*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
With Spring Training officially beginning next week, and some top free agents still out there, I figured it would be a good time to show the top available free agents on the market, position by position.
*Photo from Northjersey.com*
Catcher: Robinson Chirinos
The catcher market was not very potent this winter, as it was highlighted by JT Realmuto, James McCann, and not much else. Chirinos is by no means a top tier catcher, but he is a good defensive catcher with a little bit of power who can be of use as a veteran leader, especially to the younger pitchers. A short term deal is the way to go with Chirinos
*Photo from Reviewing the Brew*
1B: Mitch Moreland
Like the catcher market, there was not a particularly strong first base market this winter, but Moreland is one of the better options available. He is very good defensively, can serve as a mentor for younger first basemen, and, despite being 35, can still hit the ball rather well too. He'll also come cheap, as he signed a $3 million deal last year with the Red Sox, before he was traded. Any team looking for another half of a first base platoon should give Moreland a look.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
2B: Jason Kipnis
With all of the top tier and most of the mid tier options at second base off the table, Kipnis becomes the best option here. He had a bit of a bounce back year with the Cubs, rediscovering some of his power and being serviceable defensively. Kipnis can serve as a cheap platoon/depth piece for a contending team, or as a veteran starter on a younger rebuilding team as well.
*Photo from CBS Sports*
3B: Justin Turner
Turner was, and still is, the best 3rd base choice on the market, and with good reason. He had a fantastic year for the world champion Dodgers, despite his controversial celebration with the team after testing positive for Covid-19. His high contract demand may be the one reason he hasn't found a home yet, because he's still producing at a high level, even though he's 36.
Shortstop: N/A
All the free agents listed as shortstops have all signed contracts, if you can believe it. Didi Gregorius was the most recent shortstop available, but has since signed with the Phillies.
*Photo from Bleacher Report*
LF: Ryan Braun
Braun is a tricky case to solve here. He is the best remaining left fielder on the market, and he has said he would continue working out and staying in game shape, but he also said he might not be playing in 2021, after the Brewers bought out his contract. Any team that has interest in Braun should proceed with caution here.
*Photo from the Boston Globe*
CF: Jackie Bradley Jr
With George Springer signing with Toronto, Bradley Jr is the best center field left, and for good reason. Bradley is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, with highlight reel catches being routine practice for him most times. He also can steal bases well, and he can hit too, although he tends to be streaky at the plate. He's earned himself a multi year contract, but for how much? That seems to be the reason he hasn't signed yet.
*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
RF: Yasiel Puig
After testing positive for Covid, which meant he couldn't sign with the Braves, Puig was stuck without a place to play in 2020. Despite this, he kept training and staying in shape, but is unfortunately still staring not playing again right in the face. Which is a shame, because he's an above average defender with good power at the plate. For the love of god, someone sign Puig.
*Photo from Diamond Digest*
DH: Edwin Encarnacion
Encarnacion is one of the only true DH's in the game, and with Nelson Cruz and Marcell Ozuna off the board, he is the best one available. He struggled in the 2020 season with the White Sox, which led to his option being declined, but he does still have some pop in his bat and can be a depth piece for either a contender or a rebuilder.
*Photo from The Athletic*
Starting pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
Odorizzi took the qualifying offer from the Twins last season to try and bet on himself, to try and earn a bigger contract. Then 2020 happened. Odorizzi was limited to just 4 starts before injuries ended his season, but they were 4 solid starts. He was arguably the second best pitcher on the market, behind Trevor Bauer, but since Bauer is gone, Odorizzi is the best man left. When he's healthy, he's got impressive stuff. He's a good add to the rotation of really anybody, but specifically a contender who might need one more piece to get over the hump.
*Photo from Bleacher Report*
Relief pitcher: Roberto Osuna
Despite Osuna's past run-ins with the law, all the other top relievers have signed, so Osuna is the best one left. Despite being limited to 4 appearances and one save in 2020 due to injury, Osuna is still a good pitcher, with all the tools and pitches needed to be a closer in the league. There are a few teams that need a closer, so it's a little surprising Osuna hasn't found a home yet, although that may be more to do with his past than anything else.
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