We’ve heard a lot about the luxury candidates available at short stops this winter, but the free agent market has talent in many other positions as well.
Here’s a look at the best free agent available at each position and the other alternatives.
C: Yan Gomes, 34 years old
There’s not much depth to catching, especially now that Buster Posey announced his retirement and the Rays exercised the Mike Zunino option. Brazilian Gomes is the best option available after hitting 14 homers with 52 RBIs and a .723 OPS in 103 games between the Nationals and Athletics.
Other options: Roberto Pérez, Kurt Suzuki
1B: Freddie Freeman, 32 years old
The Braves are likely to do whatever it takes to retain the first baseman, but many teams are expected to make an attempt to sign the veteran. The 2020 NL MVP had another standout season in 2021, in which he left a .300 / .393 / .503 line with 31 home runs and led the Old Circuit with 120 runs scored in 120 games.
Other options: Brad Miller, Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Zimmerman
2B: Marcus Semien, 31 years old
We’re going to cheat here, because Semien is likely to be signed at shortstop. But after defending second base for the Blue Jays in 2021, Semien is the cream of the crop for teams looking for an impact player after setting a season-long home run record for a second baseman with 45, while leaving the line. of .265 / .334 / .538 in 162 games.
Other options: Chris Taylor, Eduardo Escobar, Josh Harrison, Donovan Solano
SS: Carlos Correa, 27
We go with Correa in the short stops, although there are others with arguments. The Puerto Rican recovered in 2021 by leaving a .279 / .366 / .485 line with 26 homers and 92 RBIs in 148 games for the Astros and was called up to his second All-Star Game.
Other options: Javier Báez, Corey Seager, Trevor Story
3B: Kris Bryant, 30 years old
Bryant played more games in the outfield than at third base this season, and while a team may sign him to patrol the left field, he has played two-thirds of his career in the hot corner. Bryant bounced back from a disappointing 2020, leaving .265 / .353 / .481 with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs in 144 games with the Cubs and Giants.
Other options: Matt Duffy, Kyle Seager, Jonathan Villar
*LF: Kyle Schwarber, 29 *
If the universal designated hitter is implemented in 2022, there would be more interest in Schwarber this winter. Otherwise, teams will have to decide whether his mighty bat – he butted 32 home runs with a .928 OPS in 113 games for the Nationals and Red Sox – is more valuable than solid defense in left field. Either way, Schwarber will have suitors looking to add thunder to his lineup.
Other options: Mark Canha, Corey Dickerson, Brett Gardner, Andrew McCutchen, Tommy Pham, Eddie Rosario
CF: Starling Mars, 33 years old
Marte, who led the majors with 47 stolen bases in 2021, is arguably the best center fielder on the free agent market. The Dominican left a .310 / .383 / .458 line with the Marlins and Athletics, scoring 89 runs in 120 games. And his great defense in the central forest will make him a well-priced option despite the fact that he recently turned 33.
Other options: Odúbel Herrera, Kevin Pillar
RF: Nick Castellanos, 30 years old
After the best bell of his career, Castellanos walked out of the last two years and $ 34 million remaining on his contract with the Reds. Castellanos had a line of .309 / .362 / .576 with 34 homers and 100 RBIs in 138 games and was selected to his first All-Star Game. Among outfielders, Castellanos’ bat will be the most sought after this winter.
Other options: Michael Conforto, Avisaíl García, Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler
BD: Nelson Cruz, 42 years old
Many thought that JD Martínez would be part of this group, but the gunner decided to stay in Boston instead of getting out of his contract, because the Dominican Cruz is the best option in this category.
Other options: Jed Lowrie, Albert Pujols
Right starter: Max Scherzer, 37
It’s not uncommon for a 37-year-old pitcher to top the list of free-agent starting pitchers, but Scherzer remains one of the best pitchers in the majors. In 30 starts in 2021 for the Nationals and Dodgers, he had a 2.46 ERA, including a 7-0 record and a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts after being traded to Los Angeles. Even in his old age, Scherzer could land a three-year contract worth over $ 30 million a year.
Other options: Alex Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani, Kevin Gausman, Jon Gray, Zack Greinke, Michael Pineda, Marcus Stroman
Left-handed starter: Robbie Ray, 30
Ray is back on the market after signing a one-year, $ 8 million deal with the Blue Jays last winter. He is expected to have more options this winter after going 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA in 32 starts to win the American League Cy Young Award. Ray led the Young Circuit in innings worked (193.1), strikeouts (248), EFE + (154) and WHIP (1.05).
Other options: JA Happ, Clayton Kershaw, Steven Matz, Carlos Rodón, Drew Smyly, Alex Wood
Right reliever: Raisel Iglesias, 32
One of just 10 major relievers to have 2.0 WAR in 2021, Iglesias is the best closer available on the market this winter. The Cuban finished the season with 34 saves and had an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 0.93. Although he was a victim of the home run, since he allowed 11 in 70.0 innings of work, he gave up just 12 walks and struck out 103 batters.
Other options: Brad Boxberger, Archie Bradley, Alex Colomé, Kenley Jansen, Ian Kennedy, Héctor Neris, Adam Ottavino, Yusmeiro Petit, Steve Cishek, Ryan Tepera
Left-handed reliever: Andrew Chafin, 32
Chafin featured for the Cubs and Athletics, leaving a combined 1.83 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and limited opposing hitters to .186 in 71 plate appearances. It was effective against left-handed (.473 OPS) and right-handed (.551 OPS), making it an ideal choice for the final innings taking into account the minimum of three batters.
Other options: José Álvarez, Aaron Loup
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The best free agent in every position