The top 25 MLB free agents available this offseason
By Kevin Henry
11. Clayton Kershaw (4.8 fWAR)
It’s hard to imagine the 33-year-old former National League MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner in any other uniform other than Dodger blue, but after suffering through an injury-filled 2021, anything is possible. Kershaw’s 1.019 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings last season shows that, when he’s healthy, he can be a weapon on the mound.
12. Chris Taylor (4.5 fWAR)
If Chris Taylor’s time with the Dodgers is over, he went out with a bang, smacking three home runs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves (just the 11th player in MLB history to do that) and hitting a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game. Taylor, however, hit just .223 after the All-Star break with 79 strikeouts in 215 at-bats.
13. Mark Canha (4.3 fWAR)
In his seventh season with Oakland, Canha put up a solid, but not eye-popping season (.231/.358/.387 slash line with 17 homers and 22 doubles while also swiping a career-high 12 bases). His versatility in the outfield (ability to play all three positions) and steady production will be enough to intrigue teams this offseason. As an aside, it’s a tough stat to lead MLB in, but Canha was hit by a pitch 27 times in 2021.
14. Kris Bryant (4.0 fWAR)
Coming over to the San Francisco Giants from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, Bryant made a big impact for San Francisco in the postseason, slashing .471/.500/.647 with an OPS of 1.147 in 17 at-bats, as well as some solid defense. Like Canha, Bryant provides versatility (playing infield and outfield). Will the former National League Rookie of the Year and MVP return to the Giants in 2022?
15. Nelson Cruz (3.9 fWAR)
Cruz will turn 42 on July 1, yet could well bring some pop at the designated hitter role in what could be his 18th MLB season. With the National League expected to implement the DH in 2022, the amount of teams who could interest in Cruz could rise, especially after a season where he hit 32 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays. He signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Rays last offseason. Where will he land another one-year deal this offseason?