10. Yonder Alonso, 1B
Age on 2018 opening day: 30
2017 stats: .266/.365/.501, 521 PA, 28 HR, 2 SB, 68/118 BB/K
Career stats: .268/.340/.407, 276/455 BB/K, 2,864 PA
Interested teams: Indians, Mariners, Rays, Red Sox, Royals, Twins, Yankees
CTTP prediction: Twins, 3 years, $30 million
Info: If someone would have told you in 2008 that the first year that Alonso would top 20 home runs at the major league level would be almost a decade later after an incredible career at the University of Miami, you would have taken that bet every time. Alonso did an excellent swing overhaul to go from a guy who was able to give good contact with doubles to getting power and still getting plenty of walks for a good OBP. He may be a guy who chooses to go for a 2-year or 3-year deal in order to get another crack at the market while he’s not “too old” to cash in again.
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9. Alcides Escobar, SS
Age on 2018 opening day: 31
2017 stats: .250/.272/.357, 629 PA, 6 HR, 4 SB, 15/102 BB/K
Career stats: .260/.294/.346, 202/702 BB/K, 5,171 PA
Interested teams: Cardinals, Marlins, Orioles, Padres, Royals
CTTP prediction: Padres, 1 year, $4.5 million
Info: Escobar has played 155 or more games of elite defense in all but one season since 2011 at shortstop. He’s played all 162 games 3 of the last 4 games, so he’s going to be on the field, but his offensive skills, especially his speed, have taken a huge hit over the last half-decade as well, and he’s coming off arguably his worst offensive season of his career, so he could be a guy looking for a one-year, make-good sort of deal to earn his way to a better payday next offseason.
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8. Jay Bruce, OF
Age on 2018 opening day: 30
2017 stats: .254/.324/.508, 617 PA, 36 HR, 1 SB, 57/139 BB/K
Career stats: .249/.319/.472, 528/1,378 BB/K, 5,806 PA
Interested teams: Blue Jays, Cardinals, Giants, Mariners, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins
CTTP prediction: Cardinals, 4 years, $48 million
Info: One of the most competitive guys you’ll ever meet, Bruce enjoyed being back in a playoff race with the Indians in 2017, and it showed in the way he was carrying himself. He will most likely be shooting for a playoff rush again, and his power bat from the left side is certainly going to draw interest. A guy who was willing to work things out to stay in Cincinnati for quite some time, he very feasibly is a guy who would sign for more years and less money in a situation where he felt he’d be competing every year.
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7. Jonathan Lucroy, C
Age on 2018 opening day: 31
2017 stats: .265/.345/.371, 481 PA, 6 HR, 1 SB, 46/51 BB/K
Career stats: .281/.343/.433, 310/542 BB/K, 3,786 PA
Interested teams: Athletics, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Rockies, Tigers
CTTP prediction: Rockies, 3 years, $31 million
Info: A guy well-renowned for his framing and his well above-average offensive production from catcher, Lucroy suddenly dropped off significantly in both to open the season with the Rangers, but he picked up with the bat with the Rockies after being traded (.310/.429/.437). He likely will end up being a guy with a very splintered market, with some teams wanting to stick to 1- or 2-year deals, and a few willing to go beyond that, but likely for less annual value.
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6. Mike Moustakas, 3B
Age on 2018 opening day: 29
2017 stats: .272/.314/.521, 598 PA, 38 HR, 34/94 BB/K
Career stats: .251/.305/.425, 214/515 BB/K, 3,318 PA
Interested teams: Angels, Braves, Indians, Mets, Royals
CTTP prediction: Mets, 5 years, $83 million
Info: “Moose” is a curious case this offseason. He was hurt significantly in 2016, and his defense took a big step back in 2017 to the point where he was borderline playable at third base. However, how much he was still recovering from the previous year’s injury and could bounce back in 2018 and how much is going to remain going forward is anyone’s guess right now until the medicals are seen after nearly 150 games played in 2017, though only 127 games in the field. The lefty power is sure, but his size (6′, 210-220 pounds) is less than ideal at first base if he is unable to handle third anymore, which would drastically affect his value.
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