Unlike the last couple of offseasons, most of the free agent top-end talent is gone in early January this time around. Both the starting pitching and relief market have been thoroughly picked over and the market for a catcher is now slim pickings.
The strongest market left is right-handed hitters with multiple options that play different positions. When those names drop, maybe we will finally see some of the rumored names via trade – Nolan Arenado, Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant – get dealt.
Let’s take a look at what’s left in the free agent market starting with players in MLB Trade Rumors Top 50.
No. 5 Josh Donaldson – 3B
The Twins, Braves, and Nationals have all been reported to have a four-year deal in the $100 million range for Donaldson coming off a 6 WAR season.
No. 8 Nicholas Castellanos – RF
The 27-year-old is looking at a nice contract coming off a strong .289/.337/.525 season between the Cubs and Tigers. Rangers are currently seen as the frontrunner, though the Giants and Reds have been connected as well.
No. 11 Marcell Ozuna – OF
Cardinals look like a perfect fit for Ozuna after they traded outfielders Jose Martinez and Randy Arozarena on Thursday night to the Rays. The Reds and Rangers have also shown interest in the 29-year-old.
No. 37 Yasiel Puig – OF
Puig could be a cheaper fallback option for the team that loses out on Castellanos and Ozuna. The Marlins did meet with Puig during the Winter Meetings.
No. 39 Alex Wood – LHP
There’s been no rumors about the Wood after he posted an awful 5.80 ERA in only 35 innings last year for the Reds. However, he will turn only 29 on Sunday and had a 3.20 ERA in 304 inning for the Dodgers in 2017 and 2018 combined.
No. 41 Brock Holt – UT
The left-handed hitter has posted 109 wRC+ and 103 wRC+ the past two seasons while playing six different positions. He would make sense for a ton of teams, though the Sox signed Jose Peraza to fill his role.
No. 48 Ivan Nova – RHP
Nova has been durable over the last four seasons with 697 innings pitched in 126 games, but he had a 4.72 ERA, 4.98 FIP, and 1.46 WHIP in 2019. His 5.49 K/9 was the second lowest among qualified starters.
No. 49 Pedro Strop – RHP
One of the best relievers on the market despite pitching to a 4.97 ERA for the Cubs in 2019. He was able to still strikeout 49 batters in 41 innings and allowed only 33 hits. He had a 2.90 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in seven seasons with the Cubs.
No. 50 Drew Smyly – LHP
Pitching in the majors for the first time since 2016, Smyly had a 6.24 ERA (4.45 in second half with Phillies) in 114 innings last season. He allowed a whopping 32 home runs in that span.
The best of the rest includes INF Todd Frazier, RHP Brandon Kintzler, UT Ben Zobrist, C Russell Martin, OF Hunter Pence, INF Wilmer Flores, OF Alex Gordon, OF Cameron Maybin, Of Kevin Pillar, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Matt Harvey, RHP Felix Hernandez, RHP Aaron Sanchez, RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Collin McHugh, and LHP Francisco Liriano.
