Major League Baseball’s proverbial hot stove season was rather cold until Friday morning when one of the most coveted talents available, DJ LeMahieu, remained in pinstripes as he had hoped and reportedly signed a six-year deal to return to the New York Yankees.
Many have covered the various reasons why this year’s MLB marketplace has moved at a glacial pace, but with LeMahieu’s future no longer in question, it’s likely other major dominoes will fall into place sooner than later.
While next offseason’s free agency class boasts a number of marquee names and game-changing talents like Nolan Arenado, Francisco Lindor, Freddie Freeman, Kris Bryant and Trevor Story, the 2021 class is rife with several elite players who could help shift the balance of power in whichever division they might eventually fall.
Let’s take a look at the best available free agents at each position still out on the market.
Starting Pitcher
Trevor Bauer
He’s the reigning Cy Young winner in the National League. He talks a big game but he backs it up. He’s a legitimate ace who will make any rotation significantly better. This is a no-brainer.
Relief Pitcher
Brad Hand (hat tip to Kirby Yates)
The 10-year MLB veteran pitched masterfully for Cleveland last season, posting a 2.05 ERA with an MLB-best 16 saves during the abbreviated 2020 season. The Indians declined Hand’s $10 million option for 2021 in the midst of their cost-cutting pursuits, making Hand arguably the most sought-after reliever still available.
Catcher
J.T. Realmuto
He’s the best catcher in baseball. Realmuto provides consistent offensive production, good speed on the base paths, leadership, durability and Gold Glove-caliber defense. This is another no-brainer.
First Base
C.J. Cron
The market for first base is thin, but Cron has provided value over each of his last three seasons where opportunities have presented themselves. Prior to 2020, Cron clubbed a combined total of 55 home runs between 2018-19, and should be on track for another solid year at a reasonable price.
Second Base
Kolten Wong (hat tip to Cesar Hernandez)
Wong has spent eight seasons in St. Louis where he’s compiled a career slash line of .261/.333/.384 and a below-average OPS+ of 94. Still he’s a lefty hitter with speed (24 SB in 2019) as well as Gold Glove Awards in each of his last two seasons.
Shortstop
Marcus Semien (hat tip to Didi Gregorius)
Semien had a standout season in 2019 when he finished third in MVP voting with Oakland, and at age 30, he’s still in the prime of his career. Semien’s proclivity for errors might give teams pause, but he’ll make up for his defensive miscues with his bat.
Third Base
Justin Turner
At 36 years old Turner is one of the oldest free agents still out there, but he showed last season in Los Angeles that he’s still an above-average producer at the plate with a slash line of .307/.400/.460 and an OPS+ of 135.
Left Field
Marcell Ozuna (hat tip to Michael Brantley)
Ozuna is as lethal a hitter as any corner outfielder on the market after leading the NL with 18 home runs and 56 RBI in just 60 games last season. Though 2020 was a standout year for “The Big Bear,” a regression back toward his career averages still leaves teams with a very formidable middle-of-the-order bat.
Centerfield
George Springer
File this former Astro in the Bauer/Realmuto “no-brainer” category because he’s by far the best outfielder available this offseason. Springer has elite hitting tools across the board and offers quality defense and speed in center field.
Right Field
Josh Reddick (hat tip to Jay Bruce)
Like first base, the right field talent pool is thinner than other areas of the diamond, and both Reddick (and Bruce) are likely past their primes at age 34. Teams looking for veterans at reasonable prices might look to either of these options, but neither will approach anywhere near the kind of money Springer will command.
For more offseason news and developments, be sure to tune in to the latest Yankees Hot Stove this Monday night at 7 p.m. on YES.