With many free agents still available on the market, Robert Murray and Adam Weinrib recently discussed the openness of some to accepting short-term offers with MLB clubs. Murray and Weinrib co-host the podcast “The Baseball Insiders” and while they had a lot to discuss, one topic they focused on was the short-term offers and high average annual value (AAV) that Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander, and Jack Flaherty are seeking as free agents. Could their interest in short-term deals persuade other free agents to do the same?
The Baseball Insiders: Roki Sasaki, Alex Bregman, Red Sox, and what we’re hearing around the league. With @AdamWeinrib: https://t.co/HvR1lE84JI
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 13, 2025
Baseball Insiders Analyze MLB Free Agents’ Openness to Short-Term Offers
Quality Players Still Available on the Market
It comes as a surprise that free agents Alonso, Santander, and Flaherty are still unsigned. While all three have a lot to offer to teams, the years and amounts they have been seeking have changed. The three were initially searching for long-term deals. But now the latest news has indicated that they would take short-term offers with high AAVs.
In the case of Santander, he was initially seeking a five-to-six-year deal from the Blue Jays when they presented him with a four-year, $82 million contract. But he is now shifting to wanting a short-term offer. A shorter deal is logical, as he is 30 years old and teams may be reluctant to sign him to a long-term deal. This could be because while he is a solid power-hitter who had an impressive 2024 season, he is not as adept with defense and baserunning speed. In addition, teams may be hesitant to sign him long-term if they don’t know if he will carry the same offensive power as he ages.
Some Free Agents Willing to Take Limited Deals
While this has left teams continuing to try and make these players counteroffers, signing them to short-term offers has various upsides. Weinrib discusses in the podcast how signing one of these elite players to short contracts provides teams with options. They can sign a short-term offer and if it doesn’t work out, it is easier to exit. Alonso would provide an upgrade at first base for many teams. He is currently projected to land a three-year deal with a high AAV and an opt-out after the first year.
These short-term offers could be a means of providing more teams with the opportunity to sign free agents. Some teams may be skeptical about signing players to long-term deals. So, while it comes as a surprise that these big-name players are still available, their willingness to take shorter contracts could lead to interest from more teams. All three players could sign with a mystery team, helping those clubs contend in 2025.
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