TSN's Top 50 MLB Free Agents of 2023

For the sixth year in a row, TSN MLB insider Steve Phillips and TSN Blue Jays reporter Scott Mitchell have combined efforts to evaluate and rank the top 50 names available in free agency.

In addition to the consensus top 50 list, Phillips and Mitchell provide their own individual rankings, contract predictions, potential landing spots, key stats, and a Blue Jays-centric take on the top 20 players in the free agent class.
 

1. SIGNED (Dodgers) SP/DH Shohei Ohtani, age-29

Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angels

Contract: Los Angeles Dodgers - 10 Years, $700 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 1
Mitchell: 1

2023 Stats: .304 BA, 44 HR, 95 RBI, 1.066 OPS, 6.6 batter/2.4 pitcher fWAR, 

2. SIGNED (Dodgers) SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, age-25

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Japan

Contract: Los Angeles Dodgers - 12 years, $325 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 2
Mitchell: 2

2023 Stats (Japan): 1.16 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 171.0 IP, 176 SO

3. SIGNED (Cubs) OF Cody Bellinger, age-28

Cody Bellinger Chicago Cubs

Contract: Chicago Cubs - Three years, $80 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 3
Mitchell: 5

2023 Stats: .307 BA, 26 HR, 97 RBI, .881 OPS, 4.1 fWAR

4. Signed (Giants) Blake Snell, SD, age-31

Blake Snell

Contract: San Francisco Giants - Two years, $62 million (with opt out)

Individual ranking
Phillips: 4
Mitchell: 4

2023 Stats: 2.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 180.0 IP, 234 SO, 4.1 fWAR

5. SIGNED (Phillies) SP Aaron Nola, age-31

Aaron Nola Philadelphia Phillies

Contract: Philadelphia Phillies - seven years, $172 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 6
Mitchell: 3

2023 Stats: 4.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 193.2 IP, 202 SO, 3.9 fWAR

6. SIGNED (GIANTS) 3B Matt Chapman, TOR, age-31

Matt Chapman Toronto Blue Jays

Contract: Three-year, $54 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 7
Mitchell: 6

2023 Stats: .240 BA, 17 HR, 54 RBI, .755 OPS, 3.5 fWAR

7. SIGNED (DIAMONDBACKS) LHP Jordan Montgomery, TEX, age-31

Jordan Montgomery Texas Rangers

Contract: One year, $25 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 5
Mitchell: 9

2023 Stats: 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 188.2 IP, 166 SO, 4.3 fWAR

8. SIGNED (Astros), RP Josh Hader, age-30

Josh Hader San Diego Padres

Contract: Houston Astros - Five years, $95 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 8
Mitchell: 7

2023 Stats: 1.28 ERA, 33 SV, 56.1 IP, 85 SO, 1.7 fWAR

9. SIGNED (Cardinals) RHP Sonny Gray, age-34

Sonny Gray Minnesota Twins

Contract: St. Louis Cardinals - Three Years, $75 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 9
Mitchell: 8

2023 Stats: 2.79 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 184.0 IP, 183 SO, 5.3 fWAR
 

10. SIGNED (Diamondbacks) LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, age-31

Eduardo Rodriguez Detroit Tigers

Contract: Arizona Diamondbacks - Four Years, $80 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 10
Mitchell: 10

11. SIGNED (Yankees) RHP Marcus Stroman, age-33

Contract: New York Yankees - Two years, $37 million with a vesting option for a third year

Individual ranking
Phillips: 11
Mitchell: 12

12. SIGNED (Giants) OF Jung Hoo Lee, age-25

Contract: San Francisco Giants - Six Years, $113 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 12
Mitchell: 15

13. SIGNED (Red Sox) RHP Lucas Giolito, age-29

Contract: Boston Red Sox - Two Years, $38.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 17
Mitchell: 11

2023 Stats: 4.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 184.1 IP, 204 SO, 1.0 fWAR

14. SIGNED (Cubs) LHP Shota Imanaga, age-30

Contract: Chicago Cubs - Four years, $53 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 16
Mitchell: 13

2023 Stats (Japan): 2.66 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 159.0 IP, 188 SO

15. SIGNED (Giants) OF Jorge Soler, age-32

Contract: Three years, $42 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 14
Mitchell: 19

2023 Stats: .250 BA, 36 HR, 75 RBI, .853 OPS, 1.9 fWAR

PHILLIPS’ FITS: Soler is a candidate for comeback player of the year in the National League. In his first season with the Marlins in 2022 the former World Series MVP had back spasms, which limited his playing time and production. But he rebounded in a powerful way in 2023, slugging 36 home runs and 24 doubles. He opted out of a $13 million option hoping for more dollars and years. He will get it. He provides right-handed power and a solid on-base percentage (.341). The Marlins could try and bring him back, but their general manager Kim Ng walked away after the season, and they have not hired anyone yet. The Guardians need power desperately, as do the Diamondbacks. I could see Milwaukee, Detroit and San Francisco in on him as well.

PHILLIPS’ CONTRACT PREDICTION: I believe he signs with Cleveland for three years and $45 million.

MITCHELL’S TAKE: The way my rankings are built every year starts with tiers of players that sometimes end up in the same range on the list. After Bellinger, who’s a tier of his own when it comes to outfielders, Lee represents another tier of his own, and then Soler, Teoscar Hernandez, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are the third tier, a group I’d describe as everyday bats and not platoon types like Kevin Kiermaier, Michael Conforto and Joc Pederson, who all probably shouldn’t play against left-handed pitching. They’re also all young enough that you could imagine a breakout. Soler is the worst defender of the group and is really a DH, but he also has the most prodigious power, launching 35 homers last year alongside premium exit velos. He crushes lefties, and his strikeout rate dropped under 25 per cent last season. As they look to improve the offence this winter, any of this one-dimensional big bats would fit the Jays’ needs, but Soler has massive upside if things click for a couple of years.

MITCHELL’S KEY STAT: Soler was one of 48 players to hit a ball harder than 114 mph last season and had an average exit velocity of 91.3 mph, just behind Vladdy Jr.’s 92.1.

16. SIGNED (Diamondbacks) OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., age-30

Contract: Arizona Diamondbacks - Three years, $42 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 13
Mitchell: 21

2023 Stats: .261 BA, 24 HR, 82 RBI, .772 OPS, 2.1 fWAR

17. SIGNED (Dodgers) OF Teoscar Hernandez, age-31

Contract: Los Angeles Dodgers - One year, $23.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 15
Mitchell: 20

2023 Stats: .258 BA, 26 HR, 93 RBI, .741 OPS, 1.8 fWAR​

18. SIGNED (Brewers) 1B Rhys Hoskins, age-31

Contract: Milwaukee Brewers - Two years, $34 million (opt out after first year)

Individual ranking
Phillips: 18
Mitchell: 17

2022 Stats: .246 BA, 30 HR, 79 RBI, .794 OPS, 2.3 fWAR
*Missed 2023 due to torn ACL

19. SIGNED (Reds) Jeimer Candelario 3B, age-30

Contract: Cincinnati Reds - Three years, $45 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 19
Mitchell: 18

20. SIGNED (Marlins) SS Tim Anderson, age-31

Contract: Miami Marlins - One year, $5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 23
Mitchell: 21

2023 Stats: .245 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBI, .582 OPS, -0.5 fWAR

PHILLIPS’ FITS: Anderson did not have a very good platform year for his free agency. He has struggled defensively over the past couple of years and his offence declined significantly in 2023. Injuries have plagued him over the past couple of seasons. All of that being said, he still has some good baseball in front of him. I see him more as a second baseman than a shortstop moving forward, and I think it will make him a better defender and allow for his offence to blossom again. Detroit, Seattle and San Francisco will all have interest in Anderson.

PHILLIPS’ CONTRACT PREDICTION: The Seattle Mariners sign him for two years and $18 million.

MITCHELL’S TAKE: The only reason I’m listing Anderson as a shortstop is because he’s the only player on the list even capable of playing the position. That’s how weak this class is. But there’s a really good chance that Anderson pulls a Marcus Semien and decides a mid-career reinvention is the best thing for him, so he at least gives teams an upside middle infield option after the White Sox declined his $14 million option. As recently as a year ago that would’ve seemed silly, but Anderson simply cratered in 2023, slashing .245/.286/.296 over 524 plate appearances with a 60 wRC+, the lowest of any qualified hitter in baseball. To say it was a bad season would be an understatement. With holes at second base and third base, Anderson is a nice buy-low fit for the Blue Jays on a one-year deal. He has historically crushed left-handed pitching, and even if he doesn’t fully rebound with the bat like Semien did, he will at least provide plus defence and an athletic double play partner for Bo Bichette.

MITCHELL’S KEY STAT: From 2019 through 2022, Anderson batted .318, never finishing below .301 in any of those four seasons.

21. SIGNED (Giants) RP Jordan Hicks, age-27

Contract: San Francisco Giants- Four years, $44 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 29
Mitchell: 15

2023 Stats: 3.29 ERA, 12 SV, 65.2 IP, 81 SO, 1.1 fWAR

22. SIGNED (Dodgers) SP Clayton Kershaw, age-36

Contract: Los Angeles Dodgers, terms TBD

Individual ranking
Phillips: 22
Mitchell: 26

2023 Stats: 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 131.2 IP, 137 SO, 2.3 fWAR

23. SIGNED (Mets) SP Luis Severino, age-30

Contract: New York Mets - One-year, $13 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 27
Mitchell: 22

2023 Stats: 6.65 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 89.1 IP, 79 SO, -0.6 fWAR

24. SIGNED (Tigers) SP Jack Flaherty, age-28

Contract: Detroit Tigers - One year, $14 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 30
Mitchell: 24

2023 Stats: 4.99 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 144.1 IP, 148 SO, 1.8 fWAR

25. SIGNED (Blue Jays) 3B Justin Turner, age-39

Contract: Toronto Blue Jays - One year, $13 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 20
Mitchell: 35

2023 Stats: .276 BA, 23 HR, 96 RBI, .800 OPS, 1.2 fWAR

26. SIGNED (Rangers) RHP Tyler Mahle, age-29

Contract: Texas Rangers - Two years, $22 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 33
Mitchell: 23

2023 Stats: 3.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 25.2 IP, 28 SO 0.4 fWAR

27. SIGNED (Reds) RHP Frankie Montas, NYY, age-31

Contract: Cincinnati Reds - One year, $16 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 31
Mitchell: 25

2022 Stats: 4.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 144.1 IP, 142 SO, 2.0 fWAR
*Made only one appearance in 2023 due to injury

28. SIGNED (Mets) OF J.D. Martinez, LAD, age-36

Contract: New York Mets - One year, $12 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 21
Mitchell: 37

2023 Stats: .271 BA, 33 HR, 103 RBI, .893 OPS, 2.2 fWAR

29. SIGNED (Tigers): RHP Kenta Maeda, age-36

Contract: Detroit Tigers - Two-years, $24 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 28
Mitchell: 32

2023 Stats: 4.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 104.1 WHIP, 117 SO, 1.5 fWAR

30. SIGNED (Mariners): C Mitch Garver, age-33

Contract: Seattle Mariners - Two years, $24 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 25
Mitchell: 36

2023 Stats: .270 BA, 19 HR, 50 RBI, .870 OPS, 2.1 fWAR

31. SIGNED (Padres) LHP Yuki Matsui, age-28

Contract: San Diego Padres - Five years, $28 million

Individual ranking
Philips: 34
Mitchell: 27

2023 Stats (Japan): 1.57 ERA, 39 SV, 57.1 IP, 72 SO

32. SIGNED (Pirates) LHP Aroldis Chapman, TEX, age-36

Contract: Pittsburgh Pirates - One year, $10.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 35
Mitchell: 28

2023 Stats: 3.09 ERA, 6 SV, 58.1 IP, 103 SO, 1.8 fWAR

33. SIGNED (Cardinals): RHP Lance Lynn, age-37

Contract: St. Louis Cardinals - One year, $10 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 32
Mitchell: 31

2023 Stats: 5.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 183.2 IP, 1.39 WHIP, 0.5 fWAR

34. SIGNED (Phillies) 2B Whit Merrifield, age-35

Contract: Philadelphia Phillies - One year, $8 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 24
Mitchell: 41

2023 Stats: .272 BA, 11 HR, 67 RBI, .700 OPS, 1.5 fWAR

35. SIGNED (Orioles): RHP Craig Kimbrel, age-36

Contract: Baltimore Orioles - One year, $13 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 36
Mitchell: 29

2023 Stats: 3.26 ERA, 23 SV, 69.0 IP, 94 SO, 1.1 fWAR

36. SIGNED (Dodgers) LHP James Paxton, age-35

Contract: Los Angeles Dodgers - One year, $11 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 41
Mitchell: 33

2023 Stats: 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 96.0 IP, 101 SO, 1.0 fWAR

37. SIGNED (Blue Jays) OF Kevin Kiermaier, age-34

Contract: Toronto Blue Jays - One year, $10.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 37
Mitchell: 38

2023 Stats: .265 BA, 8 HR, 36 RBI, .741 OPS, 2.2 fWAR

38. SIGNED (Royals): RHP Seth Lugo, SD, age-34

Contract: Kansas City Royals - three years, $45 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 42
Mitchell: 34

2023 Stats: 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 146.1 IP, 140 SO, 2.8 fWAR

39. SIGNED (Mets) OF Harrison Bader, CIN, age-30

Contract: New York Mets - one year, $10.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 38
Mitchell: 39

2023 Stats: .232 BA, 7 HR, 40 RBI, .622 OPS, 1.0 fWAR

40. SIGNED (Diamondbacks) OF Joc Pederson, age-32

Contract: Arizona Diamondbacks - One year, $9.5 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 47
Mitchell: 40

2023 Stats: .235 BA, 15 HR, 51 RBI, .764 OPS, 0.6 fWAR

41. 1B Brandon Belt, TOR, age-36

Individual ranking
Phillips: 39
Mitchell: 48

2023 Stats: .254 BA, 19 HR, 43 RBI, .858 OPS, 2.3 fWAR

42. SIGNED (Royals) RHP Michael Wacha, age-32

Contract: Kansas City Royals - Two years, $32 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 43
Mitchell: 44

2023 Stats: 3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 134.1 IP, 124 SO, 2.6 fWAR

43. OF Tommy Pham, ARI, age-35

Individual ranking
Phillips: 46
Mitchell: 43

2023 Stats: .256, 16 HR, 68 RBI, .774 OPS, 1.8 fWAR

44. SIGNED (White Sox) RHP Mike Clevinger, age-33

Signed: Chicago White Sox - Three years, $3 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 44
Mitchell: 45

2023 Stats: 3.77 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 131.1 IP, 110 SO, 2.2 fWAR

45. SIGNED (Twins) 1B Carlos Santana, age-38

Contract: One-year, $5.25 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 40
Mitchell: 49

2023 Stats: .240 BA, 23 HR, 86 RBI, .747 OPS, 1.7 fWAR

46. (RETIRED) OF Michael Brantley, age-37

Brantley retired on Jan. 4. 

Individual ranking
Phillips: 48
Mitchell: 42

2023 Stats: .278 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .724 OPS, 0.2 fWAR

47. SIGNED (KBO) LHP Hyun Jin Ryu, age-37

Contract: Hanwha Eagles, Korea Baseball Organization

Individual ranking
Phillips: 45
Mitchell: 47

2023 Stats: 3.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 52.0 IP, 38 SO, 0.4 fWAR

48. SIGNED (Mets) LHP Sean Manaea, age-32

Contract: New York Mets - Two years, $28 million

Individual ranking
Phillips: 49
Mitchell: 46

2023 Stats: 4.44 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 117.2 IP, 128 SO, 1.1 fWAR

49. SIGNED (Angels) RHP Robert Stephenson, age-31

Contract: Los Angeles Angeles - Three years, $33 million

Individual ranking
PHILLIPS: 49
MITCHELL: 49

2023 Stats: 3.10 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 52.1 IP, 77 SO, 0.9 fWAR

50. SIGNED (Blue Jays) 1B Joey Votto, age-40

Contract: One-year, $2 million, minor league contract with invite to spring training

Individual ranking
Phillips: 50
Mitchell: 50

2023 Stats: .202 BA, 14 HR, 38 RBI, .747 OPS, 0.0 fWAR