Plenty of MLB teams are in need of a third baseman this winter, and Anthony Rendon is the best hitter available. Naturally, this should give him an explosive market during free agency.
But while a number of teams are expected to be in on Rendon, a reunion with the Washington Nationals is the most likely scenario, according to a number of executives and insiders participating in a survey conducted by ESPN:
One executive referred to Rendon as “juiced-ball proof” because of his ability to lay off borderline pitches while driving the ball into the gaps (88 doubles over the past two years) when he does swing. Rendon can play on any team in any ballpark — with any kind of ball.
As evidenced by answers to the question below, most simply believe he'll stay in Washington, where agent Scott Boras already has a cozy relationship with ownership.
Thirteen out of fifteen respondents believe that Rendon will re-sign with the Nationals, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers also receiving votes.
Rendon had initially expressed a desire to come to an extension with the Nationals last winter, but the two sides never made tangible progress before the start of Spring Training.
The Nationals would like to keep both Rendon and Stephen Strasburg this winter, though both players are sure to be in high demand. The Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed interest in both players, and teams like the Rangers are keeping a close eye on Rendon–who is from Houston–in particular.
However, the defending champs will do everything in their power to retain their superstar duo.
Follow Us
Subscribe