MLB

MLB Offseason Roundup: Top Remaining Free Agents

Published

3 months ago

January 22, 2024

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

Let’s face it, the free agent market this MLB offseason has moved at a snail’s pace. Because of that, there are still plenty of big named free agents still on the board.

This time of year, free agency is typically in its final stages, but there is still plenty to be sorted out. The expectation is that there are multiple nine-figure deals yet to be given to some of the top free agents.

Nobody is touching the enormous $700 million deal for Shohei Ohtani (that one will stand for a long time). But, teams across the league will still be spending significant amounts of money with as many impact free agents still out there.

Here are some of the top guys still on the market.

LHP Blake Snell

2023 stats: 14-9, 2.25 ERA, 115 hits, 99 walks, 234 strikeouts, 180 innings, 32 appearances/32 starts

Snell, fresh off his second-career Cy Young, is still in search of a home. The Yankees, Angels, Red Sox, Giants and Phillies have shown interest in his services this MLB offseason.

OF/1B Cody Bellinger

2023 stats: .307/.356/.525, 29 doubles, one triple, 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, 20 steals, 130 games

Bellinger got his career back on track after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs last winter. They are still in play to re-sign him. The Blue Jays are another possibility and there are likely a handful of others.

LHP Jordan Montgomery

2023 stats: 10-11, 3.20 ERA, 177 hits, 48 walks, 166 strikeouts, 188.2 innings, 32 appearances/32 starts

Montgomery helped the Rangers take home the 2023 World Series and they are one of the favorites to sign him.

3B Matt Chapman

2023 stats: .240/.330/.424, 39 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, four steals, 140 games

Chapman is a stellar defender and more than capable with the bat. He could return to the Blue Jays with the Giants and Cubs among the teams also involved

1B Rhys Hoskins

2022 stats (did not play in 2023): .246/.332/.462, 33 doubles, two triples, 30 home runs, 79 RBIs, two steals, 156 games

Hoskins missed all of 2023 due to an injury so he’s likely seeking a short-term deal as he looks to re-establish his value. The Angels, Brewers, Twins and Rockies could still be looking for a first baseman.