MLB Free Agency: Top Free Agent Bargains Available

Mike Moustakas

This could be back-to-back offseasons now that a team gets Mike Moustakas at a bargain. Last year, the Kansas City Royals brought Moose back on a one-year deal for $5.5 million with a mutual option for $15 million in 2019 that was bought out for $1 million.

There really hasn’t been much talk about Moustakas this offsesaon, which makes me believe he will have to take another bargain deal.

Last year he hit .251 between the Royals and Brewers with a 28 home runs and 95 RBI.

His average and OBP are nothing to get excited about, but if you are looking for a power-hitting third baseman who plays great defense, then signing Moustakas for another $5 million contract over one year would certainly be a bargain.

Of course, Moustakas’ market could pick up one Machado signs as I’m guessing Mouse is the number one back-up plan for teams who need a third baseman and miss out on Machado.

The Brewers, Padres, and Royals have shown some level of interest. The White Sox and Phillies would make a lot of sense as well if they miss out on the big fish.

Moose is still just 30-years-old and has hit 22 or more home runs in three of the past four seasons (only played 27 games in 2016).

Spotrac has his market value at $10.5 million, but I would be shocked if he sees double-digits.

Craig Kimbrel

This is the one that I just don’t understand. I know in MLB free agency teams are learning that you pay for what the player is going to do in the future and not what he’s done in the past, but man, Kimbrel is one of the best closers in the history of this game.

He’s collected at least 31 saves in each of the past eight seasons, with five seasons of 42 saves or more — including the 2018 season.

His durability is unmatched for a reliever appearing in 57 games or more in eight straight seasons with 53 innings or more in each of those seasons.

Kimbrel’s career K/9 is 14.7, but he’s mostly hovered around 13.5 for six straight seasons now, which is still incredible. Last year he had a K/9 of 13.9.

He has a career WHIP of 0.92, and he’s only had four seasons with a WHIP over one. And in five-of-nine seasons in the big leagues he’s had an ERA under two.

Some people want to focus on his drop in velocity and loss of control at the end of a long 2018 season, but look at what this guy has done in his career.

He started the offseason looking for a six-year deal for around $100 million. Spotrac has his market value $16 million a year.

I still think Kimbrel could get close to $16 million a year, but it won’t be anywhere close to a six-year deal. Most likely he’ll get a three-year deal for around $45 million, which is still a bargain for a guy like Kimbrel.

Adam Jones

Not many players in the game have been as consistent over the years as outfielder Adam Jones. He’s played in at least 137 games in nine straight seasons, and only twice during that span has he hit under .280.

His stock took a big hit last year during his age 32 season when he hit just 15 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles. But you also have to remember he was playing for one of the worst teams in the history of baseball.

Before the 2018 season, Adam Jones had hit 25 or more home runs in seven straight seasons. I see no reason why he can’t get back to hitting 20-plus home runs in 2019.

While his on-base percentage has never been great, his batting average has always hovered around .280, which is very solid.

And while he is no longer mobile enough to play center field, I believe he can still be a good defender in either corner outfield spot.

There hasn’t been much interest in Jones this offseason, but like Moustakas, some of his suitors could be waiting on Harper to sign.

Still, I would be surprised if Jones gets anything more than a two-year deal — if that — and I would venture to guess he makes less $10 million a year.

Whoever signs him is getting a leader in the clubhouse and a productive outfielder at a bargain.

Gio Gonzalez, Jeremy Hellickson, and Yovani Gallardo

There are three starting pitchers left of the free agent market who I think could be solid bargains for a team either looking to fill out the back of their rotation, or a non-contender that is maybe looking for assets to flip at the trade deadline.

Gio Gonzalez is at the top of that list for me. Just going back to 2017 he had a 2.96 ERA in 32 starts. And if you’re looking for dependability, he’s made 27 or more starts in nine straight seasons with eight of those being 31 or more.

But at the same time, he’s had an ERA over four in two of the past three years and didn’t look particularly great at the end of 2018. He still has a chance to get a multi-year deal, but I still think his AAV will be between $5-8 million. The Padres and Mets seem the most interested.

Jeremy Hellickson was actually pretty good when he pitched in 2018, but he couldn’t stay on the field. He had a 3.45 ERA in 91.1 innings pitched for the Nationals with a WHIP of 1.07.

Last offseason he had to settle for a minor league deal after posting an ERA of 5.43 in 2017. I dont’ think he’ll be that much of a bargain this year, but a team looking to fill out their rotation can get a great arm on a one-year deal for around $4-5 million probably.

Yovani Gallardo is someone who may have to take a minor league deal after three straight seasons with an ERA of 5.42 or higher.

I don’t think a contender can take a chance on Gallardo at this point, who was a very solid pitcher from 2009-2015. But a non-contender could take a flier on him and hope they strike gold.

Josh Harrison, Jose Iglesias, Adeiny Hechavarria, and Alcides Escobar

There are several infielders still available who could either start for a team or be valuable depth.

Josh Harrison leads that list as he can play multiple positions on the infield and play some outfield. The most games Josh has every played in a season though is 143 and that was back in 2014.

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Last year he played just 97 games and hit .250 with 8 home runs. Baseball Reference projects him to hit .259 this year with 10 home runs. He could get a deal similar to Ian Kinsler who got two-years at $4 million a year.

Jose Iglesias is still relatively young at 29 and can provide great defense up the middle. His career average is actually better than I thought at .270, but he offers very little power.

Iglesias should get something similar to what Asdrubal Cabrera got at one-year and $3.5 million. I think he would be a solid defensive replacement off the bench and someone who could put the ball in play when needed.

Not that long ago Adeiny Hechavarria was considered one of the best up-and-coming shortstops in the league. His bat really hasn’t developed at the big leag level, but like Iglesias above, he provides superior defense.

He will turn 30 this season, and I think he could get a similar deal to Iglesias. Both will provide solid depth on the infield and could fill in nicely if a starter goes down.

You could say the same thing about Alcides Escobar who is coming off his worst year at age 31 hitting .231 in just 140 games with 4 home runs.

I think all of these guys could be had at a bargain and bring a tremendous amount of experience and depth to a team. Injuries are part of the game, and you can feel confident with any one of these players as part-time replacements.