MLBTR continues to go around the diamond to check in on the upcoming free agent market. In recent weeks, we’ve looked into the catchers and gone around the infield/corner outfield. Today, we’ll turn our attention to a center field class that falls off sharply after its top duo.
Tier Of His Own
- Aaron Judge (31 years old next season)
What more can be said about Judge’s 2022 campaign? It was an all-time offensive performance. Judge hit 62 home runs, cementing himself in the history books and connecting on 16 more longballs than anyone else in the game this season. He slugged .686, the highest mark for a qualified hitter in a full schedule since 2004. Judge also led all qualified hitters this season in on-base percentage (.425) and finished fifth in batting average (.311). He’s the sport’s preeminent slugger, owner of an obscene 60.9% hard hit rate. Judge is also tremendously patient and has gotten some early-career strikeout concerns very much in check.
As far as 2023 goes, few players project to be more impactful. He’ll be the top overall player on the free agent market, and he’s in position to land one of the largest deals in major league history. The primary factor working against Judge is that he’s a bit on the older side for a first-time free agent, heading into his age-31 campaign. That’ll likely keep him from landing a decade-long commitment, but he has a chance to set the average annual value record for a position player over an eight or nine-year term.
There’s no question about Judge’s offensive potential, although he’s not likely to be a long-term fit in center fit. A natural right fielder, he played more center field for the Yankees this season due to the roster composition. He held his own, with public metrics like Defensive Runs Saved, Ultimate Zone Rating and Statcast’s Outs Above Average all pegging him as a hair better than par. Judge’s 6’7″, 280-plus pound build isn’t a traditional fit for center field, but he’s a good athlete and consistently posts plus defensive marks in right field. Teams are pursuing Judge primarily for what he can do in the batter’s box, but he’s a defensive asset as well and demonstrated this year he’s capable of manning center field if needed, at least early in the deal. Judge will receive and reject a qualifying offer, although it’s unlikely to have an impact on his market.
Clear #2
- Brandon Nimmo (30)
Nimmo took more than five years to reach the majors after going in the first round of the 2011 draft. While it took him some time to get to the big leagues, he almost immediately hit the ground running and has been a productive player throughout his Mets tenure. Nimmo has posted well above-average offensive rate stats in every year since 2017, with an on-base percentage of .367 or better in each season of his career. While he’s never topped 17 homers, he’s settled in as an excellent top-of-the-lineup table setter. Since the start of 2020, only five qualified hitters (Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, Judge and Paul Goldschmidt) have been better than Nimmo at reaching base.
The main knock on Nimmo have never been about his productivity on a rate basis, but rather his lack of volume. He’s dealt with a number of injuries throughout his professional career, and he entered the 2022 campaign with just one 400+ plate appearance season on his resume. He stayed healthy through all of 2022, though, tallying a personal-high 151 games played and 673 trips to the plate. Teams may still have some lingering trepidation about investing in a player who spent time on the injured list in every full season of his career before this one, but he hits the market having proven himself capable of performing at a high level over 162 games.
Like Judge, Nimmo has spent extended stretches of his career in the corner outfield. He’s played almost exclusively up the middle the past two years, however, and he’s proven himself an adept defender. Public metrics unanimously had him as an above-average center fielder in 2021. Those estimators were more divided in 2022, with DRS pegging him a few runs below average while Statcast had him as six runs above par. At the very least, he looks like an adequate defensive center fielder, and some teams might see him as a plus. Nimmo is somewhat quietly one of the better outfielders in the sport, and he could be rewarded for his excellent platform season with a nine-figure deal. He’ll receive and reject a QO.
Players Coming Off Down Years
- Adam Duvall (34)
Duvall hit 38 home runs a season ago, but he managed just 13 round-trippers in 315 trips to the plate this year. Duvall strikes out a fair amount and rarely draws walks, leading to an on-base percentage of .301 or lower in each of the past three years. He’s a low-OBP slugger who plays plus corner outfield defense at his best. The Braves relied upon him for a career-high 382 innings of center field work this year. Public metrics felt he held his own up the middle, but he’ll be 34 next season and his disappointing offensive year was cut short in July when he underwent surgery on his left wrist.
- Jackie Bradley Jr. (33)
Bradley is a former Gold Glove winner and was one of the game’s top defensive outfielders at his peak. His offensive production has waxed and waned throughout his career, but he was an above-average hitter as recently as 2020. Bradley has unfortunately been among the game’s least effective hitters in each of the last two seasons, though. He followed up a .163/.236/.261 showing last year in Milwaukee with an only slightly improved .203/.255/.311 mark over 370 trips to the plate for the Red Sox and Blue Jays in 2022. Even with his defensive ability, he could be in minor league deal territory this winter.
- Odúbel Herrera (31)
Herrera posted a serviceable .260/.310/.416 line with the Phillies in 2021, leading the Phils to bring him back as part of a spotty center field mix entering this season. The switch-hitter missed some time early due to an oblique strain and hit only .238/.279/.378 across 197 plate appearances. Philadelphia released him in early August, and he didn’t catch on elsewhere for the stretch run.
- Lorenzo Cain (37)
Cain hit .179/.231/.234 in 43 games with the Brewers this year. Milwaukee released him in mid-June, shortly after he crossed the ten-year MLB service time threshold. Cain didn’t sign elsewhere and has spoken about how much he’s enjoyed spending additional time with his family. He hasn’t officially called it a career, and the respected veteran would presumably have some minor league opportunities if he wanted to give it another go, but it seems likely his playing days are behind him.
Depth Players
- Brett Phillips (28)
Phillips is a plus defender at all three outfield spots. He owns one of the game’s top throwing arms and is an excellent baserunner. Yet he’s simply not been productive enough as a hitter to merit more than fifth outfield playing time, and he’s coming off a dismal .144/.217/.249 showing in 225 plate appearances split between the Rays and Orioles. Phillips went unclaimed on waivers in August and could be limited to minor league offers with Spring Training invitations.
- Jonathan Davis (31)
Davis is a speed and defense oriented player who’s suited up with three teams over the past five years. He draws a fair number of walks but doesn’t provide much else offensively. A career .185/.291/.245 hitter over 171 games, he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Brewers last month.
- Jason Heyward (33)
Heyward is still under contract for 2023, but the Cubs have already announced he’ll be released at the start of the offseason. Heyward simply never hit at anywhere near the level Chicago had anticipated when signing him to an eight-year, $184MM free agent deal heading into 2016. He’s a respected clubhouse presence and still a capable defender around the outfield grass, but he hits the market coming off a .204/.278/.277 showing in 48 games. It seems likely he’ll be limited to minor league offers, but the Cubs would be on the hook for all but the league minimum if Heyward cracks the majors with another team next year.
- Albert Almora Jr. (29)
Another glove-first depth type, Almora was a regular for a few years with the Cubs early in his career. He tallied 235 plate appearances with the Reds this past season, his heaviest workload since 2019. Almora hit .223/.282/.349 and was released in September.
- Magneuris Sierra (26)
Once a top prospect in the St. Louis and Miami systems, Sierra has long been of interest for his elite speed and defensive ability. He has zero power, however, yet to connect on a single homer in 278 MLB games. The resulting .228/.273/.272 career slash line has left him in journeyman territory. Sierra took 96 plate appearances with the Angels this year before being outrighted off the roster earlier this month.
- Michael Hermosillo (28)
Hermosillo has played in the majors in each of the past five seasons, but he’s never gotten more than 31 games in any individual year. He hit .115/.250/.148 over 73 plate appearances with the Cubs this year, losing a large chunk of the season to a quad strain. Chicago outrighted him last month.
- Steven Duggar (29)
Duggar was the primary center fielder for the Giants in 2021, posting respectable numbers despite a strikeout rate pushing 30%. He didn’t get much of a big league look this year, however, as he quickly landed on the injured list and was eventually traded to the Rangers. Duggar also suited up with the Angels briefly and posted a combined .153/.225/.222 line in 80 plate appearances between the three clubs. He was designated for assignment by the Halos in September and elected free agency after clearing waivers.
- Lewis Brinson (28)
Brinson was a top prospect and twice at the center of a major trade before exhausting his rookie eligibility. Given a few extended runs by the Marlins, he never overcame dismal strikeout and walk numbers to fully tap into his athleticism and power potential. Brinson was limited to minor league offers last winter. He had a great showing in Triple-A — as he has throughout much of his career — and earned a 16-game look with the Giants late in the year. Brinson hit three homers but struck out in 14 of his 39 MLB plate appearances before being outrighted off the roster.
- Jake Marisnick (32)
Marisnick has appeared in parts of nine straight major league seasons. The past three have been in fourth/fifth outfield duty, with his glove getting him on rosters despite significant strikeout issues. Marisnick played in 31 games with the Pirates this year, hitting .234/.272/.390. He was released in August and finished out the year on a minor league contract with the Braves, struggling over 17 Triple-A games.
- Greg Allen (30)
Allen’s speed has been his primary asset throughout his big league tenure. He’s an excellent baserunner but has drawn mixed reviews for his center field defense and hasn’t hit much in the majors. A big 15-game showing with the Yankees in 2021 earned him 134 plate appearances with the Pirates this year, but he stumbled to a .186/.260/.271 line before being waived in September.
- Billy Hamilton (32)
The speedy Hamilton had brief looks with the Marlins and Twins this year, often in a designated pinch-running capacity. A former everyday player and 50-steal threat during his early days in Cincinnati, Hamilton has bounced around the league in recent years.
Players With Contractual Options
- Kevin Kiermaier (33), $13MM club option, $2MM buyout
The Rays are certain to buy Kiermaier out rather than pay the extra $11MM it’d take to bring him back. That’s only natural after his disappointing 2022 showing, in which he hit .228/.281/.369 over 221 plate appearances before undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Even as he’s gotten into his 30’s, Kiermaier has remained one of the sport’s preeminent defensive center fielders. Yet he’s also spent a fair amount of time on the injured list throughout his career, at least in part due to the highly aggressive play style that makes him such an electrifying defender. Kiermaier may well be the third-best center fielder on the market this year, but there’s obvious risk in signing a player whose game is so reliant on athleticism coming off hip surgery.
- AJ Pollock (35), $13MM player option, $5MM buyout
Pollock had a tough first season in Chicago after heading over from the Dodgers in a pre-Opening Day trade. The veteran outfielder hit .245/.292/.389 with 14 homers over 527 plate appearances. By eclipsing 500 trips to the dish, he escalated the value of his option from its base $10MM to $13MM. Pollock had a nice September, but his slow start and age make it hard to see him topping the $8MM he’d have to forego to test the market. He’s likely to exercise his option and return to the South Siders.
Previous installments: Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstops, Corner outfielders
Pollock – W. Sox say no. He runs like his shoes are nailed to the grass.
It’s a player option. The White Sox didn’t have a role in that decision. They could cut him after he exercises it, I guess, but they’re going to be on the hook for the money in that case either way. I expect he’ll be back.
But that’s the fun of it. Rather than admit Kimbrel was a mistake and letting him walk, Hahn picked up his option. And since Kimbrel wasn’t a good setup guy, they had to sign Graveman for $8M.
Then, having no spot for Kimbrel, they traded him for a worse contract in Pollock. Now Pollock has a $13M/$5M buyout. So even though they are on the hook for only $5M, will Hahn admit the series of mistakes and eat the $5M, or pay the extra $8M for a mediocre RF?
Or trade him for a worse contract?
Trade him – love to see Hayward in right field. Just as a flier
Ha, ha, Heyward. Ridiculous.
How is it possible to write, with a straight face, “Jackie Bradley, Jr., Players coming off down years.” For JBJ, his only really decent year was 2016. His entire career is “down years.”
It’s a PLAYER option! They can’t buy him out. They’re basically stuck with Pollock’s contract for another year, so they might as well keep the guy, since he’s still a decent bench player at worst.
Bless the heart of the GM signing Duvall to play CF. I’ll thank him for Michael Harris II.
Outside of the top 2 – this, to put it nicely, is an underwhelming collection of men who try to play major league baseball.
2022 was the first healthy season of Nimmo’s career. Going into his age 30 season, who ever signs him can expect more injuries over his new contract, not less. Judge is going into his age 31 season. It is literally all downhill from here. While 2022 was spectacular, he will never again duplicate this season. By the mid-point of the 10 year deal he wants, he will be a below league average hitter. No one else on the list that is even worth considering. TRADE for your new CF, not sign.
What a bummer.
I wish I could predict the future as well you can.
History is our best predictor of what the future will be. Position players have shown they start to decline in their age 31 season. Position players have had more injuries after age 30 than before. Its a predictable decline.
“2022 was the first healthy season of Nimmo’s career.”
He was healthy in 2018 and in the shortened 2020 season, but your general point stands. I would not go over 4 years for Nimmo.
In 2018 he had a 22 game stretch on the DL. I didn’t think that was a healthy season. I guess 2020 season qualifies as healthy. Should have said 1st full season where he stayed healthy. 4/80 with a option year??
He did not have a 22 game stretch on the DL. He was not yet a regular player for the first month and a half of the season. His DL stint was in August and cost him ~10 games:
baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=nimmobr0…
2022 was his third fully healthy season. But I do agree. Four years, with maybe a 5th club option, would be as high as I would go. I think he’ll get more than that, though.
In 2018 Nimmo was on the roster on March 29th. He got a full year of service time,
rct didn’t say Nimmo wasn’t on the roster. He/she said he wasn’t a regular player for the first month and a half, meaning he was getting irregular playing time while mostly riding the bench until mid-May
AJ Pollock’s centerfield days are long past — marginal left fielder at this point in his career with a platoon bat
Judge is overrated and will never have another lucky season like he did this year. Glad the Yanks are moving on. They’ll be better without his charade
So I take your not a yankee fan are you?
Hey, you said you were going into troll-retirement!
@slider, “luck” might not be the best description, maybe “all the stars aligning” or something like that fits better. A combination of health, skill and opportunity create seasons like Judge had in 2022, and the likelihood of another is not probable. A decline over the next 10 years (use Pujols or Miggy or any other superstar that played through their 30’s ) is very likely. Judge also has a big muscular body that has been prone to injury. A foolish team gives him 10 years and $400 plus million.
I don’t think he’ll hit 62 again, but 50-55 is definitely possible. If I’m a GM, I pursue him with an 8-year offer.
50-55 HR may be possible if half his games are in Yankee Stadium. How will he fare in SF or LA, or Detroit? Take away the short fence and he’s a different player.
Sorry to let facts get in the way of your story, but the average distance on Judge’s home runs was 412 feet. Only 20 went less than 400 feet. A short fence didn’t really add to his total.
The AL East as a whole is more HR friendly. Let’s not act like the Pesky Pole is deeper than the ridiculously short porch in NY. Toronto and Baltimore are more HR friendly than the AL West ballparks too now that Texas has a more fair field.
Judge cracks most of his long enough to be HR’s anywhere, but there are definitely a few here and there that would be outs out West.
More facts to get in the way of an entertaining story. Anaheim and Texas were #4 and #5 for home runs in ball park factor, Houston #10, Seattle #14 and Oakland at #29. In the AL East, Boston and Toronto were #7 and #8, Yankee was #15, Tampa #17 and Baltimore #25.
AL West: 4, 5, 1o, 14, 29
AL East: 7, 8, 15, 17, 25
Hmm, four AL West ballparks were easier to hit home runs in than Yankee Stadium.
Judge has hit his stride offensively. Many more years, health permitting, to come like this one. One caveat. Many more if he stays a Yank or signs with a team that honors, like the Yanks do, having him hit leadoff … which seems like a logical negotiation piece/demand by his agent.
Looks like this is where he is comfortable in the line up. I’m sure there are many teams that want him and have the money to pay him, but as 3 or 4 slot hitter. Thinking several teams/PoBOs will shy away because of this anomaly.
@stymeedone you should look up Judge’s spray chart. I had thought the same initially. However, not a single homerun of his was due to the short corners surprisingly.
@halo
I don’t know if you seen a game in Baltimore in 2022 but that left field wall is tremendous now and not easy at all to hit over.
Sure if you’re the GM of the Rockies or Cubs. He could hit over 100 in those parks but to your point, no way I’m going 8 yrs.
You can pursue with that all you want. I doubt it will get a deal. Feel sorry for the foolish team that pays him though
I’d rather not have Jed do that. I’d rather he sign Nimmo. Then when PCA or any of the other young CF are ready, slide Nimmo to LF after Happ goes away.
Lol. So you’re not an MLB scout, is what you’re saying? Luck. Sure. Not a fan, but I am smart enough to respect a man and his talent. I’d take Judge in a heartbeat, knowing the first few years you may get more than your money’s worth, even if value goes down.
Judge’s risk will always be injury… 3 of his 6 years he’s missed a third or more of the season, and his big body type may present issues on that front as he ages. When he’s healthy, he’s upper tier. Is he more the 39hr guy from 2021 or the 62hr guy from. 2022? Prob somewhere in between, but again, health would be the main concern on a long term deal
I wouldnt mind the Rangers making a run at Duvall as a 4th OF/DH type for some veteran leadership. Nimmo would fit well in Texas to and it would allow them to include Taveras in a trade with others to acquire a 4th or 5th starter.
Texas should consider signing Nimmo as it would better the team. The worst part of their whole offense this past season was that they didn’t have guys that could get on base consistently. Their team OBP barely went up last year. Having guys like Zavala and Carter are nice to have in the system since they are similar players to Nimmo but he is the sure thing. You also now have a leadoff which Semien is not.
Its a sorry state of the position when two of the top three aren’t even really Center Fielders.
Nimmo, Kiermaier, and JBJ are the only “true” CF’s on this list that will get guaranteed deals (outside shot someone gives Herrera a 1 year deal, very outside shot), the rest are spring training roster fillers (four or five of them probably sign with the Reds)
Even JBJ is questionable to receive a Major League deal.
Does anyone else see Nimmo and think Jason Heyward circa 2015- a guy who doesn’t do anything great but does a lot of things well. Gets on base, hits for some power, some speed and also good baserunner, very good corner OF defender who also can play CF.
I just wonder if there is something about that type of skill set that doesn’t age well.
jakec77;
Much better than Jason Heyward.
A gamer that fights every AB, in the field, and running the bases. Similar to the way Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia were with the Red Sox.
The man runs pitch counts up leading off so his teammates can gauge what the opposing pitcher has working and not working that day. Gets a lot of walks. A terrific base runner. Did not think he could play CF. He busted his rear end working with Mets coaches and is an above average CF.
In short, Nimmo is a winning baseball player. IF he leaves the Mets I hope he gets to a team that plays smart, hustling baseball.
“Winning player”…I don’t necessarily disagree, but you write that in a way insinuating Heyward is not a winning player.
One has a world series ring, one does not; from everything I understand, he played a key leadership role in 2016.
Jake
In my opinion, Heyward’s biggest problem was coaches who couldn’t stop drooling over his size and “power potential”. Everyone wanted to make him a 40 HR threat. That just wasn’t his game and it ruined his swing and approach. The results are what you saw the last few years in Chicago.
I could see the Braves giving Heyward a minor league deal. He’d be playing at AAA Gwinnett (he’s from the Atlanta area).
He just finished a 184 million dollar contract. AAA may be a slight downgrade. I think his career is over and he rides off into the sunset.
Depends on how much he loves to play.
If Heyward took a AAA deal, it would likely be with Atlanta so he could play close to home. He’d likely only sign if guaranteed an invitation to big league camp and given an opt out date or two.
But, yeah, after that much money most guys will want to stay home.
At 35 Nimmo will not be able to play CF as he did in 2022. In addition, he has been injury prone and he lacks the power to move to a corner OF position or DH. No way any team should consider a 5+ year deal. 2-3 years max.
Agree though I think 4/80 is fair but someone will go more years and dollars bc CF is so scarce w talent
Heyward and Pollock belong in the corner OF post, not here.
They belong in their backyards gardening
If Im Cubs I snag Kiermaier on a 1yr deal with a 2nd year option til PCA or B.Davis is ready
LOL
junior25;
At least 10 teams want to “snag Kiermaier on a 1yr deal with a 2nd year option”.
So why is that funny, if multiple teams want the same thing?
I don’t know what is funny about that or what Samuel is even trying to say. That’s a completely reasonable statement.
Kiermaier isn’t going to get a LT deal.
A wonder he’s blocked 100 ppl
Be careful about criticizing Samuel’s asinine comments. He’ll call you an “ankle biter” then threaten to add you to his list of “over 100 Muted.”
Good lord… those would be 10 teams w scouting departments that should be fired
I think the Marlins are going to try very hard in getting Nimmo to sign with them. Their pitching is in place. They need offense and a CF’er.
They also need money
I think they’ll pony up for a player that helps them offensively and defensively.
…and, like the Rays, a city to play in outside of Florida.
Nimmo would be consistent with the Marlin’s approach last year. Which was to sign guys coming off a career year, and starting to age out of their prime years. My under/over for Garcia/Soler/Nimmo is about 5 bWAR combined.
giants shoulda kept brinson
He’s the definition of AAAA player.
Makes the Dodgers decision on Bellinger more interesting as there’s really only Judge or Nimmo to replace him.
As far as internal options, Pages is the closest to MLB ready that I see and he’s a good year or two off.
If the Dodgers do drop Belli, I could see the Yankees going after his left handed bat and elite defense. In that ballpark and division he’d park 30 HR per year with horrible BA and OBP but really good defense.
I’m personally a believer in Trayce in CF for the dodgers next year with Pages as depth and maybe resign Pillar to a minors deal
Rough class. Hope the Braves resign Duvall. Need him in left desperately. Certainly he can provide the same value we ultimately got out there.
Duvall is far too inconsistent. His game is all swing and miss with the occasional homer. They’d be better off just letting Grissom learn on the fly.
Grissom’s probably going to be “learning on the fly” at AAA Gwinnett.
Not if he comes into spring training and hits like he did when he was called up. He really can’t be any worse in the field than Ozuna or Rosario.
If he’s as bad in left field as he was at 2B, he’ll be unplayable there too. If he hits like he did after his first two weeks up, he’ll be in Gwinnett all year. His last 150 plus ab’s were dismal. I really do hope you’re right about him DTD. As a Braves fan, I’d rather be wrong on my harsh assessment of him.
He wasn’t bad at second base. He’s no Ozzie but very serviceable
Don’t go mixing up the middle infield. Ozzie Smith was a pure shortstop who never played a single inning at 2B or any other defensive position throughout his entire 19-year career.
Lanidrac, you may want to dial it back and pay better attention and read this thread again.
You were comparing a second baseman’s defense to Ozzie Smith, someone who never played the position, were you not?
If not, which Ozzie did you mean, then? Ozzie Guillen was also a shortstop, and I can’t think of any other Ozzies that are worth mentioning by first name alone.
DTD and I are two Braves fans having a discussion about Vaughn Grissom—a mil SS who had to play 2B after his callup when Ozzie Albies, the Braves 2Bman was injured. Should be obvious to you that he’s referencing Ozzie Albies.
That’s not obvious at all! There was no specific indication you were discussing someone else from your own team there.. You could’ve just as easily been referencing someone from a different team or a past legend like I mistakenly assumed.
You needed to actually type his last name of “Albies” or his full name of “Ozzie Albies,” or people are obviously going to think of Ozzie Smith instead if you only use the first name of Ozzie when discussing great defenders. Albies has by no means reached the point of fame of being able to refer to him solely by his first name, especially when there is already a Hall of Famer with that first name who is indeed famous enough for it, especially where defense is concerned.
We were talking about 2Bmen in a conversation centered on another Brave (SS Vaughn Grissom)who was moved to 2B this summer when Albies was injured. Couldn’t be more obvious that he meant Ozzie Albies. Who else do you think two BRAVES fans would be talking about in that context? Definitely not Smith or Guillen. Context……………..
Everything about this specific thread is centered around Braves players. It’s not my fault you have poor reading comprehension.
Steven Duggar is an interesting player. Will be 29 next year and he had a good 2021. Also bats left.
At the very least he’s a good defensive outfielder and can work the strong side of a platoon. Nice fit for the Marlins, Rockies, Royals, Pirates and/or the A’s. He won’t cost much but can give you slightly better than replacement level output if he’s healthy. Good dude.
Man am I glad the Phils snagged Marsh……great D light-ish O, but they know what they have going forward for the next couple years…. The D will stay and Long has already helped w/ the O…..
I think it gets forgotten how good Heyward was up until around 2017. In fact, I don’t even think it’s debatable that when he was six years into his career he had been far more productive than Nimmo has been in his first six.
Even after that, he was a solid to useful player who was just wildly overpaid.
“Wildly overpaid.” Lol, yeah. Heyward’s 7 year $184 million deal is “one of the worst MLB contracts ever……” That was said by Tim Dierkes in the recent Cubs chat. I didn’t see any comments from him that Heyward was “a solid to useful player” though. There was talk about how bad he was and that his famous WS motivational speech in 2016 was no reason to think that he was worth any of the salary he was paid.
Austin Hays is a solid cheap outfielder who can absolutely play CF.
He should be in demand if the O’s dangle him this off-season.
Nimmo is a Blue Jay
Left handed bat- check
CF shifting Springer to corner- check
Two biggest needs imo. Even more than shoring up depth on the starting or relieving side.
Brian Reynolds or Austin Hays would be a better choice than any of these if Reynolds or Hays was made available via trade. Judge would probably play right field on most teams.
This list is worse than the corner outfielders. Better hope your club has a prospect they’ll let play center if you need one.
Brandon Nimmo, Andrew Benintendi and Kevin Kiermaier and the only players I would have interest in. Even then, I’m wary of their medical history.
Man, what has happened to the bats in center field?! The good majority of these guys won’t even get a Major League contract!