The top 25 MLB free agents available this offseason
By Kevin Henry
20. Eduardo Rodriguez (3.8 fWAR)
Rodriguez returned to the mound this season after missing the entire 2020 campaign with COVID-19 and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart connected to COVID-19). After the 28-year-old southpaw started a Major League-high 34 games for the Boston Red Sox in 2019, he started 31 games for them in 2021. He averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and showed electric stuff in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
19. Javier Báez (3.6 fWAR)
What a season it was for the two-time All-Star. Traded from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Mets, Báez struggled with his new team until finding his groove in September, slashing .361/.441/.577 with an OPS of 1.019 in 97 at-bats during the month. From a valuable lost earring to his abilities to get out of jams on the basepaths, the ultra-talented infielder was in the news plenty last season.
T-18. Robbie Ray (3.5 fWAR)
After signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, the 30-year-old southpaw staked his claim to what could well be the American League Cy Young Award. Ray led the American League with a 2.84 ERA in 32 starts covering 193.1 innings. His 248 strikeouts led all MLB pitchers, and his ERA+ of 154 was the best in the AL.
T-18. Zack Greinke (3.5 fWAR)
Having just turned 38, what does the former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star still have left in the tank? He made 29 regular-season starts for Houston (going 11-6 with a 4.16 ERA), but struggled in the postseason, before throwing four scoreless innings in a Game 4 World Series start. He’s coming off a six-year, $206.5 million deal. Will he be looking for a one year deal to keep his career going?
16. Marcus Stroman (3.4 fWAR)
Stroman will turn 31 next season, and the right-hander continues to amaze with his pitching and overall athleticism. After opting out of the 2020 season, Stroman came back to post a 3.01 ERA in a Major League-high 33 starts. His 1.145 WHIP was the second-lowest of his career, and his 3.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio was the second-highest of his career.