As teams compile their rosters and prepare for the start of spring training, let’s review the free agent landscape for the best options for filling needs and providing depth. Here are the top 12 remaining free agents (plus a few names to watch) and my view on the best team to suit each player, based on the clubs’ needs and what I hear in conversations with decision-makers across the game.
(2022 War Stats according to Baseball Reference.)
1. Michael Wacha, RHP
Omar: 31
war: 3.3
Wacha is the best remaining starting pitcher in the free agent market after going 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA for red socks last year. His falling plane has always been a factor. He has an impressive career record of 74-50 with a 4.05 ERA in 204 starts and 21 relief appearances. Still, he hasn’t made more than 128 runs in a season since 2017. Many opposing teams need to start deep, and many others who likely wouldn’t argue would love to sign him with the idea of turning him around at the trade deadline, so Wacha has no shortage in options.
Best fits: orioles, twinsred socks, basicsAnd Padres
Jorickson Provar (Sam Navarro / USA Today)
2. Jurickson Profar, LF
Omar: 29
bats: Both Throws: right
war: 3.1
Profar hit on base 33 percent last season and scored 15 homers, 82 runs scored, 58 RBIs and 111 OPS+. He also caught 10 passes from left field. He can play all three outfield positions as well as second base on occasion and that versatility, along with being a switch hitter, increases his value. It would really be a good deep play for a lot of opposing teams.
Best fits: BraveAnd YankeesAnd Astros
3. Elvis Andrus, S
Omar: 34
bats: right Throws: right
war: 3.0
Andrus found his fountain of youth last year and produced a solid season with 149 games, 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 22 attempts. Defensively, the 14-year-old veteran finished with 4 negative points defense and 3.8 UZR. Many teams are looking for a short hiatus, so Andrus should end up with a good one-year contract.
Best fits: Red Sox, Angels, Braves
4. Zack Greinke, RHP
Omar: 39
war: 2.6
The future Hall of Famer wants to continue pitching, and after posting a 3.68 ERA in 26 starts in 2022, he deserves the chance to pitch for another season. Greinke is one of my favorite characters on the club, and when you combine that quality with his high baseball IQ, he’s a real addition to a opposing team or a rebuild beyond what gives him on the mound. But his strikeouts per nine innings pitched have dropped dramatically over the past three seasons, from 9.0 in 2020 to 6.3 in 2021 to 4.8 last year. He will have to sign a lower base contract with incentives for roles thrown in and/or starting games.
Best fits: Royals, Rays, Padres
Trey Mancini (Ken Blaze/USA Today)
5. Trey Mancini, 1B/DH/LF
Omar: 30
bats: right Throws: right
war: 1.4
I think Mancini is going to end up being one of the most undervalued free agents out of this offseason. He beat stage 3 colon cancer, and I believe he will be in recovery from two years after treatment. Mancini hit 20 or more homers in every season from 2017 to 2021, and he still managed 18 bombs last year. With The ban on shift work270 on average and 0.340 on a percentage basis with 21 to 24 home runs. Mancini can DH and occasionally play first base and left field. He is the perfect tenth player for the team.
Best fits: sailorsAnd redsAnd CubsAnd CitizensAnd righteousnessAnd notice
6. Andrew McCutcheon, OF
Omar: 36
bats: right Throws: right
war: 1.1
McCutcheon is now a major league average player, but he’s capable of hitting 15 to 18 home runs in a season and being on base at . 320 clip. Despite his age and deterioration, he can still help the opposing team in the right role, platoon on the field and in the DH. McCutcheon’s leadership qualities and the club’s presence in his market help.
Best fits: blue jaysMariners, Rays, Rangers, mets
7. Adam Duvall, OF
Omar: 34
bats: right Throws: right
war: Negative -0.1
Duvall underwent season-ending surgery this past July to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. He was awarded a Gold Glove in 2021 when he was a regular part of the Braves outfield and also hit 38 home runs with an NL-leading 113 RBI. His hitting tool is one of his weaknesses as he hit . 213 last year in 315 plate appearances and . 228 last year in 555 PA. However, in the case of the platoon type, he can really help the opposing team if he is healthy.
Best fits: Mariners, Braves, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Rangers
8. Josh Harrison, INF/OF
Omar: 35
bats: right Throws: right
war: 1.4
Harrison can play second and third base and outfield and is best suited to come off the bench at this point in his career. He is a high energy player who is enthusiastic and takes down his team mates. Last year he hit 0.256 l white stockings He mostly played second and third base.
Best fits: white stockings, RockyRed Sox, Rangers
Jose Iglesias (Vincent Carchita / USA Today)
9. Jose Iglesias, S
Omar: 33
bats: right Throws: right
war: 1.2
Still an above-average defensive shortstop, Iglesias is coming off a solid season in which he hit . 292 with 30 doubles, 48 runs scored and 47 RBI. And for those worried about his pitch splits last year, he hit . 315 on the road with 17 doubles and . 264 at home with 13 doubles. Back to the Red Sox or Angels Logically, or maybe even go to the Braves, especially if von Grissom Not willing to take over the shortstop full time.
Best fits: Red Sox, Angels, Braves
10. Gary Sanchez, C/DH
Omar: 30
bats: right Throws: right
war: 0.9
Sánchez provides raw power to the plate and a strong arm behind the plate. He is below average defensively and allows plenty of wild pitches and passed tackles. However, he hit 154 home runs in his eight-year career and made two All-Star teams. He’ll fit perfectly as a #2 player and part-time DH who matches up with some pitchers.
Best fits: giantsRed Sox, Astros, diamondbacks
11. David Peralta, OF
Omar: 35
bats: the left Throws: the left
war: 0.7
Still a high-quality fourth or fifth player, Peralta’s type can be an important deep play for a competitor. Last year, he batted a total of .251/.316/.415 with 30 doubles, three triples, and 12 home runs for the Diamondbacks and rays. In 2021, he led the majors in triples and hit 30 doubles for Arizona.
Best fits: Rangers, Nationals, Rays, Yankees
12. Tommy Pham, OF
Omar: 34
bats: right Throws: right
war: 0.4
Pham averaged 16 home runs and 11 stolen bases per season over the past two years with the Padres, Reds, and Red Sox. He has a slash of .259/.354/.433. He plays the game hard. Although he’s been an everyday player the past couple of seasons, I think he’d be best in a reduced role as a fourth quarterback or platoon player.
Best fits: mets Velesnotice
Finally, here are some other free agents to watch, with their best combinations listed in parentheses:
• Brian Anderson, INF/OF (Dodgers)
• Andrew Chaffin, LHP (Astros)
• Will Smith, LHP (Blue Jays)
• Yuli Guriel, 1B (Phillies)
• Aroldis Chapman, LHP (Marlins)
• Joe Ross, RHP (Nationals)
(Top photo by Michael Wacha: Terrance Williams/Associated Press)