Just 2 Dodgers Land on MLB's Top 25 Free Agents List Heading into 2023-2024 Offseason
The difference a year makes for the Los Angeles Dodgers. One offseason ago, names like Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, and more shaped the lists of the best free agents hitting the open market. This winter, however, it's a much different story. Despite at least a dozen players (but likely more) heading to free agency from 2023's roster, officially there were only 2 Dodgers players found on MLB.com's top 25 list.
We say official because, as MLB.com notes, Julio Urias will become a free agent this offseason but with him on administrative leave, he was omitted from the list.
Officially on the list are...
J.D. Martinez comes in as the no. 9 ranked free agent this offseason.
And Clayton Kershaw, coming in at no. 12.
Here's what MLB.com had to say about each of them:
On J.D. Martinez: Martinez has been an All-Star in each of the past five full seasons since 2018, posting another stellar season at age 35 in 2023. The 13-year veteran slugged 33 home runs with 101 RBIs and a .893 OPS in his first year with the Dodgers, providing great value after signing a one-year, $10 million pact last December. For teams in the race for Shohei Ohtani, Martinez could be a wise pivot if they fail to land the presumptive AL Most Valuable Player to fill their DH role.
Potential fits: Angels, Dodgers, Mets
On Clayton Kershaw: The likely future Hall of Famer had another superb season in 2023, going 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA in 24 starts. The days of expecting 33 starts and 200 innings are in the past -- Kershaw hasn’t hit either of those marks in a season since 2015 -- but the left-hander remains one of the best pitchers in the game when he’s on the mound. If he decides to pitch in 2024, it will likely be for the Dodgers, though the annual Texas homecoming rumors will continue to simmer until he retires.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Rangers
A few more players could join J.D. and Kershaw on the list depending on the status of their contract options.
The Dodgers will likely buy Lance Lynn out of his $18 million team option for 2024. Joe Kelly could join him as well, if the team chooses to pass on his $9.5 million option.
Blake Treinen, Alex Reyes, and Daniel Hudson all have options that will likely not be picked up but they don't figure to change the top 25 list.
Former Dodgers Heading to Free Agency
Cody Bellinger: The 2019 NL MVP is listed as the fourth best free agent on the market. Bellinger figures to command a deal in the neighborhood of $150 million and upwards of $200 million, if his agent Scott Boras has a heck of a sale pitch.
Kenta Maeda: Maeda's 8 year deal he signed with the Dodgers ahead of the 2015 season is finally over. After missing the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery he ate some innings over 20 starts in 2023. He figures to sign 2 or 3 year deal as a number four or five starter this offseason, despite being 35 years old now. He could also consider returning to Japan to finish out the final few years of his career.
Joc Pederson: Joc enters free agency again and, in all honesty, will likely have a hard time finding a high paying Major League job for a few months. He's still just 31 but is coming off a very down year and is just about limited to a DH role at this point in his career.
Hyun-Jin Ryu: The legendary Babe Ryuth wrapped up a 4 year deal with the Blue Jays by stringing together a solid 11 starts coming off Tommy John surgery. He'll be 37 by opening day next year but could have a few more decent seasons in the tank.
