While Shohei Ohtani is expected to be the main attraction during this entire offseason, there are plenty of compelling options available at most positions on the free agent market.
Here are some additional options for each position along with an analysis of the best player at each spot.
C: Mitch Garver
In 2023, Garver spent more time behind the plate than as a designated hitter, but his bat makes him a desirable option for any team in need of a catcher. Garver hit 19 home runs and had an.870 OPS in 87 games, but prospective suitors will have to take his injury history into account.
Best of the rest: Victor Caratini, Yasmani Grandal, Austin Hedges, Martín Maldonado, Tom Murphy, Gary Sánchez
1B: Rhys Hoskins
Hoskins proved to be a dependable slugger for the Phillies by averaging 30 home runs annually between 2018 and 22 (excluding the 60-game season in 2020). He missed the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear, but he is now 31 years old and should be able to make a comeback with his potent swing.
Best of the rest: Brandon Belt, Garrett Cooper, C.J. Cron
2B: Whit Merrifield
With Merrifield’s $18 million mutual option declined by Toronto, the veteran became free agent. The 34-year-old, who was once the league’s top hitter, finished 145 games with a.700 OPS, 26 stolen bases, and 11 home runs, earning him a spot on the Blue Jays All-Star team.
Best of the rest: Amed Rosario, Adam Frazier, Kiké Hernández, Tony Kemp, Donovan Solano
SS: Paul DeJong
This year’s free agent market is devoid of impact shortstop players after two consecutive offseasons with star-studded classes. With 81 games played, DeJong’s.710 OPS and 13 home runs were good enough for the Cardinals, but the 30-year-old struggled with the Giants and Blue Jays in the latter half of the season. With few good options available, DeJong might be able to start for a team in need of a shortstop.
Best of the rest: Elvis Andrus, Brandon Crawford, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Adalberto Mondesi
3B: Matt Chapman
Although Chapman hasn’t been able to duplicate his early-career success in Oakland, where he won Gold Gloves in 2018 and 2019 and finished in the top seven of the American League MVP voting, the third baseman’s 27 home runs in both 2021 and 2022 should be enough to land him a solid contract this winter. Chapman, who still ranks among the top hot corner defensive players, had a 40-point increase in his OPS from his final season with Oakland to his.756 OPS in his two years with Toronto.
Best of the rest: Jeimer Candelario, Josh Donaldson, Evan Longoria, Mike Moustakas, Gio Urshela
LF: Jorge Soler
The 2021 World Series MVP, Soler, chose to forego the final year ($9 million) of his contract and hit 36 home runs for the Marlins in 2023. He then entered the free agent market. With 48 home runs in 2019 and 27 more in 2021, Soler led the AL, so his performance this season was by no means an anomaly. The outfielder/DH will turn 32 in February, so a nice multi-year contract should be forthcoming.
Best of the rest: Corey Dickerson, Robbie Grossman, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Joc Pederson, David Peralta, Tommy Pham, Jurickson Profar
CF: Cody Bellinger
In his first season with the Cubs, Bellinger hit 26 home runs with an.881 OPS, marking his best season since his 2019 National League MVP campaign. The 28-year-old gave himself an opportunity to demonstrate that he could return to his early-career form last winter by accepting a one-year, $17.5 million contract with Chicago. Bellinger succeeded in doing so, positioning himself for a robust contract worth nine figures this offseason.
Best of the rest: Harrison Bader, Aaron Hicks, Kevin Kiermaier, Jung Hoo Lee, Michael A. Taylor
RF: Teoscar Hernández
Hernández’s first two and a half months in Seattle were not good: in 243 plate appearances over 59 games, he had a.688 OPS with a whopping 81 strikeouts against just nine walks. With 17 home runs and an OPS of.770 over his final 101 games, the now 31-year-old’s situation improved, and he was a major contributor to the Mariners’ postseason push. Hernández is among the better bats available this winter because he has hit at least 25 home runs in each of his previous four complete seasons.
Best of the rest: Joey Gallo, Randal Grichuk, Hunter Renfroe
DH: Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is unlikely to be a two-way unicorn in 2024, but whichever team signs him will likely get him back on the mound in 2025. Ohtani’s bat alone makes him the most valuable member of this year’s free-agent class, but the prospect of him pitching again will make him the most intriguing free agent the game has ever seen.
Best of the rest: J.D. Martinez, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Santana, Justin Turner
RH starting pitcher: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto is expected to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes this offseason, giving Major League teams a chance to sign the talented Japanese ace. Yamamoto had another stellar season (17-6, 1.16 ERA), winning his third consecutive Sawamura Award — Japan’s equivalent to the Cy Young Award. The right-hander is only 25 years old and could command the second-biggest deal of the offseason behind Ohtani.
Best of the rest: Jack Flaherty, Kyle Gibson, Lucas Giolito, Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Aaron Nola, Yariel Rodríguez, Michael Wacha
LH starting pitcher: Blake Snell
After starting the season 1-6 with a 5.40 ERA, it appeared as though Snell was wasting his chance to sign a large contract at the halfway point of the season. Following that, though, the former AL Cy Young winner went on an incredible run that saw him go 13-3 with a 1.20 ERA over his final 23 starts, making history’s only pitcher to win Cy Young Awards in both leagues.
The best of the rest are Eduardo Rodriguez, James Paxton, Jordan Montgomery, Clayton Kershaw, and Shōta Imanaga.
RH relief pitcher: Hector Neris
Neris has experience closing games, but in 2023 he was a standout setup man for the Astros, going 71 games with a 1.71 ERA. That experience will come with him to the free-agent market. Neris moved back into a closer role for the Phillies, saving 84 games in that span from 2016 to 21. As a result, teams looking for ninth-inning help could look to Neris.
The best of the rest are David Robertson, Trevor May, Craig Kimbrel, and Jordan Hicks.
Josh Hader, relief pitcher for LH
With the exception of his unusual 2022 campaign, Hader has been one of the league’s top relievers for the previous six seasons, being chosen for five All-Star teams. In his first full season with the Padres, the left-hander pitched to a 1.28 ERA in 61 appearances while recording 33 saves. He was very effective. As a free agent, Edwin Díaz signed a record-breaking five-year, $102 million deal last winter, but this offseason, Hader might set a new record for closers.
Best of the rest: Aroldis Chapman, Matt Moore, Wandy Peralta, Will Smith, Brent Suter