2-Time Gold Glover & MVP Candidate Starting To Draw Significant Interest In Free Agency

Former first-round pick, Kolten Wong, is currently a free agent and is starting to draw significant attention from multiple MLB teams, now that Gio Urshela and Tim Anderson are off the board.

It's reported that at least six teams have shown interest in acquiring Wong's services, highlighting his value in the market and the competitive nature surrounding his free agency.

Wong's reputation as a reliable infielder and his contributions in previous seasons have made him a sought-after player during this offseason.

Kolten Wong’s free agent market is picking up now that Tim Anderson and Gio Urshela have signed. Wong posted an .853 OPS in 20 games with the Dodgers at the end of ‘23, which helped the 2-time Gold Glover regain value after struggling offensively with Seattle. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 22, 2024

The 33-year-old's two best seasons in the MLB came in 2019 and 2020, where he posted a combined .279/.358/.396 triple-slash line, with 12 home runs, 75 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, and 87 runs scored across 201 games played with the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2019, he won a Gold Glove and finished 20th in MVP voting. In 2020, he again won the Gold Glove award for second basemen.

The Los Angeles Angels are among the teams that have expressed interest in Wong.

The Angels' interest in Wong indicates their intent to balance their roster, which has historically leaned towards acquiring bats over pitching, despite the latter often being cited as a critical area for improvement.

Kolten Wong's 2014 NLCS Game 2 walkoff home run
(no commentators, just stadium sound) pic.twitter.com/i5YKsJCQ3z
— Random STL Cardinals (@RandomStlCards) January 31, 2024

The Seattle Mariners signed Wong last offseason, however, he performed brutally, slashing .165/.241/.227 line, with two home runs and 19 RBIs across 67 games played.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired him mid-season and, of course, he seemed to turn it around there, slashing .300/.353/.500, with two home runs, eight RBIs, two stolen bases, and four runs scored over 20 games played.

Wong discussed his free agency status and his aspirations for the upcoming season in an interview, shedding light on his mindset during this transitional period.

His focus on improvement and bouncing back suggests a strong motivation to contribute significantly to whichever team he signs with, making him an even more attractive option for teams looking to bolster their infield and overall team dynamics. Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports