MLB Free Agency

(L-R) Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Marlon Byrd, Matt Garza, Brian McCann, and Hiroki Kuroda are just some of the free agents who have signed, or are still on the market

The Winter meetings started in Orlando officially today, but besides when the Red Sox signed Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to terrible contracts years ago, they've usually been a letdown to the weeks prior, in which at least one marquee free agent signs somewhere.  Last week was no exception as many stars took their "talents", as LeBron James would say, to new teams.  The biggest free agent Robinson Cano signed a mega 10 year, $240 million dollar contract with the Seattle Mariners, while Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, and Carlos Beltran signed with the New York Yankees for some questionable dollars.  None of this is anything new in baseball, but mega contracts for players during free agency is starting to become a problem, if it hasn't already been for the past decade.

Major League Baseball is not the only sport with contract issues, but they are the one that gives out the most money, has guaranteed contracts, and no salary cap.  It's bad enough that other smaller teams do not have an advantage signing free agents because they do not have enough funds, but it is even worse when players who aren't stars are getting paid as one, like Robinson Cano; he is a good player, and arguably the best 2nd baseman in the game, but his stats don't blow me away, he's never won an MVP, and is not the transcendent superstar Barry Bonds (despite PED allegations) or even Derek Jeter ever were.  Not to mention, he doesn't hustle all the time, which is a problem for any athlete.  For a team like the Mariners, who are starving to win, I see what they're trying to do, but I don't see this ending well since when was the last time a long term contract went well?  Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, etc.?  Those guys are once in a generation players, and as hard as it is to believe, another Robinson Cano will come along someday.  Baseball is not changing any time soon, especially with egotistical superstars who want money, but for the better of teams, I hope it changes.  No one is worth that much money!  And think of everything else that money could be used for.  Other players, advertising, improving the ballpark.

When a player asks, unless it's a good deal, just say no!