MLB teams open spring training this week without the offseason’s top free agents signed to new contracts for the second year in a row. In 2018, it was J.D. Martinez stuck on the open market, not signing with the Red Sox until Feb. 19. This year, top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and former Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel still have nowhere in Florida or Arizona to report to for the pre-season.
It became apparent that Kimbrel, 30, will most likely not return to Boston’s bullpen after rumors swirled that he sought a six-year, $100 million contract.