Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

MLB

MLB free agent rankings: Prime 20 general

MLB free agent rankings: Top 20 overall originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston The Boston Red Sox have a number of needs to address before the 2025 MLB season. Pitching (starting and relief), right-handed hitting, and defensive upgrades top the list. The question is, is this the offseason the front office finally decides to spend?

MLB free agent rankings: Prime 20 general

MLB free agent rankings: Top 20 overall initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Crimson Sox have plenty of wants to handle earlier than the 2025 MLB season.

Pitching (beginning and reduction), right-handed hitting, and defensive upgrades high the checklist. The query is, is that this the offseason the entrance workplace lastly decides to spend?

In that case, they will have loads of choices for upgrades in free company. This yr’s class — headlined by celebrity outfielder Juan Soto — options a number of aces, a stud reliever, and several other right-handed sluggers.

Extra 2025 MLB free agent rankings

This is a have a look at the highest 20 gamers available on the market:

1. Juan Soto, OF

Age: 26

2024 stats: .288/.419/.569, 41 HR, 109 RBI, 119 SO, 129 BB (157 video games)

Juan Soto

Juan Soto performed for the New York Yankees in 2024 and is the highest free agent this winter.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Soto is the unquestioned No. 1 participant available on the market this winter. He simply turned 26 final week and already has 4 All-Star nods, 4 Silver Sluggers, two top-five MVP finishes, a batting title, and a World Sequence championship beneath his belt. He is arguably one of the best hitter within the recreation and solely now coming into his prime. We will count on him to earn a deal price as much as $650 million, and he’ll possible be price each penny.

2. Corbin Burnes, RHP

Age: 30

2024 stats: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 begins)

Corbin Burnes

Corbin Burnes performed for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 after being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers

Corbin Burnes lived as much as expectations as a bonafide ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 Nationwide League Cy Younger Award winner anchored the O’s workers and was chosen to the All-Star Recreation for the fourth consecutive yr, this time beginning for the American League.

Burnes will value a reasonably penny as essentially the most coveted pitcher available on the market, however he’ll nearly actually be well worth the hefty price ticket. He is confirmed to be one of the sturdy starters within the recreation (three straight years with 30+ begins) and is a digital lock to publish an ERA round 3.00, roughly 200 innings, and 200 strikeouts in a season.

3. Alex Bregman, 3B

Age: 31

2024 stats: .260/.315/.453, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 86 SO, 44 BB (145 video games)

Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman has spent all 9 of his MLB seasons with the Houston Astros.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Bregman, a two-time World Sequence champion, goes to demand a hefty contract this offseason. The 2-time All-Star is predicted to rake in roughly $200 million. That is a steep value to pay for a 31-year-old infielder, however he is top-of-the-line all-around gamers accessible on this yr’s free-agent class.

4. Gerrit Cole, RHP

Age: 34

2024 stats: 8-5, 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 99 SO, 29 BB, 95 IP (17 begins)

Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole performed for the New York Yankees in 2024.

Notice: Cole has a $36 million participant choice with the New York Yankees for the 2025 season.

Cole can decide out of his deal, but when he does, the Yankees can void his determination by including one other yr at $36 million. With the Cy Younger right-hander coming off an elbow harm and looking out much less constant as he enters his mid-30s, will probably be fascinating to see how this case performs out.

5. Blake Snell, LHP

Age: 32

2024 stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 begins)

Blake Snell

Blake Snell pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 after signing with them final offseason.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Regardless of successful the 2023 NL Cy Younger award, Snell did not signal his free-agent contract till March 27, the eve of Opening Day. It should not take so lengthy for groups to throw cash at him this time round.

Snell posted one of the best Okay/9 charge (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his profession to show his second Cy Younger season was no fluke. He’ll be among the many most sought-after arms available on the market.

6. Max Fried, LHP

Age: 31

2024 stats: 10-10, 3.42 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 157 SO, 55 BB, 165.2 IP (28 begins)

Max Fried

Max Fried pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.

Fried has been among the many most constant starters within the recreation since 2020. The veteran left-hander has posted an ERA of three.25 or decrease in every season since then, incomes two All-Star nods, an NL Cy Younger runner-up, and three Gold Gloves within the course of. He was instrumental within the Braves’ 2021 World Sequence title.

As arguably the highest left-hander accessible, Fried will likely be dear. However after him, Burnes, and Snell, there aren’t many bonafide aces on this yr’s free-agent class.

7. Willy Adames, SS

Age: 29

2024 stats: .251/.331/.462, 32 HR, 112 RBI, 21 SB, 173 SO, 74 BB (161 video games)

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Willy Adames

Willy Adames performed for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024

In accordance with MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, some inside the Crimson Sox group “worth Adames extremely and would like to see him in Boston.” It is an intriguing choice, and we weighed the pros and cons of signing Adames here. He has loads of pop and provides worth as an above-average defender. The draw back? His lackluster numbers in opposition to left-handed pitching.

8. Pete Alonso, 1B

Age: 30

2024 stats: .240/.329/.459, 34 HR, 88 RBI, 172 SO, 70 BB (162 video games)

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso performed for the New York Mets in 2024.

Alonso is on the shortlist of gamers to seem in all 162 video games this season. His clutch postseason moments might have satisfied the Mets to pay him this winter. But when New York strikes on from its All-Star slugger, Boston ought to at the least look into the potential for signing him as a DH/first baseman with a swing tailored for Fenway Park. Alonso has hit at the least 34 homers in each season besides the abbreviated 2020 marketing campaign.

9. Ha-seong Kim, SS

Age: 29

2024 stats: .233/.330/.370, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 77 SO, 58 BB (121 video games)

Ha-seong Kim

Ha-seong Kim performed for the San Diego Padres in 2024.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Kim’s 2024 season ended prematurely on account of a shoulder harm that required surgical procedure. Regardless of that, he’ll possible check the free agent marketplace for a multi-year deal as one of many high center infielders accessible. He is a stellar defender at shortstop, second base, and third base. Plus, he is a official menace on the basepaths with 38 stolen bases in 2023 and 22 in 2024.

10. Teoscar Hernandez, OF

Age: 32

2024 stats: .272/.339/.501, 33 HR, 99 RBI, 188 SO, 53 BB (154 video games)

Teoscar Hernandez

Teoscar Hernandez performed for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024

Hernandez signed a one-year “show it” cope with the Dodgers final offseason, and “show it” he did.

He bounced again after a tough season in Seattle with a career-high 33 homers. His success continued within the postseason, the place he belted three homers and drove in 12 runs en path to a World Sequence title.

Hernandez feasts on left-handed pitching, making him an interesting choice for a Crimson Sox membership that struggled mightily in opposition to southpaws all through 2024.

11. Marcell Ozuna, DH/OF

Age: 34

2024 stats: .302/.378/.546, 39 HR, 104 RBI, 170 SO, 74 BB (162 video games)

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Marcell Ozuna played for the Atlanta Braves in 2024

Marcell Ozuna performed for the Atlanta Braves in 2024

Notice: Ozuna has a $16 million membership choice with the Atlanta Braves for 2025.

Ozuna was one among 4 MLB gamers to seem in all 162 regular-season video games. The veteran slugger was an enormous vibrant spot for a Braves group that was decimated by accidents, and like Hernandez, he rakes in opposition to left-handers.

12. Anthony Santander, OF

Age: 30

2024 stats: .235/.308/.506, 44 HR, 102 RBI, 129 SO, 58 BB (155 video games)

Anthony Santander

Anthony Santander performed for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024

Santander is a switch-hitter with pretty even splits in opposition to lefties and righties. He had an influence surge this yr with career-highs in homers, RBI, and OPS.

13. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B

Age: 29

2024 stats: .266/.325/.426, 18 HR, 78 RBI, 89 SO, 45 BB (130 video games)

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger performed for the Chicago Cubs in 2024.

Replace: Bellinger has exercised his $27.5 million participant choice with the Chicago Cubs for 2025.

Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs final offseason and will stay in Chicago if he opts in, however he is reportedly expected to test the free-agent market once more.

Though Bellinger’s 2024 wasn’t as nice as his 2023 marketing campaign, he’d nonetheless be the highest left-handed bat available on the market not named Juan Soto. The 2019 NL MVP’s departure would mark a big loss for the Cubs.

14. Christian Walker, 1B

Age: 34

2024 stats: .251/.335/.468, 26 HR, 84 RBI, 133 SO, 55 BB (130 video games)

Christian Walker

Christian Walker performed for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024

Walker is likely one of the most underrated gamers in at the moment’s recreation. An distinctive defender at first base with two Gold Gloves beneath his belt, the veteran is a positive guess for roughly 30 homers when wholesome. The D’backs will possible do their greatest to maintain him in Arizona, the place he has spent the final eight seasons, however he’s set to earn a hefty contract on the open market.

15. Jack Flaherty, RHP

Age: 29

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

2024 stats: 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 194 SO, 55 BB, 162 IP (28 begins)

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 after being traded on the deadline by the Detroit Tigers.

Flaherty guess on himself when he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers in free company. That call paid off as he loved a stellar bounce-back marketing campaign in 2024.

He made 18 begins with Detroit, amassing a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 133 strikeouts earlier than being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the deadline. With L.A. he posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 10 begins.

There is a fairly steep drop-off from the Burnes/Snell/Fried trio to the Flaherty tier. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old righty ought to earn loads of consideration in free company after exhibiting his simple upside.

16. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

Age: 35

2024 stats: 11-8, 3.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 161 SO, 41 BB, 163.2 IP (28 begins)

Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi

Nathan Eovaldi pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024.

Notice: Eovaldi has a $20 million participant choice with the Texas Rangers for 2025.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Eovaldi adopted his sturdy debut season in Texas with arguably a fair higher 2024 marketing campaign. It would not be a shock to see the two-time World Sequence champion decide into his $20 million deal and stick along with his hometown group, however he’d nearly actually earn greater than that on the open market as a confirmed veteran with a postseason pedigree.

17. Sean Manaea, LHP

Age: 33

2024 stats: 12-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 183 SO, 61 BB, 178 IP (31 begins)

Sean Manaea

Sean Manaea pitched for the New York Mets in 2024.

Manaea led the Mets into the postseason because the ace of the pitching workers in 2024. The veteran southpaw notched one of the best ERA of his nine-year profession whereas tossing a career-high 181.2 innings. Whereas some r

18. Tanner Scott, LHP

Age: 30

2024 stats: 22 saves, 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 84 SO, 36 BB, 72 IP (72 video games)

Tanner Scott

Tanner Scott performed with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres in 2024

Scott was essentially the most coveted reliever at this yr’s commerce deadline and he’ll be essentially the most sought-after reliever in free company. It helps his trigger that he’ll be far and away the highest left-handed choice accessible.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Chosen to his first All-Star Recreation in 2024, Scott posted dominant numbers with each the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres. The hard-throwing southpaw ranked within the 92nd percentile in whiff rate (32.7 %) and when opposing hitters did make contact, it often wasn’t onerous. He was within the a centesimal percentile in common exit velocity (84.3 mph).

Scott tasks as the proper match to anchor Boston’s bullpen. If Breslow and Co. are going to lastly going to spend, he’d be a terrific place to start out.

19. Michael Wacha, RHP

Age: 33

2024 stats: 13-8, 3.28 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 143 SO, 44 BB, 161.2 IP (28 begins)

Michael Wacha

Michael Wacha pitched for the Kansas Metropolis Royals in 2024.

Notice: Wacha has a $16 million participant choice with the Kansas Metropolis Royals for 2025.

Maybe the Royals’ surprisingly profitable season will likely be sufficient to persuade Wacha to train his participant choice. Nonetheless, the veteran righty continued to show worthy of a multi-year contract with one other excellent marketing campaign. He is solely getting higher with age.

20. Luis Severino, RHP

Age: 31

2024 stats: 11-7, 3.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 161 SO, 60 BB, 182 IP (31 begins)

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Luis Severino

Luis Severino pitched for the New York Mets in 2024.

Severino was one of many largest bounce-back performers of the season. After a horrible end to his Yankees profession, the veteran right-hander moved to Queens and reminded the league what he is able to when wholesome. He possible earned himself a large deal in free company.

Read More

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Baseball

The ground in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium had barely started drying up before the hot stove got cooking.  Free agency is here,...

AEW

Mike Chiari @@mikechiari Featured Columnist IV September 8, 2024 AEW In the latest chapter of one of AEW's most heated rivalries, "Hangman" Adam Page...

NBA

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacek Featured Columnist IV October 28, 2024 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Joel Embiid hasn't played a game yet this season, but he is...

Boxing

Over the past few months and after recently dipping his toes in with ‘King’ Callum Walsh, UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly teased that...

Boxing

Teofimo Lopez seems to have struck up a good relationship with Canelo Alvarez . Recently, in a media interview ahead of the Edgar Berlanga...

UFC

October 30, 2024 1:30 pm ET Ailin Perez has her first fight booked since entering the official UFC rankings. The rising women’s bantamweight contender...

WWE

Parent company of WWE and UFC is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and IMG in a $3.25 billion deal By The Associated Press...

NFL

Former NFL player and current analyst Ryan Clark sparked controversy on social media after he wore a Bill Belichick mask on the CW’s "Inside...

Boxing

Image: Foundry At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Interesting, fun UI and approach to removing unwanted files from your Mac. Excellent performance and range...

NBA

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacek Featured Columnist IV October 24, 2024 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images The good news for the Miami Heat is things can...

Motorsports

The streak of good news for Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans continues as the veteran driver bags another achievement. This week the Dale Jr. fans...

WWE

WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, More Before Bash in Berlin 0 of 5 SmackDown. WWE Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of...

Boxing

Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker

Advertisement