Current:Home > ContactEthermac Exchange-Top remaining MLB free agents: Blake Snell leads the 13 best players still available -NextWave Wealth Hub
Ethermac Exchange-Top remaining MLB free agents: Blake Snell leads the 13 best players still available
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-10 04:31:33
It's that time of spring: Opening Day looms much closer ahead than the opening of training camps in the rear view. And a baker's dozen of serviceable Major League Baseball free agents lurk.
Oh,Ethermac Exchange it goes a bit further than the so-called "Boras Four who sought nine-figure contracts and opted for a waiting game. The list of best available include a likely Hall of Famer, an elite defensive center fielder and plenty of help on the mound - in the late innings or out of the chute.
With that, a look at the best remaining free agents:
MLB top remaining free agents
- Blake Snell, LHP: The starting pitcher shortage is a recurring theme and this guy is truly different: Left-handed, the majors’ ERA champion (2.25) for 2023 and soon with a Cy Young Award in both leagues. Snell is not without his downsides – such as a 4.06 ERA in the three seasons after his 1.89 mark won the 2019 AL Cy Young.
- Jordan Montgomery, LHP: Big, durable lefties are hard to come by and Montgomery showed his ceiling just in time for free agency, making a career-high 32 starts each of the past two years, topping 200 innings (178 regular season, 31 playoffs) for the first time and ultimately finishing as the No. 2 starter for the World Series champs.
- J.D. Martinez, DH: What a renaissance in 2023 for Martinez, who doubled his home run output to 33 and bumped his OPS to .893, best since 2019. That includes 24 homers and an .880 OPS against right-handers.
- Mike Clevinger, RHP: After three injury-wracked seasons that included a domestic-violence investigation, Clevinger produced a steady 2023 campaign, making 24 starts, reaching 131 ⅓ innings and posting a 3.77 ERA.
- Tommy Pham, OF: Pham had a nice October platform, ripping eight hits in 17 World Series at-bats, and his acquisition by Arizona showed what he could mean to a contending club, possessing a nice power-speed combo and clubhouse gravitas.
- Adam Duvall, OF: Wrist injuries curtailed each of his past two seasons, but Duvall remains an aggressive and dangerous hitter, hitting 21 home runs in 320 at-bats. We don’t recommend a .301 career OBP as a means of producing a .799 career OPS, but dude continues to do it.
- Brandon Belt, 1B: Still gives you what you want: 19 homers, a .369 OBP, .858 OPS over 339 at-bats. A great fit in the right situation, perhaps with a righty DH partner.
- Joey Votto, 1B: An emotional goodbye from Cincinnati gave way to a proud veteran’s intense desire to stay in the fight.
- Michael Lorenzen, RHP: Some fabulous bullet points on his job application: All-Star selection and no-hitter in 2023. Lorenzen hit the wall a bit after that September feat and didn’t figure in Philly’s postseason pitching plans but did produce 153 largely quality innings for the Tigers and Phillies. Has ability to start or relieve.
- Shelby Miller, RHP: A neck injury limited him to just 36 appearances, and even that was his most since 2015, when he was firmly a starter. But Miller shined in his limited look, with a 1.71 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. His reclamation project is almost complete.
- Ryne Stanek, RHP: Yet another Astros reliever, though one who largely drifted outside the playoff circle of trust. Stanek’s ERA leaped to 4.09, highest since his rookie season, as was his 7.5 hits per nine innings. Still, Stanek gasses it up to 98 mph and could be a late-inning piece in the right hands.
- Donovan Solano, INF: Versatile but a bit of a stretch as a full-time first baseman due to a lack of power. Still, Solano’s .369 OBP and respectable 26 doubles in 450 plate appearances are plusses.
- Michael A. Taylor, OF: Still spectacular enough defensively and with the ability to pop the ball out of the yard (21 home runs) that his overall offensive deficiencies can be overlooked. Unless the Padres offer him something close to a full-time position, Taylor might have to settle for a fourth outfielder job once again.
HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.
veryGood! (2854)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Azerbaijan’s leader says his country is ready to hold peace treaty talks with Armenia
- Is Indigenous Peoples' Day a federal holiday? What to know about commemoration
- A perfect day for launch at the Albuquerque balloon fiesta. See the photos
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Some GOP candidates propose acts of war against Mexico to stop fentanyl. Experts say that won’t work
- An Israeli airstrike kills 19 members of the same family in a southern Gaza refugee camp
- Miami could have taken a knee to beat Georgia Tech. Instead, Hurricanes ran, fumbled and lost.
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- 49ers prove Cowboys aren't in their class as legitimate contenders
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Indian rescue copters are flying into region where flood washed out bridges and killed at least 52
- John Cena: Last WWE match 'is on the horizon;' end of SAG-AFTRA strike would pull him away
- Gates Foundation funding $40 million effort to help develop mRNA vaccines in Africa in coming years
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.55 billion after no winner in Saturday's drawing
- Dyson Flash Sale: Score $250 Off the V8 Animal Cordfree Vacuum
- Two Husky puppies thrown over a Michigan animal shelter's fence get adopted
Recommendation
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Man arrested over alleged plot to kidnap and murder popular British TV host Holly Willoughby
US demands condemnation of Hamas at UN meeting, but Security Council takes no immediate action
Keep the 'team' in team sports − even when your child is injured
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Eminem and Hailie Jade Are the Ultimate Father-Daughter Team at NFL Game
A healing culture: Alaska Natives use tradition to battle influx of drugs, addiction
Food Network Star Michael Chiarello Dead at 61