Last offseason compared to this offseason ($ being spent)

[JFLegal]

Spending is definitely up, and the key is not the big names, but the role players.

This year we have:

Kevin Gausman - $9M/1 year
Kyle Gibson - $30M/3 years
Yan Gomez - $10M/2 years
Jordan Lyles - $16M/2 years
Chris Martin- $14M/2 years
Rick Porcello - $10M/1 year
Tanner Roark - $24M/2 years
Blake Treinen - $10M/1 year
Jose Peraza - $3M/1 year
Josh Lindbom - $9M/3 years
Travis d'Arnaud - $16M/2 years
Jake Diekman - $7.5M/2 years

The last two years, most of these guys wouldn't have been signed this early, and signed eventually for around $1-2M right before spring training. A few would have had to go into the season unsigned. That's the biggest change this off-season, the average players are getting paid significantly and early.

this is exactly right. just look at gausman, for example. coming off a terrible year, gets $9 million. does anyone think someone with his resume would have been anywhere near $9M last offseason? keep in mind some of the players who are far better than gausman who signed for less than that last offseason.

something has drastically changed. and it's not that this free agent class is that much better.

[InsaneinthBrame]

There is way more teams with money to spend and a lot less teams tanking. You have Braves,Phillies, Blue Jays,Reds and White Sox coming out of rebuilds looking to spend. Also things look wide open at the top because The Nationals and Astros with FA losses look vulnerable. NL East and Central looks wide open so those teams are looking to spend.
Bottom line lot more teams are going for year and trying to be competitive. Baseballs middle class is spending money.

[mth123]

Teams were holding back last year to save for this year's class and to reset their luxury tax percentages so that this year's contracts don't carry a 60% luxury tax penalty.