Who Is The Best MLB Free Agent At Every Position? Making An All-FA Roster
Cam builds a surprisingly solid roster out of MLB players that remaining unsigned as we head into the middle of January.
With the NFL playoffs upon us, it is officially baseball season in the fantasy sports world. You know how Valentine’s Day decorations and candy go up before Christmas arrives and Easter decorations appear even before February 1st? The same is true when it comes to fantasy sports. We are always looking ahead
Other than a few NFL playoff leagues and tournaments, and, of course, Super Bowl squares, the fantasy football season is over. But the fantasy baseball season is beginning. In a month, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training, and the first preseason games will be played within about six weeks. And the regular season now begins at the end of March, so even that isn't too far away.
The Winter meetings are over, but we are still in the midst of the hot stove league. Even though the biggest fish in the pond has been caught, with Shohei Ohtani going to the Dodgers, there are still numerous free agents on the market in need of jobs.
There are so many players available that if an expansion was announced and the new franchise was forced to fill its roster with nothing but free agents, a championship team could be purchased. Here are some of the top free agents still available. I believe they could easily field a competitive product if made into a new team:
Top MLB Free Agents
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Starting Lineup
- C: Yasmani Grandal
- 1B: Rhys Hoskins
- 2B: Whit Merrifield
- SS: Tim Anderson
- 3B: Matt Chapman
- LF: Eddie Rosario
- CF: Cody Bellinger
- RF: Adam Duvall
- DH: Jorge Soler
Bench
- INF Justin Turner
- INF Brandon Crawford
- OF Michael Taylor
- C Curt Casali
Rotation
Bullpen
- Josh Hader
- Adam Ottavino
- Hector Neris
- Brad Fullmer
- Ryan Stanek
- Wandy Peralta
An argument can be made for a few other free agents as well. For instance, I thought long and hard about playing J.D. Martinez over Jorge Soler at DH, but Soler is five years younger and probably won’t cost as much.
For pitchers, another left-handed closer is available, Aroldis Chapman. He pitched mainly as a set-up man last season, but will most likely require closer money this year. As much as it would be fantastic to have both Hader and Chapman, Chapman would desire ninth-inning duties. And other than the random closing opportunity, the closer's job would be Hader's on this theoretical team of free agents.
And considering free agency has entered its third month, this grouping of free agents has solid position flexibility and depth. Whit Merrifield could play 2B or the OF. Justin Turner could play either corner infield position or spell Soler at DH. And Michael Taylor can play any OF position.
My biggest concern is that the rotation is lefty-heavy, with four out of six starters being southpaws. But overall, it is a strong group of arms, as is the bullpen. And overall, this team wouldn’t break the bank.
According to Spotrac, the expected contracts of these players, when signed, will combine to cost $236 million this season.
It is amazing the wealth of talent that is still available just waiting to be had.
