MLB execs pick the top free agent (aside from Judge)

It’s been an annual custom right here at MLB.com to ballot executives across the league as to who’s the winter’s prime out there free agent.

After asking the primary common supervisor that query, it grew to become obvious we had been going to should take a distinct method.

“It’s Aaron Judge,” the GM mentioned with a chuckle. “I’d be surprised if anybody gave you any other name. This might not be the most interesting story you’ve ever written.”

For this Hot Stove season, we tweaked the ballot to keep away from a lopsided — and sleep-inducing — end result. The query posed to executives across the Majors grew to become:

Other than Aaron Judge, who’s the very best free agent out there this offseason?

A complete of 20 front-office execs responded, and whereas no participant obtained greater than half of the votes, Trea Turner received a plurality resolution.

Those executives who voted for Turner cited his athleticism and all-around recreation, with three giving him the slightest edge over Correa.

“I’m a sucker for Trea Turner,” a National League GM mentioned. “He’s an athlete, all skills, no black holes in his game. A steady, reliable demeanor. Big markets should be all over him.”

“He’s just so dynamic on both sides of the ball,” a second NL GM mentioned. “It’s hard to find a better two-way player. He’s an elite, championship-level player that would fit anywhere. I don’t care how good you are; he’s going to make you better.”

Although Turner is about 15 months older than Correa, his elite pace gives a talent that doesn’t exist with Correa or any of the opposite free-agent choices this yr, for that matter. With new guidelines adjustments in 2023 — larger bases and limits on pickoff throws — that ought to encourage gamers to run extra, Turner’s pace could possibly be extra beneficial than ever within the coming years.

“If I were picking a team, I would go with Turner,” an American League GM mentioned. “The speed element along with everything else, he’s a different type of player.”

One AL govt known as Turner “a safe choice” whereas acknowledging a razor-thin margin between he and Correa.

Even one of many six execs who voted for Correa did so with a touch of trepidation.

“I’d go with Correa for his combination of age and ability on both sides of the ball,” an AL GM mentioned. “But I can see the argument for Turner, too.”

Another AL GM who tabbed Correa as his alternative appeared a number of years forward as he got here to that call.

“I think Correa can slide to third base so easily when he ages — and be an 80 defender [on the 20-80 scale] there,” the GM mentioned. “Then he can let his body gain weight for power.”

If Turner was the “safe” alternative, then deGrom was on the opposite aspect of that coin. One AL GM was tempted to tab the two-time NL Cy Young winner as his alternative, however deGrom’s latest well being points gave him pause.

“Assuming good health, deGrom emerges as the second-most impactful free agent behind Judge,” the GM mentioned. “Taking health into consideration, I believe that the coveted second-most valuable free agent comes down to a debate between Turner and Correa.”

One of the 4 executives who selected deGrom mentioned the dearth of dominant beginning pitching in the marketplace was sufficient purpose for him to offer the right-hander his vote.

“Healthy deGrom is tough to beat,” the NL GM mentioned. “There’s just no one on the planet with that kind of arsenal as a starter. Getting 25 healthy starts from him is just about as good as anyone else’s 33.”

Fresh off his third Cy Young Award season, Verlander obtained one vote within the ballot, as one exec mentioned the veteran right-hander would be the most impactful free agent in 2023 — presumably together with Judge.

“If he goes out there and pitches the way he did [in 2022], that’s a game-changer,” the NL exec mentioned. “There just aren’t many true No. 1 aces out there.”

Nobody would argue with the impression that deGrom and Verlander will possible have in the event that they’re in a position to keep wholesome, however that was the most important “if” for some executives who went with Turner or Correa over the pair of aces.

“It’s hard for me to pick the older guys who will get shorter deals than the young infielders,” an AL GM mentioned.