The Bidding Begins: Baseball’s Free Agency Period

Dave Martin

Dave Martin is a New-York based writer as well as editor. He is the sports editor for the Epoch Times and is a consultant to private writers.

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November 4, 2011Updated: October 1, 2015

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The Mets' Jose Reyes is officially a free agent. (Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

A slug fest of a different kind has begun. Thursday marked the start of baseball’s free agency period, and clubs and agents will be wheeling and dealing over the 166 players who are free to sign with any Major League team.

All eyes are on star Cardinal Albert Pujols, as well as big names such as Prince Fielder, and Jose Reyes. They have the potential to fetch contracts in excess of $100 million.

Pujols is coming off his second World Series title with St. Louis. The 31-year-old first baseman has won three MVP Awards, five Silver Sluggers, and even a pair of Gold Glove Awards.

Another first baseman, 27-year-old Fielder, has averaged 38 home runs, 94 walks, and 108 runs batted in per year over the last six seasons—all in Milwaukee.

Reyes, 28 led the National League in hitting in 2011 with a .337 average. But the Mets’ speedy shortstop has missed 191 games the last three seasons with injuries.

As with most years, teams will wait for the big names to sign first—setting the market for everyone else.