MLB’s top-10 available free agents
A look at the best players available as MLB’s free agency begins
Ten players – Jose Abreu, Madison Bumgarner, Gerrit Cole, Josh Donaldson, Jake Odorizzi, Marcell Ozuna, Anthony Rendon, Will Smith, Stephen Strasburg and Zach Wheeler – will have 10 days to decide if they want to accept $17.8 million qualifying offers, including one World Series MVP who just might entertain a triumphant return home. Of course, Padres General Manager A.J. Preller figures to have plenty of competition for the latest pride of San Diego State if he wants to land Strasburg the way he landed Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado the previous two offseasons.
(Hayne Palmour IV / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Anyone thinking about a hometown discount for the Southern California native changed their tune after the 29-year-old ace wore a Boras Corporation hat during his media availability after the Astros were bounced out of the World Series. Cole clearly intends to capitalize on his 20-win season.
(Getty Images)
The Nationals’ postseason hero is coming off setting career-highs in homers (34), RBIs (129), runs (117), batting average (.319), on-base (.412), slugging (.598) and OPS (1.010) as he looks to set the market for position players.
(Getty Images)
The San Diego State grad and World Series MVP opted out of the final four years and $100 million of his contract to seek a better payday. The Padres, according to the Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, will be position to bring Strasburg home to San Diego.
(AFP via Getty Images)
A year after accepting a qualifying offer, the 32-year-old Korean is poised to land a big deal after going 14-5 with an MLB-low 2.32 ERA and a 163 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings.
(Getty Images)
The 30-year-old backstop declined a $16 million option from the Brewers, who are expected to make a run at keeping Grandal. The Reds are also interested in bringing home their former first-round pick.
(Jeff Roberson/AP)
A rebound campaign in which he blasted 37 homers and hit .259/.369/.509 netted the 33-year-old Donaldson a $17.8 million qualifying offer from the Braves.
(MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The 28-year-old Ozuna hit .241/.328/.472 with 29 homers in his walk year, not nearly as good as his 37-homer campaign in 2017, when he posted a.924 OPS with the Marlins.
(Getty Images)
The 29-year-old set career-bests in wins (15), strikeouts (78), ERA-plus (131) and FIP (3.36) in earning a qualifying offer from the Twins.
(Getty Images)
The 30-year-old former World Series MVP threw 200 innings for the first time since 2016 as he prepared for free agency. His ERA, however, was a career-high 3.90.
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
After hitting 35 homers, the 31-year-old took a $3 million buyout over his $11 million option. He’s settled for one-year deals the last two offseasons, but has slugged over .500 in three of the last four seasons.
(Morry Gash / AP)