Much has changed since we last power ranked the upcoming 2019-20 MLB free agents. Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, last month's No. 1 free agent, took himself off the market with a six-year, $120 million extension that begins next season. I thought Bogaerts had a chance at $200 million as a free agent given his age (26), production, and position. He instead took the guaranteed $120 million. Can't say I blame him.
Taking the guaranteed money has been a common theme these last few weeks. Since the calendar flipped to 2019, a whopping 30 players have signed multiyear contract extensions, including 11 impending free agents. These 11 players took the money now rather than test free agency after the season:
Nolan Arenado, Rockies: 8 years, $260 million.Chris Sale, Red Sox: 5 years, $145 million.Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals: 5 years, $130 million.Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: 6 years, $120 million plus one option.Aaron Hicks, Yankees: 7 years, $70 million plus one option.Miles Mikolas, Cardinals: 4 years, $68 million.Justin Verlander, Astros: 2 years, $66 million.Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: 3 years, $39 million.Khris Davis, Athletics: 2 years, $33.75 million.Sonny Gray, Reds: 3 years, $30.5 million plus one option.Ryan Pressly, Astros: 2 years, $17.5 million plus one option.Now that the regular season is underway, several impending free agents have seen their stock hurt by injuries. Most notably, Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino underwent season-ending surgery last month, which all but eliminates his chance at a nice free-agent payday this winter. He's likely looking at a one-year "prove yourself" contract now.
Since we're now into a new month, it's time to update our 2019-20 free-agent power rankings. The free-agent rankings get updated once a month, with weekly free-agent stock watches in-between. Here are our latest free-agent rankings.
2019-20 MLB Free Agent Rankings: May
The Next Five (alphabetically): 1B Jose Abreu, White Sox; RF Nicholas Castellanos, Tigers; 2B Scooter Gennett, Reds; RHP Rick Porcello, Red Sox; OF Yasiel Puig, Reds
Contract Options: For the purposes of these rankings, we are assuming Chris Archer, Pirates ($9 million); Nelson Cruz, Twins ($12 million); Sean Doolittle, Nationals ($6.5 million); Corey Kluber, Indians ($17.5 million); Starling Marte, Pirates ($11.5 million); Jose Quintana, Cubs ($11.5 million);and Anthony Rizzo, Cubs ($14.5 million) will have their club options exercised. Also, we are assuming Elvis Andrus, Rangers (three years, $43 million); Jake Arrieta, Phillies (one year, $20 million); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees: (two years, $30 million); Yu Darvish, Cubs (four years, $81 million); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers: (two years, $38 million); and Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (four years, $100 million) will not opt out of their contracts.
