With the 2020 regular season having reached its end, there will be more and more talk about free agency during the upcoming weeks. MLBTR has already taken a look at the catchers, first basemen, shortstops, and third basemen due to reach the open market soon. We’ll now turn to the keystone, where utility options are in abundance.
Top of the Class
- DJ LeMahieu (32): The American League batting champ is the cream of the crop at second base. Given his ability to slide anywhere in the infield, he’s about as valuable a commodity as can be found on the open market this winter. There will be widespread interest. Still, second base is his best position, and he’s easily the best player available in this spot. Don’t be surprised to see him sign somewhere with a need at the keystone – even returning to the Bronx. Since signing in New York, LeMahieu has posted an outrageous .336/.386/.586 slash with 36 home runs, 43 doubles and four triples in 871 plate appearances.
Potential Regulars
- Jonathan Villar (30): Villar split his time between the Marlins and Blue Jays in 2020, but he fell short of reproducing the solid effort from the year prior. Between the two stops, he slashed just .232/.301/.292 while receiving regular playing time. There are some rumblings that he’s a second-division kind of guy, and he may have to choose between playing every down for a mid-tier club, or accepting a utility spot for a contender. He’s a dirt dog who runs well and can handle any spot up the middle, including centerfield.
- Tommy La Stella (32): The A’s like La Stella and will likely try to bring him back. His ability to play second or third while posting professional at-bats and keeping the ball in play make him an appealing option league-wide, however. He’s also not likely to break the bank. He’ll not want to return to pinch-hitting duty, so a regular role will be a must – especially after a solid .281/.370/.449 effort between the Angels and A’s in 2020.
- Cesar Hernandez (31): Hernandez impressed in his lone season with the Indians. If the price is right, both sides might look for a repeat performance after the long-time Phillie slashed .283/.355/.408 with a league-leading 20 doubles across 261 plate appearances. After middling defensive numbers with the Phillies, he got good marks for his work at the keystone in 2020 (6 DRS, 3.8 UZR). Hernandez should have no problem finding a regular role somewhere.
- Jurickson Profar (28): Profar made good on his opportunity with the Padres, hitting .278/.343/.428 with 7 home runs across 202 plate appearances. He played more outfield than second base this season, but that was mostly a function of Jake Cronenworth’s breakout. Profar certainly enjoyed his time in San Diego, but his versatility could make him an asset on many teams. Where he suits up in 2021 should come down to price point.
- Jonathan Schoop (29): Schoop mashed in his first season with the Tigers: .278/.324/.475 with 8 home runs in 2020. He still handles himself well defensively at second, but he doesn’t bring the versatility of many players on this list.
Part-Time/Utility Players
- Enrique Hernandez (29): Kiké fits the mold of a number of players on this list, guys who can handle regular to semi-regular playing time while filling in all over the diamond. Hernandez has been the second-stringer to Chris Taylor in this role for the Dodgers, but he nonetheless gets somewhere between 200-500 at-bats per season, and they trust him in the postseason. He hit .230/.270/.410 in 2020, and if the Dodgers don’t return him to the roster, someone else will.
- Freddy Galvis (31): Galvis slashed .220/.308/.404 across 159 plate appearances in his second season with the Reds. He can play both spots up the middle, and the switch-hitter does just enough at the plate to remain a viable option for everyday at-bats.
- Jason Kipnis (34): The long-term Cleveland Indian saw regular playing time with the Cubs in 2020, slashing .237/.341/.404. He did just enough to keep getting the call at the 9-spot in the order, but he’s probably best utilized in a heavy timeshare.
- Asdrubal Cabrera (35): MLBTR’s Steve Adams said it best when previewing the market for third baseman: “Cabrera isn’t a shortstop anymore, but he keeps hitting and is capable of playing second base as well as both infield corners. He’s commanded one-year deals the past few winters and will probably be in line for another one this winter.”
- Josh Harrison (33): Harrison had a decent run with the Nationals in 2020 after the Phillies cut him loose. He hit .278/.352/.418 across 91 plate appearances while making a good impression on manager Davey Martinez. He runs well enough and plays everywhere except shortstop and catcher. Don’t be surprised to see the Nationals bring him back in 2021.
- Brock Holt (32): Likewise, Holt impressed with the Nats after a disastrous turn to start the year with the Brewers. Not only did he hit .262/.314/.354 across 70 plate appearances in Washington, but he rocked a mustache and made two appearances on the mound.
- Marwin Gonzalez (32): Gonzalez spent the past two seasons with the Twins, slashing .248/.311/.387. He maintains the ability to play everywhere, though he made just one appearance at shortstop over his two seasons in Minnesota.
- Adeiny Hechavarria (32): The defensive wizard appeared in 27 games for the Braves this year, slashing .254/.302/.305. He hasn’t been in consideration for postseason action. His value on this list lies in his ability to play a competent defensive shortstop.
- Chris Owings (29): Owings got 44 plate appearances with the Rockies this year and held his own, hitting .268/.318/.439. His value comes in his versatility, however. Despite only appearing in 17 games, Owings spent time at every position except pitcher and catcher, even pinch-hitting three times and pinch-running twice.
- Neil Walker (35): Walker was a semi-regular as recently as 2019 for the Marlins and 2018 with the Yankees. In 2020, however, he appeared in just 18 games, slashing .231/.244/.308 with the Phillies. Defense has never been his forte, but he can handle a glove at first, second, or third, while even taking an occasional turn in the outfield.
- Jed Lowrie (37): Lowrie’s disastrous tenure with the Mets ended with just 8 plate appearances in two years. If the long-time veteran can get healthy, someone will give him a look, but that’s a big if.
- Logan Forsythe (34): Forsythe’s best days are behind him. He hit just .118 in very limited action this year for the Marlins, and it’s been a long time since he glory days in Tampa. Still, he provides a good eye at the plate and enough positional versatility to get a look somewhere as a non-roster invitee.
- Joe Panik (30): Panik’s days as a regular at the keystone are probably over. He hit .225/.340/.300 across 141 plate appearances with the Blue Jays in 2020 while moving between second, third, and short. That’s his role moving forward, but the playing time he received in 2020 extrapolates to 380 plate appearances in a full season – I’ll take the under on that number moving forward.
Players with 2021 Options
- Kolten Wong, $12.5MM club option with $1MM buyout (30): Wong doesn’t bring much in the way of power, but he puts together good at-bats and plays gold glove defense. He slashed .265/.350/.326 in 2020, putting him somewhat on the bubble for 2021, but chances are the Cardinals find some way to bring him back.
- Daniel Descalso, $3.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout (34): Descalso won’t have this option picked up, despite providing more-or-less exactly what the Cubs hoped from him in terms of clubhouse/veteran presence. On the diamond, however, Descalso missed all of 2020 after slashing just .173/.271/.250 over 194 plate appearances in 2019.
- Leury Garcia $3.5MM club option with a $250K buyout (30): This one could go either way. The White Sox love Garcia, and with Nick Madrigal coming back from injury, the ChiSox may prefer to bring back Garcia. He hit a palatable .271/.317/.441 across 63 plate appearances in 2020.
- Dee Strange-Gordon, $14MM club option with a $1MM buyout (33): The Mariners will buy out Strange-Gordon after another lackluster season at the plate (42 wRC+). Great speed and the ability to play the outfield should get him a look somewhere, perhaps even with a contender in the mold of Billy Hamilton.
Holt was handing out mustache rides.
Lowrie needs to retire
I would think there are coaching jobs somewhere for Lowie and Forsythe if they want them….both were those kind of players.
Strange-Gordon? When did he change his name?
earlier this year
Yeah I was just reading about it. At this stage in his life, it seems like a “strange” thing to do. I would understand if his mother passed this year and he chose to honor her. But she passed when he was 6 years old. I wonder what changed for him to specifically do it now.
On his card in the 2008 bowman set he went by Devaris Strange-Gordon
Really? I thought it was always just Dee Gordon before this. Interesting
Yeah from what I read about it, that has always been his legal name, but he shortened it because a PA announcer mispronounced his name in rookie ball. I assume it is pronounced like the word strange, but who knows? The whole pronunciation thing in the English language is pretty much out the window at this point.
How can you possibly mis pronounce Strange-Gordon? That is absolutely shocking, am I wrong? I’d love to hear the announcers story behind that one! Could hardly get two more plain and simple English words!!
Maybe he was talking about changing from Devaris to Dee. Now that I think about it, that is far more likely what he meant. The article wasn’t specific about which name change it referred to.
Because when you’re Strange, no one remembers your name.
Awesome Doors reference!
I like Hernandez on the Angels. Nice OBP and likely price tag.
Don’t see DJ leaving the Yankees. He’s had the best success of his career there and they’re perennial contenders. Of course, another team could surprise and offer way more money, but all other things being equal, I’m expecting him to re-sign.
He has not had the best success of his career there. He was just as good, if not better for the Rockies, but East Coasters just didn’t pay attention. That’s why Yankees fan continue to claim they discovered him even though he won a batting title and played in 3 All Star games for the Rox.
Career slash line:
Colorado: .299/.352/.408
Yankees: .336/.386/.536
Career high in HR in CO: 15
Career high in HR in NY: 26
He was not “just as good” in CO as he was in NY. There’s a 150+ point difference in his career OPS and a 50+ point difference in career OPS+.
Of course the career numbers are lower. There is a lot more of them. His Yankees time is basically a year and a half. If you take the best year and a half stretch from his time with Colorado he would be JUST AS GOOD.
Yankees bring back DJ and go for La Stella and their infield is locked, they get a LH bat for reasonable price and have room for a trade; especially if they pick up Didi for another LH bat with improved D, which they need, at SS for a much more amenable deal than Lindor. This also affords then even more trade capability with Voit, Urshela, Andujar, and Sanchez.
Who would you rather have: Profar, Schoop, or Cesar?
Profar and Cesar both switch hitters and similar skill set. Schoop is more power and right handed bat. Depends on the team and needs.
As what? As a utility guy, sure, any of the three would suffice. As a full time starter, I think I will go with door #4.
I would like to see what Schoop could do in Colorado. He is good defensively and brings a potent bat with power to the lineup.
Colorado just needs to make some decisions in general on the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Ryan McMahon, and Garrett Hampson. None of them are going to break out until they fully get a chance to be THE starter at second. If you want to do Rodgers at second and McMahon at first, then trade Hampson and stop trying to make him an outfielder. If you’d rather go with Hapmson at second and McMahon at first, then trade Rodgers while he still has at least some of his prospect value remaining. If you want to go with Hampson or Rodgers at second and someone else at first, then trade the others. I’d rather go with Rodgers and McMahon with Hampson traded, but I just want to see A decision made.
I really doubt McMahon will ever have the bat to be a permanent solution to first base.
I’m impressed with McMahon at 3b. He is comfortable and steady there with a good arm. He’s not Nolan, but this is the time to trade Arenado for pitching/1st base help. Rodgers needs a full shot at 2b with Hampson as a backup and pinch runner. I think Murphy is on his way out, but I don’t see another candidate for 1st base. McMahon, Rodgers and Hampson all have a problem with consistency and contact at the plate. It’s a mess, but the potential is there.
Schoop has been a major disappointment since he no longer has the little cigar box of Camden Yards to hit homers in.
Schoop had little difficulty showing his power in Comerica Park, hardly a band box.
Giants are looking for a left handed hitter who can play the infield. A reunion with Panik isn’t out of the question albeit at a low cost. I’d love to see them sign a switch hitter like Hernandez or Profar but they might cost too much, especially for a utility player. La Stella would be nice too, I love his at bats.
Dee Strange (Gordon)? Guess i been living under a rock. Didn’t know.
No, he’s just been playing poorly in the Siberia that is Seattle, so he wasn’t in the news much.
I would like the Orioles take a shot at La Stella but might be out of their price range. Hernandez would be a good option also.
DJ needs 25M a year for 5 years. Somebody will pay the 125 Million to get a guy that won a batting title 2 of the last 5 years. He is also a lifetime .300 hitter. This guy is no fluke.
Be a good move for Boston. Replace peraza and make that lineup even more potent
At 5/125? No thanks. 3/60 maybe, but that feels high too
Jeter Downs will likely be ready to come up to get a look in September this year, and may be ready to take over second in 2022. So on second thought, 2/35 is all I’d do in Boston for LeMahieu.
It’s amazing all these guys on the list are in their 30’s or a few late 20’s.
That’s because teams control players through much of their 20s with arbitration, maybe also buying out a couple more later years with a contract extension, timing it so the players hit free agency approaching or already in their 30s, then using the “magic 30” number to try and limit dollars and years.
Ok you missed the 2021 comeback player of the year completely Scooter Gennett
Marwin’s numbers dropped quite a bit in Minny, wonder why?
I expect the Yankees will make a very good offer to LeMahieu since both sides want a reunion, but he also realizes this is his chance to cash in big, and some team will offer more than the Yankees and he’ll move on.
Brian Cashman Needs To Resign D.J. LeMahieu,He Has Been The Most Consistent Hitter On The Yankees,Ever Since Her First Put On The Pinstripes.
I’m impressed with McMahon at 3b. He is comfortable and steady there with a good arm. He’s not Nolan, but this is the time to trade Arenado for pitching/1st base help. Rodgers needs a full shot at 2b with Hampson as a backup and pinch runner. I think Murphy is on his way out, but I don’t see another candidate for 1st base. McMahon, Rodgers and Hampson all have a problem with consistency and contact at the plate. It’s a mess, but the potential is there.