While the MLB free agent freeze eventually broke for Bryce Harper (record-setting 13 years and $330 million) and Manny Machado (10 years, $300 million), several of the sport’s top players, including Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, remain on the open market.
Although there was reported from teams throughout the winter, during Spring Training and into the start of the 2019 regular season, neither Keuchel or Kimbrel have appeared close to signing a new contract.
In Kimbrel’s case, he reportedly was seeking a deal upwards of $100 million even as teams continued to show financial restraint. At this stage, some are speculating Keuchel and Kimbrel won’t sign until June — after the 2019 MLB Draft — so draft pick compensation will not be a factor.