The MLB offseason is about to heat up and free agency is always one of the most entertaining times of the year. Looking ahead at the upcoming free agent sweepstakes, there are quite a few big names and key playmakers that will have the ability to switch teams.
Coming off a great all-around season, there are going to be plenty of teams looking to spend big money. There are many teams who are a piece or two away from contending for a championship. Other teams will view this offseason as a chance to boost their rebuilding process by bringing in a legitimate star.
Names like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the most talked about heading into free agency, but there are plenty of other impact players to be had.
It is going to be an intriguing offseason, to say the least. Very rarely is there so much talent that can be had at the right price.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at who the top 10 stars are that will be free agents this offseason.
10. Andrew McCutchen, Outfielder
Just a few short years ago, Andrew McCutchen was thought to be one of the top outfielders in the game. Now, at 32 years old, McCutchen is viewed as a valuable veteran leader to have on the roster that can help win some games. He is no longer viewed as a superstar.
Last season with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, McCutchen ended up batting .255 to go along with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs. There is no question that he is still a capable impact player.
There should be a few teams interested in signing McCutchen. He isn't going to be someone that a team relies on each and every day, but he is still more than capable of playing a role on a contender.
9. J.A. Happ, Starting Pitcher
J.A. Happ is one of the top starting pitchers still available this offseason. He played last season split between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees and had a good all-around year.
When everything was said and done, Happ compiled a 17-6 record to go along with a 3.65 ERA. Those numbers would look good in nearly every teams rotation. With Nathan Eovaldi already off the market, teams that were trying to sign him will now target Happ.
At 36 years old, Happ has quite possibly the highest value that he has ever had. He is going to earn a big contract and will be a quality rotation arm wherever he goes.
8. Nelson Cruz, Third Base/Designated Hitter
Nelson Cruz is one of the most underrated players in baseball right now as well.
After yet another massive season with the Seattle Mariners, there should be quite a few teams interested in bringing him in. Cruz is a much better fit in the American League as a designated hitter, but there will likely be a few National League teams interested in him as well.
During the 2018 season, Cruz slugged 37 home runs, drove in 97 RBIs, and hit for a .256 batting average. Those numbers show exactly why he deserves this spot on the list.
Even at 38 years of age, Cruz is the type of player that almost any team would like to have in their lineup.
7. Marwin Gonzalez, Infielder/Outfielder
There is a good chance the Houston Astros will be able to bring him back, but Marwin Gonzalez is a name to keep an eye on this offseason. His ability to multiple positions will make him even more valuable.
Gonzalez finished the season with a .247 batting average to go along with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs. He is a very consistent bat, although he may not hit for a batting average that people view as being high-caliber.
Even though his bat may not be amazing, Gonzalez is going to get a big pay check for his defensive ability to play anywhere on the field that his team needs him.
6. Dallas Keuchel, Starting Pitcher
Adding the first starting pitcher of this list, Dallas Keuchel is going to get a big pay day from someone.
If the Astros want to keep him, that would likely be his first priority, but he will not be short on options.
During the 2018 season with Houston, Keuchel finished with a 12-11 record to go along with a 3.74 ERA.
Keuchel is just 30 years old and still has at least four or five good seasons of pitching left in him. A four-year, lucrative contract will be exactly what he is looking for this offseason.
5. A.J. Pollock, Outfielder
For teams looking to bring in a potential impact outfielder, A.J. Pollock could be their guy. He has had health issues throughout his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks and now at 30 years old is hoping to land a big contract, perhaps with a change of scenery.
Last season with the Diamondbacks, Pollock racked up 21 home runs and 65 RBIs to go along with a .257 batting average. He may not have the most lethal bat, but he is capable of good production.
There are always teams looking for quality outfielders and Pollock is one of the best out there this offseason.
4. Michael Brantley, Outfielder
Michael Brantley is not a name that has been hyped up a lot this offseason, but whoever signs him will be very happy that they did.
In the 143 games that he played in 2018 for the Cleveland Indians, Brantley ended up batting .309 to go along with 17 home runs and 76 RBI's. He is without question one of the most talented free agents on the market. Brantley has a quality bat and he is a solid defender as well.
There will be quite a few teams competing to try to sign him this offseason. He may not be one of the first free agents to be signed, but he is going to be one of the best steals of free agency.
3. Craig Kimbrel, Closer
Over the past few seasons, the Red Sox have had the luxury of having Craig Kimbrel close out games for them. Even though he has had his struggles, Kimbrel is still one of the most dominant closers in the game. Quite a few teams would love to have him on their roster next season.
In 2018 with the Red Sox, Kimbrel ended up saving 42 games to go along with a 2.74 ERA and 96 strikeouts.
Kimbrel may be on his way out of Boston after a rocky postseason. There is also a chance that the Red Sox could try to sign him long-term. Either way, Kimbrel is going to be one of the top free agents available this offseason.
2. Manny Machado, Third Base/Shortstop
Needless to say, Manny Machado belongs on this list and the No. 2 spot is a perfect fit for him.
Machado started the 2018 season with the Baltimore Orioles and then was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a good all-around season, but things got a bit worse after the trade.
When everything was said and done, Machado finished the season with a .297 batting average to go along with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs. His defense can be hit or miss, but his bat will be what makes him money.
At 26 years old, Machado is in the prime of his career and is going to be a franchise changer for whoever signs him. Plenty of teams will throw massive offers at him and he will have a choice of where to play the next chapter of his career.
1. Bryce Harper, Outfielder
Finally, Bryce Harper rounds out the top free agents that are available this offseason in baseball. He has had a great career with the Washington Nationals, but it certainly sounds like he is ready to leave town for a fresh start somewhere else.
Harper has been connected to the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers (the Yankees reportedly aren't interested in adding him), but there are plenty more options than those teams. He finished the 2018 season with a .249 batting average, 34 home runs, and 100 RBIs. The numbers weren't what fans were expecting, but he is more than capable of bouncing back in 2019.
It will be intriguing to see where Harper ends up playing the next phase of his career. He is one of the best players in baseball and is going to get paid like it this offseason.
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