Predicting Where The Top 15 Free Agents Land
1) Trevor Bauer - SP
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Trevor Bauer for years had been one of the most controversial players in Major League Baseball and was traded to the Reds. Bauer broke out and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020. Bauer finished second with an 1.73 ERA, and ninth in IP with 73.0 Innings Pitched. Trevor Bauer is the top Starting Pitcher on the market this year, and the next best options on the market after Bauer are the Rays' Charlie Morton and Yankees' James Paxton.
Prediction: Mets (4 Years)
Other Top Fits: Angels, Padres, Yankees
Signed with LAD (3 Years)
2) J.T. Realmuto - C
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J.T. Realmuto has shown that he is the top catcher in baseball. Relamuto was traded from the Marlins to the Phillies during the 2018-19 offseason. Realmuto will turn 30 years old in March next season and will be a good option, but also a huge risk. However, Realmuto is the top catcher on the market, much ahead of the White Sox' James McCann and the Cardinals' Yadier Molina.
Prediction: Phillies (5 Years)
Other Top Fits: Mets, Nationals, Yankees
Signed with PHI (5 Years)
3) George Springer - CF
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George Springer has been one of the best Center Fielders in baseball the last few years. Springer finished second among all Center Fielders with 14 Home Runs and fourth with 32 RBIs. However, Springer is a huge risk due to the Astros cheating scandal and Springer's age, he just turned 31 in September. Nevertheless, Springer will be higly touted by many teams this offseason, especially east coast teams near Springer's home in Connecticut. After Springer, the best options at Center Field are the Red Sox' Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rockies' Kevin Pillar.
Prediction: Mets (4 Years)
Other Top Fits: Blue Jays, Phillies, Astros
Signed with TOR (6 Years)
4) DJ LeMahieu - 2B
Corey Sipkin / AP
DJ LeMahieu in a surprising move signed DJ LeMahieu to a two year deal. LeMahieu did not disappoint and went on to have two MVP-type seasons in 2019 and 2020, and was the Yankees' best player over those two years. In 2020, LeMahieu finished first in Batting Average and fourth in On Base Percentage and OPS, among all hitters. LeMahieu is entering free agency this offseason as the top hitter on the market. After LeMahieu, the Cardinals' Kolten Wong and the Athletics' Tommy La Stella are top options at Second Base.
Prediction: Yankees (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Blue Jays, Cubs, Mets
Signed with NYY (6 Years)
5) Marcell Ozuna - DH
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Marcell Ozuna had an MVP-type season in 2017 and was then traded to the Cardinals during the beginning of the Marlins' rebuild. Ozuna had two mediocre disappointing season with the Cardinals. Then, the Braves signed Ozuna to a one year deal, and had a fantastic season in the 60 game season. In 2020, Ozuna finished fourth in Average, third in On Base Percentage, OPS, and Home Runs, and finally second with 56 RBIs among all hitters in baseball in 2020. Ozuna is entering free agency as a top bat on the market that would be valuable for many teams.
Prediction: Nationals (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Braves, White Sox, Giants
Signed with ATL (5 Years)
6) Marcus Semien - SS
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Marcus Semien had a fantastic season in the 2019 season and finished third in the MVP voting, after mediocre seasons from the 2015 to 2018. In 2020, Semien returned to his pre-2019 mediocre season, and had a very poor season. However, Semien will now enter free agency as the top shortstop on the market and is a strong bounce back candidate for many teams. After Semien, the Phillies' Didi Gregorius (below) and the Angels' Andrelton Simmons are top options at shortstop.
Prediction: Reds (1 Year)
Other Top Fits: Phillies, Athletics, Angels
Signed with TOR (1 Year)
7) Liam Hendriks - RP
Jeff Chiu / AP
Liam Hendriks was very mediocre with the Athletics from 2015 to 2018. Hendriks broke out in 2019 and took over as the A's closer. Hendriks had two spectacular seasons in 2019 and 2020 and emerged as the best closer in baseball. Hendriks finished second in saves in 2020 with 14 Saves, with a 1.78 ERA. Hendriks is the top reliever on the market this offseason, ahead of the Indians' Brad Hand, White Sox' Alex Colome, and the Padres' Kirby Yates (all below).
Prediction: Phillies (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Mets, Athletics, Dodgers
Signed with CWS (3 Years)
8) Charlie Morton - SP
Gregory Bull / AP
Charlie Morton was a decent player for the Astros in 2017 and 2018 when the Astros emerged as the best team in baseball, although they cheated. Then, in a suprising move, the Rays signed Morton to a two year deal with a club option for 2021, which they just declined, due to financial issues. Then in 2019, Morton had a very strong season in 2019 and finished third in the AL Cy Young voting. Morton will be an intriguing option this year for many teams that need another Starter.
Prediction: Red Sox (2 Years)
Other Top Fits: Rays, Yankees, Mets
Signed with ATL (1 Year)
9) Michael Brantley - LF
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After, strong seasons with the Indians, Michael Brantley signed a two year deal with the Astros. While Houston, Brantley was incredible with the Astros in 2019. Then, the Astros cheating scandal came out and Brantley was put in a tough position. Nevertheless, Brantley perservered and served as the Astros best hitter as their Designated Hitter. Brantley will now enter free agency as an intriguing option for many teams that need a top bat to add to their lineup.
Prediction: Astros (2 Years)
Other Top Fits: Phillies, Indians, Cardinals
Signed with HOU (2 Years)
10) Didi Gregorius - SS
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Didi Gregorius was a valuable player with the Yankees from 2015 to 2019, and was then signed by the Phillies in the 2019-2020 Offseason. Gregorius is now once again entering free agent this offseason and will be a top option for many teams that need a shortstop.
Prediction: Phillies (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Yankees, Angels, Reds
Signed with PHI (2 Years)
11) Brad Hand - RP
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Brad Hand was the closer with the Padres, and then was traded to the Indians at the trade deadline in 2018. Hand was fantastic in 2019, and was even better in 2020, finishing first in saves with 16. Hand was put on waivers after the 2020 season, and became a free agent because to financial issues due to the pandemic. Hand is a top option for teams that need a closer along with Hendriks (mentioned above).
Prediction: Mets (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Phillies, Angels, Red Sox
Signed with WSH (1 Year)
12) Alex Colome - RP
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Alex Colome has been a top closer with the Rays and White Sox, from 2013 to 2019. In 2020, Colome was even better, finishing fourth among all relievers with 12 saves. Colome is entering free agency this year in 2020, as the third best reliver on the market and will be targeted by many teams.
Prediction: Nationals (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Phillies, White Sox, Red Sox
Signed with MIN (1 Year)
13) Kirby Yates - RP
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Kirby Yates took over as the closer of the Padres, after Brad Hand was traded to the Indians. Yates was even better thten Hand ever was with the Padres, finishing first in 2019 in saves with 41. Yates was injured throughout the 2020 season, but remains a cheap option for many teams that need a closer.
Prediction: Red Sox (2 Years)
Other Top Fits: Cubs, Padres, Mariners
Signed with TOR (1 Year)
14) James Paxton - SP
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James Paxton was traded from the Mariners to the Yankees during the 2018-2019 offseason. Paxton had a promising start with the Yankees but was very disappointing with the team, during his two seasons with the team. Paxton is electing free agency as the second best Starting Pitcher on the market, after Trevor Bauer and Marcus Stroman, who accepted the Mets' Qualifying Offer early in November.
Prediction: Blue Jays (3 Years)
Other Top Fits: Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox
Signed with SEA (1 Year)
15) Masahiro Tanaka - SP
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Masahiro Tanaka served as the Yankees ace earlier in his career after coming over from Japan. Tanaka was valuable with the Yankees, especially in the postseason. Tanaka will enter free agency as a top option among all Starting Pitchers this offseason.
Prediction: Yankees (2 Years)
Other Top Fits: Angels, Mets, Twins
Signed with Eagles - Japan (2 Years)