As MLB free agency looms, Harper will make all the bubble gum he could ever blow
With last night’s Game One 8-4 victory by the host Boston Red Sox over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2018 World Series is officially underway.
With last night’s Game One 8-4 victory by the host Boston Red Sox over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2018 World Series is officially underway.
In addition to the inherent drama of the Fall Classic, late October baseball also means something else. Something far more important to fans of the Philadelphia Phillies.
With each day that passes, we draw closer to the start of free agency in Major League Baseball. In fact, it is possible that the free agency signing period could begin as soon as this coming weekend.
Players whose contracts are expiring will become free agents and are free to both negotiate and sign with any team beginning at 9:00AM on the morning following the final game of the World Series.
Should the Red Sox sweep, that off-season signing period would begin this coming Sunday morning. Should the World Series extend all the way out through seven full games, that dramatic Game 7 would take place on Halloween. This would mean that the free agency signing period will begin no later than November 1.
So we are within a week, give or take a few days, of the Phillies and each of the other 29 MLB ball clubs being able to sign free agents.
PHILLIES IN STRONG FINANCIAL SHAPE
The Phillies, valued at $1.7 billion by Forbes magazine back in April of this year, appear to have tremendous financial resources at their disposal. Controlling owner John Middleton is already on record that he is ready and willing to use those resources in order to return the team to contending status.
Back in mid-July, former ESPN writer and longtime Baseball America contributor Jerry Crasnick reported that sources were telling him that Middleton was ready to go after the two biggest current free agent names, shortstop Manny Machado and outfielder Bryce Harper, this fall.
Per Cot’s Contracts at Baseball Prospectus, the Phillies have approximately $69 million in contract obligations already on the books for the 2019 season. The vast majority of that is committed to Jake Arrieta ($25) and Carlos Santana($20.3), with veteran relievers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter combining for nearly $17 million more.
