8th error.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) April 18, 2015
Desmond has never been great defensively, but as long as he keeps hitting, his future payday likely won't be affected. The only other short stops on the market are Jimmy Rollins and Asdrubal Cabrera, neither of whom will receive a long-term deal or a significant investment.
In 2012, at the age of 29, Jose Reyes signed a six-year contract worth $106 million. While Desmond is a year older (30) than Reyes was at the time, $100 million seems like a reasonable starting point for the short stop.
Yoenis Cespedes looking to cash in one more time
Cespedes was the first Cuban player of the new wave to come, doing so in 2012. His original contract was for four years and $36 million. Other than Justin Upton, Cespedes is the only other power hitting outfielder on the market in 2015 -- and he's one reason the Tigers have been so good in 2015.
In thirteen games, he's hit three home runs, driven in eleven, and produced a slash line of .302/.315/.585. He'll turn 30-years old in October, and likely sign a contract for at least $100 million. Before the 2014 season, Jacoby Ellsbury signed for seven years and $153 million, and will work in Cespedes' favor once his agents start negotiating.
Will Zack Greinke use his opt out clause?
Greinke is the wild card of the 2015 offseason. He has the the ultimate power once the year ends, as he can choose to enter the free agent market. While his decision won't be made official until after the season, it won't be difficult to make an educated guess before then.
At the moment, Greinke is 2-0, with a 1.83 ERA, and an FIP of 2.72. His strikeouts are down, but if his numbers in September resemble anything like that of his past two seasons, Greinke will likely use his opt-out clause. His current deal is for six-years and $147 million and he would obviously be looking for a raise.
Others Free Agents to watch: Johnny Cueto, Mike Napoli, Chris Davis, Tim Lincecum, Justin Upton, Yovani Gallardo, Doug Fister, Jeff Samardizja.