It’s all about the risk vs. reward! With the off-season free agent market growing and spring training about to start, many players are searching for short-term agreements. But why? The athletes are no longer concerned about getting hurt. They are certain that their off-season compensation will not be a fluke. Since they can receive another offer whenever they want, the players are never without options. But is that feasible?

Well, the players may have more flexibility under a short-term contract, and the teams may have more options to sign the best free agents. This further creates opportunities for the players to assess the market. They do not have to think about the future; rather, they can focus on what’s in front of them at present. Thus, a lot of players who became free agents have ignored some attractive deals, hoping to receive higher value annually. Say, Anthony Santander and Jack Flaherty?

MLB free agents assess their options after receiving great deals on the table

Any player who chooses a short-term offer with a lot of money going around remains very confident in his skills and health. However, Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Jack Flaherty and right-hander Anthony Santander of the Baltimore Orioles are seeking long-term contracts, at least five-year agreements. It can even increase up to nine figures.

More importantly, the long-term contract will provide them with financial security over the years and a steady income. It also negates the loss of income in case of injuries too. The right-fielder Anthony had an average of.235, 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and.814 OPS. His stellar stats fetched him an excellent offer from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Jack Flaherty, on the other hand, also received an offer from the Chicago Cubs. However, another team has been connected to both of these players. Which club is it? The Detroit Tigers emerge as a major contender, looking to offer them a long-term contract. However, they recently signed Gleyber Torres and Alex Cobb to one-year contracts with no long-term obligations. It sheds light on the importance of short-term contracts that most players are willing to have today.

Nevertheless, long-term contracts have long been the standard in Major League Baseball. These contracts guarantee the players’ full salary and shield them from changes in the market. It sounds quite interesting, right? Then why has there been a sudden surge in the players trying to go for short-term contracts?

MLB players prioritize short-term offers in growing trend

Players choose short-term contracts primarily because they want the flexibility to leave early. Jack Flaherty of the Los Angeles Dodgers, currently a free agent, has considered this approach, largely influenced by Cody Bellinger. Although Bellinger had some rough patches and the short-term offer benefitted him, it’s not something like that with Jack. Given the major shift in player-agent negotiations presently, Pete Alonso’s camp had to come up with a three-year contract with opt-out options because of his shrinking sweepstakes. Similarly, signing a short-term deal with them makes sense. Any major benefits?

Well, if they have a strong off-season, accepting a short-term offer could increase their value when they enter free agency. Jack Flaherty is young, and his performances make him an attractive asset for any team. By putting him in the lineup, the Chicago Cubs may improve their pitching rotation and make wise roster moves as well.

Teams nowadays are concerned about the age of players, as there is uncertainty about how they may play after a few years. Therefore, despite receiving larger offers, Santander wants to accept a short-term contract. It would offer a major boost to his current value and offer him the flexibility to re-enter the free agency in the future. But that’s not all! There are some risks associated with it as well. Guess what?

One of the major risks is that a player with poor performance might land up in the market with a much lesser value than before. There is also the risk of missing out on lucrative long-term offers even if one performs exceptionally well. Still, it’s an ongoing trend right now that most players are interested in. What’s your take on it? Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.