The top 10 MLB players left on the free agent market

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres strikes out looking during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres strikes out looking during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Pitchers and catchers will be reporting for Spring Training in less than two weeks and, by and large, the MLB rosters are set for each team. However, some teams still have some areas to address in the coming weeks and they can easily address them via free agency.

However, this late in the offseason, the big names are off the board, like Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and Trea Turner. But there are plenty of free agents that can still make an impact for a team in 2023.

For our list, we are not considering players that have pending deals (e.g. Zack Greinke) as of February 3. As we have seen with a few players this offseason, pending deals doesn’t mean that a deal will come to pass due to physicals or other hangups but they have at least come to terms.

Here are the top 10 MLB free agents left on the market, in no particular order

Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer

Of the player’s on this list, Trevor Bauer has the highest ceiling. After all, he won the 2020 NL Cy Young Award. However, with the sexual assault allegations against him and the ensuing court proceedings, Bauer has not pitched in the majors since June 2021.

The Dodgers released him from his contract this offseason after he was removed from the restricted list.

If an MLB team signs him, they will be dealing with a lot of questions, and dealing with that for someone who could be very rusty due to the lack of MLB appearances.

First baseman/DH Luke Voit

Luke Voit has not been the player that he was during the pandemic, when he led the majors in home runs (22) and came in ninth in AL MVP voting.

However, for a team that has an opening at first base or at DH, Voit had 22 home runs, 69 RBI, and an OPS+ of 106 in 2022.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus

There were a lot of big name shortstops on the MLB free agent market this offseason. All of them have signed, though, but Elvis Andrus still had a very good 2022 season for the A’s and White Sox.

In 149 games in 2022, he hit .249 with a .707 OPS, 32 doubles, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and a 103 OPS+. Defensively, he had some mixed numbers (-4 DRS, 3 OAA, 3.8 UZR). This amounted to a 3.0 rWAR season, which is the second-highest of anyone on this list.

Jul 11, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) smiles after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) smiles after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher Gary Sanchez

In the past, Gary Sanchez was a liability behind the plate but in 2022, he was actually slightly above league average (1 Catcher Framing Run, 1 Defensive Run Saved). He also hit for power, as he has before (16 home runs, 22 doubles, 61 RBI). However, he has never been a good hitter for average and he doesn’t get on base well, as he has hit .205 with a sub-.300 on-base percentage since 2021.

But the catching position is not exactly the strongest position for hitters entering 2023.

Outfielder David Peralta

After struggling with injuries for much of his career, David Peralta has finally been healthy for much of the last three seasons, playing in 54 (in the 60-game 2020 season), 150, and 134 games in the last three seasons.

In 2022, Peralta, who turns 36 in August, had 30 doubles, 12 home runs, 59 RBI, and had a 109 OPS+.

Outfielder Jurickson Profar

The former No. 1 top prospect in the entire sport has had a bit of a spotted track record over the last decade, but Jurickson Profar had a good season for the Padres in 2022.

While exclusively playing left field, Profar hit .243/.331/.391 with 36 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and an OPS+ of 111. Defensively, the soon-to-be 30-year-old was above average as well, leading to a 3.1 rWAR season. That mark is the highest of anyone on our list.

DETROIT, MI – JULY 2: Andrew Chafin #37 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on July 2, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 2: Andrew Chafin #37 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on July 2, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Relief pitcher Michael Fulmer

Like Peralta, Michael Fulmer had dealt with a lot of injuries in recent years. However, since 2021 and since moving to the bullpen, Fulmer has been a good reliever. Since 2021, Fulmer has appeared in 119 games with a 3.17 ERA, a 128 ERA+, and a 3.51 FIP. He also has 17 saves since then.

For a new team, Fulmer could be a good option as a middle reliever, a setup man, or even as a closer in a pinch.

Left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin

In the last two seasons, Andrew Chafin has been a great left-handed reliever for three different teams. Since 2021, Chafin has appeared in 135 games and he has an ERA of 2.29, a 176 ERA+, a 3.02 FIP, and he’s averaging more than a strikeout per inning.

Like Fulmer, he could be good in a middle relief or setup role for some team who has some closing experience (eight saves since 2021).

Starting pitcher Michael Wacha

Michael Wacha has largely been a good starting pitcher in his career but he has had a lot of injuries and struggled in both 2020 and 2021.

But in 2022 with the Red Sox, Wacha went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts (he dealt with some injuries again) with a 127 ERA+. His 4.14 FIP suggests that he had some good luck last season, though.

He’s also still on the market because he’s, reportedly, asking for a bit more than market value. In the coming days and weeks, though, Wacha will likely have to reduce what he’s asking for or some team will have to suffer an injury to be desperate enough to sign him for what he wants currently.

Left-handed relief pitcher Matt Moore

Matt Moore had been a starting pitcher that struggled with injuries before 2022. However, last season for the Rangers, he had one of the best campaigns by any reliever who wasn’t a full-time closer.

In 63 games, Moore went 74 innings and had a 1.95 ERA, a 203 ERA+, a 2.98 FIP, and five saves. He also struck out more than 10 batters per nine innings, which is a career-high for Moore in a full season.

Honorable mentions: Relievers Archie Bradley, Alex Reyes, and Corey Knebel, first baseman Yuli Gurriel, outfielder Tyler Naquin, starting pitcher Dylan Bundy

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