Baseball's top free agents

*Photo from the Houston Chronicle*

   Now that the MLB offseason is 5 days old, despite a work stoppage looming with the expiring CBA, free agency is still opening as scheduled, and it will be open, at least until December. With free agency now officially beginning, let's look at the top free agents across the league at each position, DH included.

*Photo from Covering the Corner*

C: Roberto Perez, Cleveland Guardians

The free agent market for catchers is never really all that big or appealing, but Perez is certainly worth taking a look at for teams that need catching help. He's reliable defensively, as he's thrown out 39 percent of potential base stealers in his career, and only has 23 errors in 8 seasons. He can also occasionally give some offense, as he hit 7 home runs and drove in 17 runs last year. He's in his mid 30's, so a two or 3 year deal would best suit Perez.

*Photo from the New York Post*

1B: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

With the world series win, Freeman has cemented his legacy in Atlanta no matter what happens this offseason. Despite that, it's just hard to picture Freeman going anywhere else in free agency. His strong numbers will be appealing to everyone, but I still imagine the Braves keeping him for the rest of his career.

*Photo from Forbes*

2B: Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays

Semien took a one year deal with the Blue Jays to recoup his value, and boy did he ever. He blasted 45 home runs and drove in 102 runs while playing all 162 games, while posting an .873 OPS. He only committed 9 errors in the field, so he provides stability on defense as well. He's 31, so he's earned himself a long term deal this winter.

*Photo from Call to the Pen*

3B: Kris Bryant, San Francisco Giants

With Nolan Arenado staying with the Cardinals, Bryant immediately tops the 3rd baseman market. He's earned it too. He hit 25 home runs across two teams and drove in 73 runs while playing 144 games. He offers defensive versatility, as he can be played in the outfield and first base in addition to 3rd base. Especially with his performance in the second half of the season, Bryant has earned himself some money this winter

*Photo from Bleacher Report*

SS: Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

The shortstop market is loaded, with Corey Seager and Trevor Story also being free agents, but that won't impact Correa's market at all, because that's how good he is. He hit 26 homers, was just a few RBI's short of 100 this season, and his playoff performances helped the Astros reach the world series for the 3rd time in 5 years. He's also a defensive stalwart, so he's valuable on both sides of the diamond. Make no mistake, Correa will get a truckload of money this offseason.

*Photo from BoSox injection*

LF: Kyle Schwarber, Boston Red Sox

After being non tendered by the Cubs, Schwarber blossomed in Washington, bashing 25 home runs in 72 games before he was traded to the Red Sox in July. He made an impact in Boston too, hitting home runs and extra base hits in key moments both in the regular season and the playoffs, and he learned first base, so he can add that to his resume defensively, which did improve upon going to Boston. He's earned some money and likely a long term deal this offseason.

*Photo from The Athletic*

CF: Starling Marte, Oakland Athletics

Upon being traded to the A's in mid July, Marte became one of their most valuable players, even more so in the wake of the Ramon Laureano suspension. What he brings is a dynamic bat, and he has two gold gloves and a defensive player of the year award under his belt on the fielding side of things. Expect a nice mid range deal for Marte, maybe 3 years at mid range salary

*Photo from Bleacher Report*

RF: Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati Reds

Nick Castellanos has been swatting drives into deep left field all season. 34 home runs, to be exact. He was a big generator of offense for the Reds, driving in exactly 100 runs and posting a stellar .939 OPS in 138 games of action. His defense has also improved while in Cincinnati, so he'll make major money this offseason.

*Photo from NJ.com*

DH: Nelson Cruz, Tampa Bay Rays

The ageless wonder of Nelson Cruz continued in 2021. He made yet another all star game and whacked 32 home runs split between the Twins and Rays in 140 regular season games. That's pretty much his main strength, as he is the DH for a reason. He's the guy to go after if you need a hitting jolt, but just give him a one year deal, as he is still getting older.

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*

SP(NL): Max Scherzer, Los Angeles Dodgers

We thought Scherzer was a force in Washington. When he became a member of the Dodgers, he seemed to find an even better version of himself. He was exactly the ace the Dodgers needed, striking out hitters with a fiery spirit and fastball alike. It seems he prefers to stay in the west coast, so the big question is how many years his next contract will be.

*Photo from the Toronto Star*

SP(AL): Robbie Ray, Toronto Blue Jays

Robbie Ray is a Cy Young award finalist for a reason. After betting on himself for one year in Toronto, much like Semien, Ray reaped the rewards. He had quite possibly the best season of his career, and he carried the rotation in the absence of Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ray will be making a ton of money this winter, but will it be in Canada, or somewhere else?

*Photo from the Orange County Register*

RP(AL): Raisel Iglesias, Los Angeles Angels

Raisel Iglesias was one of the few relief pitchers the Angels could really depend on this season. He posted a sharp 2.57 ERA, he saved 34 games while throwing 70 innings, he was healthy and durable all season long, it was exactly what the Angels needed. He's also earned himself some money this winter, and the Angels would be wise to give it to him.

*Photo from Dodgers Way*

RP(NL): Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

After a shaky few years, Jansen went back to the scary version of himself. He appeared in 69 games for the Dodgers in the regular season, and had a strong 2.22 ERA while saving 38 games, 4 more than the closer just south of him in Anaheim. Jansen is 34, so he won't be getting a long term deal, but he will make a lot of money season to season no matter who he signs with.