In a few week’s time, Main League Baseball groups will open their spring camps throughout the states of Florida and Arizona. Quickly thereafter, the exhibition season will get underway, and earlier than you recognize it, Opening Day can have arrived. However, earlier than MLB groups begin hanging the ceremonial bunting round their stadiums, it is value remembering that there are nonetheless some high quality free brokers on the open market.
The previous week has seen right-handed starter Jack Flaherty return to the Detroit Tigers, in addition to first baseman Pete Alonso rejoin the New York Mets. Add in Yoán Moncada’s cope with the Los Angeles Angels, and that leaves eight members of CBS Sports activities’ top-50 free-agent rankings obtainable for rent.
With that in thoughts, beneath I’ve provided a market reset of types by highlighting the 5 greatest unsigned gamers. You may discover evaluation on what these gamers can deliver to golf equipment, in addition to ideas on why they continue to be unsigned — and, certainly, the place they could find yourself when all is alleged and completed.
Let’s get to it.
1. Alex Bregman, 3B, No. 3 coming into the winter
What does he provide? It is true that Bregman has not, lately, soared to the identical heights he occupied earlier in his profession. Nonetheless, he is been one of many six most efficient third basemen within the sport since 2020, based on Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Substitute metric. There isn’t any thriller as to why: Bregman has posted an OPS+ beneath 115 simply as soon as in his profession, and he stays a extremely expert defender. He additionally has ample postseason expertise, for no matter that is value lately.
Why is he nonetheless obtainable? The principle issue right here appears to be Bregman’s desired size of contract. To be clear: there are some professional crimson flags in his profile, together with the likelihood that his slugging will take a big hit exterior of Houston’s pleasant confines. Groups, naturally, would like to restrict their draw back publicity with a shorter pact. Bregman has seemingly held robust on his calls for, nevertheless, and if latest studies are to be believed, he will find yourself getting his method.
The place would possibly he land? A handful of groups have been linked to Bregman over the previous few weeks. The group contains the Astros, his incumbent group, in addition to the Tigers (managed by former Houston skipper A.J. Hinch), Crimson Sox, and Cubs. Wherever Bregman goes, you work he’ll assist clear up the Nolan Arenado market, too.
What does he provide? At some unidentifiable level in Pivetta’s profession, he was a meme on account of the disconnect between his stuff and his outcomes. Due to that dynamic, I believe it has been straightforward to miss that he is grown right into a legitimately strong pitcher. To wit, Pivetta has amassed a 102 ERA+ and a 3.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio because the 2021 season — and he is completed it whereas averaging 26 begins per pop. Add in how Pivetta has all the time graded properly from a pitch-quality perspective, and you may perceive why he and his agent declined the qualifying provide to start the winter.
Why is he nonetheless obtainable? Alas, declining the qualifying provide searching for a extra profitable payday resulted in Pivetta’s inventory being weighed down by draft-pick compensation. Previous perceptions die arduous, and it is doable that groups are nonetheless viewing Pivetta with some skepticism, too, even when that feels unwarranted at this stage.
The place would possibly he land? There’ve been a number of groups publicly linked to Pivetta over the previous month or so. Amongst them are the Reds and Blue Jays (who’ve since signed Max Scherzer). It additionally stands to motive another membership may get entangled with Pivetta over the approaching weeks ought to an damage or commerce happen that shakes up their pitching employees. For instance: would possibly the Padres ink Pivetta in the event that they commerce Dylan Stop?
What does he provide? Jansen is getting lengthy within the tooth, having celebrated his thirty seventh birthday again in September. Nonetheless, he is compiled an ERA+ of 120 or higher in 5 consecutive seasons. Final 12 months, he posted his highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.10) in a full-length season since 2019. Jansen additionally now ranks fourth all-time in saves, and whereas I do not assume his pursuit of Lee Smith (who he is 31 away from tying) will show to be a ticket-office draw or something, it is value mentioning right here all the identical.
Why is he nonetheless obtainable? Jansen’s trademark cutter did fare worse than typical final season, permitting the loudest common contact of his profession. That, plus his superior age, would possibly give groups pause earlier than they hand over the reins to a high-leverage function. And that is with out contemplating the monetary facet. That is pure conjecture, nevertheless it’s in all probability truthful to assume that, even at this stage of his profession, among the best closers of all time would count on a greater payday than another random veteran reliever.
The place would possibly he land? The Cubs and Mets had been each publicly related to Jansen earlier than making different additions. Chicago has since landed Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brasier in trades; the Mets signed Ryne Stanek. Presumably, another group will keep away from the temptation to acquire a Ryan/Ryne and ink Jansen as a substitute, however the identification of that group will stay a thriller at this time limit.
What does he provide? Heaney is extremely unlikely to ever have one other season pretty much as good because the one he authored with the Dodgers in 2022. Nonetheless, he is a superbly high quality No. 4 starter who managed a 98 ERA+ and a 3.07 strikeout-to-walk ratio within the two years since. Loads of groups can (and can) do worse than penciling him in for 25 to 30 begins.
Why is he nonetheless obtainable? Credit score this to some components. Heaney is older (he’ll flip 34 in June) and lacks actual upside, making him extra of a fallback choice for golf equipment who need to increase their ceilings. He is additionally one thing of a situational match based mostly on his 44% fly-ball share. For reference, that is one of many 20 highest percentages amongst pitchers with at the least 100 innings tossed in 2024. You may perceive if a group in a homer-friendly ballpark would like to not give Heaney the ball each fifth day.
The place would possibly he land? The Tigers and Rangers have been talked about in rumors with Heaney this winter. On condition that Detroit has since signed Jack Flaherty, after having beforehand inked Alex Cobb, it is in all probability truthful to take them out of the operating. That is pure conjecture, however perhaps another membership — just like the A’s, the Twins, or the Padres — will step up and add Heaney to the again of their rotation over the following few weeks.
What does he provide? Quintana may be very a lot a outcomes over fashion pitcher. You would not know that he is compiled a 118 ERA+ over the past three seasons, and that is largely as a result of he is completed it whereas tallying simply over seven strikeouts per 9 innings. Quintana missed half the season in 2023, however he is recorded 30-plus begins in two of the previous three years. Nowadays, that makes him one thing of a workhorse.
Why is he nonetheless obtainable? Once more, Quintana is not thrilling. Trendy entrance places of work are all the time going to deal with a low-strikeout starter with trepidation, and seen from a sure perspective, there’s undeniably extra draw back with the profile than upside. That is not to counsel Quintana ought to be compelled into retirement or a minor-league deal; it is simply how groups assume, particularly if they’ve a less expensive, comparable choice in tow.
The place would possibly he land? Beats me. Quintana’s identify hasn’t popped up within the rumor mill all winter. I must think about that, at an absolute minimal, some group with out aggressive aspirations would view him as an innings sponge who may then be traded on the deadline, supplied he stays efficient.
