MLB Free Agency Rumors 2017: Where Are Arrieta, Hosmer, Darvish, Others Headed?

While players like Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna have been traded over the last week, the best free agents of the 2017-2018 MLB offseason remain unsigned. Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish are all looking for big contracts as teams look to improve their rosters this winter.
Here’s the latest on where the best baseball free agents might be going:
J.D. Martinez (2017 stats: .303 avg, 45 HR, 104 RBI with Detroit Tigers/Arizona Diamondbacks)
The Boston Red Sox seem like the favorite as they try to add power to a lineup that was severely lacking it in 2017. Only Mike Trout has registered a higher slugging percentage than Martinez since 2014, and the Red Sox ranked dead last in the AL with 168 homers a season ago. But Martinez remains unsigned after Boston reportedly spent most of the Winter Meetings trying to sign the slugger, and they could decide to make a trade rather than wait for the former Diamondbacks’ outfielder.
As discussed on BBTN earlier today: J.D. Martinez is the best potential fit for the Red Sox, if the price is workable.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 13, 2017
The Boston #Redsox are telling teams they'd prefer to trade for an impact bat now than waiting out the free-agent market where J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer await
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2017
Eric Hosmer (2017 stats: .318 avg, 25 HR, 94 RBI with Kansas City Royals)
If Boston doesn’t sign Martinez, they could land Hosmer, who they are also reportedly pursuing. The San Diego Padres have interest in the first baseman, and the Royals could potentially bring him back at the right price. Agent Scott Boras' quest to reportedly get Hosmer a contract close to $200 million, however, could seemingly prevent him from joining a smaller market club.
The San Diego #Padres have become clear-cut favorites to sign 1B Eric Hosmer after two face-to-face meetings with #Redsox still lurking
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 14, 2017
Have heard the asking price for Eric Hosmer remains in the $200 million range. This may seem crazy, but I don’t think the Padres would do that.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) December 14, 2017
Yu Darvish (2017 stats: 10-12, 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP with Texas Rangers/Los Angeles Dodgers)
Darvish might be the most interesting case of the top free agents. He’s got a career 3.42 ERA and pitched very well through the first two rounds of the playoffs after he was traded to L.A. The 31-year-old was awful in the World Series, potentially costing himself a lot of money, but he’s arguably the best starter on the market. The Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros are reportedly interested in Darvish.
Twins starter target remains Darvish. Now that they’ve got their back-end reliever, Yu may be their next order of business.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2017
There was some speculation going around about whether the mariners might jump in on darvish. They only will say they’re still targeting pitching. But they have great positional team and closing window.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2017
Jake Arrieta (2017 stats: 14-10, 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP with Chicago Cubs)
Arrieta is another Scott Boras client that’s seeking $200 million. Since winning the NL Cy Young award in 2015, his ERA has nearly doubled to 3.30 over the last two seasons. The Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies have been linked to Arrieta, while Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon told The Score 670’s “Spiegel & Parkins” earlier this month that the pitcher is “probably gone.”
Phillies are considering Jake Arrieta. Not perfect match since they are a year from possible contention but many of their execs know him well from when they were with the Orioles.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2017
A person familiar with the Nationals' thinking described their interest in Arrieta as "tepid." I describe contact between Boras and Nats on a high-profile free agent as "inevitable."
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) December 12, 2017
Wade Davis (2017 stats: 32 saves, 2.30 ERA, 1.14 WHIP with Chicago Cubs)
Davis is the best closer on the market and another pitcher that Chicago could lose in free agency. He’s due for a big contract after posting a 1.45 ERA over the last four years. While there’s a chance Davis remains a Cub, the team has competition from the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies.
Sources: Cardinals are among the teams in on Wade Davis. They’re prioritizing late-inning help to complement Luke Gregerson signing. Rockies are in on Davis as well as they hunt for a closer.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 12, 2017
Rockies are trying to get deal soon to bring Greg Holland back but they do remain in contact with the other star closer Wade Davis. Cards are another team seeking big-time closer. Davis would seem more likely for STL or another.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2017
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