Zack Greinke
Greinke got off to a slow start in his return to Kansas City, but powered through the second-half of the season with some impressive performances. The 39-year-old boasted a 2.43 ERA over his last 11 starts, including a pristine 1.91 mark in September. If anything, Greinke’s late-season surge proves that he still has a bit left in the tank. The Giants have done well in the past with aging pitchers, and could very well use a talented arm at the end of their rotation.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
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Brandon Drury
Utility-man Brandon Drury became a top target at the trade deadline thanks to the best start of his career. In 92 games with the Reds, Drury posted a .855 OPS while providing serviceable defense at five positions. Drury was acquired by the San Diego Padres for the stretch run, but he didn’t perform quite as well for his new team. Though he did have the best NLCS of any Padres hitter (1.104 OPS in 15 AB’s), Drury’s time in San Diego was mostly forgettable. An intriguing move for both parties would be Drury returning to New York to play for the Mets. Drury played 51 games for the Mets in 2021 and hit .274 with the club. His versatility would keep him in New York’s lineup on a daily basis.
Prediction: New York Mets
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JD Martinez
The fire-sale continues in Boston as the team has seemingly tried to rid itself of every player that helped win the 2018 World Series. The writing has been on the wall for JD Martinez to move on to a new club. Martinez was not extended a qualifying offer, and also did not long a single inning as a position player for the first time in his career. Boston’s designated hitter is coming off his worst (full) season in Bean Town, posting his lowest slugging percentage (.448) since 2013. He won’t struggle to find suitors, but the Padres are certainly one of the teams desperate to find a reliable bat for the heart of their lineup.
Prediction: San Diego Padres
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Matt Carpenter
Among the three top DH options in this year’s free agent class, Matt Carpenter might be the most intriguing name. That’s because Carpenter is coming off a resurgent year which saw him tear the cover off baseballs as a member of the New York Yankees. Thought it was a small sample size (47 games), Carpenter was red-hot in ’22. The 36-year-old smashed 15 HR and posted a jaw-dropping 1.138 OPS over 128 AB’s. Staying in New York is certainly an option, but the temptation to return to St. Louis where he spent the first 11 years of his career might be too strong. The Cards gave Carpenter a chance even when he was barely hitting over .200 for three straight seasons. They’d likely welcome him with open arms now that he’s rediscovered his power swing.
Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals
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Nelson Cruz
Despite rumors that he may call it quits, 42-year-old Nelson Cruz has expressed his desire to return for his 19th season in the Majors. The seven-time All-Star has been one of the league’s top designated hitters for a decade, though he’s coming off arguably the worst year of his career (.651 OPS). Prior to last season, had posted a .917 OPS from ’15-’21 with three different teams. He plans to have eye surgery this offseason which will reportedly fix some issues that have plagued him for the last year-plus. Maybe a return to the surging Mariners is in the cards? Jesse Winker looks to be on the outs following an awful year, and Cruz enjoyed some of his best years hitting in T-Mobile Park.
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
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Justin Turner
There are really only two options for veteran infielder Justin Turner — re-sign with the Dodgers or retire. Turner has been one of the faces of LA baseball since joining the Dodgers back in ’14. Though he’s steadily declined each year, Turner hit .278 last season thanks to a scorching hot .319 AVG over the second-half of the season. He has shown to be extremely susceptible to velocity in his advanced age, and NL pitchers have attacked him in the playoffs with this knowledge. It may turn out to be a situation where Turner sits a bit more often in ’23 whenever a tough matchup takes the mound. His leadership in the clubhouse will be invaluable for the development of Los Angeles’ young talent.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Koudai Senga
Japanese pitcher Koudai Senga is the top “potential” international free agent this offseason. It’s unclear if Senga will make the jump to MLB in ’22, but he will have plenty of potential suitors if he elects to do so. The right-handed hurler tops out at 100 MPH on his heater, but his signature pitch is a forkball which has been dubbed a “ghost fork” due to its effectiveness. The Red Sox have reportedly expressed interest, but we’d give the Cubs a solid shot at signing the 29-year-old. Chicago gave Seiya Suzuki a five-year deal worth $85 million prior to last season, showing that they are willing to pay up for elite players hailing from Japan.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
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Jose Quintana
Another veteran who saw a resurgence in ’22. Jose Quintana was dealt from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals in an under-the-radar deal prior to the deadline. The lefty hurler proved to be revelation for the Cards and helped guide St. Louis to their first division title since ’19. Quintana was basically spotless in 12 starts for his new club, sporting a 2.01 ERA over 62.2 IP. The 33-year-old vet carried that over into the postseason where he allowed just two hits and zero runs in his lone Wild Card start (5.1 IP). Though the Cards could bring him back, the rotation will become a bit crowded with the returns of Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz. Quintana might be a perfect match for the Chicago White Sox, where he spent the first five years of his career.
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
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Martin Perez
Martin Perez came out of nowhere to be Texas’ ace in ’22. The former Red Sox hurler enjoyed the best year of his career with the Rangers, registering a 2.89 ERA en route to his first All-Star nod. Perez won’t blow anyone away with velocity, but his tricky mix of pitches kept hitters off-balance all year long. While the elite ERA is likely unsustainable (evidenced by a slugging second-half of ’22), Perez is an ideal middle-of-rotation arm who would help a number of teams. The Twins are in desperate need of starters they can consistently rely on. Perez is a logical fit.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
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Andrew Benintendi
Former top prospect Andrew Benintendi’s career has not gone exactly as planned. After being selected 7th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, Benintendi was expected to be a stalwart in Boston’s outfield for years to come. Though he did play a integral role in the team’s 2018 World Series campaign, he eventually moved onto the Kansas City Royals following the ’20 season. Since leaving Boston, Benintendi has collected a Gold Glove and his first All-Star nod. Now, it might be time for him to go back to his original team and retake his spot in left field for the Red Sox. His improved hitting and steady defense would be a a vast improvement over what Boston has trotted out there in recent years.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
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Anthony Rizzo
Several teams will be interested, but the Yankees simply cannot let Anthony Rizzo slip through their fingers. The former World Series and four-time Gold Glove winner has been far too important to the Yanks over the one-plus years he’s been with the team. A group filled with sluggers, Rizzo provides a calming force in the middle of New York’s lineup who routinely draws walks and grinds out at bats. Rizzo’s .817 OPS was the second-highest among everyday Yankees in ’22 despite posting a mediocre .224 AVG. He’s a proven leader, lights out at first base, and has plenty of pop (32 HR). Rizzo is going to be a Yankee for years.
Prediction: New York Yankees
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Kenley Jansen
Jansen is no longer the shutdown closer of years ago, but remains a quality arm who could bolster any bullpen. The former Dodger led MLB in saves in ’21 (41), but did so while recording a rather pedestrian 3.38 ERA. His reliance on a diminishing cut-fastball has allowed hitters to have more success when approaching the box versus Jansen. A return to the Dodgers isn’t completely out of the question following the failed Craig Kimbrel-experience. However, the nearby Angels might be a more ideal landing spot. The team traded away Raisel Iglesias last season and have an opening for a full-time closer.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
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Josh Bell
An addition to the vaunted Juan Soto trade, Josh Bell was expected to be a major part of San Diego’s potential World Series push. Instead, Bell ended up being one of the worst acquisitions of the trade deadline as he struggled mightily with the Pads. In 53 games with San Diego, Bell registered a .192 AVG while hitting just 3 HR. In the playoffs, Bell could hardly scratch the starting lineup. Perhaps the slugger wasn’t too fond of the West Coast, as he was doing just fine in Washington prior to the deal (.877 OPS with Nationals in ’22). Boston is one of many teams that should be in the market for a big bat, and Bell should be an affordable source of power among potential free agents.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
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Willson Contreras
Talks of Willson Contreras being traded last season got so intense that Chicago’s All-Star catcher was seen hugging his teammates in the dugout prior to the deadline. Contreras (and teammate Ian Happ) were ultimately not shipped off, though he could be donning a new uniform soon enough. Contreras has only played for the Cubs in his 7-year career, earning three All-Star nods and helping the team capture the 2016 World Series as a rookie. While we wouldn’t be overly surprised to see Contreras return to the Cubs, he will have an extensive market of catcher-needy teams pining for his services. The defending AL Champion Houston Astros will be among potential suitors. Catcher is one of the few spots that Houston does not trot out an elite talent. Adding Contreras to that lineup would be an absolute coup for the American League juggernaut.
Prediction: Houston Astros
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Chris Bassitt
Playing for Oakland from ’14-’21, Chris Bassitt became one of the more underrated arms in MLB. He had his chance to shine in a big city in ’22 as one of the primary starters for the 101-win New York Mets. Bassitt holds a strong 3.13 ERA over his last three seasons, and boasts an expansive arsenal which includes one of the league’s most wicked curveballs. It feels like Seattle is just one arm away from becoming a legitimate threat in the American League. Bassitt could be the missing piece to the puzzle for a rotation which includes Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby.
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
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Brandon Nimmo
Brandon Nimmo has been a bit of an unsung hero for the Mets over the last couple of years. While bigger names like Jacob deGrom, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor hog all the headlines, Nimmo has been the team’s most consistent hitter over the last several seasons. In fact, Nimmo has been one of the league’s top hitters since becoming a full-time player in 2018. The outfielder has a .837 OPS since ’18 while boasting an impressive .388 OBP during that stretch. In terms of moving on from the Mets, Nimmo has already been linked as a target for the Colorado Rockies. According to reports, the Rockies are prepared to offer Nimmo a nine-figure deal to join an outfield already starring Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon.
Prediction: Colorado Rockies
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Nathan Eovaldi
Following an All-Star campaign the year prior, Nathan Eovaldi simply was not the same pitcher in ’22. Though his ERA didn’t budge much, Eovaldi was hit around at a much greater rate and his fastball velocity decreased significantly. This is evidenced by a drastically lower FIP (4.30) than his league-leading mark from the previous season (2.79). Part of his decline can be attributed to shoulder and back injuries which limited him to just 20 starts. It seems like the Red Sox know which buttons to press for Eovaldi to be at his peak form, and that ’22 can be chalked up to an off year for both parties. It would be unwise for either side to part ways at this point.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
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Clayton Kershaw
It wouldn’t be right if Clayton Kershaw took the mound in any jersey but the classic Dodger threads. The future Hall of Famer was outstanding for the Dodgers in 2022. In 22 starts, Kershaw went 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA. The star flirted with two no-hitters during the season, and seemed to regain a bit of zip on his fastball at times. As long as the Dodgers remain a World Series contender, we can’t imagine Kershaw opting to play for a different franchise — not even his hometown Texas Rangers.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Edwin Diaz
When it comes to winning baseball games in October, having a premier closer can go a very long way. In 2022, the best reliever in baseball was Edwin Diaz. In his fourth season with the New York Mets, Diaz finally looked like the stud closer that New York had traded for following his sensational 2018 season with Seattle. This past season, Diaz was nearly unhittable. The flamethrower finished the season with a 1.31 ERA in 61 games, an absurd mark of 17.1 SO9, and 118 strikeouts in 62.0 IP. Nearly every team in baseball would love to have Diaz — especially the top World Series contenders. With that being said, we envision the Yankees poaching Diaz from across town. The Yankees have a nice group of relievers, but nobody that is as dominant as Diaz.
Prediction: New York Yankees
Update: Diaz signed 5-year/$102 million deal with New York Mets
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Joc Pederson
Joc Pederson was one of the great free agent signings of last offseason, and could now parlay a strong year into a lucrative multi-year deal. The Giants signing Pederson for one-year, $6 million went a bit under the radar last Summer. Pederson started strong right out of the gates, earning an All-Star spot thanks to 17 HR in the first-half of the year. Had he qualified, Pederson would have ended last year 11th in OPS — right in between Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. The left-handed masher even upped his numbers against weak side, hitting .245 versus southpaws (up from a .211 career average). Pederson helped the Braves capture the ’21 World Series. Atlanta misses his power against the talented right-handed pitchers in the National League.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Update: Pederson signed 1-year/$19.65 million deal with San Francisco
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Dansby Swanson
There is no shortage of talented shortstops on the market entering the offseason. Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, picked a great time to have a career-year. In 2022, Swanson had his best full-season as a pro. Appearing in all 162 games for the Braves, Swanson set career-high’s in hits (177), RBI (96), BA (.277) and steals (18). Swanson cooled off a bit as the season progressed, but his production was great for the position. An All-Star in ’22, Swanson continued to show some solid pop — 25 HR a year after slugging a career-high 27 — and his durability will certainly be a plus entering free agency. While many teams will be linked to the All-Star, we believe he will return to Atlanta.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
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Justin Verlander
Despite pitching a few clunkers in the 2022 postseason, Justin Verlander will be highly-coveted in free agency. Why? Because, even at the age of 39, he remains one of the best pitchers in baseball. The American League Cy Young frontrunner was remarkable for the Astros this past season. In his first action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020, Verlander led the AL with 18 wins (18-4) and led baseball in ERA (1.75), WHIP (0.829) and H9 (6.0). Verlander is likely to sign a one/two-year deal for a ton of money. We wouldn’t be shocked to see teams like the Dodgers, Yankees or Giants make a push for the veteran, but the Astros are the pick here.
Prediction: Houston Astros
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Xander Bogaerts
The Giants figure to be one of the more active teams this winter, and we have them landing star shortstop Xander Bogaerts. While Brandon Crawford has been a very good shortstop for San Francisco for 12 seasons — three All-Star appearances and two World Series triumphs — he will be 36 years old entering the 2023 season. Adding Bogaerts (who turned 30 on October 1) will make the Giants a better club in ’23 and moving forward. While the longtime Boston star struggled to hit for power last season (15 HR), he remains one of the elite hitters at the position. Dating back to ’19, Bogaerts has slashed .304/.376/.503 and has reached three All-Star Games.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
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Carlos Correa
One of the most loathed players in baseball, Carlos Correa remains an elite talent — and one that nearly every team in the league would love to have. In his lone season (to date) with the Minnesota Twins, Correa was excellent. The former Houston star hit .291 — his best average since 2017 — and once again played superb defense up the middle. Correa is going to demand a massive contract. As a result, teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to the polarizing star. Both fanbases have issues with Correa dating back to Houston’s cheating scandal, but the front offices may be able to look past that issue if it helps the team. In New York’s case, Correa would be a tremendous fit.
Prediction: New York Yankees
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Jose Abreu
The American League MVP from the shortened 2020 season could be on the move this offseason. Just about every White Sox player underachieved last season in a disappointing year. Abreu’s 15 HR were the lowest of his career — that includes the 60-game 2020 campaign when he hit 19 HR. Though, he maintained an impressive slash-line of .304/.378/.446. Teams will bank that his power will return, but it isn’t guaranteed given that Abreu will be celebrating his 36th birthday this offseason. For potential suitors, how about a quick trip North to join the upstart Chicago Cubs? The Cubs need an established vet in the middle of their lineup who can consistently drive in runs. With the second most RBI’s since 2014 (863) there aren’t many players who drive in runs better than Abreu.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
Update: Abreu signed 3-year/$58.5 million deal with Houston
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Carlos Rodon
In 2022, the Chicago White Sox’s distrust in Carlos Rodon’s long-term arm health led to the electric lefty joining the San Francisco Giants — one of many mistakes Chicago made in ’22. In his first year with the Giants, Rodon was named an All-Star for the second year in a row. Rodon made a career-high 31 starts for the Giants and went 14-8. Rodon seemingly pushed all concerns about his arm aside as he threw a career-high 178 innings and fanned 237 batters. Rodon was a strikeout machine — in fact, he led all of baseball with 12.0 SO9. The Rangers are in need of top-tier pitcher, and we think they will shell out a big offer to land Rodon.
Prediction: Texas Rangers
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Aaron Judge
Who will land the 2022 home run king? After declining an extension offer from the New York Yankees ahead of the ’22 season, Aaron Judge put together one of the greatest years at the plate of all-time. The massive slugger nearly won the Triple Crown. In addition to hitting .311, Judge set an American League record with 62 home runs, and also led baseball in runs (133), RBI (131), BB (111), OBP (.425), SLG (.686), and OPS (1.111). Judge, who turns 31 in April, will demand a huge salary. Entering the offseason, the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Mets and Red Sox have been mentioned as possible landing spots. With that being said, we are going to make a bold guess and say that Judge ends up in Anaheim playing for the Angels.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
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Jacob deGrom
The discussion surrounding Jacob deGrom has remained the same for years: If healthy, deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball. Unfortunately for deGrom, it has been difficult for him to stay on the diamond for an extended stretch. The superstar pitcher has made just 26 starts the past two years — including 11 this past season. While he wasn’t quite as dominant in ’22 as he has been in recent seasons, deGrom still showcased his unmatched arsenal of pitches. The Mets would like to retain deGrom’s services, but we see the Dodgers as the best fit. They have been willing to dole out lucrative, short-term offers in recent years (Trevor Bauer) — and they could use a front-end starter in ’23 as Walker Buehler recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Trea Turner
While we predict the Dodgers will land the top pitcher on the free agent market, we also envision their own top free agent leaving town. Ever since the Dodgers acquired Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline in 2021, there have been rumblings of Turner’s desire to return to the East Coast when he became a free agent. Well, the murmurs have only become louder in the aftermath of Los Angeles’ shocking exit from the playoffs. Turner is one of the best hitters in baseball. In addition to being a career .300 hitter, Turner — despite his thin frame — has demonstrated some serious pop for the position. Turner’s mix of speed, contact and power makes him one of the most dangerous hitters in the sport. Despite some sometimes suspect defense, Turner will be in high-demand. Our prediction — the National League champion Phillies add to their talented lineup.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
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Tyler Anderson
Left-handed starter Tyler Anderson was hardly a blip on anybody’s radar prior to the ’22 season. He joined Los Angeles’ staff without even the guarantee of a starting role. Due to several injuries to LA’s starters, Anderson was immediately thrown into the rotation and enjoyed the best season of his career. Over 28 starts, Anderson set career highs in ERA (2.57), WHIP (1.002), H9 (7.3), IP (178.2) and wins (15) en route to his first All-Star selection. Anderson isn’t getting any younger (will be 33 in December), but he’s a former blue-chip prospect (first round pick in 2011) who is just hitting his stride. As the Blue Jays have already done with Hyun Jin-Ryu, Ross Stripling and Mitch White, they poach yet another former Dodger for their rotation.
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
Update: Anderson signed 3-year/$39 million deal with Los Angeles Angels
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