The 2018 MLB season is officially in the books, which means it’s time to shift focus to free agency.
This year’s eagerly awaited class features a pair of MVP candidates and plenty of all-stars. Here are the top position players available this winter…
1. Bryce Harper
Position: Outfield
Age: 26
2018 stats: GP: 159 | Slash line: .249/.393/.496 | HR: 34 | RBI: 100 | SB: 13
Former Team: Washington Nationals
Potential Fits: Nationals, Phillies, Yankees
One of the most anticipated free agents in MLB history might not be on the market long as Harper’s agent Scott Boras claims a deal is already in place. Despite Harper’s up-and-down season (by his standards), he still figures to sign one of the richest contracts the league has ever seen. The numbers and accomplishments speak for themselves, now all that’s left is to see which franchise ponies up the cash and lands the biggest fish in the sea.
[relatedlinks]
2. Manny Machado
Position: Shortstop/Third base
Age: 26
2018 stats: GP: 162 | Slash line: .297/.367/.538 | HR: 37 | RBI: 107 | SB: 14
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Potential Fits: Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies
Harper would be by far the best free agent in most classes, but Machado’s presence on this list makes the top spot more of a toss up. The 26-year-old infielder has been one of MLB’s best players for years now and is set to break the bank on a mega deal even if hustling isn’t really his thing. A four-time all-star already, Machado’s value is bolstered even further since he plays a premium defensive position. The former Baltimore Oriole is a franchise-altering player, but with his next contract expected to be in the $300-million range, he’ll only be a realistic option for a handful of teams.
3. Josh Donaldson
Position: Third base
Age: 32
2018 stats: GP: 52 | Slash line: .246/.352/.449 | HR: 8 | RBI: 23 | SB: 0
Former Team: Cleveland Indians
Potential Fits: Cardinals, Braves, Indians
Donaldson went through the ringer this season. He came out of spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays at less than 100 per cent and was placed on the disabled list on April 10. He returned for 24 games, went back on the DL with a calf issue, then missed all of June, July and August before being traded to the Cleveland Indians at the waiver trade deadline. All told, he hit .246/.352/.449 with eight home runs over 52 total games. Not exactly the type of contract year Donaldson was envisioning.
Coupled with the question marks about his health, Donaldson will be 33 by the time next season rolls around, making him a gamble for suitors even though he carries MVP pedigree. He’s one of the game’s truly elite talents when healthy, and he finished strong with a .920 OPS in a 16-game sample size with Cleveland in September. Will it be enough to earn Donaldson the type of contract he’s surely looking for or will he have to settle for a short-term deal?
4. A.J. Pollock
Position: Outfield
Age: 30
2018 stats: GP: 113 | Slash line: .257/.316/.484 | HR: 21 | RBI: 65 | SB: 13
Former Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Potential Fits: Giants, Mariners, Indians
Pollock was enjoying a torrid start to the 2018 season before a thumb injury cost him half of May and all of June. The former first-round pick didn’t look like the same player after returning, posting a .699 OPS after the all-star break. Despite the injury history (Pollock has played 140 games or more just once in his career), he remains a very intriguing free agent due to his offensive potential, defensive prowess and speed on the bases. Pollock is the embodiment of a high-risk, high-reward signing.
[snippet id=3305549]
5. Nelson Cruz
Position: Designated hitter
Age: 38
2018 stats: GP: 144 | Slash line: .256/.342/.509 | HR: 37 | RBI: 97 | SB: 1
Former Team: Seattle Mariners
Potential Fits: Mariners, Twins, Astros
Cruz simply refuses to slow down. The slugger has been a model of consistency in recent years, connecting for at least 37 home runs in each of the past five seasons, four of which came at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. His age and the fact he doesn’t play defence make him a bit of a risky signing and will limit him to a short-term deal this off-season, but whoever lands Cruz will be adding a 40 home run bat to their lineup.
6. Yasmani Grandal
Position: Catcher
Age: 29
2018 stats: GP: 140 | Slash line: .241/.349/.466 | HR: 24 | RBI: 68 | SB: 2
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Potential Fits: Dodgers, Astros, Phillies
Catchers who can hit are hard to come by, which makes Grandal stand out among his peers. The 29-year-old led all National League catchers in home runs this season and has hit at least 22 in each of the past three years. He had a rough go of it both at the plate and behind it during the Dodgers’ 2018 playoff run, with Los Angeles fans serenading him with “We want Austin” chants in reference to backup Austin Barnes. Despite the October struggles, Grandal will cash in as the top backstop on the market.
7. Michael Brantley
Position: Outfield
Age: 31
2018 stats: GP: 159 | Slash line: .309/.364/.468 | HR: 17 | RBI: 76 | SB: 12
Former Team: Cleveland Indians
Potential Fits: Indians, Phillies, Giants
Brantley reminded everyone what he’s capable of when healthy with an outstanding 2018 season. The 31-year-old outfielder put together a .309/.364/.468 slash line en route to his third career all-star appearance. A couple factors figure to impact Brantley’s free agency in a negative way. Firstly, he has trouble staying on the field, losing all but 11 games of his 2016 season and roughly half of 2017 to injury. Cleveland could also extend Brantley a qualifying offer, tying him to draft pick compensation should another team sign him.
8. Wilson Ramos
Position: Catcher
Age: 31
2018 stats: GP: 111 | Slash line: .306/.358/.487 | HR: 15 | RBI: 70 | SB:0
Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Potential Fits: Dodgers, Angels, Astros
Ramos is another strong option for clubs looking for help at catcher. Like Grandal, Ramos is one of the few true offensive threats at the position, as indicated by his .845 OPS — the highest among catchers with at least 400 plate appearances in 2018. He flourished in Philadelphia after a mid-season trade from Tampa Bay, hitting .337/.396/.483 in 33 games. Ramos has been an all-star in two of the past three seasons, but his age will likely hold him back from receiving as lush a deal as Grandal will surely sign.
9. Marwin Gonzalez
Position: Utility
Age: 29
2018 stats: GP: 145 | Slash line: .247/.324/.409 | HR: 16 | RBI: 68 | SB: 2
Former Team: Houston Astros
Potential Fits: Too many to list
The ultimate Swiss Army knife, Gonzalez can play all over the diamond and hit anywhere in a batting order. If your favourite team has a hole on the roster, chances are Gonzalez could be a strong option to fill it. He took a step back from his breakout 2017 campaign, but he put together a strong second half in 2018 with an .844 OPS. The switch-hitter’s price might be high for a utility player, but there’s no doubting what a luxury it is to have the flexibility he brings to a roster.
10. DJ LeMahieu
Position: Second base
Age: 30
2018 stats: GP: 128 | Slash line: .276/.321/.428 | HR: 15 | RBI: 62 | SB: 6
Former Team: Colorado Rockies
Potential Fits: Rockies, Cubs, Angels
LeMahieu certainly won’t wow you with power, having hit a combined 40 home runs over the past four seasons while playing in the Colorado altitude. What he will do is put the ball in play and give you a batting average around .300. While his 2016 batting-title-winning season is an outlier, LeMahieu remains a hit machine. Top it off with Gold Glove-calibre defence at second base and you have a valuable piece to deploy at or near the top of your lineup every night.
Honourable mentions: Jed Lowrie, Nick Markakis, Mike Moustakas, Andrew McCutchen, Brian Dozier
