Top 25 MLB Free Agents
Nos. 14 through 16
Following an up-and-down career on Chicago’s South Side, Avisail Garcia (16) appeared to find himself in Tampa Bay. Playing on a one-year, bargain-basement $3,5 million deal, he helped the Rays to the AL wild card – and then to the division series – delivering a .282 average, 20 home runs, 72 RBIs and a 111 OPS+. That uptick came just in time to enhance his profile for the 2020 market.
The Yankees this week let Didi Gregorius (15) hit the market, instantly making him the top available shortstop. In a half-season following his return from an injury, Gregorius hit just .238 but did deliver some power in the form of 16 home runs. He’ll only be 30 next season, leaving open the possibility of a multi-year deal with a team in need of mid-infield support. Gregorius’s problem is there aren’t many contenders in need of mid-infield help, so he may be shopping in the bargain aisle.
Yasmani Grandal (14) walked away from a mutual option with the Brewers, his for $16 million. Given his 28 home runs and 119 OPS+, Grandal is the best offensive performer on the market. His catching credentials are acceptable if not great, and he is considered among the game’s better pitch framers. At 31, he’s a candidate for a multi-year deal.