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MLB: The top 25 free agents this offseason

By Adam Taylor McKillop

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 04: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during game two of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 04: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during game two of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

The 25th – 21st ranked 2020-21 MLB free agents.

#25: Kevin Gausman, RHP, 1.11 WHIP (2020)
After struggling on the mound in 2019, Kevin Gausman signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants last season. This was an important stop for his career. Gausman reinvented himself as a starting pitcher last season, especially re-adding the slider to his arsenal. The results were terrific. Gausman went 3-3 in 10 starts, pitching to a 3.62 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Throughout his career, Gausman owns a 1.33 WHIP.

#24: James McCann, C, 1.2 WAR (2020)
For James McCann, the catching troop for the Chicago White Sox is just too competitive. Currently, the job belongs to Yasmani Grandal. Zack Collins, a prolific power-hitting prospect, is the future. Still, in joint playing time and just 97 at-bats, McCann hit .289 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs. McCann offers a solid defensive catcher and a reliable right-handed bat.

#23: Jackie Bradley Jr., CF,  1.8 WAR (2020)
Jackie Bradley Jr. is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game. Point blank. On the other hand, his bat is at times a question mark. Last year was a bright spot for Bradley Jr. at the plate. During his last season with the Boston Red Sox, Bradley Jr. hit .283 and seven home runs. His WAR is boosted by an elite glove in center field.

#22: Trevor Rosenthal, RHP, 0.85 WHIP (2020) 
Despite inconsistency over the last two years, it’s always a good free agent market for pitchers. Trevor Rosenthal fits this bill. Rosenthal suffered a disastrous 2019 in which he pitched to a 2.41 WHIP. But, last year in split time with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres, Rosenthal bounced back in a big way. He pitched to an incredible 0.85 WHIP and 1.90 ERA. Call his struggles in 2019 an aberration. Rosenthal is still a career 1.32 WHIP pitcher and a valuable option for teams in need of relief pitching.

#21: Trevor May, RHP, 1.16 WHIP (2020) 
Trevor May offers another relief pitching option for teams willing to take a gamble. Simply put, May strikes batters out. Over the last three seasons, May averaged 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings out of the pen. In 24 games with the Minnesota Twins last year, May pitched to a 1.16 WHIP. He’ll need to continue to work on his command, but is another valuable right-handed bullpen arm.

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