The 2022-23 offseason in MLB has seen a huge amount of cash going from teams to players during the free agency period, especially this week during the Winter Meetings.
Just to name a few examples; Aaron Judge signed for $360 million, Trea Turner received $300 million, Xander Bogaerts earned $280 million, and Brandon Nimmo got $162 million.
Carlos Rodon could push $200 million, and Carlos Correa will go for $300 million.
Even mid-tier pitchers are getting $70 or $80 million.
Former MLB player Josh Reddick criticized the current nature of the market.
“I guess I should have tried to hit .200 and strikeout 150 times a year. Prolly could have made $20 million a year at this point,” he tweeted.
I guess I should have tried to hit .200 and strikeout 150 times a year. Prolly could have made $20 million a year at this point
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) December 7, 2022
Reddick was a major leaguer until 2021.
Was Reddick’s Message Directed To A Particular Player?
If we look a bit closer, he may be referring to one particular player: Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger struck out exactly 150 times in 2022 and “tried” to hit .200, which he barely did at .210.
He signed with the Chicago Cubs after being non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The terms of the contract?
One year, $17.5 million.
There is some beef between Bellinger and some members of the 2017 Houston Astros because of the sign-stealing scandal.
Reddick was a member of that 2017 Astros team that won the World Series against the Dodgers four games to three.
Whether it was a direct shot at Bellinger or not, he did criticize the state of the league.
In reality, the fact that teams are spending that much money is good for baseball.
If more clubs joined the bidding instead of worrying about which place they will draft in 2023, the league would be even more competitive.
The huge amount of money spent on players is, however, excellent for the health of the game.
