Hypothetically, most MLB players look forward to free agency. After years of being under team control and not having much control over their immediate future, they finally have the chance to do what they wish with their respective careers.<\/p>\n
Sometimes that experience is a good one, and sometimes, it’s not so good. We wouldn’t be going out on much of a limb by saying this past winter’s free-agent class doesn’t exactly have the warm and fuzzies about being on the open market.<\/p>\n
We’ve been watching many players settling for less money and fewer years than we would’ve expected back in November for a few weeks now, but this past week has been notable for Mike Moustakas<\/a>, Carlos Gonzalez<\/a>, and Jonathan Lucroy<\/a>.<\/p>\n After being available all winter and for nearly a month of Spring Training — and without much of a market to speak of — they finally all have contracts for the 2018 season. That’s worth celebrating with a big sigh of relief, but it’d be normal if they’re kicking themselves a bit when thinking about money that’s been left on the proverbial table.<\/p>\n Moustakas gets a $5.5 million salary this season with the Kansas City Royals, along with a $1 million buyout if his $15 million mutual option for 2019 doesn’t get exercised. That’s certainly not a bad paycheck, but it could’ve been just a bit higher had he accepted a qualifying offer.<\/p>\n Mike Moustakas, who rejected $17.4 million qualifying offer from #Royals<\/a>,now comes back at just $6.5 million. Ugly winter<\/p>\n — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 9, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n