We’ve heard for months about the 2023 MLB free-agent class, so it’s no big surprise that the list of available position players is lacking premium star power, aside from one special standout.
But while that is true, it doesn’t mean there aren’t still players who could drastically improve a contending club’s lineup or defence.
With the World Series wrapped up, eligible players are now technically free agents. We’re entering the Hot Stove phase of the baseball calendar and to get you ready, here’s a look at Sportsnet’s ranking of the top 10 position players available.
1. Shohei Ohtani
Age: 29
Position: Designated hitter and pitcher
2023 WAR (per FanGraphs): 9
The obvious headliner of this free-agent class, Ohtani will command a monster contract, possibly the largest in MLB history. Deservedly so. He won’t pitch next season as he recovers from right elbow surgery, so let’s put his future contributions on the mound aside for a second. He still offers a bat that can singlehandedly change the complexion of a lineup. The scary thing about the 29-year-old is that he’s actually becoming a more fearsome hitter as he grows older. Ohtani posted career highs in nearly every offensive category in 2023, including batting average (.304), on-base percentage (.412), slugging (.654), OPS+(184) and total bases (325). He clubbed 44 home runs in 135 games and was on track to best his career-high of 46 before that elbow injury ended his season. Scary stuff.
2. Cody Bellinger
Age: 28
Position: Centrefielder and first baseman
2023 fWAR: 4.1
Bellinger signed a one-year deal with the Cubs to rebuild his value last season and did exactly what he set out to accomplish. He hits the market at 28 years old coming off his best season since 2019, when he took home NL MVP honours. The team that signs the left-handed hitting slugger will have to hope they’re getting the Bellinger of 2023, who produced 4.1 fWAR. For context, over his previous three seasons combined, Bellinger totalled just 2.2 fWAR. He trimmed his strikeout rate to an impressive 15.6 per cent this past season, however his hard-hit percentage of 31.4 was the worst of his career and ranked in the 10th percentile among major leaguers.
3. Matt Chapman
Age: 30
Position: Third baseman
2023 fWAR: 3.5
Chapman can be a polarizing player — just ask most Blue Jays fans who observed him over the past two seasons. His elite defence at third is game-changing; he’s a savant with the glove, no doubt. However, when a team signs up for that skill, it’ll have to live with a bat that can be maddeningly streaky. Chapman was one of baseball’s best hitters last April, posting a dazzling 1.150 OPS. He continued to consistently make hard contact, but that didn’t stop him from cratering offensively after the first month. Here’s a breakdown of his OPS the rest of the season:
May — .585
June — .633
July — .908
August — .532
September/October — .633
4. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Age: 30
Position: Left-fielder
2023 fWAR: 2.1
Gurriel Jr. responded to an off-season trade from the Blue Jays by producing arguably his best season in the majors. The outfielder earned his first all-star selection and recorded career highs in home runs (24), doubles (35), hits (144) and games played (145). He also boosted his profile during the post-season as a key offensive contributor for the NL-champion Diamondbacks.
5. Teoscar Hernandez
Age: 31
Position: Right-fielder
2023 fWAR: 1.8
The other outfielder traded by the Blue Jays last off-season, Hernandez put together a power laden campaign of his own. He cranked 26 home runs and has now reached the 25-homer threshold in four of the past five seasons — the one exception being the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. He stills hits the ball as hard as ever, with a barrel rate ranking in the 88th percentile, but he did strike out a whopping 211 times. Long lamented for his subpar outfield defence, Hernandez actually improved in 2023 by posting 0 Outs Above Average. That’s nothing special, but it’s at least worth noting as an improvement over his -4 OAA in 2022, and it’s the first time in his career he’s posted an OAA outside of the negatives.
6. Jorge Soler
Age: 31
Position: Right-fielder and designated hitter
2023 fWAR: 1.9
If a team is looking to inject instant power into its lineup, Soler could be the target. His 36 homers last season tied for eighth in the NL, and he paired that with an excellent walk rate of 11.4 per cent, just above his career norm. Soler played right field sparingly last season and mostly occupied the designated hitter role. He crushed left-handers to the tune of a .277/.393/.688 line.
7. J.D. Martinez
Age: 36
Position: Designated hitter
2023 fWAR: 2.2
At this point in his career, Martinez is strictly a designated hitter. A signing team will need to keep that in mind as Martinez could be a clog to the positional flexibility of a lineup. Having said that, the 36-year-old is certainly not over the hill. His 33 homers and .893 OPS last season were his best marks since 2019.
8. Josh Bell
Age: 31
Position: First baseman
2023 fWAR: 0.4
Bell has played for four teams over the past two seasons and will presumably look to plant some roots with his free agency. You pretty much know what to expect from the first baseman: Over his eight-season career, Bell has produced a 162-game average of 25 homers, a .347 OBP and a 117 OPS+. Not mind-blowing numbers, but Bell’s productivity could certainly improve an offence.
9. Jeimer Candelario
Age: 29
Position: First and third baseman
2023 fWAR: 3.3
Candelario posted a strong first half with the Nationals in 2023 and became a sought-after corner infielder at the trade deadline, when the Cubs to acquired him. The switch-hitter produced 3.3 fWAR last season, coupled with a career-best 22 homers. Peer back into his time with the Detroit Tigers and you’ll find that Candelario has been a productive player for a while, despite flying well under the radar much of his career.
10. Rhys Hoskins
Age: 30
Position: First baseman
2023 fWAR: N/A (Did not play)
Hoskins, a clubhouse leader for the Phillies since he broke into the majors in 2017, missed the entire 2023 campaign after tearing the ACL in his left knee during spring training. The right-handed hitting first baseman owns a 126 wRC+ over his six seasons and has clubbed at least 27 homers in four of the past five campaigns.
Honourable mentions: Kevin Kiermaier, Whit Merrifield, Justin Turner, Michael A. Taylor and Mitch Garver.
