Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Market looks fully stocked
Despite possible lockout, good free agent options available
With a potential lockout on the horizon, it’s been mostly business as usual on the free agent market — so far.
The Tigers signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. The Astros retained righty Justin Verlander. Noah Syndergaard went from the Mets to the Angels on a one-year deal.
The deadline to accept qualifying offers came and went last week, further clarifying who was heading to the open market.
It remains to be seen whether the uncertainty about the next labor agreement will affect offseason moves for the top players available, but it’s clear there are plenty of good options for teams looking to upgrade.
Here’s a look at baseball’s top free agents by position. Players’ current ages are in parentheses:
Left-handed starter
Carlos Rodón (28), White Sox: It’s a toss-up between Rodón and the Blue Jays’ Robbie Ray. Rodon didn’t really threaten Ray in the AL Cy Young vote, but his ERA was about a half a run lower and he’s also younger. And Ray received a qualifying offer while Rodon did not, so that may make Rodon a more enticing target.
Next best: Clayton Kershaw (33), Dodgers
Left-handed reliever
Andrew Chaffin (31), A’s: Chafin was impressive last season for both the Cubs and A’s.
Next best: Tony Watson (36), Giants
Right-handed starter
Max Scherzer (37), Dodgers: No signs yet of any major decline for Scherzer despite his age. The three-time Cy Young winner had an ERA at 3.15 or lower in eight of the last nine seasons — the only time it was higher was in the shortened 2020 campaign.
Next best: Kevin Gausman (30), Giants
Right-handed reliever
Raisel Iglesias (31), Angels: Iglesias saved 34 games for the Angels, and things didn’t go smoothly for the the Reds bullpen after he left. He’s had at least 30 saves in each of the last three non-shortened seasons.
Next best: Kenley Jansen (34), Dodgers
Catcher
Yan Gomes (34), A’s: There aren’t any star catchers available this year, but Gomes can provide a bit of pop.
Next best: Roberto Pérez (32), Indians
First base
Freddie Freeman (32), Braves: Losing Freeman would be a major downer for the World Series champions, but the fivetime All-Star and 2020 MVP will obviously command a big price. Even at first it’s hard to find this kind of consistent production.
Next best: Anthony Rizzo (32), Yankees
Second base
Marcus Semien (31), Blue Jays: Let’s list Semien as a second baseman — where he mostly played this season — and avoid a tough decision at shortstop. Semien hit 45 home runs this year while playing all 162 games, and he finished third in the MVP vote. He has the most WAR of any player in baseball since the start of the 2019 season.
Next best: César Hernández (31), White Sox
Third base
Eduardo Escobar (32), Brewers: Escobar hit 28 home runs this year in the first full season since he slugged 35 in 2019. He played a bit at first, second and shortstop in addition to third.
Next best: Kyle Seager (34), Mariners
Shortstop
Carlos Correa (27), Astros: Correa made his big league debut at age 20 and reaches free agency well shy of his 30th birthday. That makes him a good bit younger than some of the other top players on this list, and he may be the most sought-after name this offseason.
Next best: Corey Seager (27), Dodgers
Outfield
Starling Marte (33), A’s; Kris Bryant (29), Giants; Nick Castellanos (29), Reds: Marte
did what he could to help the A’s down the stretch, and he ended up with an .841 OPS this year for the A’s and Marlins. Bryant doesn’t turn 30 until January and can obviously play third in addition to the outfield. Castellanos set career highs in homers (34), average (.309) and OPS (.939) this year.
Next best: Avisaíl García (30), Brewers
Designated hitter
Nelson Cruz (41), Rays: Cruz may finally be slowing down, but only a little. He hit 32 homers this year but posted an .832 OPS, his lowest since 2012.
Next best: Kyle Schwarber (28), Red Sox*