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MLB Free Agents: Players Who Will Be Staying Put

By Pete Schauer

Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Victor Martinez (41) waits to bat in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Victor Martinez (41) waits to bat in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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These MLB free agents will be staying put for the 2015 season with their current clubs.

It’s one thing to cash in as a free agent, but it’s another to stay loyal to your current club and pick up where you left off from the previous season in the same city.

There’s always so much hype about MLB free agency and where the biggest names in baseball are going to land, but you have to admit it’s refreshing when a team and a player can agree to terms and bring that player back to the club on a new deal.

Last week, I wrote about the MLB free agents who would be donning new uniforms for the 2015 season, but this week we’re going to turn the tables a little bit.

With that, let’s discuss the MLB free agents that I think will be staying put and coming back to the team that employed them in 2014.

Sep 25, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) pitches during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) pitches during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Koji Uehara, RP

Koji Uehara has been one of the best and most consistent closers in baseball over the course of the last two seasons, and all of baseball knows it.

The 39-year-old righty has saved 47 games and owns 14 holds during the course of the last two seasons to go with a 1.80 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 138.2 innings pitched–ridiculously awesome numbers.

The Red Sox would be crazy not to bring Uehara back, and it looks like they know it. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Boston has had preliminary discussions with the 2013 ALCS MVP about bringing him back to Beantown.

It’s important to note that Uehara was removed from the closer role down the stretch after riding the struggle bus–he posted a 5.89 combined ERA in August and September–but that doesn’t take away from his overall success in Boston the last two seasons.

I know the Red Sox and Uehara’s camp are still far away in the negotiation process, but him returning to Boston just makes too much sense to entertain the though of him playing elsewhere in 2015 and beyond. 

Sep 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) and catcher Brian McCann (34) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) and catcher Brian McCann (34) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

David Robertson, RP

The New York Yankees may be grooming flamethrower Dellin Betances to be the future closer in the Bronx, but even so, that doesn’t mean the Yankees don’t need David Robertson.

Whether he’s the closer or set up man, it’s hard to find a reliever as valuable as Robertson, no matter the price you end up paying for him.

The 29-year-old Robertson converted 39 of 44 save opportunities this past season while owning a 3.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP to go with a 13.43 k/9 mark–it’s not easy to find that type of value anywhere.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Robertson is prepared to test the open waters of free agency, but a qualifying offer of $15.3 million for a year isn’t necessarily out of the question yet, either.

New York would be wise to bring the veteran arm back into the bullpen and let Betances get another year under his belt in a set up role.

I think Robertson comes back to the Bronx for at least one more season.

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates after scoring against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates after scoring against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Victor Martinez, DH

Victor Martinez will be a hot commodity on the open market this winter–he finished second in the batting race during the regular season with a .335 average and slugged 32 homers and drove in 103 RBI–and there will be plenty of clubs with unlimited budgets looking to sign the 35-year-old.

The good news for Detroit Tigers fans is that the brass wants him back, which is always the first step in terms of resigning a player of Martinez’s caliber.

Tony Paul of the Detroit News also wrote that if Dombrowski wants Martinez back, that it’s very likely to happen.

Now, if Detroit is going to retain the five-time All-Star, it’s going to cost a pretty penny. He’s coming off a 4-year, $50 million deal, and you’d have to think Martinez would be in the $15-$20 million per season range on the open market this winter.

Detroit won’t be able to retain all of its superstars, but it will make V-Mart a priority this offseason.

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