SF Giants offseason preview: Top 50 MLB free-agent rankings 2023-24
With the playoffs concluded, the MLB offseason is officially underway. So, free agency is finally here. Players whose contracts expired at the end of the 2023 season will have to wait five days to officially sign a contract with a new team. However, teams are allowed to reach out to players and their representatives. So, this is the final five-day window for a player's current team to prevent them from signing with another organization. So, as the SF Giants front office, and executives around the league contemplate how to construct a roster this offseason, here's a ranking of the top 50 players who could become free agents.
Players that would need a club or player option to be declined to reach free agency are denoted with an asterisk (*)
Bookmark this page to come back to throughout the offseason since it will be updated when each player signs.
Angels DH Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a home run against the Blue Jays. (2023)
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1. Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH (Angels)
No one is surprised to see Shohei Ohtani at the top of this ranking. The best player in the league, and arguably the greatest player of all time, is going to be a free agent. Even though Ohtani is slated to undergo his second major surgery on his throwing elbow, no team should shy away from offering him the largest contract in MLB history. Even if his future as a pitcher is uncertain, Ohtani is as impressive a free-agent hitter as Aaron Judge was last year.
Signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers
2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP (Orix Buffaloes)
Long considered the best pitcher not currently in MLB, 25-year old Yoshinobu Yamamoto finally seems slated to come stateside this offseason. Yamamoto combines an above-average pitch mix with elite command. Yamamoto is the first NPB superstar to maximize their MLB free-agent value under the new posting system. He may have a chance to receive a contract worth more than $300 million.
Signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers
3. Aaron Nola, SP (Phillies)
There is a significant drop off after Ohtani and Yamamoto in this offseason's class, but Aaron Nola has been one of the most consistent frontline starters in MLB since 2017. Nola is slated to turn 31 next June and has logged more than 1,400 big-league innings, which could give teams pause. His 4.46 ERA this season could be a redflag. However, he still racked up nearly 200 innings pitched and looked like his old self in the postseason.
Re-signed a seven-year, $172 million contract with Phillies
4. Cody Bellinger, CF/1B (Cubs)
Cody Bellinger seemed headed for a record-setting contract early in his career with the Dodgers, but injuries derailed the end of his tenure in Los Angeles. On the surface, Bellinger seemingly returned to form this season with the Cubs. He hit .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs this year with the lowest strikeout rate of his career. However, process metrics, like. Bellinger is excellent defensively at every outfield spot and that gives him a decent floor even if he ends up being a league average hitter.
5. Jordan Montgomery, SP (Rangers)
Jordan Montgomery may not have the upside of some of the other starting pitchers entering free agency, but the lefty has been a consistent mid-rotation starter since he debuted with the Yankees back in 2017. Montgomery completed a career-high 188 regular-season innings this season and showed no signs of slowing down during the Rangers' deep postseason run. Montgomery will turn 31 in December, but some team will probably shell out nine-figures betting on his consistent track record.
Padres ace Blake Snell pitches against the SF Giants at Oracle Park. (2023)
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6. Blake Snell, SP (Padres)
Blake Snell is likely going to hit free agency after winning the second Cy Young of his career. Normally a reigning Cy Young winner would undeniably be the top pitcher entering free agency, but Snell is probably not one of the top. Snell has proven that he can succesfully corral his below-average control to be an effective starter, oscillating between a solid mid-rotation arm and top-flight ace throughout his career. Still, he's only completed at least 130 innings pitched in a season twice over his career. Granted, he's won a Cy Young both times he has.
7. Matt Chapman, 3B (Blue Jays)
While Matt Chapman became a household name as a star with the Oakland Athletics early in his career, his offensive numbers have taken a step back. Over the past few seasons, Chapman has posted a solid .226/.322/.420 triple-slash with roughly 24 home runs per year. When paired with his elite defense at third base, Chapman has undeniably been a great player.
8. Josh Hader, CL (Padres)
It says a lot about how much Josh Hader has dominated opponents in 2021 and 2023 that he still has an ERA south of 2.60 over the past three seasons despite a disastrous 2022 campaign. Hader is far and away the best closer on the open market this offseason and will get a sizable contract.
9. Jung-Hoo Lee, CF (Kiwoom Heroes)
Jung-Hoo Lee has never been a power hitter in the hitter-friendly KBO, but is an elite contact hitter with excellent control of the strike zone. He has a career .342 career batting average and has more walks than strikeouts in each of the past four seasons. Lee has also been a solid defensive center fielder as well. There is some concern that Lee lacks the punch to be more than a fourth outfielder at the big-league level, but he has a chance to be a top-tier lead off hitter capable of holding down a premium defensive position as well.
Signed a six-year, $113 million contract with Giants
Detroit Tigers starter Eduardo Rodríguez pitches against the Mariners. (2023)
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10. Eduardo Rodríguez, SP* (Tigers)
One of the more interesting player opt-out decisions of the offseason, Eduardo Rodríguez must choose whether to opt-out of the three-years, $49 million remaining on his contract with Detroit. The depth of the starting pitching class and Rodríguez's willingness to exercise his no-trade clause at the trade deadline makes it a bit uncertain what he will do, but it seems like he should be able to get a more lucrative contract in free agency. Rodríguez has been a consistent mid-rotation starter since debuting with the Red Sox back in 2015.
Signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Diamondbacks.
11. Teoscar Hernández, COF/DH (Mariners)
Teoscar Hernández built a reputation as an offense-first corner outfielder early in his career, but he's quietly improved defensively over the past few years, per Statcast's OAA, while remaining an above-average hitter. Pro-rating the pandemic-shortened 2020 season over a 162-game campaign, Hernández has not failed to hit at least 22 home runs in a season since 2017. A career .261/.316/.486 hitter, he's a solid everyday player.
Signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract with Dodgers.
12. Shōta Imanaga, SP (Yokohama DeNA BayStars)
Yamamoto is not the only top NPB pitcher who is expected to be posted to MLB teams this offseason. Shōta Imanaga has been excellent at the top of Yokohama's staff. He has a four-pitch arsenal, and has flashed the ability to generate whiffs with all of his offerings. The closest recent NPB to MLB statistical comp is Yusei Kikuchi, but even that seems imperfect since Imanaga's arsenal has the potential to be far more overpowering. Imanaga has posted elite strikeout and walk rates, but also occasionally struggled to limit home runs. While they attack hitters in different ways, Imanaga's profile has some parallels with Andrew Heaney.
Signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Cubs
13. Jorge Soler, DH/COF* (Marlins)
Jorge Soler has never been good defensively, but the right-handed slugger has consistently bashed plenty of home runs and worked walks at above-average rates. This season with the Marlins, Soler hit .250/.341/.512 with 36 home runs in 580 plate appearances. With some of the best power in MLB, Soler will almost surely decline his $9 million player option and become a highly-desired free agent designated hitter this offseason.
14. Sonny Gray, SP (Twins)
Sonny Gray is set to become a free agent for the first time in his career this offseason. Gray has been limited by injuries throughout his career, and will be 34 in November. However, Gray is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He recorded a 2.79 ERA (2.83 FIP) with 183 strikeouts and 55 walks in 184 innings pitched. A three-time All-Star, Gray seemed to struggle in the bright lights of New York during his tenure with the Yankees, but he's been a solid two-starter when he's been outside that ecosystem.
Signed a three-year, $75 million contract with Cardinals
15. Max Muncy, INF/DH* (Dodgers)
Max Muncy would be one of the most intriguing free agents on the market given his three-true outcomes offensive skillset and defensive versatility, but the Dodgers will almost assuredly exercise the $14 million club option in his contract for 2024.
Re-signed two-year, $24 million contract with Dodgers
Chicago Cubs SP Marcus Stroman pitches against the SF Giants on June 9, 2023.
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16. Marcus Stroman, SP/RP* (Cubs)
Marcus Stroman may choose not to opt out of the one-year, $21 million remaining on his current contract. Stroman was pitching like a borderline ace early this season with the Cubs before he was sidelined by a minor hip injury and a subsequent rib fracture. Stroman was able to return to action in September with a far lessened workload. Still, assuming he has a clean bill of health, Stroman seems well positioned to receive a sizable multi-year deal if he opts out. Stroman has only ever had one below-average season and has a 3.45 ERA (3.60 FIP) over the past three seasons.
17. Clayton Kershaw, SP (Dodgers)
It seems like Clayton Kershaw may have finally thrown his final MLB pitch, but the Dodgers and their fans have plenty of reasons to hope he decides to come back for another season. Kershaw may not handle the workload he did at the peak of his career, but he posted a sub-2.50 ERA and was arguably Los Angeles' best overall starting pitcher. While it seems most likely that Kershaw will either retire or re-sign with the Dodgers, it may not seem as wild as it would have seemed a few years ago for him to return to his native Texas to finish his career with the Rangers.
18. J.D. Martinez, DH (Dodgers)
Looking back on last offseason, everyone hugely underestimated what J.D. Martinez had left in the tank. He inked a one-year, $10 million deal with the Dodgers and hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs in 119 games en route to his third consecutive All-Star campaign. Martinez turned 36 in August and is solely a designated hitter at this point in his career, but he remains a solid middle-of-the-order bat.
19. Rhys Hoskins, 1B/DH (Phillies)
Rhys Hoskins had a chance to be one of the three best free-agent position players in this winter's class with a productive 2023 campaign. However, the Sacramento, California native's season was taken away by a preseason torn ACL. Still, Hoskins was one of the best first baseman in MLB from 2017-2022. His defense has consistently trended in the right direction, which might lead teams to view him solely as a DH going forward, but his career .846 OPS should still make him highly sought after.
20. Max Kepler, OF* (Twins)
Max Kepler would probably be a top outfield target for teams who were nervous about Bellinger's advanced numbers. However, he will be returning to Minnesota when the Twins exercise the $10 million club option in his contract for 2024.
Twins exercised club option
21. Michael Wacha, SP* (Padres)
The Padres are in an interesting predicament with Michael Wacha. The veteran righty is coming off a solid season where he posted a 3.22 ERA (3.89 FIP) across 24 starts. However, per his contract, San Diego must decide whether or not to exercise a club option for the next two seasons at $16 million per year or risk losing him via free agency. That's far from an unreasonable commitment, but San Diego is reportedly trying to slash payroll and Wacha made just $4 million this season. Perhaps the most likely outcome is the Padres exercising the option and subsequently trading Wacha to a pitcher-needy team.
Signed two-year, $32 million contract with Royals
SF Giants SP Alex Cobb pitches against the San Diego Padres on September 3, 2023.
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22. Alex Cobb, SP* (SF Giants)
The Giants will almost certainly exercise the $10 million club option in Alex Cobb's contract for 2024. Although the decision did get a bit more complicated after it was revealed that he would undergo hip surgery. Nevertheless, he finished the season with a 3.87 ERA across 151.1 innings pitched (28 starts) and received his first-career All-Star appearance.
Giants exercised club option
23. Mitch Garver, C/DH (Rangers)
Mitch Garver may be the most intriguing free agent in this year's class. Garver is a limited defensive catcher, which has generally forced teams to limit his workload behind the plate. However, if any team was willing to tolerate Garver catching 100+ games a season, he'd easily be the best power-hitting backstop in the league. A career .252/.342/.483 hitter, Garver posted a .270/.370/.500 triple-slash this season with 19 home runs in 87 games. Garver has also consistently demolished lefties throughout his career. Don't be surprised if Garver lands a sizable multi-year deal to be a hybrid designated hitter/catcher on a team looking for offensive upgrades.
Signed two-year, $24 million contract with Mariners
24. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF (Diamondbacks)
If Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had been a viable defensive infielder, he would be notably higher on this list and would probably receive a contract worth an additional $20 million or more. However, Gurriel is solely a left fielder. Like Hernández, his defensive metrics took a big step forward this year after being traded by Toronto, and Gurriel paired that with his first All-Star selection. While he hit a career-high 24 home runs, his overall .261/.309/.463 triple-slash was in line with his career numbers. Gurriel is a very comparable free agent to Hernández. Both are above-average everyday left fielders who do not walk much. However, Gurriel has less power and is a much more contacted-oriented gap hitter.
Re-signed three-year, $42 million contract with Diamondbacks.
25. Lucas Giolito, SP (Guardians)
Lucas Giolito was never quite able to take the final step in his development to become a top-flight arm. In fact, his performance has taken a notable step back over the past two seasons. With that said, he has been incredibly durable and is still only 29. Someone will give him a multi-year deal banking on his ability to at least return to being a mid-rotation quality arm.
Signed two-year, $38.5 million contract with Red Sox
26. Jeimer Candelario, 3B/1B (Cubs)
In a career year this season, Jeimer Candelario finally hit 20 home runs in a season, finishing with a .807 OPS between his time with the Nationals and Cubs. Candelario is a solid defensive third and first baseman, although he's better at the hot corner, and a switch-hitter with relatively even platoon splits. However, like Bellinger, expected numbers raise some questions about his ability to sustain his 2023 levels of production.
Signed three-year, $45 million contract with Reds
27. Matt Moore, SU (Marlins)
Matt Moore has successfully rejuvenated his career after a move to the bullpen. The once promising young starting pitcher has a 2.20 ERA (3.29 FIP) with 143 strikeouts and 53 walks in 126.2 innings over the past two seasons as a setup arm. Now in his mid-30s, teams may be hesitant to give Moore a three-year deal, but he has a comparable free-agent candidacy to Taylor Rogers last winter.
Boston Red Sox center fielder Adam Duvall catches a fly ball against Atlanta. (2023)
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28. Adam Duvall, OF (Red Sox)
Adam Duvall was heading toward a career-year before a fractured rest cost him multiple months. Still, he finished the year hitting .247/.303/.531 with 21 home runs in just 97 games. Duvall remains a productive power-hitter capable of playing at least average defense at all three outfield positions. Now 35, teams have reason to be concerned about Duvall's ability to physically withstand the wear and tear for 100+ games in a season, something he's only done once since 2019, but his power and defensive versatility will make sure he finds a landing spot.
29. Seth Lugo, SP* (Padres)
Seth Lugo has a player option worth $7.5 million in his contract in 2024, which he will almost assuredly opt out of after a solid season as a mid-rotation starter in San Diego. Lugo will turn 34 in November, but has less wear and tear on his arm than the average mid-30s starter since he spent the majority of his career pitching out of the bullpen.
Signed three-year, $45 million contract with Royals
30. Charlie Morton, SP (Atlanta)
Charlie Morton may be on the verge of turning 40, but the veteran starter showed no signs of slowing down last season. With the exception of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Morton has made at least 30 starts and 160 innings pitched in each of the past five seasons. He continued striking out more than a better per inning and recorded a 3.64 ERA (3.87 FIP). Morton has openly discussed the possibility of retirement, however, and it seems unlikely that he would look to sign with a new organization if he returns for another season.
Atlanta exercised club option
31. Yuki Matsui, SU (Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles)
Yuki Matsui has been the most dominant reliever in the NPB for years. Over the past three seasons as the closer for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Matsui has a 1.39 ERA with 214 strikeouts, 53 walks, and 95 saves in 152 innings pitched (155 appearances). Don't let those numbers fool you, though, Matsui is not an overpowering flamethrower reliever. Instead, the 5'8'' lefty uses a relatively deep arsenal for a reliever to get past hitters. Matsui is no longer under contract with the Golden Eagles, meaning his contract will not require a posting fee.
Signed five-year, $28 million contract with Padres
32. Justin Turner, DH/3B (Red Sox)
Justin Turner's defense at third base has taken a significant step back over the past two seasons, making him more of a designated hitter/first baseman who can occasionally fill in at the hot corner than the All-Star caliber everyday third baseman he was in his prime. But even as he approaches 39, Turner delivered another productive season at the plate.
33. Jordan Hicks, SU (Blue Jays)
Jordan Hicks has never been the dominant closer that it seemed like he'd become when he burst onto the scene back in 2018. With that said, he still has one of the most dominant arsenals in the big leagues entering free agency on the heels of the best campaign of his career. Hicks has still never walked fewer than 10% of batters he's faced in a season, and that will probably keep him from becoming elite, but he remains a viable setup arm/high-end reliever.
SF Giants OF Michael Conforto hits a three-run home run against the Twins. (2023)
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34. Michael Conforto, RF/LF* (SF Giants)
In just 125 games, Michael Conforto slashed .239/.334/.384 with 15 homers, 14 doubles, 53 walks, and 106 strikeouts with the SF Giants this season. That mediocre line wouldn't normally make it an expectation for Conforto to opt-out of an $18 million player option. However, Conforto’s track record with the Mets from 2015-2021 alongside an incredibly thin free-agent market makes it seem more likely that he becomes a free agent.
Conforto declined to opt out of his contract
35. Jason Heyward, RF (Dodgers)
In a resurgent season with the Dodgers, Jason Heyward came to life offensively as a platoon bat against right-handed pitching. He remains an elite defensive outfielder and will be a target of teams that lose out or are unwilling to make a long-term commitment to Bellinger.
Re-signed one-year, $9 million contract with Dodgers
36. Michael Lorenzen, SP (Phillies)
Another late-career reliever-turned-starter, Michael Lorenzen was the Tigers lone All-Star selection and then threw a no-hitter shortly after a deadline trade to the Phillies. However, the former two-way star at Cal State Fullerton faded heavily as the season wore down and was removed from Philadelphia's rotation down the stretch. Lorenzen is a contact-oriented pitcher who has a 4.20 ERA (4.40 FIP) across the past two seasons. In other words, a perfectly fine four starter.
37. Tommy Pham, OF (Diamondbacks)
Tommy Pham had his best season since 2019 this year, hitting .256/.328/.446 with 16 home runs and 22 stolen bases alongside excellent batted-ball data. While he did play all three outfield positions, he is probably only a viable everyday left fielder at this point in his career, which limits his value. Still, Pham has no real hole in his game and can help a team in a lot of ways.
38. Jack Flaherty (Orioles)
Injuries have seemingly derailed Jack Flaherty's once promising young MLB career. However, the righty is still only 28 and completed more than 100 innings in a season for the first time since 2019 this year. Some team will give him a surprisingly sizable multi-year contract or a prove-it deal with hopes they can reignite his prime.
Signed one-year, $14 million contract with Tigers
39. Luis Severino, SP (Yankees)
Luis Severino seemed to be returning to his ace-level form in 2022, but the righty took a significant step back in 2023 and was once again unable to make 20 starts.
Signed a one-year, $13 million contract with Mets
SF Giants DH Joc Pederson doubles against the Rockies at Coors Field. (2023)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
40. Joc Pederson, DH (SF Giants)
Joc Pederson became a strange lightning rod on the SF Giants team last season. Despite strange narratives around him, Pederson lived up to reasonable expectations, hitting .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs in 425 plate appearances. Moreover, Pederson had the best hard-hit rate and xwOBA of his career. He should not be deployed in the outfield, but Pederson is a solid platoon DH.
41. Gary Sánchez, C (Padres)
After the Giants and Mets both signed and quickly moved on from Gary Sánchez this season, the former Yankees slugger found a home with the Padres and started crushing the ball. Sánchez hit 19 home runs in 72 games before a fractured wrist ended his season. While the injury may complicate things, Sánchez also quietly graded out as an average to above-average overall defensive catcher for the second consecutive season.
42. Lance Lynn, SP/RP (Dodgers)
Despite some impressive moments after he was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, Lance Lynn . Despite his age (he'll turn 37 in May), Lynn has remained a sturdy innings-eater and is not that far removed from being a consistent mid-rotation starter.
Signed one-year, $10 million contract with Cardinals
43. James Paxton, SP (Red Sox)
In his healthiest season since 2019, James Paxton was a solid mid-rotation starter with the Red Sox who flashed the frontline upside he maintained at the peak of his career several years ago. He finished the year with a 4.50 ERA in 96 innings pitched (19 starts) with 101 strikeouts and 33 walks. If a team is looking for some mid-rotation depth that has even more upside, Paxton would be an intriguing plan.
44. Josh Bell, 1B (Marlins)
Josh Bell has been one of the most consistent players in MLB over his career. He has never missed more than 19 games in a season while consistently delivering slightly above-average production as a switch-hitter with relatively balanced platoon splits. His value is limited by his limited defensive versatility, but he can be a solid short-term solution for a team desperate to find some level of production at first base or DH.
Bell exercised a player option
45. Joey Gallo, COF/DH (Twins)
Joey Gallo will hit home runs. He will strikeout. He will walk a lot. Those are guarantees. His defense in right field has begun to slip, though.
46. Tom Murphy, C (Mariners)
Tom Murphy would rank right alongside Garver, possibly higher, if he had been able to stay healthy over the past few years. However, he has never played 100 games in a MLB season and only played in 61 games over the past two years. When healthy, Murphy is an incredibly productive power-hitting catcher (career .769 OPS), but has struggled defensively.
Signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with Giants
47. Kevin Kiermaier, CF (Blue Jays)
One of the best defensive outfielders of the era, Kevin Kiermaier finally was healthy enough to play in 129 games this season. He remains in a league of his own defensively, but the underlying batted-ball metrics are skeptical that he can maintain his solid offensive production (.265/.322/.419) going forward. Kiermaier is an excellent fourth outfielder, but his inability to stay on the field makes it hard to envision any team rolling with him as an everyday option in center.
Re-signed one-year, $10.5 million contract with Blue Jays
48. Michael Brantley, COF/DH (Astros)
A setback from rehabbing shoulder surgery over the past year limited Michael Brantley to just 15 regular-season games this season, but he held his own at the plate. Brantley will be 37 next May, but he remains a solid defensive left fielder and has a long track record has an above-average hitter.
Brantley retired
49. Eddie Rosario, LF (Atlanta)
Eddie Rosario is a perfectly fine left fielder. He's consistently been a roughly league average hitter throughout his career, with standard platoon splits. Advanced defensive metrics had historically crushed him in outfield corners, but he graded out as above average by Statcast's OAA this season with Atlanta. Either way, Rosario is a low-upside corner outfielder who is a solid option for a team that just needs to find a competent bat in left field.
50. Tyler Mahle, SP (Twins)
Tyler Mahle had a chance to set himself up for a big pay day this offseason, but he was forced to undergo UCL surgery in May, which will likely keep him out until next summer. He seems like a strong candidate to receive a pillow one or two-year contract from a team hoping he can return to his mid-rotation form upon his return.
Signed a two-year, $22 million contract with Rangers
