Passan's MLB free agency, trade intel on Tucker, Bregman, more - ESPN

On this date last year, Major League Baseball teams had spent around $2.1 billion on free agents. So far this year, that number is shy of $1.4 billion. And as big as that difference seems, it's impossible not to notice the gap between the two numbers shares the same first digit as Juan Soto's $765 million megadeal with the New York Mets signed last December.

Each offseason has its own unique pace, but like last year's market, this year is moving quickly in some areas and more deliberately in others. This winter has seen an early emphasis on pitching — owed, perhaps, to the scarcity of quality hitters. At the same time, a number of big bats remain available.

In fact, the top five players on Kiley McDaniel's ranking of the top 50 free agents are still without a team. The ones who have signed are running about $140 million over his estimates, a difference comprised almost entirely by the three biggest deals: Dylan Cease for $210 million ($65 million over expectations), Pete Alonso for $155 million ($45 million) and Kyle Schwarber for $150 million ($22 million).

McDaniel's overall projection of $3.46 billion leaves plenty of money left to be spent throughout the rest of free agency. Considering the Boston Red Sox haven't signed a player, the New York Yankees have spent just $5 million on free agents and the bottom 20 teams have spent less combined ($207 million) than the top team (Toronto Blue Jays, $277 million), there will be deals aplenty coming soon.

For now, here is a temperature check on different segments of the market and where they stand going forward.

Temperature: Comfortable

Yes, it's Dec. 18, and Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger and Bo Bichette still have not signed. There is not yet panic, though, and