Free agency has moved much quicker this winter compared to the previous couple offseasons. MLBTR ranked the top 50 players on the market at the beginning of November, and the majority of them have already found new deals. Two more familiar names came off the board Thursday with reliever Will Harris agreeing to join the Nationals and catcher Jason Castro heading to the Angels. There are still some stragglers from our top 50, though, so with January underway, let’s use that list to check in on the 10 highest-ranked players available…
5. Josh Donaldson, 3B (original prediction: three years, $75MM)
- Donaldson’s the lone free agent left with an elite track record. Even at 34 years old, he could command a four-year contract approaching $100MM. The Braves (his previous team), Nationals, Twins, Dodgers, Phillies and Rangers are among the teams that have shown interest in Donaldson this winter. Donaldson’s choice figures to affect the trade market, as the clubs that lose out on him could become more motivated to pursue the Cubs’ Kris Bryant or the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado.
8. Nicholas Castellanos, OF (original prediction: four years, $58MM)
- The Cubs would still like to re-sign Castellanos, but their aversion to the luxury tax could prevent that from happening. The crosstown rival White Sox, not to mention the Rangers and Giants, have also shown recent interest in the big-hitting 27-year-old.
11. Marcell Ozuna, OF (original prediction: three years, $45MM)
- Ozuna’s saddled by a qualifying offer, but that hasn’t stopped interest from pouring in. The 29-year-old’s most recent team, the Cardinals, as well as the Reds and Rangers are reportedly the leading candidates to sign him.
28. Daniel Hudson, RP (original prediction: two years, $12MM)
- Harris could replace Hudson in Washington, but the latter has replaced the former as the No. 1-ranked reliever without a deal. Hudson was one of the many heroes for the Nationals during their World Series-winning campaign in 2019, and multiple teams have reportedly been willing to offer him multiyear deals as a result. The hard-throwing 32-year-old hasn’t found one to his liking, though.
33. Robinson Chirinos, C (original prediction: two years, $10MM)
- Chirinos’ stay in free agency may be on the verge of ending, as he seems to be nearing a decision on where to sign. The 35-year-old has been a popular free agent this offseason, and that’s understandable when considering how effective he has been at the plate throughout his career.
35. Craig Stammen, RP (original prediction: two years, $10MM)
- While there was lots of interest in Stammen during last month’s Winter Meetings, it’s been radio silence in terms of rumors since then. But the 35-year-old brings an enticing mix of effectiveness and durability to the table. Dating back to 2017, Stammen has averaged 80 innings per season, put up a 50.6 percent groundball rate and recorded a 3.06 ERA/3.57 FIP. Stammen also walked fewer than 1.7 batters per nine a season ago and saw his average fastball velocity rise to a career-high 92.8 mph, though it’s worth noting his swinging-strike rate plummeted about 5 percent from 2018 to ’19.
36. Steve Cishek, RP (original prediction: two years, $10MM)
- Cishek reportedly hopes to sign with the Red Sox, but it’s up in the air whether they’re willing to meet the Massachusetts native’s asking price. Whether it’s Boston or someone else, the team that lands Cishek will be adding a hurler who has somewhat quietly enjoyed an excellent career. The soft-tossing, sidearming Cishek, 33, has registered a sub-3.00 ERA in seven of his nine full seasons, including last year with the Cubs. Although Cishek’s strikeout and walk rates in 2019 didn’t impress (8.02 K/9, 4.08 BB/9), he induced grounders at a 50 percent clip and thrived at limiting hard contact, ranking in Statcast’s 99th percentile in average exit velocity against and hard-hit rate.
37. Yasiel Puig, OF (original prediction: one year, $8MM)
- Puig’s still just 29 years old and has starred in the past, but he’s having a hard time on the market after a down season divided between Cincinnati and Cleveland. Those teams haven’t shown any reported interest in bringing Puig back, and the clubs that have been connected to him (the Marlins and White Sox) have gone in other directions to address their needs.
39. Alex Wood, LHP (original prediction: one year, $8MM)
- Another Red from 2019, Wood’s the sole starter on this list. Although the 28-year-old had a quality run between the Braves and Dodgers from 2013-18, he hit the market at an inopportune time. Back problems largely kept Wood off the mound last season, and during the 35 2/3 innings he did pitch, he slumped to a 5.80 ERA/6.38 FIP.
41. Brock Holt, UTIL (original prediction: two years, $8MM)
- Reported interest in Holt has been scarce, even though he’s coming off a nice run in Boston. While the 31-year-old possesses very little power, he has proved capable of mixing roughly league-average offensive production with defensive versatility. Holt saw action at six different positions (mostly second base) last season.
Reported interest in Holt has been scarce, even though he’s coming off a nice run in Boston.
Sounds right, these types of players have value but teams don’t want to pay for them. They’re kind of a luxury item. Maybe he stays in Boston.
Holt is the kind of guy who usually doenst sign until later in the offseason anyway. i dont think lacking interest at this point is all that surprising.
Holt is also relatively affordable so he has more landing spots. It’s a lot easier to squeeze an AAV of $3-4M on a roster whereas the remaining guys at the top of the market have way less suitors with room for $15M AAV+ Multi year deals.
He’s ex Red Sox so that means what? Maybe he’ll pay off like Jacoby
In fairness, introducing an infielder prospect to the majors as a utility guy is a fairly gentle way to break them in. You can choose favorable match-ups and situations to get them acclimated. They’re also cheaper than a veteran like Holt. Holt certainly has value, but it’s totally understandable how teams would be more interested in filling all other holes first.
Agree, there are many cheaper veterans and rookies, and just as versatile players available other than Holt, who Red Sox fans seem wildly attached to. He’s very barely average defensively, and doesn’t carry a potent bat with little to no power….many players in or coming up these days can play multiple positions and use that as a means to staying in the majors even if that means moving from team to team.
Besides, Boston management already signed a player to replace him who carries much of the same skills and was markedly cheaper.
Sean Rod got a nice two-year deal recently I think.
Thanks Connor
Chirinos and Wood would be two inexpensive additions that would help solidify the Pirates battery in 2020. A rotation of Musgrove, Archer, Keller, Williams, Wood doesn’t suck terribly and gives you a couple potential trade chips in Archer and Wood.
Holt would allow them to trade Frazier but im sure that’s not happening.
Agreed, I was going to post the same thing, but unfortunately I don’t see Chirinos signing on a non contending team. I would sign Wood and maybe 2 other guys to incentive laden deals and see how they look in spring training, maybe Taijuan Walker and Drew Smyly.
Chirinos will sign with top bidder, he is in position to do nothing else.
Right, people just can’t seem to realize that the money is going to be the deciding factor about 95% of the time. Why would Chirinos take less money to be on a contender?
Holt would be so perfect for the Yankees: he’s clutch, he’s lefty, he can play almost anywhere, he’s a good personality, and he’s ex-Red Sox.
Holt seems like a good fit on a number of teams. You always need a solid utility player, and the more positions they can play capably, the better.
Steve Holt!
There’s still some meat on that bone.
Throw in an onion and some carrots and you’ve got a stew going.
I’ve made a huge mistake.
Guys who can play “almost anywhere” and hit a little aren’t as rare as they used to be. Many teams have that guy already.
I agree. But, not as adequate as Holt. .271/.340/.374 and 98.5 fld% for a cheap utility is more than anyone can ask for. I’m surprised he’s unsigned
Really? Fielding percentage?? What year is this, 1960? And that .374 slug is mighty impressive.
Oh ya, post-prime ex-Red Sox players work out superbly for the Yanks!
Big difference here. He wouldn’t cost a ton of money or a long-term deal. Just a nice depth piece.
Red Sox got lucky dumping Jacoby when they did but Boggs and a guy named Clemens worked out pretty well!
Clemens was overflowing on the juice as a Jay and Yankee, and giving a 34 year old Boggs a big raise for past performance would have been a bad move.
Who cares, almost everyone was on the juice.
Red Sox fans care because he enjoyed being a Yankee more and admitted as much. But yes, even the pitching coaches were on juice then, but that’s no excuse. If everybody jumped off a bridge….. wait, sorry, went into dad-mode.
I would like to see the Yankees sign Brock Holt to serve as their utility infielder. I think 2 yrs/$8M might be a little steep for Holt at this point. he might have to take a 1 yr/$3M deal in my opinion.
Nah. Stay with Wade and Estrada. We don’t need Holt.
Would still love for the White Sox to get Castellanos. Potential for above average hitters at every spot in that lineup on days when Grandal catches.
I’d rather have Puig. Better defensively. Not to mention the Sox still have a lot of outfielder prospects in the system. Many of them stalled in Double A this past season but locking into a 4 year deal for a hitter with defensive questions when the team has so many other defensive question marks (LF, SS, 1B) does not seem like a good idea.
Puig is no doubt better defensively, but I’d want none of his attitude problems around the clubhouse, especially around such a young roster. If I knew his recent experiences had really humbled him and he could be a good, hard-working teammate going forward, fine, I’d take the lower offense and better defense combination. As is, I’d stay far away if I’m the White Sox. Only reason I’d even consider it is if the plan is to go all-in on Betts next year, but even then, I’d rather just give Mazara a year to unlock his potential.
This stuff about Puig’s “bad attitude” is so overblown. He brings positive value to any team.
Puig would be lucky to get a one year deal.
I’m not sure where all this Puig hate comes from. I heard nothing but good things about him while he was in Cleveland. I suspect if they didn’t have 14 different crappy outfielders on their 40 Man roster, they’d want him back in a heartbeat.
If we just looked at on the field production, it would be likely that Puig would already be employed. But whether it is etched in 100% fact or not, the story/rumors have swirled that Puig can be a difficult player to fit into a team first environment. Through the years there have been enough documented controversies where he was at least a partial participate, that it doesn’t take some to make the leap, that where there is smoke there is fire. He still has a way to go before that reputation is totally done away with even if he may have changed somewhat from his earlier days.
Uhhhh, the guy literally makes out with his bat. If that doesn’t scream emotional issues, I’d like to read what you think is an indicator, please.
If he goes to ChiSox, hand him an aluminum bat in an early April night game and watch that crap stop.
He had a temper with Dodgers and very immature! He got into fights for no reason last year! He’s cancer!
A humbled Puig might be a steal but it’s going to take a while for that to emerge…….
Puig is a real shame. Dude has all the talent he needs to be very successful. Only thing stopping him is what’s between his ears.
I don’t think Puig has ever heard the word “humble” before. I wouldn’t want him after the Dodgers benched him for continuously showing up to practice late.
Guys a great teammate and hustles every play. But he’s a POC and he expresses himself so y’all hate him.
monty – I don’t hate him. I don’t think his behavior in the clubhouse with the Dodgers exemplifies a great teammate though. I was surprised the Dodgers kept him for so long. He hasn’t had a steady gig since, I believe because of his attitude. Again, not wanting him on my team doesn’t mean I hate him.
They kept him so long because his potential is All-Star level player. That’s why he’s appealing on a 1 or 2 year deal, but you’re asking for trouble if you give him more
Yeah Fred, his numbers were strong so it’s hard to let go of that. I think his problems start when he gets comfortable so maybe a 1 year like you said is ideal for him. Let him mash and move on.
Ummmm his former Dodger teammates might disagree. They were pretty happy when he was traded and played as a much more cohesive group without him.
He’s a tremendous talent but the baggage is clearly there. That’s why he’s a great value. If you follow one team everyday, you realize clubhouse culture overrides a little extra production, especially when he’s had friction with several well known leaders in the game. Word gets around in the league more than most realize. Some managers, like Tito, are experts of clubhouse culture, so they can handle him. Sometimes it depends on whether a team has guys that neutralize him. I think Oakland or Cleveland take a chance and look to flip him for prospects.
Why are you calling Puig a Piece of Crap dynamite?
Fits his narrative. Duh.
You’re just jealous of his magnificent beard.
Harper’s beard is lame. Look at at Colin Moran of the Pirates. That’s a REAL beard
Ozuna’s beard is pretty wild too
Cole’s beard is….. gone
How many professional athletes are actually “humble?”
The Angels could offer Wood a 1/5 and see if he bites. Put some incentives in there too for the extra 3m to meet the prediction based on innings and results.
Angels would be wasting their time with Wood. Oft-injured and was bad last year. The main reason he was successful with the Dodgers was due to their depth. He only made 25 starts a year or so and he was breaking down even with that low of workload
Never watched him so you know more than me.
I know they won’t spend the money, but guys like Hudson, Puig, and Wood are perfect opportunities for a team like KC. They’d all slot in at a spot where they’d be better than the guy they’re replacing, Puig and Wood are motivated bounceback candidates, all three could be valuable trade chips if they perform, and none are overly expensive or require a lengthy commitment.
The trade chip comment is the best reason to sign them. Otherwise, why sign guys who will cost them draft pick slots yet won’t be there when they are ready to win again? If you’re going to tank, tank hard.
Hudson, Puig, and Wood won’t cost them draft pick slots. There haven’t been type A and B free agents in years.
Not what I’m saying. I mean, those guys would help them win. So they go from picking 3rd or so to picking 6th. They won’t win with those guys, and getting a lower draft slot could hurt them in the future. There’s no point.
Angels should sign Stammen, Cishek, Hudson and Wood. F it, let’s do this and guarantee a seat at the big show. We missed out on a lot, now is the time to capitalize.
Lol read that last sentence out loud. It’s funny
? Granted it’s the bottom of the barrel, but we can get all those guys under $25M/year combined. After that we can still trade a prospect or two or extra position player for a solid starter to make for a legit and deep rotation.
I thought the “guarantee ” was funnier
JD to the Twins and Happ to the Angels I think — Dodgers want Bettes but wont take Price — Price to Angels – White Sox need another starter – – Dodgers need another starter — there just isnt enough decent talent to go around —
White Sox don’t need another starter. Who’s really left to choose from anyway? They have Giolito, Keuchel, Cease, Lopez, and Gio to start the year, with Kopech and Rodon coming back at some point, not to mention the possibility of Dunning arriving later in the year. That’s 8 guys gunning for 5 spots. Some of those guys will have to switch to the bullpen already.
Can you really rely on Gio ? Giolito and Keuchel are the only 2 sure guys in the roration — not winning any championships unless you have better starters — the wnter isnt over yet so maybe there will be somebody added — thur a trade — as of now Sox might be a 500 team —
Last year was the first time he’d been out of commission for an extended period in a very long time. His ERA was still 3.50. I’m not saying Gio’s a star, but he’s a hell of a lot better than Despaigne, Covey, and others the White Sox trotted out at the 5 spot last year.
I also think they’re better than .500 now. Last year, they won 72. Adding Grandal, upgrading RF in Mazara (again, not good, but better than what they had, adding EE, Keuchel, and Gio, getting Kopech back, bringing Robert and Madrigal up, and getting another year of development from Cease and Eloy should be worth more combined than just 9 more wins. They’re not WS contenders, but they should be better than .500 unless they get hit hard by injuries.
I’m not sure one year of awful followed by a year of awesome constitutes Giolito’s legitimately being termed “reliable.”
I’d still like to sign Hudson & bring Nova back.
I would be shocked if JD goes to the Twins. Word is that both Washington and Atlanta also have four year offers, and he has stated that he would rather stay in ATL. Plus MN just has no track record of coming out on top when guys have other comparable offers.
I say the Twins — Atlanta can be cheap at times —
Happ needs to go back to Toronto. Finish career on a high note. Unless the Yankees move them fences back to pitcher will truly be that dang good there it’s such a small stadium.
“Brockstar” is a Boston favorite. A Pedroia kind of guy that the fans love. He’s hit a few memorable HRs and his hustle is genuine. Love the old style stockings too. Hope he finds a new home where he can be appreciated. Bloom better be careful letting guys like Holt walk for money’s sake. We may be the Rays of the 2020’s.
More importantly, who is going to sign Willie Mays Jay?
Holt is like Pearce was with Boston. A marginal player who wants a lot of money. The reason they are even talked about is because it is Boston. Pearce last contract for $6 million was a overpay by Dumbroski. Most teams aren’t shelling out 4 million because he played in Boston and can be easily replaced by someone making 6 times less.
Your’e crazy, Larry.
Can see Oakland picking up Holt.
Pillar doesn’t get on base and his defensive positioning is dust. But he does have some nice catches
A “down” season by Puig??? His numbers are actually good enough to justify a contract
101 wRC+, so he was almost exactly a league average bat, and that is tied for his lowest season since becoming a regular, also marginally below average defensively by uzr.. Sounds like a down season to me.
He ought to get a contract somewhere, just on upside, but I don’t see a contending team going out of its way to find a spot for him.
Puig had one bad month. From May onward, he hit .286/.349/.480 with 20 home runs. All of those numbers are pretty close to his career averages. He wasn’t marginally below average by UZR. He had just -.7 UZR in 2019.
He, like the rest of the reds, got off to a very slow start. There was a couple week time frame mid summer when he was still in cincy and he put up best numbers in all of baseball in that span. His value should be WAY higher but no one wants him.
Klentak:
Please go get one of: Alex Wood or Tijuan Walker (or both).
Then sign one or two of: Craig Stammen, Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler, Greg Holland
Then one or two of (bouncebacks on minor league deals): Jeremy Jeffress, Cody Allen, Andrew Cashner, Francisco Liriano, Johnny Venters, Danny Hultzen
Then finally the 26th man, one of: Todd Frazier, Brad Miller, Billy Hamilton
The Cubs had enough money to re-sign Hultzen to a minor league contract. Cross him off your list.
Missed that one, thanks Mrs. Shwarber. He pitched well in his 6 or 7 games for the Cubs last year. Could be a late bloomer. He has the pedigree
I’m so bummed they didn’t get Will Harris. The bullpen is such a huge flashing red warning sign, but they just keep ignoring it. Alex Wood would be a good low risk signing. Cishek would be great. Stammen would be a bonus. I’ve loved Liriano forever, but his WHIP is just plain scary now since he became a reliever. On that list, I’d go with Jeffress. The dude they need for the 26th man is Brock Holt though. Dude plays everywhere and always produces. I’ve watched Josh Harrison hack at every first pitch for eternity, and I don’t think I like him making the team. Holt is better than Brad Miller. If they could get Todd Frazier for relatively cheap, he and Holt would be quite an infield bench by themselves!.
I really feel Alex Wood could thrive with the Brewers. They’ll only ask him to get thru lineups 2 times every 4-5 days. With spotty durability in the past, he could rebuild some value for a couple years in Milwaukee and go sign a big somewhere else. Of course then he’ll be overused and hurt again after that.
At this point Ozuna may regret not signing the tender of 17.8 million and playing for a contender. He will be waiting for Castellanos to sign and he is going to make less.
He’s for sure going to regret it. Even w salaries WAY up this year he’s not getting no where near that amount for next season and is likely to get a short contract with the pick attached to it.
I would tend to agree with both of you. However a team like the Reds, who have seemed to throw caution to the wind may give him a 3/55 or 4/70. At this point that would be a win for Ozuna. I’m not a big fan of him but if he were to get something like 3/50 he could provide surplus value.
who plays CF ?
Haisley vs RH, Quinn vs LH
Lineup:
A.McCutchen LF
J.Segura SS
B.Harper RF
R.Hoskins 1B
J.Realmuto C
D.Gregorius SS
S.Kingery 3B
A.Haisley(vs rhp)/R.Quinn(vs lhp)
Bench:
J.Bruce
J.Harrison
T.Frazier/B.Miller
A.Knapp
Rotation:
A.Nola
Z.Wheeler
J.Arrieta
A.Wood
Z.Eflin
E.DelosSantos*
Bullpen:
N.Pivetta (swing)
A.Cashner/F.Liriano (long)
R.Suarez (middle)
A.Morgan (middle)
J.Alvarez (middle/lefty-specialist)
V.Arano (7th)
J.Jeffress/C.Allen (7th)
S.Cishek/C.Stammen/G.Holland (setup)
S.Dominguez (setup)
H.Neris (setup)
V.Velasquez (closer)
AAA Rotation:
E.DelosSantos
C.Irvin
S.Howard
A.Medina
M.Llovera
R.Rosso
Come on Yankees! Get Wood on a 1 year contract to pitch the #5 spot!
I don’t think he would be a bad pickup, but I have not see him pitch all that much. I thought the Angels might go for him but it looks like that’s not going to happen. I wouldn’t mind the Yankees taking a flyer on him.
And the Cubs sit on their asses
Once the Bryant decision comes in, the flood gates will open !
Bryant…….Quintana…….Almora…..Contreras…….Bote………Schwarber……….
one trade will create a domino fall.
Rangers mentioned with just about everyone. Would be surprised if they actually get any. Hope they do,they need another couple pieces just to make it interesting.
In the last 2 seasons, Pillar has hit .256/.285/.429 with a 90 OPS+. Holt has batted .286/.366/.407 with a 105 OPS+. Plus he can play anywhere in the infield, and outfield.
The Pirates should go after either, or both, Chirinos and Stammen. They are thin at both positions.
early division race predictions (Wins)
Yanks 100
Rays 96 (WC)
Blue Jays 81
Red Sox 81
Orioles 50
Twins 100
White Sox 82
Indians 81
Royals 62
Tigers 45
Astros 96
A’s (WC) 95
Rangers 88
Angels 86
Mariners 62
Nats 96
Phillies (WC) 95
Mets (WC) 92
Braves 91
Marlins 52
Cubs 89
Cardinals 86
Reds 82
Brewers 80
Pirates 58
Dodgers 102
D-Backs 82
Padres 77
Giants 75
Rockies 74
You have 2436 total wins. By definition, there can’t be more than 2430 (not including tiebreakers). Agree on the Twins. No way they win 100 again and no way the Indians and White Sox are right at .500. Don’t see how the Mets win 92, either, with that offense or how you have them and that Nats (after losing Rendon) as better than the Braves.
I would challenge your predictions but at this point of the off season it’s not worth the effort.
Just for fun
Yankees 101
Red Sox 87
Rays 86
Blue Jays 81
Orioles 47
Twins 91
Indians 90 (WC)
White Sox 88
Tigers 51
Royals 49
Astros 92
Athletics 90 (WC)
Angels 88
Rangers 80
Mariners 73
Braves 95
Phillies 90 (WC)
Nationals 88 (WC)
Mets 87
Marlins 70
Reds 87
Cubs 86
Cardinals 86
Brewers 84
Pirates 49
Dodgers 100
Diamondbacks 84
Padres 80
Giants 75
Rockies 75
Dodgers over the Yankees in 7
Clayton Kershaw WS MVP
AL MVP: Matt Chapman
NL MVP: Freedie Freeman
AL CY Young: Lucas Giglioto
NL CY Young: Walker Buehler
AL ROY: Luis Robert
NL ROY: Gavin Lux
AL Comeback POY: Byron Buxton
NL Comeback POY: Andrew McCutchen
How can the Yankees win less than 113 games when they will have a healthy team with Cole as a starter? This makes no sense. All Yankee fans were telling us how great they would be if they hadn’t gotten those injuries. This is a slap in the face to Yankee fans.
Well there’s a lot more parody in the AL this year. And oh yea, since only 5 teams in the last century have won 113 games I guess.
You are crazy if you think the Twins win 100 with their lack of starting pitching. You are also crazy if you think the Indians only win 81 games.
I feel the team who grabs Ozuna is going to get the best bang for their buck. If its a team like Texas…where its a hitters ballpark, he can really thrive in my opinion. He is in his prime age wise so a 4yr/$64-70mil would be fair in my opinion. In the end…either the Cardinals or Rangers will obtain his services
Ozuna is an over rated, lazy player.
What is it with Dodgers and left handed starters?
Wood had a 16 and 3 season with an era of 2.72
Ryu led the majors with an era of 2.32 14 and 5
Rich Hill is 30 and 16 with a 3.16 era in his career in LA
Kershaw… we all know.
Its a tougher park for RH to hit. They have mostly LH starters so they face fewer LH bats and the ones they do face have to face LH pitching
I hope the Cardinals can get a Healthy Ozuna back. 1year at 12m plus options with goals in average, HR, RBI’s etc. plus a mutual option year.
Any news on Taijuan Walker?
Cubs need to sign Alex Wood. Even if it’s for 1 year. Its low risk high reward