Coming off a career year in 2017, 28-year-old first baseman Eric Hosmer is being patient in the free agent market, waiting to select the contract that will affect the next decade of his life. Hosmer reportedly has two major options: stay with the Kansas City Royals or sign with the San Deigo Padres? Waiting out the market seemed to work for pitcher Yu Darvish, who signed a 6-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Hosmer already has two larger offers on the table: a 7-year, $140 million offer from the Padres and a 7-year, $147 million contract to stay with the Royals. Both offers would be in the Top 35-richest contracts ever, but Hosmer reportedly wants more, specifically more years. According to USA Today, Hosmer prefers an eight or nine year deal from either team. In 2012, Prince Fielder signed a 9-year, $214 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. Fellow Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera inked a 9-year, $248 million contract that started in 2016. Hosmer is holdi...
by Billy Sakmann, B.S. Sports Management '17