MLB Trade Rumors recently released their annual list of the top 50 free agents this winter with predictions on where they will sign.
Among the top free agents, they have Bryce Harper landing with the Dodgers on a mega 14-year, $420 million deal, and Manny Machado with the Phillies on an equally huge 13-year, $390 million contract.
They have former Mets Jeurys Familia signing with the Twins, Matt Harvey returning to the Cincinnati Reds, and Daniel Murphy taking his talents to Los Angeles-A.L.
As for the Mets themselves, MLBTR predicts New York will ink a pair of relievers: David Robertson and Joakim Soria. They believe the Mets will dole out a three-year, $33 million contract to Robertson, while Soria will land a two-year, $18 million deal.
Robertson, 34 in April, has split his career between the Yankees and White Sox; he began his career in New York, signed with Chicago in free agency prior to the 2015 season, and was traded back to New York last year for the Yankees’ playoff push.
The Birmingham, Alabama native is a workhorse out of the bullpen. He has appeared in 60+ games nine out of the 11 years he has been in the bigs.
This past season, the right-hander worked 69 games and registered a 3.23 ERA, 136 ERA+, 2.97 FIP 1.033 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 out of the Yankees’ pen.
Here’s what MLBTR had to say about him:
Robertson is difficult to hit and continually puts up huge strikeout rates, getting the most out of a fastball in the 92 mile per hour range due to incredible extension. Robertson has made the interesting choice to represent himself in free agency, and we think he has a good case for a three-year deal despite the fact that he’s entering his mid-30s. Robertson, Jeurys Familia, Zach Britton, and Adam Ottavino make up a second tier of relievers who should do quite well in free agency.
The second reliever they have the Mets zeroing in on is Joakim Soria, who came in at No. 34 out of 50 on their list.
Soria, 34, has been in the majors for 11 seasons now and has bounced around to six teams in that time period.
This past year, he split the season between the White Sox and Brewers and recorded a 3.12 ERA, 135 ERA+, 2.43 FIP, 1.137 WHIP and an 11.1 K/9 in 60.2 innings pitched.
Here’s what MLBTR had to say about the righty:
Soria, 34, continues to find success with his combination of a high strikeout and low walk rate. He was able to avoid the long ball despite a precipitous drop in ground-ball rate this season, which he split between the White Sox and Brewers. With a fastball under 93 miles per hour, Soria isn’t a flashy choice, but he still provides plenty of value.
To check out the complete list of the top 50 free agents with predictions, follow this link.
