*Photo from Dodgers Way*
The MLB offseason is now almost a week old, so you know what that means. On Thursday afternoon, free agency opened, allowing players to sign anywhere for the rest of the offseason, with no looming work stoppage this time around. Let's take a look at the best available free agents at each position.
C: Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
One of the last ties to the 2016 championship team, Contreras is now a free agent for the first time in his career. He's coming off a 22 homer, .815 OPS season that saw him make the NL All Star team and is lined up for a payday this offseason. He might not get a long term deal due to the fact that he's 30, but he's in line for some money.
1B: Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees
In his first full season in the Bronx, Rizzo tied his single season homer record with 32, posting a .338 on base percentage in 130 games in 2022. He opted out of his deal with the Yankees, but he'll probably end up back in New York on a higher salary, because that's what he's earned.
2B: Jean Segura, Philadelphia Phillies
The second base market is a little weak this year, but Segura is the headliner here. He's coming off a World Series run after posting a .723 OPS and .336 on base percentage, adding 10 homers in 98 games for the Phillies. He's 33 so he won't get a long term deal, but Segura will probably get a one or two year deal, whether that's with the Phillies or elsewhere remains to be seen.
SS: Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
The shortstop class this offseason is loaded, but Turner tops the list with a stellar season in 2022. He played in 160 games and made the all star game, hitting .298 with a .809 OPS, adding 21 homers while stealing 27 bases. Add that to two homers in 4 playoff games and the fact that he's 29, and Turner will be getting a massive payday this winter.
3B: Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
After the Dodgers declined his option for 2023, Turner becomes the top 3rd baseman available on the market. He's not the same player he once was, dropping in most offensive categories, but Turner still played 128 games and is a good add on a short term deal, mostly due in part to the fact that he'll be 38 next season.
LF: Andrew Benintendi, New York Yankees
Benintendi put together an all star season for the Royals with a .320 average before a midseason trade to the New York Yankees. He was iffy in the Bronx, but still has lots of value both defensively and as a really strong contact hitter, ending the season with an average over .300. He's in line for a decent payday this winter.
CF: Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
Nimmo played a career high in games in 2022 and put together one of his best seasons, hitting 16 homers but putting together a .367 on base percentage and .800 OPS while also slugging at a .433 clip. Add that to his tremendous defense in center field and you've got a player in line for a big payday on the open market.
RF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
The 30 year old Judge put together his 3rd all star season and one of the best seasons in baseball history in 2022, setting the AL single season home run record with 62 longballs, falling just short of a triple crown as well with a .311 average and 131 RBI's. With a 1.111 OPS, Judge will be getting several bank vaults of money, whether that's the Yankees or elsewhere remains to be seen.
DH: JD Martinez, Boston Red Sox
Martinez regressed in the offensive department, hitting .274 with 16 homers and a .790 OPS while fighting back issues in 2022. However, he did play 139 games and made another all star team with an above average season nonetheless. He'll get a short term deal due to his age, but he's still a quality bat to any team's lineup.
SP(AL): Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
After a wrecked 2020 season and a 2021 in which he didn't pitch, Verlander looked 10 years younger in 2022, now a finalist for the Cy Young with a 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 175 innings over 28 starts. His playoff numbers were shaky, but Verlander is still worthy of a lot of money, albeit for the short term since he's almost 40.
SP(NL): Carlos Rodon, San Francisco Giants
Fully healthy again, Rodon put together his second straight all star season, making 31 starts in a Giants uniform, posting a 2.88 ERA, 2.25 FIP, and 1.03 WHIP, throwing 178 innings over that time. It's been proven that a fully healthy Rodon has the capabilities of an ace, so he should get paid like it this offseason.
RP(AL): Rafael Montero, Houston Astros
In his first full season in Houston, Montero put together excellent numbers in the back of the bullpen. He ended the year with a 2.37 ERA, 2.64 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP, converting on 14 saves in 71 relief appearances. The resurgence of Montero makes him an appealing option for teams looking for bullpen help.
RP(NL): Kenley Jansen, Atlanta Braves
Despite having late season struggles, Jansen still proved to be a quite reliable reliever for the Braves, posting a 3.38 ERA to go with a 3.21 FIP and 1.05 FIP, converting 41 saves over the course of 65 appearances, totaling 64 innings. Despite getting older, Jansen is still a quite reliable option for a team in search of a closer.
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