The MLB offseason is within the arms of the executives: the GMs and brokers and house owners with checkbooks. Athletes have some say, however they are not really in cost. No, that is all concerning the guys in fits and quarter zips now. They’re those who determine which free brokers match their crew finest, who’s value two years, who’s value 10 and who’s value one thing in between. They’re going to haggle over hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, placing a worth on each residence run, each strikeout.
All we will do is sit again and watch, however that is no enjoyable. So as an alternative, CBS Sports activities’ MLB consultants are trying into their crystal balls to guess the place a few of this winter’s high free brokers will land by the point spring blooms. We have already prognosticated on Juan Soto, so we’ll deal with another gamers in our high 50 rankings.
Corbin Burnes, No. 2
R.J. Anderson: It is not likely Mike Elias’ type to pony up for a beginning pitcher, so maybe this proves to be a foolish alternative on my half. (Extra of these to return right here, I promise.) On the similar time, the Orioles have the monetary flexibility to do one thing daring, and retaining Burnes can be good optics for the brand new possession group.
Mike Axisa: To be an elite crew, you must act like an elite crew, and it is time for the O’s to spend at a degree extra commensurate with their place within the standings. I do not count on them to go from twenty sixth in payroll to 1st, and even tenth, however it is time to spend, proper? Baltimore wants pitching and Burnes is among the finest pitchers in baseball, so there you go. A reunion makes good sense in David Rubenstein’s first offseason as proprietor.
Dayn Perry: I do not solely purchase that the Dodgers shall be closely in on Juan Soto, however I do assume they will make a notable addition within the service of repeating as World Collection champs. They’ve some rotation uncertainties going into subsequent 12 months, and because the 2024 Dodgers acutely reminded us “rotation depth” could be a fleeting factor. Burnes is an ace and about as a lot of a identified amount as a beginning pitcher could be today.
Matt Snyder: There’s familiarity right here with Burnes and former Brewers exec David Stearns, however that is much less vital than Burnes getting set for his one huge payday and the Mets seeking to construct out that rotation and capitalize on their run to the NLCS. They do have a powerful basis in place, however additionally they misplaced a good variety of free brokers. They’re in for an enormous offseason.
Alex Bregman, No. 3
R.J. Anderson: That is in all probability too cute of a alternative however I am going to take a swing. (In addition to, the Nationals may choose to only wait on Brady Home to fit in as their long-term third baseman.) Bregman may function this core’s Jayson Werth: a longtime veteran with postseason success who can nonetheless get the job finished on the sector.
Mike Axisa: The Tigers do not actually need a 3rd baseman, however the A.J. Hinch connection is there, and Detroit does want a center of the order righty bat. There shall be different methods to get Jace Jung within the lineup. The Astros have a historical past of letting homegrown stars go away as free brokers (Carlos Correa, George Springer, and so on.) and I feel Bregman is subsequent out the door. He will not be a profession Astro like Jose Altuve.
Dayn Perry: I am going to say the Astros maintain the band collectively for an additional run, and which means ponying up for Bregman on the free-agent market.
Matt Snyder: Finally, I feel the Astros find yourself bringing Bregman again residence after which perhaps Zach Dezenzo might help remedy their drawback at first base. That appears safer than placing Dezenzo at third and mining the first-base market in free company.
Blake Snell, No. 4
R.J. Anderson: Once more, in all probability too cute. We all know the Angels need to improve their roster in an try to compete subsequent season. We all know that that they had some previous curiosity in Snell. You mix these components and perhaps they find yourself with the excessive bid.
Mike Axisa: The Patrick Corbin contract is off the books and the Nationals have a pleasant younger expertise core in place. It is attending to be time to complement that core with veterans, and Snell would give them a high-strikeout starter who can pitch close to the highest of the rotation. The Nationals have a protracted historical past of signing Scott Boras shoppers too. It matches.
Dayn Perry: Snell regarded like his Cy Younger self, usually talking, after some early-season struggles that in all probability stemmed from his late signing and compromised preseason routine. As such, he’ll be a coveted arm this winter. The Pink Sox have a transparent want within the rotation, they usually have sources. Are they prepared to truly use these sources? That is the query.
Matt Snyder: San Francisco already caught a glimpse of how good he could be and this reworked entrance workplace goes to be aggressive within the offseason in attempting to get again within the playoffs. Re-signing Snell shall be a high precedence they usually’ll get it finished much like how they re-upped with Matt Chapman.
Pete Alonso, No. 10
R.J. Anderson: David Stearns would not strike me because the form of govt who will change into the best bidder on a right-right first baseman. Contrariwise, I may envision Buster Posey Alonso’s monitor report and seeing him as a big-time run producer with the form of uncooked energy wanted to make an influence in San Francisco’s ballpark.
Mike Axisa: I am with R.J. I do not assume Mets POBO David Stearns loves the thought of signing Alonso long-term, and I do not assume proprietor Steve Cohen waited all these years to rent Stearns simply to go in opposition to his advice and re-sign the growing old slugger. The Giants have been attempting (and failing) to signal star free brokers for years. I may see the brand new entrance workplace overpaying to get the highest pure energy hitter on the free agent market. They did not substitute Farhan Zaidi simply to proceed gradual constructing, proper?
Dayn Perry: Houston may use a main first baseman who provides them greater than Jon Singleton does, and Alonso clears that bar. I feel Alonso, as a righty-righty first baseman who’s proven some indicators of decline in his top-line numbers, might be going to be dissatisfied by his market. At the very least, although, he lands with a contender on this state of affairs.
Matt Snyder: After the Mets land Juan Soto, the Yankees have to pivot for extra energy and first base is an space the place they might improve.
Gleyber Torres, No. 20
R.J. Anderson: Torres had a powerful postseason, to the extent that perhaps he altered his market greater than I am anticipating. Regardless of his youth, I do assume it is honest to have some issues about handing him a long-term deal — his protection already grades poorly on the keystone and his energy is nearly solely reserved for mistake pitches down the center — but when he is having to accept a shorter pact then a return to the Yankees makes probably the most sense.
Mike Axisa: Will Wagner had a pleasant run late within the season, although it in all probability wasn’t sufficient to persuade the Blue Jays he’s The Man going ahead (plus he had knee surgical procedure in September). In addition to, Wagner has third base expertise, and final I checked the Blue Jays have a potted plant penciled in on the sizzling nook. Torres turns solely 28 in December and he completed the season very properly, and he was fairly good within the postseason. He is a pleasant bounceback candidate for a Blue Jays crew that should bounce again.
Dayn Perry: It wasn’t a classic Gleyber season, however he fared higher because the season went on. He is nonetheless younger as free brokers go, and he nonetheless guarantees above-average manufacturing by the requirements of center infielders. Seattle may use any and all assist they’ll get on offense.
Matt Snyder: It will not be the long-term deal he seemingly wishes, however issues will circle again, finally, to a short-term reunion right here. It’s going to seemingly be a one-year cope with participant choice(s).
