TL;DR
- Mike Yastrzemski was acquired by Kansas City Royals from San Francisco Giants and is now a free agent.
- Jeff Passan suggests Yastrzemski's consistent performance benefits him in a mediocre outfield market.
- Kansas City Royals may extend another offer, but Yastrzemski could receive a more substantial offer elsewhere.
- Retaining Yastrzemski is an understated acquisition that could propel the Royals forward.
The Kansas City Royals knew that this was coming, of course.
Mike Yastrzemski was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the San Francisco Giants, and he had only a few months left on his contract, meaning he was always set to become a free agent.
The Royals proceeded with the transaction, aiming to invigorate their team for the season's closing stretch.
In the end, though, Kansas City didn't make the playoffs, and now Yaz is a free agent.
So now what?
ESPN's Jeff Passan offered this brief assessment of Yastrzemski's free agency in a Tuesday article:
"The mediocre outfield market should benefit the 35-year-old, who's as consistent a two-win player as there is."
MORE: Kyle Tucker trade isn't aging well for Cubs
Kansas City will probably extend another contract offer to Yastrzemski. Acquiring him for an anticipated playoff run that didn't happen and then allowing him to leave would be rather disappointing.
Given his well-known surname and consistent performance, Yastrzemski might receive a somewhat more substantial offer from another team, which the Royals may choose not to meet.
Securing Yaz might not define an offseason, but it's the kind of understated acquisition that can propel a team forward. The Royals have an opportunity to position themselves to retain him.
More MLB news:
- Mariners' Jorge Polanco free agent plans encounter a road block
- Pirates' infielder leaving MLB to play in Japan
- Red Sox 'still kicking themselves' for 187-HR mistake
- Munetaka Murakami given 5 free agent landing spots