MLB Power Rankings: The best contract extension candidate on every team
By Tim Boyle
15) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants, Logan Webb
Maybe one of the league’s best pitchers nobody really talks about, San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb has been impressive these last two years. Now 26 and in his first year under arbitration, the Giants should start thinking about where he fits into their future plans. Extending him now could help the team get pointed in the right direction.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays, Shane McClanahan
The Tampa Bay Rays don’t need to rush to extend Shane McClanahan. It’s certainly something we should believe they’ve thought about. Wander Franco received his massive extension already. A few weeks ago, the team handed out a more modest one to Yandy Diaz. McClanahan fits the problem of someone the Rays may want to ensure stays with their ball club well past his arbitration years. Pitchers are riskier. Tyler Glasnow’s injury history could be enough to have them proceeding cautiously.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves, Max Fried
It’s a bit unbelievable for the Atlanta Braves to not have a contract extension with Max Fried yet. The team’s ace could be leaving in a few years the same way Dansby Swanson did. We know the Braves are unafraid to extend players. Using their past decisions as a hint, there does seem to be a model they follow. Many of the players they have extended got their money early on. Fried could be past the point. This is good news for other teams looking to upgrade their rotations.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs, Nico Hoerner
Nico Hoerner is no longer the starting shortstop for the Chicago Cubs with Dansby Swanson on the roster. This shouldn’t hurt him in any extension talks. Hoerner is well on his way to becoming one of the better second basemen in baseball while providing the Cubs with insurance at shortstop. The Cubs have consistently spent even during their rebuild. Hoerner is the next one to pay.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Nola
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is a year away from hitting the open market. Easily one of the best homegrown pitchers the franchise has ever had, the ups and downs of his stint in Philadelphia might be one reason for the delay. He’s alongside Rhys Hoskins as one of the two biggest free agent considerations. Extending Nola as soon as possible is the far more logical decision to make. Once he leaves, the Phillies will be scrambling to find a replacement.