Top 10 free agents for the 2023-24 MLB offseason: Ohtani, Hader, Yamamoto...

With the 2023 World Series now concluded and the Texas Rangers crowned champions, it’s time to focus our attention on free agency and which top tier players are set to hit it. Indeed, this year’s edition promises to be something to behold.

What are we looking at in 2023 free agency?

Off the bat, we’ve got Los Angeles Angels star, Shohei Ohtani, who will undoubtedly be the headline grabber, and truth be told, who can argue with that? Not only is he easily the most unique free agent we’ve ever seen, but his global appeal makes his career path something of true significance. Some will of course point to the surgery on his arm, but rest assured it won’t stop him from landing the biggest contract in MLB history when the time comes. Where the rest of the pack is concerned, we’ve got a number of starting pitchers in a group that has to be considered laden with impact players. With no further ado, let’s get into the top 10 free agents out there.

1. Shohei Ohtani - DH/SP

If his place at No. 1 is still in doubt, then we’re not really sure what to say. Between his phenomenal numbers on the field and incredible marketing figures off them, there’s no way to understate the Japanese star’s importance.

2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto - SP

There is a school of thought that suggests that Yamamoto will find it difficult to make the switch from Japan to the majors, but we don’t attend that school. Quite frankly, the level at which the 25-year-old has been playing makes us believe that his move to MLB will be nothing more than a formality. Indeed, the fact that he’s this good at this age already puts him ahead of most others on this list and across the league in general.

3. Aaron Nola - SP

If we’re honest, Aaron Nola didn’t exactly set the world alight in 2023, which was surprising for many due to how well he played in 2022. On the other hand, at 30 years old he is the same age or younger than most free-agent starters and his ability to go the distance has been nothing short of outstanding. Consider for a moment that he has made more starts than anyone since the start of the 2018 season, and he’s only seven innings behind Gerrit Cole for the top spot in that stretch.

4. Blake Snell - SP

Yet another pitcher on the list and one who is the NL favorite to win the Cy Young award, Blake Snell has been something special. Yet, it would be dishonest to not mention a rather curious aspect of his game: Snell leads his league in walks and by a considerable amount to boot. Of course, as much as that statistic raises an eyebrow, the way in which he has continued to limit contact makes one believe that perhaps it doesn’t matter. At any rate, given the year he’s had, there couldn’t be a better time to enter free agency.

5. Josh Hader - RP

Since it’s all about pitchers, what’s one more especially when considering the way in which Josh Hader re-established himself this year? You’ve got to love a guy who can go from an ERA of 5.22 last year, to 1.19 this year with 31 saves in 36 chances to boot. To be honest, Hader is one of the best closers out there regardless of if his numbers are down by a little.

6. Cody Bellinger - OF

Like Hader above, Cody Bellinger had a rebound year. Following a disappointing end with the Dodgers, he was given a new lease on life in Chicago where he essentially hit the ground swinging. Not only did he push the Cubs toward playoff contention, but he managed to post 26 homers, 95 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, a 134 OPS+, and a 4.1 bWAR along the way. This is all to say that the 28-year-old will have no shortage of suitors when free agency opens up. Could he stay in Chicago? Yes, but whatever contract is offered will have to be a lucrative one.

7. Eduardo Rodriguez - SP

It would be fair to say that the Tigers were not good this past season, but it also has to be said that Eduardo Rodriguez was not the reason for that. In 25 starts, he posted an ERA of 3.40 which appears to be in keeping with the fact that he signed a 5-year, $77-million deal in 2021. Whether he stays with the Tigers or not remains to be seen but wouldn’t come as a surprise if he did. Remember, this is the same guy who opted out of a trade to the Dodgers just this past summer, as he explained that he and his family were just fine in Detroit. Watch this space.

8. Matt Chapman - 3B

If there is a downside to Matt Chapman, it’s his at-plate performance. With that said, he’s still as good as it gets when it comes to third-baseman responsibilities. To focus on the former for a moment, it can’t be ignored that in his past three years - one with the A’s, two with the Jays - Chapman had a .323 on-base percentage and 108 OPS+, while hitting 27 homers in both 2021 and 2022. This past season, however, he could only manage a little more than half that. This will likely affect his stock, but something tells us not by a whole lot.

9. Sonny Gray - SP

As we said, there are a lot of pitchers. Now, it would be a surprise if Sonny Gray were to secure the kind of deal we expect the others on this list to grab, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t just as good as them. Following what’s got to be considered his best season so far, the 33-year-old was stunning with a 2.80 ERA/2.85 FIP campaign, in which he conceded just eight home runs in 180 innings. Then, there was also his consistency which saw him throw at least six full innings 19 times across his 31 starts.

10. Jordan Montgomery - SP

Last but not least. Having just won the World Series with the Rangers, one could say it’s been a good year for Jordan Montgomery. Where the World Series itself is concerned, the 30-year-old started Game 2, pitching six innings and allowing four runs. As for the postseason, he went 3-1 in 2023 with a 2.90 ERA and 17 strikeouts in six games pitched and five starts. This is all to say that he is indeed a solid pitcher such that it wouldn’t surprise us if the Rangers do everything they can to keep him. On the other hand, we imagine a number of teams will be thinking the same thing.