Top 25 free agents this winter

It will be a fascinating winter for the world of baseball. The expiration of the labor agreement will occur at the same time as one of the deepest classes of free agents in years.

Anyone can start making their picks now, but for now, we’ll take it upon ourselves to try and list the 25 most coveted free agents on the market.

Players with an asterisk

They are not automatically free agents, but would have to decline an option to become one.
1. Carlos Correa, SS, Houston, 27 years old

Eligible for qualifying offer

The downside for the Puerto Rican was his poor ability to stay healthy, thanks to back problems. But in 2021, Correa played 148 games, his most since 2016. 2. Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers, age 27
Eligible for qualifying offer

Like Correa, injuries are a big issue for Seager. He’s barely five months older than Correa and he’s been really productive when he’s healthy. The Dodgers’ acquisition of Trea Turner – a shortstop who defended middle after the trade – could impact Seager’s return to Los Angeles. 3. Kris Bryant, 3B / OF, Giants, 30 years old

Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

Bryant set the bar high when he was the National League MVP in just his second year in the league, in 2016. He has not returned to that level, but, in addition to a difficult 2020, he remains a threat to him. middle of the batting order of any team. The Giants will try to retain him. 4. Max Scherzer, RHP, Dodgers, age 37

Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

At this age, “Mad Max” will not be looking for the largest contract on the free market or the longest. But the possibility of achieving the highest average annual value on the list cannot be ruled out. 5. Trevor Story, SS, Rockies, 29 years old

Eligible for qualifying offer

Although, surprisingly, Story was not traded in the middle of the season, the shortstop was able to rebound from a somewhat uncharacteristic first half of low production, leaving averages of .253 / .337 / .506 after the All-Star break. Story is an above-average defender with speed and power. 6. Marcus Semien, SS / 2B, Blue Jays, age 31

Eligible for qualifying offer

After a tough 2020, Semien bounced back with the Blue Jays and ended an MVP-caliber season with 45 homers and a 6.6 fWAR (wins over replacement, calculated by FanGraphs). Those 45 homers represent a record for the most by a second baseman in a season in history. 7. Robbie Ray, LZ, Blue Jays, 30 years old

Eligible for qualifying offer

Ray is coming off a 2021 in which everything went well for him, finishing with a season worthy of Cy Young, leading the American League with a 2.84 ERA, 154 ERA +, 1.04 WHIP and 193.1 innings thrown. 8. Javier Báez, SS, Mets, 29 years old

Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

It will be interesting to see how much interest the Puerto Rican receives. He’s a wizard on the bases and on the field and also has a lot of power, but the 29.3% strikeout rate he has in his career (including his worst in 2021 at 33.6%) could diminish his value. 9. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves, age 32

Eligible for qualifying offer

It is as consistent as it is productive. He hasn’t had a wRC + less than 132 or an OPS less than .841 in any of his last nine seasons. In addition, he has been absent in a total of five games in the last four years. 10. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants, age 31

Not eligible for qualifying offer (previously received)

Although Gausman had a solid 2020, the Giants surprised when they offered him the qualifying offer last offseason. Now he’s off to a fantastic 2021, in which he had a 2.81 ERA in 192 innings. 11. Marcus Stroman, RHP, Mets, age 30

Not eligible for qualifying offer (previously received)

After accepting the qualifying offer last year, Stroman responded with 179 innings pitched, in which he had a 3.02 ERA, with a career-high 21.7% strikeout rate. 12. Starling Marte, OF, Athletics, age 33

Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

The Dominican had a great season with the Marlins and Athletics, despite missing a month with a broken rib. Between the two clubs, he posted averages of .308 / .381 / .456 and led the majors with 47 stolen bases in 52 attempts.13 .
Nick Castellanos, OF, Reds, 30

Eligible for qualifying offer

Castellanos rejected his option for two years and $ 34 million. Now he is one of the most valuable bats on the free market and his defensive woes could take a backseat with the possible arrival of the universal designated hitter in 2022.* 14. Kyle Schwarber, OF, Red Sox, age 29 **
Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

Schwarber settled for a one-year, $ 10 million guaranteed with the Nationals last offseason (which includes a $ 11.5 million mutual option for 2022). You should be in a much better position this time to get a multi-year deal. 15. Carlos Rodón, LZ, White Sox, 29 years old

Eligible for qualifying offer

Last year he received no contract from the White Sox and then returned to the club with a one-season, $ 3 million deal. In 2021, Rodón finally looked like the promise they dreamed of in Chicago. 16. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets, age 29

Eligible for qualifying offer

Due to Tommy John surgery and a relapse in his recovery, he has pitched just two innings in the majors in the past two seasons. He has shown his willingness to accept the qualifying offer from the Mets, in an attempt to increase his value. 17. Justin Verlander, RHP, Astros, age 39

Eligible for qualifying offer

Although he missed all of 2021 and virtually 2020 as well, due to Tommy John surgery, Verlander’s track record speaks for itself. He won his second Cy Young in 2019 at age 37. 18. Clayton Kershaw, RHP, Dodgers, age 34

Eligible for qualifying offer

It feels weird to see Kershaw’s name so far down this list, but a left forearm injury brought his 2021 to a premature end. Last year, Kershaw took a step back from his 2020 rebirth, posting a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts.* 19. JD Martinez, BD, Red Sox, age 34 **

Eligible for qualifying offer

Martinez would have to decline the $ 19.35 million option by 2022 to become a free agent. With the universal designated hitter, he could go out in search of a multi-year pact.
20. Michael Conforto, OF, Mets, age 29

Eligible for qualifying offer

Conforto is coming off a disappointing 2021, with his worst OPS (.729) and wRC + (106) since his first full season in 2016. But he is a candidate to bounce back, not yet 30 years old. 21. Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants, 33

Eligible for qualifying offer

Although he was limited to 97 games due to multiple injuries, he had a brilliant 2021 at the plate. His .975 OPS means a career high for a full season, as do his 29 home runs. 22. Chris Taylor, UTL, Dodgers, age 31

Eligible for qualifying offer

Although his numbers dropped in the second half, Taylor ended up with a strong season, which resulted in his first All-Star call-up. 23. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Yankees, age 32

Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

Rizzo has already surpassed his career high of offense, but he continues to provide an above-average bat, along with good plate discipline and great defense at first base. 24. Nelson Cruz, BD, Rays, 41 years old
Not eligible for qualifying offer (changed mid-season)

The Dominican will return to the free market, probably looking for another year with a team looking to compete. If there is a universal designated hitter, his value could skyrocket. 25. Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Angels, age 32

Eligible for qualifying offer

In the past two seasons, the Cuban’s 3.1 fWAR has been second-best among relievers, behind only Liam Hendriks (4.1). He may not have the same credentials as Kenley Jansen (who has a reason to be on the list), but he does have lower mileage. Other Featured Free Agents (in alphabetical order):