Hosmer calls it 'mind-boggling' that CarGo, Moustakas remain unsigned
Eric Hosmer inked the largest free-agent deal of any player this offseason, but that doesn't mean he isn't still concerned for those players who remain unsigned.
The four-time All-Star was forced to wait until mid-February before finally agreeing to an eight-year, $144-million deal with the San Diego Padres. After living through an unprecedented offseason, Hosmer believes there's something wrong with the free-agent process, and is concerned that a number of quality players still remain without a club a little over three weeks to go until Opening Day.
"I don't think all of the teams are trying to be competitive or doing everything they can to protect the integrity of the game. If that was the case, why are guys like Carlos Gonzalez and Mike Moustakas still on the market? That raises a lot of red flags," Hosmer said, according to Bob Nighengale of USA TODAY Sports. "When you've got guys that are proven at this level, and have done it for many years at this level that are still on the market looking for jobs, that just tells you something isn't right about it.
"Gonzalez is one of the better hitters this game has ever seen. Moose is an All-Star who hit 38 homers. And they're still looking for jobs? That's mind-boggling. It makes you think about things."
Moustakas is coming off a career season in which he hit .272/.314/.521 with 38 home runs, 24 doubles, and 85 RBIs in 148 games. Despite that production, the 29-year-old has received limited interest, and watched as teams in need of a third baseman opted to trade for one (San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees), rather than sign him. There's been minimal reports of interest, and it will be even harder for Moustakas to land a deal as he's attached to draft-pick compensation after rejecting a qualifying offer from the Kansas City Royals in November.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, is coming off a down year in which he hit .262/.339/.423 with 14 home runs and 34 doubles. While there's no doubt he's benefited from playing at Coors Field, the three-time Gold Glove winner has still averaged 26 home runs and 34 doubles over the past three seasons and was an All-Star as recently as 2016.
Rather than sign veteran players, teams who are rebuilding have opted to save money and let some of their younger players fill the void. Hosmer doesn't believe there's anything wrong with giving young players an opportunity, but acknowledges it shouldn't be at the expense of a veteran guy who's paid his dues and has earned his right to be there.
"These guys bring that professionalism on a day-to-day basis," Hosmer said. "Nothing against young prospects, but it takes guys like this to get it done, and understand how everything works up here. Now, it just seems like a lot of that has disappeared.’’