Baseball FA vs. Hockey FA

[Birds08]

Is there any reason that baseball free agency drags out from November through January and often February, while other sports like hockey have a feeding frenzy the second free agent season begins and nearly every meaningful player has signed within a week or two?

[Baltimoron]

Is there any reason that baseball free agency drags out from November through January and often February, while other sports like hockey have a feeding frenzy the second free agent season begins and nearly every meaningful player has signed within a week or two?

The hard cap has a lot to do with it. Like in the NBA and NHL, you know who has cap space and you know how much.

This tends to make negotiations more straightforward, as it limits suitors and the money bottom line is not so much a sticking point, because its out of team's hands.

There's also something to players taking time to enjoy holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving after a pretty good run since the previous February.

[Baltimoron]

Should also mention that in baseball, there is a lot of waiting to see where the market is by non-premium free agents, which draws out the process. For example, AJ and Sheets will likely wait for CC to finish his deal and "set the market."

With salary caps this doesn't happen, becuase the market is more defined.

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About the holidays after baseball's free agency opens, they also obviously also impact teams and agents, not just the players too.

[Birds08]

Should also mention that in baseball, there is a lot of waiting to see where the market is by non-premium free agents, which draws out the process. For example, AJ and Sheets will likely wait for CC to finish his deal and "set the market."

With salary caps this doesn't happen, becuase the market is more defined.

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About the holidays after baseball's free agency opens, they also obviously also impact teams and agents, not just the players too.

Very well explained. Makes a lot more sense to me now.