Top MLB free agents of the 2020-21 offseason

As this year's postseason winds to a close, Major League Baseball is heading full steam ahead for an unpredictable offseason full of question marks.

The regular season was dealt countless challenges from start to finish, including the absence of paying fans contributing to teams’ bottom lines, but what will that now mean for offseason acquisitions and this winter’s free agency class?

Teams have five days after the completion of the World Series to negotiate exclusively with their own players if they’d like to re-sign them, after which point MLB free agency fully begins in earnest.

There are plenty of recognizable names hitting the market this year including a handful of former New York Yankees, headlined by MVP candidate and 2020’s MLB batting average leader, DJ LeMahieu.

Here now we’ll take a look at some of the top names and notable free agents available at each position, sorted by their 2020 wins above replacement (WAR) figures. For the full list of this year’s free agent class, check out the link here.

Catchers

J.T. Realmuto (30): 1.2
James McCann (31): 1.2
Alex Avila (34): 0.4
Jason Castro (34): -0.3
Austin Romine (32): -0.4

First Basemen

Mitch Moreland (35) — ($3 mil club option/$500K buyout): 1.0
Anthony Rizzo (31) — ($14.5 mil club option/$2 mil buyout): 0.8
Carlos Santana (35) — ($17.5 mil club option/$500K buyout): 0.6
C.J. Cron (31): 0.3
Eric Thames (34) — ($4 mil mutual option/$1 mil buyout): -0.6

Second Basemen

DJ LeMahieu (32): 2.8
Cesar Hernandez (31): 1.5
Jurickson Profar (28): 1.1
Jonathan Schoop (29): 1.0
Tommy La Stella (32): 0.5

Third Basemen

Justin Turner (36): 1.3
Brad Miller (31): 0.7
Jedd Gyorko (32) — ($4.5 mil club option/$1 mil buyout): 0.6
Asdrubal Cabrera (35): -0.1
Jake Lamb (30): -0.7

Shortstops

Jose Iglesias (31) — ($3.5 mil club option/$500K buyout): 1.2
Didi Gregorius (31): 0.9
Marcus Semien (30): 0.3
Andrelton Simmons (31): 0.3
Freddy Galvis (31): 0.1

Outfielders

Marcell Ozuna (30): 2.3
George Springer (31): 1.9
Jackie Bradley Jr. (31): 1.8
Michael Brantley (34): 1.5
Starling Marte (32) — ($12.5 mil club option/$1 mil buyout): 1.2
Robbie Grossman (31): 1.0
Enrique Hernandez (29): 0.9
Kevin Pillar (32): 0.7
Billy Hamilton (30): 0.0
Cameron Maybin (34): -0.3
Nick Markakis (37): -0.3
Joc Pederson (29): -0.4
Dee Gordon (33) — ($14 mil club option/$1 mil buyout): -0.6
Josh Reddick (34): -0.7
Adam Eaton (32) — ($10.5 mil club option/$1.5 mil buyout): -0.9

Designated Hitters

Nelson Cruz (40): 1.6
Shin-Soo Choo (38): 0.0
Yoenis Cespedes (35): -0.1
Edwin Encarnacion (38) — ($12 mil club option/$2 mil buyout): -0.5
J.D. Martinez (33) — (can opt out of remaining two years, $38.75 mil): -0.9

Starting Pitchers

Trevor Bauer (30): 2.7
Merrill Kelly (32) — ($4.25 mil club option/$500K buyout): 1.4
Kevin Gausman (30): 1.3
Taijuan Walker (28): 1.3
J.A. Happ (38): 1.2
Martin Perez (30) — ($6.25 mil club option/$500K buyout): 1.1
Garrett Richards (33): 1.0
Masahiro Tanaka (32): 0.7
Corey Kluber (35) — ($17.5 mil club option/$1 mil buyout): 0.1
Rick Porcello (32): 0.1
Jose Quintana (32): 0.0
Mike Minor (33): 0.0
Robbie Ray (29): -0.2
James Paxton (32): -0.4
Marcus Stroman (30): did not play in 2020

Relief Pitchers

Liam Hendriks (32): 1.4
Jeremy Jeffress (33): 1.2
Brandon Kintzler (36) — ($4 mil club option/$250K buyout): 1.2
Trevor Rosenthal (31): 1.2
Alex Colome (32): 1.0
Shane Greene (32): 1.0
Mark Melancon (36): 1.0
Brad Hand (31) — ($10 mil club option/$1 mil buyout): 0.7
Justin Wilson (33): 0.2
Trevor May (31): 0.1
Sean Doolittle (34): 0.0
Blake Treinen (33): -0.2
Ken Giles (30): -0.2
Kirby Yates (34): -0.3
Chris Devenski (30): -0.4

It’s impossible to tell what kind of effect the 2020 season’s revenue deficiencies will have on the number of free agent contracts that are offered and how lucrative they will be, but players could be in for another slow-moving market.

“The economics for everybody are concerning,” former MLB general manager Dan Duquette said recently. “It’s a lot easier to plan when you know what to expect in the future. Right now, it’s tough for everybody.”

Stay tuned to YES Network for all the latest news and developments as the MLB hot stove season approaches this winter.