2020-2021 Offseason Free Agency and Trades
Dec 24, 2020 19:27:33 GMT
Tampa Bay Rays (Ray) likes this
Post by Baltimore Orioles (Vince) on Dec 24, 2020 19:27:33 GMT
2021 RESTRICTED FREE AGENCY SHOWCASE
DAVIS AND MCCANN HIGHLIGHT 2021 RFA CLASS FOR HITTERS
LORIANO TO RETURN IN 2021?
Khris Davis of the Boston Red Sox will enter restricted free agency in 2021
DAVIS AND MCCANN HIGHLIGHT 2021 RFA CLASS FOR HITTERS
LORIANO TO RETURN IN 2021?
Khris Davis of the Boston Red Sox will enter restricted free agency in 2021
Khris Davis (OF) (BOS)
Other than Nelson Cruz, Khris Davis is the biggest bat on the restricted market this winter. Power hitting has been a staple of Davis’ career and there will be several teams who will line up to make a bid for the slugger. Davis, 33, did take a step in the opposite direction when it came to power hitting in 2020 as he had a paltry .200 batting average to go along with only 2 home runs and 10 RBIs. Still, Davis will enter 2021 fully healthy and looking to avenge his let down of a season last year. A full offseason of training and preparation will afford the 33 year old outfielder a chance to get into rhythm early and return to his slugging ways come Opening Day 2021. The Boston Red Sox acquired Davis via trade and are now faced with a difficult decision. Will Boston take Davis’ 2020 stats as a sign that Davis’ best days are behind him and let another team to out-bid for Davis while scooping up a compensatory pick or will they match a high bid and hope Davis returns back to form? Only time will tell but Davis will be one of if not the restricted free agent to watch in the offseason prior to the start of the 2021 season.
Loriano, 37, is seeking to return to the big leagues after sitting the entirety of the 2020 season
Francisco Loriano
(P) (PHL)
Before the 2020 season began, Francisco Loriano, 37, decided to sit out for the entirety of the campaign. As a result, many have forgotten the promising year Loriano had in 2019. Over the course of 2019, Loriano, albeit 35, held his own on the mound accumulating an ERA of 3.47 alongside 63 strikeouts. The Phillies are undoubtedly a rebuilding team and could very well decide to move on from a much older pitcher as they look to their future by trying to become younger and more dynamic. Loriano will best serve as a bench or rotational player but any franchise looking to take a flier on the 37 year old may be pleasantly surprised by the veteran presence and for cheap production Loriano can provide to any pitching rotation across the league.
McCann, 30, is amongst the best sluggers available in 2021's RFA class
James McCann (C) (BAL)
At the end of 2019, the Orioles acquired James McCann in the Xander Bogaerts super swap with the Red sox. McCann was traded for in order to serve as their incoming catcher with Josh Phegley on his way out. With the emergence of promising catcher prospect Sam Huff, the Orioles have attached a restricted tag on the veteran catcher. McCann, 30, is entering his seventh year as a pro and has had two stints with the Red Sox and Orioles. In 2020, McCann took to bat 97 times and produced a .289 batting average with 7 homeruns and 28 RBIs during the abbreviated season. McCann’s production from 2019 to 2020 steeply dipped but is in line to see more at-bats in 2021 and thus his stat line should correct in 2021. For the right bidder, McCann could be had at a decent price for great value. The Orioles will seek to keep McCann on their roster to mentor their catcher for the future in Sam Huff but provide meaningful at-bats with their current roster as Huff continues to develop.
Garcia, 25, is a top young pitcher entering restricted free agency in 2021
Bryan Garcia
(P) (SD)
Former Miami college star pitcher Bryan Garcia will get his own taste of professional level free agent treatment during the 2021 offseason. After finally receiving 25 innings of relief work, Garcia returned positive dividends to the San Diego Padres as he was able to produce 4 saves, 3 holds, 12 strikeouts on an impressive 1.66 ERA. Garcia was finally able to prove himself on the mound and returned an impressive first campaign to the Padres in 2020. Garcia’s poise and leadership display from the mound in closing moments of games is exactly what each team looks for when they call up a rookie prospect to inject an instant boost to their roster. The restricted tag placed on Garcia this offseason is an indication that the Padres have Garcia in their future plans but want to gauge what the young reliever’s market is. Garcia is at the forefront of a youth movement ongoing in San Diego amongst their pitching rotation. It will take a hefty bid for another team to pry Garcia way from the Padres this offseason. Considering how often the Padres make moves on the trade market, it would not surprise the Times to see Garcia be a part of a future sign and trade deal but at the right price. It would be a surprise to see Garcia be on the move with how well he looked in a limited capacity in 2020 but it’s worth noting that the Padres have several young pitchers on their roster they could roll over into a bat to shore up their lineup.
Loriano, 37, is seeking to return to the big leagues after sitting the entirety of the 2020 season
(P) (PHL)
Before the 2020 season began, Francisco Loriano, 37, decided to sit out for the entirety of the campaign. As a result, many have forgotten the promising year Loriano had in 2019. Over the course of 2019, Loriano, albeit 35, held his own on the mound accumulating an ERA of 3.47 alongside 63 strikeouts. The Phillies are undoubtedly a rebuilding team and could very well decide to move on from a much older pitcher as they look to their future by trying to become younger and more dynamic. Loriano will best serve as a bench or rotational player but any franchise looking to take a flier on the 37 year old may be pleasantly surprised by the veteran presence and for cheap production Loriano can provide to any pitching rotation across the league.
McCann, 30, is amongst the best sluggers available in 2021's RFA class
James McCann (C) (BAL)
At the end of 2019, the Orioles acquired James McCann in the Xander Bogaerts super swap with the Red sox. McCann was traded for in order to serve as their incoming catcher with Josh Phegley on his way out. With the emergence of promising catcher prospect Sam Huff, the Orioles have attached a restricted tag on the veteran catcher. McCann, 30, is entering his seventh year as a pro and has had two stints with the Red Sox and Orioles. In 2020, McCann took to bat 97 times and produced a .289 batting average with 7 homeruns and 28 RBIs during the abbreviated season. McCann’s production from 2019 to 2020 steeply dipped but is in line to see more at-bats in 2021 and thus his stat line should correct in 2021. For the right bidder, McCann could be had at a decent price for great value. The Orioles will seek to keep McCann on their roster to mentor their catcher for the future in Sam Huff but provide meaningful at-bats with their current roster as Huff continues to develop.
Garcia, 25, is a top young pitcher entering restricted free agency in 2021
Bryan Garcia
(P) (SD)
Former Miami college star pitcher Bryan Garcia will get his own taste of professional level free agent treatment during the 2021 offseason. After finally receiving 25 innings of relief work, Garcia returned positive dividends to the San Diego Padres as he was able to produce 4 saves, 3 holds, 12 strikeouts on an impressive 1.66 ERA. Garcia was finally able to prove himself on the mound and returned an impressive first campaign to the Padres in 2020. Garcia’s poise and leadership display from the mound in closing moments of games is exactly what each team looks for when they call up a rookie prospect to inject an instant boost to their roster. The restricted tag placed on Garcia this offseason is an indication that the Padres have Garcia in their future plans but want to gauge what the young reliever’s market is. Garcia is at the forefront of a youth movement ongoing in San Diego amongst their pitching rotation. It will take a hefty bid for another team to pry Garcia way from the Padres this offseason. Considering how often the Padres make moves on the trade market, it would not surprise the Times to see Garcia be a part of a future sign and trade deal but at the right price. It would be a surprise to see Garcia be on the move with how well he looked in a limited capacity in 2020 but it’s worth noting that the Padres have several young pitchers on their roster they could roll over into a bat to shore up their lineup.