The first part in our look ahead to the MLB free agent class available this coming winter — season or no season — outlined the top 25 names on the market.
Now, we’ll dig a touch deeper over the next four pieces, expanding things to the top 10 outfielders, starting pitchers (May 7), relievers (May 12), and infielders (May 14).
Similar to the top 25 overall free agents, I’ve used tiers to group the top 10 at each position, then added some other notable players, pertinent contract options that could add even more names when all is said and done, and a Blue Jays target to chew on for several months.
Note: Ages are for 2021 season.
1. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (28)
2. George Springer, Houston Astros (31)
Springer also gets a tier all to himself. The reason Springer is so coveted is obvious when you see the stats at the borderline elite 133 wRC+, but fact he’s still a pretty darn good outfielder — plus-7 Defensive Runs Saved in centre last year, plus-5 in right field — sets him apart in this class.
3. Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves (30)
4. Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers (29)
5. Michael Brantley, Houston Astros (34)
A complete steal in his first season of a two-year, $32-million deal, Brantley slashed .311/.372/.503 with a career-high 22 bombs in his first season with the Astros, lengthening an already potent lineup even further. Fully healthy the past two seasons, Brantley might have a lot more left in the tank into his mid-thirties.
6. Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox (31)
7. Kevin Pillar, Boston Red Sox (32)
8. Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins, (40)
9. Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers (38)
10. Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets (35)
OTHER NOTABLES: Enrique Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers (29); Josh Reddick, Houston Astros, (34); Steven Souza Jr., Chicago Cubs (32); Jake Marisnick, New York Mets (30); Marwin Gonzalez, Minnesota Twins (32).
CONTRACT OPTIONS
- Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers (36): $15M mutual option, $4M buyout
- Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners (33): $14M club option, $1M buyout
- Starling Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks (32): $12.5M club option, $1M buyout
- Adam Eaton, Washington Nationals, (32): $10.5M club option, $1.5M buyout
- Brett Gardner, New York Yankees (37): $10M club option, $2.5M buyout
OPT OUTS
- Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees (31): Can opt out of final seven years, $218M
- Nick Castellanos, Chicago Cubs (29): Can opt out of final three years, $48M
BLUE JAYS TARGET
That team included George Springer as the centre fielder, another free agency coup for Jays GM Ross Atkins.
While the economic landscape will change across baseball and Springer may get less than he would have, it’s impossible to predict how Rogers will react to the loss in baseball revenue.
The Hyun-Jin Ryu signing proved the front office had convinced ownership that the team was worth investing in and a window of contention was about to open up, but another payroll jump from the approximately $98 million they were to run in 2020 is now up in the air.
That said, Springer will have to sign somewhere, and the need for the Jays in centre field is as big as ever.
If Springer is out of range, Joc Pederson could be a discount version of Springer, one who struggles versus left-handers and isn’t as good in centre field, while Jackie Bradley Jr. would significantly upgrade the defence but has slashed just .234/.318/.409 with a 90 wRC+ since his breakout 2016 season.