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MLB offseason: Top 25 2022-23 MLB free agents with predictions

By Noah Yingling

Sep 18, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) gestures after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) gestures after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon
Aug 26, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

15) SP Jameson Taillon – Padres – Four years, $52 million

Jameson Taillon, who will turn 31 soon, has had his fair share of injury struggles but in the last two years, he has been a league average starting pitcher (100 ERA+).

There are plenty of teams looking for a fourth or fifth starter like that. The Padres will be losing some of their rotation to free agency so they will likely replenish it somewhat on the market. Other than the Padres, the Orioles, Rangers, Tigers, Twins, Cubs, Mets, and Yankees (his most recent team) could look to Taillon on for that.

16) SP Taijuan Walker – Orioles – Four years, $50 million

Taijuan Walker is yet another player on our list that has struggled with injuries in his career. From 2018 through 2020, he made a combined 15 starts in the majors. But in 2021 and 2022, he has made 58 starts. He was an All-Star in 2021 but 2022 was his better season as he had a 3.49 ERA (111 ERA+) in 2022.

Despite already spending parts of 10 seasons in the majors, Walker is only 30 years old. Considering his age and his season, he should be able to get a four-year deal.

The Orioles are a playoff contender that’s in need of some veteran starting pitching so he could be a good fit there. Other teams that could be interested are the Mets (his team the last two years), Cubs, Padres, Rangers, Tigers, Twins, Giants, Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers.

17) SP Nathan Eovaldi – Red Sox – Three years, $48 million

Nathan Eovaldi struggled with some injuries in 2022 as he only made 20 starts for the Red Sox, who were and still are in desperate need of starting pitching.

In 2022, Eovaldi, who will be 33 in February, still had a 3.87 ERA (109 ERA+). In 2021, though, he was an All-Star and came in fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 11-9 with a 3.75 ERA. That year, he led the AL in FIP (2.79) and led the majors with his low walk rate (1.7 BB/9).

If the Red Sox could get anything like that again in 2023, a three-year contract would be well worth it. However, because of the injury this year and his age, he may only get two.

In addition to the Red Sox, the Yankees, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Orioles, Angels, Rangers, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Mets, and Cubs could be some other suitors for him.

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