What Has Happened This Offseason? | F.A. Week 1 Recap | Nov. 4th-10th
Recap of the 1st Week of MLB Free Agency
With free agency starting on November 4th, week 1 of the MLB offseason & free agency has come to an end. While none of the big stars have signed yet, a few free agents have signed deals along with a few trades happening. Today, we will be recapping what has happened in the past 7 days.
Free Agent Signings
Kyle Hendricks Leaves Chicago For L.A.
After 10 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Kyle Hendricks has left Chicago to join the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year deal. Hendricks, who led Major League Baseball with a 2.13 ERA in 2016, ultimately leading to a World Series Championship, has declined in recent years, decreasing his value significantly. In 2024, Hendricks went 4-12 with a 5.92 ERA & a 1.09 WHIP. The 34 year old Hendricks recently signed a 1-year, $2.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels & will look to extend his career in 2025.
Hedges Stays in Cleveland
The Cleveland Guardians resigned catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year, $4 million deal. The 32 year-old veteran hit .152/.203/.220 with 2 home runs & 15 RBIs in 66 games for the American League Central Champions. Although Hedges doesn’t have the best numbers, Hedges will continue to be the Guardians’ back-up catcher to Bo Naylor. In addition, Hedges is said to be a big part of Cleveland’s clubhouse & can help the team win by being a leader.
Trades
Nearly right after the season ended, the Los Angeles Angels & Atlanta Braves made a big splash. In this trade, Atlanta sent over RF Jorge Soler in exchange for RHP Griffin Canning. The veteran slugger Soler, hit .241/.338/.442 with 21 HRs & 64 RBIs between his time with the San Francisco Giants & Atlanta Braves last season. On the other side of things, Canning went 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA & a 1.40 WHIP in 32 games with L.A. This trade is a part of 2 moves that the Angels have made this offseason in their hopes to get back to winning, including a trade with the Phillies for UTL Scott Kingery. For the Braves, Canning will join a rotation with Spencer Strider (when he is ready to return), Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, & Spencer Schwellenbach. In L.A., Soler will enter a lineup with Mike Trout, Zack Neto, & Luis Rengifo.
There’s a New Top Free Agent
A new top free agent has emerged for this offseason, RHP Roki Sasaki, who is going to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, which will allow him to come to the MLB. Sasaki recently went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA & a 1.04 WHIP along with 129 strikeouts in only 111 innings. Although Sasaki is going to be a top free agent on the market, he is only 23 years old so he will have to sign a minor league contract. So far, the top teams to sign Roki have been the Los Angles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, & Philadelphia Phillies.
