Let’s find teams for top remaining free agents
The Winter Meetings proved to be the kick within the pants this market wanted to get transferring. But even after a very wild week throughout MLB, not each outstanding free agent has discovered a match.
So let’s step in and play matchmaker. Here are six affect gamers nonetheless there for the taking, the place they’d be an particularly fascinating match and the place, in the end, I count on them to signal.
He’s the highest free-agent shortstop left standing, and there’s a great argument to be made that he was the highest free-agent shortstop to start with. Last 12 months, Correa ran out of groups prepared to do a top-dollar, long-term deal within the sport of shortstop musical chairs. He figures to fare higher this time round, with the Giants (spurned by Aaron Judge), Cubs and Twins concerned. Perhaps the post-Xander Bogaerts Red Sox or a thriller crew (Yankees? Orioles?) will likely be within the remaining combine, as effectively.
Most fascinating match: The Red Sox can’t presumably just like the blowback they’re receiving in Boston now that one other homegrown famous person has departed. The solely solution to remedy that’s to win, and the quickest path to victory is with good gamers. Correa is a good one. The Red Sox have been clearly reluctant to pay Bogaerts his market worth, however Correa is 2 years youthful and much more productive. And in contrast to some others who’ve come to remorse going to the Red Sox, Correa wouldn’t shrink back from the scrutiny of the Boston highlight.
Most doubtless vacation spot: Though the positional match could be imperfect relying on how dedicated the Giants are to taking part in Brandon Crawford at shortstop for yet one more season, it simply appears pure that Correa could be a stellar Plan B after San Francisco missed out on Judge.
With Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom and Kodai Senga off the board, Rodón is the final remaining ace available in the market. He’s additionally youthful than these different guys, having simply turned 30. If we’ve discovered something about the price of high quality beginning pitching on this specific market, the worth could possibly be extraordinary. But suits abound, as a result of there are many legit contenders who may nonetheless stand to improve the highest finish of their rotations with a man who posted a 2.67 ERA and 157 ERA+ over the previous two seasons.
Most fascinating match: Rodón may change the way in which we have a look at the Orioles in a single day, from enjoyable and fringy contender to a extra legit risk. With a projected 2023 payroll round $74 million for 2023 and no commitments on the books past that, Baltimore can actually tackle the built-in danger that comes with monster pitching pacts.
Most doubtless vacation spot: Re-signing Aaron Judge was nice, in fact, however, so far as really enhancing upon the 2022 product, the Yankees would certain profit from one other high-end starter to enhance their odds of advancing in October, and the lefty Rodón would match them completely.
A Georgia boy is traded to his hometown crew and proves himself a lineup linchpin for a World Series-championship winner. That was storybook stuff for Swanson and the Braves, however the story has taken a swift – and a few would say unusual – flip, with no “legit negotiations since the offseason began,” in accordance with MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. With all of the above eventualities involving Correa making use of right here (and maybe further groups, provided that Swanson isn’t more likely to land a deal as wealthy as those given Bogaerts and Turner), it certain appears there’s a respectable likelihood of Swanson strolling.
Most fascinating match: Though the Dodgers have been quiet this winter of their bid to reset their luxury-tax-threshold penalty, we will’t shake the storyline of a Braves hero leaving Atlanta for L.A. two years in a row. How bizarre would it not be for each Swanson and Freddie Freeman to be in street grey when the Dodgers go to the Braves in May?
Most doubtless vacation spot: Swanson simply bought married to Mallory Pugh, a star for the Chicago Red Stars of the Women’s Professional Soccer League, and the Cubs are available in the market for a star shortstop. Let’s kick this one into the online (that’s what they do in soccer, proper?).
Benintendi has not reached the extent of stardom he appeared headed for as a high prospect after which because the Rookie of the Year runner-up to Judge again in 2017. But he’s a stable participant who delivers good protection, good contact and walks. He didn’t hit for a lot energy in 2022, and he is coming off the damaged hamate that abruptly ended his time with the Yankees shortly after a midseason commerce. But at solely 28 years outdated with a bankable skillset, Benintendi may help plenty of groups.
Most fascinating match: If the White Sox are severe about shaking off final season’s disappointment and returning to the highest of the AL Central, a left-handed left fielder makes all of the sense on the planet for his or her lineup.
Most doubtless vacation spot: After investing closely in pitching (and within the center infield final 12 months), the Rangers nonetheless have main query marks of their outfield exterior of Adolis García. It stands to motive that they might add Benintendi to what would now qualify as a reputable contender.
Though well being is perpetually a priority with Eovaldi, who has had two Tommy John surgical procedures, one other process to take away unfastened our bodies from his elbow and handled shoulder irritation in 2022, he stays an efficient rotation weapon when in a position to take the mound. In the final three seasons, he has a 120 ERA+ (20% higher than league common) with 350 strikeouts and 62 walks in 340 innings. He averaged 95.8 mph together with his four-seamer final 12 months. A complicating think about his market is that he turned down the qualifying provide and is subsequently tied to Draft choose compensation.
Most fascinating match: The Cardinals have the choice of going with what they’ve bought within the rotation (Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Jordan Montgomery, Steven Matz and Dakota Hudson). But it says right here that they might nonetheless use one other dose of velocity and playoff pedigree, and Eovaldi can present it with out St. Louis completely breaking the financial institution.
Most doubtless vacation spot: Though there have been studies that the Red Sox aren’t being as aggressive in concentrating on Eovaldi as another golf equipment, the Draft choose compensation problem, his worth and familiarity with the franchise and the fundamental incontrovertible fact that Boston can’t afford to take any steps again within the rotation make a reunion appear fairly believable.
Remember this man? After a down 2021 and a season-long absence in 2022 due to shoulder surgical procedure, he’s nonetheless looming as a very fascinating free-agent choice. A crew that rolls the cube simply may come out with the model of Conforto that posted an .864 OPS, 97 homers and 86 doubles from 2017-20. He’ll be 30 years outdated subsequent season. And in contrast to a 12 months in the past, he’s not tied to Draft choose compensation.
Most fascinating match: Though the Mariners have already added Teoscar Hernández to their Julio Rodríguez-led outfield, there are nonetheless appreciable query marks hooked up to corner-outfield choices Jarred Kelenic, Taylor Trammell and Sam Haggerty. Not that Conforto isn’t a query mark in his personal proper, however he does have an All-Star previous, and – bonus – he’s a Seattle native!
Most doubtless vacation spot: Bringing in Benintendi or returning Michael Brantley, who can be coming off shoulder surgical procedure may additionally work. But the Astros have the assets and lineup depth to take the gamble on Conforto, who may assist them in any respect three outfield spots and DH.
