3 under-the-radar 27-year-old free agents just hitting their MLB prime
By Beau Adams
Amed Rosario: the Proven Journeyman
Rosario's journey to the big leagues began in the Dominican Republic. In 2012, the New York Mets saw potential in the young talent and offered him a signing bonus of $1.75 million as an International free agent. Rosario soon debuted with the Mets at the blossoming age of 21 and spent four seasons with the team.
Easily Traded
In a significant move, the Mets traded Rosario to the Cleveland Guardians in 2012, along with middle-infielder Andres Gimenez and pitcher Josh Wolf. This trade involved All-Star Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor moving to the Mets.
In 2022, Rosario and Gimenez made significant contributions to the Guardians' success, with the team winning their division thanks to an influx of young players. Rosario's performance at the plate and in the field was impressive. Throughout 670 plate appearances, he hit .283 with 26 doubles, nine triples, and 11 home runs.
His defense was solid, earning him a permanent role as the team's shortstop. Gimenez, his partner at second base, even bagged a Gold Glove that year.
Resilient History
The 2023 season, however, wasn't as fruitful for Rosario; he was traded at the deadline to the Dodgers. By the end of the season, his stats read .236/.305/.378/.686 with six home runs, 58 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in 510 plate appearances. However, as observed in April 2022, Rosario has shown the potential to bounce back strongly after a slow start to the season. Unfortunately, that didn't happen this time in LA; he posted a .709 OPS down the stretch.
The Destination Rumors
At the prime age of 27, with seven seasons under his belt, he is primed for a career year. The current rumors of landing spots include the Blue Jays and Red Sox