Fansided

5 MLB contract extension candidates teams need to lock up now

By Sam Peebles

Jul 31, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers the baseball in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers the baseball in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB contract extensions
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field on August 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

4. Mets IF/OF Jeff McNeil

Jeff McNeil has quietly been one of the best second basemen in the national league who also has extensive time in the outfield as well, playing 358 innings in right and 1,050 innings in left for his career.

It is possible that he has gone under the radar because he lacks home run power, which in today’s game, is highly celebrated. However, his overall profile is excellent.

This year he has a slash line of .315/.371/.460, which is good for a 135 OPS+ (35% above league average) and has accumulated 3.2 WAR. What’s more, this is about right in line for his five-year career. His career slash line is .302/.366/.459 with a 126 OPS+ while averaging 5.0 WAR per 162 games.

McNeil is putting up these kinds of numbers while only getting paid $3 million. It appears that after five seasons, the numbers being put up are no fluke. The New York Mets could ensure that McNeil will continue to be a key piece in their hopes of a World Series run for years to come if they can work out a deal now, rather than later when he gets closer to free agency.

3. Braves RP A.J. Minter

Like McNeil, A.J. Minter has largely flown under the radar as one of the top relievers in MLB. Closers and rotation arms get a lot of love, but as far as relievers go, Minter has been top-notch.

Minter currently sports a 2.45 ERA which is 71% better than league average in terms of ERA+, while having a minuscule 1.67 FIP, with 12.1 strikeouts per 9 innings while only walking 1.5 per 9. His WHIP is also extremely good at 0.923.

In terms of Fangraphs WAR (fWAR), he is tied for fourth in MLB for relievers at 1.7.

Minter is currently only making $2.2 million and will be a free agent in 2025. The Braves currently lead all NL teams in reliever fWAR, and a large part of that is Minter. The Braves are obviously in a competitive window, and locking up one of their top arms while they can still get him for cheap would go a long way in continuing to have one of the top bullpens in the league.

Like all players, Minter would have to agree to an extension. If he is willing, the Braves should pursue this route.

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