Free agency is officially underway in Major League Baseball as we begin what figures to be an off-season full of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been early signs that league-wide spending will decrease this winter, as evidenced by the likes of Brad Hand, Charlie Morton and Kolten Wong having their team options declined, and only six players received qualifying offers from their respective clubs.
It’s difficult to predict how things will shake out, but there are a number of high-profile free agents available for teams looking to bolster their lineups for 2021 and beyond. Here’s a look at the top 10 position players currently on the market.
Blue Jays Newsletter
1. J.T. Realmuto
Position: Catcher
Age: 29
2020 stats: GP: 47 | Slash line: .266/.349/.491 | HR: 11 | RBI: 32 | SB: 4 | WAR (courtesy of Fangraphs): 1.7
Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Having a catcher who can truly make a difference on both offence and defence is a luxury only a handful of MLB teams possess. Realmuto is the best of the bunch, and he’ll be paid handsomely for his services. When he’s not behind the plate, his bat can still factor into an everyday lineup at first base or designated hitter. The two-time Silver Slugger was extended a qualifying offer, but he’ll surely turn down the one-year, $18.9-million contract in favour of a multi-year deal.
2. George Springer
Position: Outfield
Age: 31
2020 stats: GP: 51 | Slash line: .265/.359/.540 | HR: 14 | RBI: 32 | SB: 1 | WAR: 1.9
Former Team: Houston Astros
Springer has been a steadying presence atop the Astros’ lineup since his debut in 2014 and will bolster any team’s batting order and outfield. He could be the missing piece for a contending team looking to get over the hump, as he’s one of the most clutch playoff performers in the sport. Like Realmuto, he also has draft-pick compensation tied to him after receiving a qualifying offer from Houston.
3. DJ LeMahieu
Position: Infield
Age: 32
2020 stats: GP: 50 | Slash line: .364/.421/.590 | HR: 10 | RBI: 27 | SB: 3 | WAR: 2.5
Former Team: New York Yankees
It’s rare to see a player’s stats improve after leaving Colorado, but that’s exactly what happened to LeMahieu in the Bronx. His all-fields offensive approach served him well in Yankee Stadium, as he was able to take advantage of the short porch in right field. He’s a versatile player who can field a number of different positions, and won the 2020 batting title. The Yankees gave him a qualifying offer, but they seem to be hoping for a long-term arrangement.
4. Marcell Ozuna
Position: Outfield
Age: 29
2020 stats: GP: 60 | Slash line: .338/.431/.636 | HR: 18 | RBI: 56 | SB: 0 | WAR: 2.5
Former Team: Atlanta Braves
Ozuna bet on himself with a one-year contract for the 2020 season and his gamble paid off in a big way. The two-time all-star is poised to cash in on a lucrative deal after leading the National League in home runs and RBIs. He isn’t the greatest defender but he can play either corner outfield position if there isn’t room for a regular designated hitter on the acquiring team’s roster.
5. Marcus Semien
Position: Shortstop
Age: 30
2020 stats: GP: 53 | Slash line: .223/.305/.374 | HR: 7 | RBI: 23 | SB: 4 | WAR: 1.2
Former Team: Oakland Athletics
Semien came crashing down to earth this season after finishing third in American League MVP voting in 2019. His power numbers fell off a cliff in 2020 but he could see an uptick playing in a more hitter-friendly stadium. After a recent influx of young stars, shortstop isn’t the wasteland of talent it used to be, but a team with a need at the position could do much worse than Semien to stabilize its infield defence.
6. Nelson Cruz
Position: Designated hitter
Age: 40
2020 stats: GP: 53 | Slash line: .303/.397/.595 | HR: 16 | RBI: 33 | SB: 0 | WAR: 2.0
Former Team: Minnesota Twins
The ageless wonder refuses to slow down. Cruz posted the best OPS+ of his career (169) in 2020 and helped anchor a Twins lineup that ranks second in total home runs over the past two seasons. Cruz is a relatively low-risk signing for any club looking to add to the heart of its order since he’d most likely only command a one-year deal due to his age. His market will be limited because he’s strictly a DH at this stage of his career.
7. Michael Brantley
Position: Outfield
Age: 33
2020 stats: GP: 46 | Slash line: .300/.364/.476 | HR: 5 | RBI: 22 | SB: 2 | WAR: 1.3
Former Team: Houston Astros
When healthy, Brantley has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball over the past six years. He’ll hit for a high average and still carries good extra-base pop. The 33-year-old shouldn’t break the bank as he enters his mid-30s and consistently posts very low strikeout rates. Any team that’s right-handed heavy could benefit from adding the lefty-swinging Brantley to help balance the lineup.
8. Didi Gregorius
Position: Shortstop
Age: 30
2020 stats: GP: 60 | Slash line: .284/.339/.488 | HR: 10 | RBI: 40 | SB: 3 | WAR: 1.4
Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
After undergoing Tommy John surgery that led to an abbreviated and underwhelming 2019 season, Gregorius took a one-year deal with the Phillies to re-establish his value. That decision paid dividends as he appeared in all 60 games for Philadelphia and saw his power numbers return to normal. Like Semien, he’s a solid target for any club missing an impactful shortstop.
9. Justin Turner
Position: Third base
Age: 35
2020 stats: GP: 42 | Slash line: .307/.400/.460 | HR: 4 | RBI: 23 | SB: 1 | WAR: 1.3
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Turner and the Dodgers finally captured their elusive World Series title, but it was overshadowed by the 35-year-old testing positive for COVID-19 during the clinching game, then returning to the field to celebrate. That controversy aside, Turner enjoyed another productive season and was a huge contributor during the World Series. He owns pretty much every Dodgers playoff record imaginable and is probably best suited for a return to Los Angeles. The market for a 35-year-old with a potential suspension looming probably won’t be too generous, especially in this time of economic uncertainty.
10. James McCann
Position: Catcher
Age: 30
2020 stats: GP: 31 | Slash line: .289/.360/.536 | HR: 7 | RBI: 15 | SB: 1 | WAR: 1.5
Former Team: Chicago White Sox
McCann proved his all-star campaign in 2019 was no fluke, posting an .896 OPS this season. He didn’t see as much action with the arrival of Yasmani Grandal in Chicago, but he made the most of his opportunities. The late-bloomer would be a great consolation prize to any catcher-needy team that loses out on the Realmuto sweepstakes. He comes in at No. 10 on this list ahead of some of the honourable mentions below thanks in large part to the premium position he plays.
Honourable mentions: Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrelton Simmons, Kolten Wong, Carlos Santana, Joc Pederson
