There have been a sprinkling of signings thus far this offseason, however with MLB’s annual Winter Meetings simply days away, the floodgates ought to open quickly.
Teams and brokers are hoping to achieve — or get near — the end line earlier than leaping on planes Sunday to go to Dallas. The high of the free-agent market has been energetic, with contract proposals and ideas exchanged between groups and gamers, however everybody appears to be ready for the massive stars to signal earlier than the dominoes fall to the remainder of the category. While we look forward to these gamers — Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, Max Fried, Willy Adames and Anthony Santander — to make their choices, I believed it will be enjoyable to play matchmaker and suggest a free-agent match for every of the 30 groups.
Please be aware: Although I give contract estimates, these usually are not predictions, nor am I implying that any of those gamers are near signing with these particular groups. (These are merely pairings that I believe might make sense at this level for either side, the participant and staff.)
But that doesn’t imply we are able to’t have some enjoyable debating potential strikes till the new range warms up. In the feedback, be at liberty to share your individual free-agent matches or let me know which of them of mine you want or don’t like.
Athletics — Eloy Jiménez, DH (1 12 months, $7 million)
The Athletics stunned the baseball world by shelling out $67 million to land Luis Severino — now, what is going to they do for an encore? Jiménez might be a low-risk, high-reward transfer for the A’s as they start their Sacramento period. He has handled accidents all through his profession and is simply a DH (and pinch hitter) at this level. In 2022, he hit .295 with 16 residence runs. In 2023, he hit .272 with 18 residence runs. Last season, he hit simply .238 with six homers; he performed in 98 video games and was price minus-0.7 WAR, based on Baseball Reference. The $43 million contract he signed at 22 has expired; now 28, can Jiménez keep wholesome and get hitting once more? (Only as soon as has he performed in additional than 120 video games in a season — as a rookie in 2019, when he hit 31 bombs.)
Arizona Diamondbacks — Christian Walker, 1B (3 years, $72 million)
Several groups might use Walker — particularly the Mariners, Yankees and Mets (in the event that they don’t carry again Pete Alonso). He has gained a Gold Glove and equipped 25- to 35-homer energy in every of the previous three seasons with the Diamondbacks. It could be devastating for them to lose Walker; he’s such an necessary a part of that staff. It gained’t be straightforward for the D-Backs to maintain him, nevertheless it’s a precedence in the event that they need to get again to the postseason in 2025.
Willy Adames completed Tenth within the NL MVP voting. (Matt Blewett / Imagn Images)
Atlanta Braves — Willy Adames, SS (6 years, $150 million)
The Braves are targeted on augmenting the highest of their rotation, but when they aren’t in a position to carry again Max Fried or signal one other top-of-the-rotation starter, then pivoting to the place participant who most closely fits their roster is smart — and Adames could be a really perfect match at shortstop. With Matt Olson at first, Ozzie Albies at second, Austin Riley at third and Adames at brief, Atlanta would have the perfect two-way infield within the sport. How would you want that, Braves followers? Incumbent shortstop Orlando Arcia might change to a utility function that allowed him to play everywhere in the diamond. Adames, who has averaged 29 homers per season over the previous three years, would lengthen the Braves’ lineup much more.
Baltimore Orioles — Sean Manaea, LHP (3 years, $68 million)
The Orioles are enjoying on the high of the beginning pitching market — Corbin Burnes, Fried, Roki Sasaki and others — but when that fails, Manaea could be a strong backup plan after his breakout season with the Mets. Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.084 WHIP and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. His fastball run worth ranked within the 99th percentile and his extension was within the 96th percentile. Batters hit .167 in opposition to his four-seamer, .193 in opposition to his sweeper and .201 in opposition to his sinker.
Boston Red Sox — Max Fried, LHP (6 years, $174 million)
The Red Sox have been aggressive this offseason and I’ll be shocked in the event that they don’t land one of many high free-agent pitchers on this class. Although I preserve considering Fried will return to the Braves, I might see the Red Sox being the very best bidder and touchdown him. Fried is a big-game pitcher and his 58 p.c ground-ball fee could be efficient at Fenway Park. He posted a 3.25 ERA final season in 29 begins (174 1/3 innings) and was price 3.5 WAR. He’s pitched to a 3.07 ERA over his eight-year profession.
Chicago Cubs — Carlos Estévez, RHP (3 years, $33 million)
After including Matthew Boyd to their rotation, the Cubs must bolster their bullpen and Estévez could be a superb match. He’s coming off a powerful 12 months during which he posted a 2.38 ERA over 34 appearances with 20 saves for the Angels earlier than being dealt to the Phillies on the commerce deadline. He put up a 2.57 ERA over 20 appearances with six saves for Philadelphia. Batters hit below .200 in opposition to all of his arsenal, together with his four-seamer, slider and changeup.
Chicago White Sox — Alex Verdugo, OF (2 years, $26 million)
The White Sox are going to should grind to enhance their on a regular basis lineup and on the similar time signal some short-term free brokers whom they will deal on the commerce deadline for prospects. They might need to overpay some free brokers to get them to come back to Chicago after a traditionally dangerous season. Verdugo is coming off a subpar season during which he hit simply .233 with 13 residence runs and an 83 OPS+. However, he’s solely 28 and has hit .272/.328/.414 for his profession. With Chicago, he might play every single day and restore his worth sufficient to be a commerce piece come July.
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Cincinnati Reds — Joc Pederson, DH (2 years, $26 million)
The Reds’ lineup might use extra energy. Pederson, who can play the outfield corners every so often together with DHing, would match with their roster infrastructure. He batted .275/.393/.515 (151 OPS+) final season with 23 residence runs over 367 at-bats. He was price 2.9 WAR. Pederson mainly simply performs in opposition to right-handed pitchers, however what a weapon. His intensive postseason expertise would additionally assist this comparatively younger staff that’s nonetheless studying the way to win.
Where will Shane Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner, land? (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)
Cleveland Guardians — Shane Bieber, RHP (2 years, $36 million)
The Guardians’ greatest roster deficiency is within the rotation. Re-signing their former ace would tackle the large gap atop their rotation, if he can return from Tommy John surgical procedure and pitch at his accustomed stage. Bieber, who made solely two begins for Cleveland final season, is just not anticipated to return till subsequent June on the earliest, but when the two-time All-Star finds his kind, he has an opportunity to be the perfect worth signing of this free-agent class.
Colorado Rockies — Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (1 12 months, $8 million plus incentives)
Goldschmidt’s phenomenal profession is winding down as age and decline have arrived. However, he stays a powerful, quiet chief within the clubhouse, and he could be invaluable in serving to the Rockies’ younger gamers develop. Finishing his profession enjoying half his video games at Coors Field wouldn’t harm — and it might assist him dangle on for a pair extra years. The greatest function at this level for Goldschmidt could be enjoying some first base and DHing on a part-time foundation. Last season with St. Louis, he hit .245/.302/.414 (98 OPS+) with 22 residence runs and was price 1.3 WAR.
Detroit Tigers – Walker Buehler, RHP (2 years, $42 million with participant opt-out)
The Tigers might use a veteran starter to assist solidify their rotation, and Buehler, who comes with a historical past of postseason success, could be a superb match. After two Tommy John surgical procedures, the 30-year-old stays a excessive medical danger, however one which’s price taking given his top-of-the-rotation expertise when he’s pitching at his peak. His spectacular postseason efficiency ought to get him no less than $42 million in assured cash, however he additionally deserves an opt-out clause to return in the marketplace subsequent offseason if he stays wholesome and pitches nicely. Buehler posted an inflated 5.38 ERA over 16 regular-season begins final season, however his 10-shutout-inning-stretch over the NLCS and World Series confirmed how dominant he might be when wholesome.
Houston Astros — Alex Bregman, 3B (7 years, $185.5 million)
Bregman has been one of many Astros’ faces of the franchise since they drafted him with the second total decide in 2015. He’s performed in 99 postseason video games for Houston, hitting 19 residence runs and driving in 54 runs over 20 playoff collection. This previous season, Bregman was price 4.1 WAR regardless of coping with nagging accidents. He hit 26 homers and had a 118 OPS+. He’s a flat-out winner and the most effective within the recreation by way of strike-zone consciousness. He has a profession slash line of .272/.366/.483 (132 OPS+) over 9 seasons and can flip 31 in March. We’ll see if the Astros can preserve him, however simply as a fan of the sport, I hope he’s in a position to play his complete profession with Houston.
Kansas City Royals — Clay Holmes, RHP (2 years, $18.5 million)
Acquiring Jonathan India from the Reds crammed an enormous gap on the high of the Royals’ lineup; now they should bolster the again finish of their bullpen and Holmes might be a superb match. Holmes misplaced the nearer job final season with the Yankees — he had 13 blown saves in 40 save alternatives — however he was efficient in high-leverage moments as a set-up reliever, which seems to be like his greatest function. He posted a 3.14 ERA over 67 appearances this 12 months in his age-31 season. Using Holmes to arrange Lucas Erceg or probably sharing the nearer function with him would make sense.
Kenley Jansen ranks fourth on the all-time saves leaderboard with 447. (Eric Canha / Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Angels — Kenley Jansen, RHP (1 12 months, $16 million)
The Angels have already dropped $80 million this offseason on 4 free brokers (Yusei Kikuchi, Travis d’Arnaud, Kyle Hendricks, Kevin Newman) they usually would possibly as nicely preserve going to enhance a staff that misplaced 99 video games final season. They might use one other back-end reliever, and Jansen, a veteran of 15 major-league seasons, continues to carry out at a excessive stage. He had 27 saves final season with the Red Sox, posting a 3.29 ERA over 54 2/3 innings. The Angels might neatly deploy the 37-year-old within the first half of the season after which, after they seemingly fall out of the race, deal him for prospects on the commerce deadline to assist their rebuild.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Teoscar Hernández, OF (3 years, $75 million)
In the early going this offseason, the Dodgers have made free-agent splash, touchdown Blake Snell on a five-year contract. Next up might be a reunion with Hernández, who posted a 137 OPS+ for them final season. He mashed 33 homers, drove in 99 runs, stole 12 bases and was price 4.3 WAR. Hernández, 32, might get more cash and a longer-term contract elsewhere, however with an opportunity to win extra championships as a part of this star-studded group, he is perhaps prepared to remain put and take a three-year deal on this vary.
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Miami Marlins — Caleb Ferguson, LHP (1 12 months, $6 million)
Ferguson, 28, logged a 4.64 ERA and three.74 FIP over 62 appearances cut up between the Yankees and Astros. He struck out 67 in 54 1/3 innings (11.1 strikeouts per 9). The Marlins usually are not anticipated to be gamers in free company, however Ferguson might be an exception due to his age and the commerce worth he might have on the deadline if he will get off to a superb begin. What contender isn’t searching for lefty relievers in July?
Milwaukee Brewers — Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP (2 years, $32 million)
The Brewers typically hit it on under-the-radar veteran beginning pitchers and Sugano might match the invoice this offseason for them. The 35-year-old righty went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA final season in Nippon Professional Baseball. He threw 156 2/3 innings and allowed solely 16 walks and 6 residence runs. He has 2.43 ERA over 12 NPB seasons. Tomoyuki is aware of the way to pitch, including and subtracting and dotting the corners.
Minnesota Twins — Jurickson Profar, LF (3 years, $39 million)
The Twins want to enhance on the outfield corners and signing Profar would make sense if they will work round their payroll state of affairs and release {dollars}. The versatile 31-year-old was the most effective worth signings final offseason. He hit .280 with 24 residence runs, 29 doubles and 10 stolen bases for San Diego, and completed second within the National League with a .380 on-base share. He performs with excessive power and enthusiasm, and it rubs off on his teammates. I just like the match with the Twins primarily as a result of he hit .300 with an .885 OPS in opposition to left-handed pitching; their outfield corners struggled in opposition to lefties final season.
New York Yankees — Jack Flaherty, RHP (3 years, $52 million)
The Yankees appear to be an ideal match for Flaherty, whom they got here near buying finally season’s commerce deadline however in the end nixed the potential deal over medical considerations about his decrease again. However, if they’re comfy together with his medical information and well being danger this time, a take care of the righty nonetheless is smart to bolster their rotation depth — and this fashion, the Yankees gained’t should half with prospects to get him. Flaherty, 29, went 13-7 final season with a 3.17 ERA over 28 begins. He struck out 194 in 162 innings and was price 3.1 WAR.
Juan Soto, the person of the hour. (David Dermer / Imagn Images)
New York Mets — Juan Soto, RF (15 years, $622 million)
I debated placing Soto with the Yankees right here, however since I’ve executed that in a earlier free-agent matchmaking article, I went with the Mets this time round. I nonetheless consider the Mets will find yourself providing Soto essentially the most cash and essentially the most years; what I don’t know is whether or not the Yankees will come near matching them. With Soto going by way of the method of eliminating groups from the pool that’s bid on him and sure nearing a choice, the Mets stay an actual risk. A profession .421 OBP participant, Soto has smacked 76 residence runs over the previous two years and pushed in 109 RBIs every season. He had a 178 OPS+ and was price 7.9 WAR in his standout season in New York. He shined on the most important stage and within the greatest moments, together with within the ALCS together with his Game 5, Tenth-inning homer that propelled the Yankees to the World Series. He has the most effective hit instruments the sport has ever seen and he ought to age nicely. He’ll be the very best paid participant in baseball historical past by way of web current worth when he indicators his subsequent contract. Now, your entire baseball world waits for his determination.
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Philadelphia Phillies — Tanner Scott, LHP (4 years, $60 million)
The Phillies misplaced two key relievers, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez, to free company and now want to add a high-leverage bullpen arm. Although they’d favor to land a right-handed nearer, it will be higher to only get the perfect free-agent nearer, which is Scott, who was price 4.0 WAR final season with Miami and San Diego. He logged a 1.75 ERA over 72 appearances with 84 strikeouts in 72 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Tyler O’Neill, OF (2 years, $38 million)
The Pirates want some thunder of their lineup and if O’Neill can keep wholesome, he ought to present that. He hit 31 residence runs and posted a 132 OPS+ final season with the Red Sox. He performed in 113 video games, his most since 2021, when he had a career-high 138 video games performed with the Cardinals. O’Neill has been injury-prone his complete profession, solely twice enjoying in additional than 100 video games in a season, however each occasions he hit greater than 30 homers. He’s additionally a two-time Gold Glove winner.
San Diego Padres — Roki Sasaki, RHP (International pool funds)
Yu Darvish mentored Sasaki throughout Japan’s championship run within the 2023 World Baseball Classic and is alleged to need the gifted 23-year-old as a teammate. There must be widespread competitors to signal Sasaki and it’s unclear how he’ll make his determination. But he’ll arrive needing growth, and it’s believed he needs to signal with a staff that may develop him into an ace and one of many faces of the franchise, which makes San Diego a superb match. The Padres are reducing their payroll, however since Sasaki have to be paid out of a staff’s worldwide bonus pool, they will afford him. Sasaki will probably be an enormous get for whichever fortunate staff lands him. If it’s the Padres, it might be an enormous consider serving to them stay postseason contenders over the following a number of years.
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San Francisco Giants — Corbin Burnes, RHP (7 years, $247 million)
The Giants anticipate a payroll discount in 2025, however new president of baseball operations Buster Posey additionally is aware of one of the best ways to make this staff a contender once more is thru the rotation. Burnes, who is taken into account the highest beginning pitcher on the free-agent market, would greater than make up for dropping Blake Snell to the Dodgers. Pairing Burnes with Logan Webb atop the rotation could be a game-changer for the Giants. Somehow touchdown the coveted four-time All-Star could be an announcement signing for Posey and San Francisco, which has struggled at occasions to amass star free brokers up to now.
Seattle Mariners — Pete Alonso, 1B (7 years, $189 million)
The Mariners can’t sit again and let the perfect rotation within the American League not make the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The greatest single transfer they will realistically make is signing Alonoso, placing his 40-home run bat behind Julio Rodríguez of their lineup. Beyond the bat, Alonso brings a enjoyable persona and a capability to carry out within the greatest moments — one thing the Mariners desperately want. Last season, he hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 residence runs. In the 2 prior years mixed, he had 86 residence runs with 249 RBIs. The four-time All-Star posts every single day. He will flip 30 this week. He performed in all 162 video games final season and he’s performed in no less than 150 video games in each full season of his profession, plus 57 within the 60-game 2020 season.
Blake Treinen acquired the win in Game 5 of the World Series, blanking the Yankees over 2 1/3 innings. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
St. Louis Cardinals — Blake Treinen, RHP (2 years, $18 million)
The Cardinals will think about whether or not to commerce Ryan Helsley, the perfect nearer within the NL final season, and in the event that they do, changing him with Treinen is smart. If they traded Helsley after which signed Treinen to a two-year deal — and he can keep wholesome and carry out like he did for the Dodgers final season (1.93 ERA in 50 appearances), then the Cardinals might transfer him on the commerce deadline for prospects. I do know that’s a couple of “ifs” and “thens,” however I see a pathway that would work for St. Louis.
Tampa Bay Rays — Danny Jansen, C (2 years, $20 million)
Every 12 months, after I discuss with the Rays entrance workplace and ask about their wants, catching at all times appears to be one of many positions they point out. Although this free-agent class isn’t loaded at catcher, Jansen looks like a strong match for them. He’s a superb defensive catcher who calls a wonderful recreation and would assist the Rays’ many younger pitchers. Jansen’s greatest defensive trait is his blocking as he tops the majors in blocks above common, based on Statcast.
Texas Rangers — Jeff Hoffman, RHP (3 years, $27 million
Under basic supervisor Chris Young, the Rangers have at all times seemed to enhance the rotation and the bullpen, and Hoffman could be an awesome addition as they construct the again finish of their pen. Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP over 68 appearances final season with the Phillies. It was his second consecutive 12 months with an ERA under 2.50. He had 10 saves final season and ranked within the 96th percentile in chase fee, whiff fee and strikeout share.
Toronto Blue Jays — Nathan Eovaldi, RHP (3 years, $70 million)
The Blue Jays are struggling to steer free brokers to come back to Toronto. As badly as they need place gamers, they’re additionally pursuing beginning pitchers. Enter Eovaldi, who would match properly of their already sturdy rotation. They’ll in all probability have to provide him yet one more 12 months than the remainder of the business to land him, however he’s price it, even heading into his age-35 season. Eovaldi went 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA over 29 begins final season with the Rangers. He was price 2.3 WAR.
Washington Nationals – Anthony Santander, OF (7 years, $150.5 million)
I’ve talked about this pairing earlier than, however I simply can’t shake it, so bear with me. The final time the Nationals have been a couple of years away from being contenders, they shocked the baseball world by signing free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million contract. That price ticket generated quite a lot of discuss within the business in the course of the 2010-11 offseason. Will historical past repeat itself? If it does, Santander might be this 12 months’s Werth, although he’s coming into his age-30 season, whereas Werth was heading into his age-32 marketing campaign.
Last season with the Orioles, Santander batted .235/.308/.506 (134 OPS+) with 44 homers and 102 RBIs. He’s been a stalwart in the midst of Baltimore’s lineup for a number of years and is a powerful clubhouse presence. Most front-office executives I’ve talked with consider he’ll get not more than 5 years, however for the Nationals to signal him, they’ll should go seven.
(Top picture: Meech Robinson / The Athletic. Photos: Pete Alonso: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images; Corbin Burnes: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images; Walker Buehler: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
