We have arrived at the point in the offseason where we’re all simply waiting for free agency to take off. Every day, fans are eagerly checking social media and offseason trackers waiting for the news of their team signing a big-time player.

Outside of a few small moves this week, it’s been mostly quiet after the dust settled on team and player options right after the World Series.

Before the hot stove heats up heading into the Winter Meetings in December, let’s dive into the free agent class by examining the top free agents and other fascinating profiles.

Additionally, the Just Baseball Show kicked off an excellent slate of offseason player interviews this week with so much more content on the way this winter!

Top Free Agents

This offseason's market is particularly intriguing, with certain players likely setting its pace as others assess their value. Leading the headlines is Juan Soto, in a league of his own, while Corbin Burnes stands out as the premier pitching option, followed closely by two standout left-handers.

We ranked the Top 25 Free Agents and made our predictions on the Just Baseball Show, so let’s look at the class a little more closely as we gear up for signings coming soon!

Star Power

There is only one true superstar hitter in this class, but plenty of other star-caliber players that should secure nine-figure deals.

• Given the bidding war that will ensue between the wealthiest teams in the league, trying to determine the exact contract that will be handed to Juan Soto is nearly impossible. Both New York teams are the heavy favorites to sign the generational talent; the Yankees desperately need Soto if they’re going to make another World Series run, while the Mets look to seize the momentum from their surprising NLCS run.

• There are three aces on the market with an abundance of demand from teams around the league for a frontline starter. Corbin Burnes has been one of the best arms in baseball for five years now, with at least 28 starts made in each of the last four years, a Cy Young in 2021, and a likely top-three finish this year. Left-handers Blake Snell and Max Fried come with more risk than Burnes but have been legit aces and should be neck-and-neck in terms of the second largest deal among pitchers.

• A pair of left-side of the infield bats highlight the offensive market behind Soto. Willy Adames is coming off a monster season in which he hit 32 home runs and he’s averaged 3.9 fWAR over the last 4 seasons. Given the shallow shortstop market, his price could get a bit crazier than you’d think. Alex Bregman has been a core member of the Astros dynasty, but all the signs, astrological and otherwise, point towards his time in Houston coming to an end. He put up 4.1 fWAR with 26 home runs this season and has been one of the best third baseman in the game for a while. Bregman has even stated he’s willing to play second base for a new team.

Fascinating Market

For better or worse, Plenty of players have seen their value shift over the course of the past year. Some have earned a raise due to their performance while others will have to prove themselves on a short-term deal.

• While they may have to wait for Soto to sign if they want to maximize offers, two outfielders saw their stock rise more than anyone this season. Anthony Santander is sure to cash in on the 44 home runs he hit for the Orioles, but could the qualifying offer attached to him harm the market? And then there’s Teoscar Hernandez, who was a big part of the Dodgers Championship and will be valued highly after he fully proved himself.

• Pitchers are always in high demand, and while there’s a deep pool of talent this offseason, many arms come with considerable risk. Sean Manaea is coming off a career year, but carried a 4.73 ERA in 2022 and 2023. Shane Bieber, who has a Cy Young and two All-Star nods to his name, is currently recovering from Tommy John Surgery and has had three of his last four season shortened due to injury.

Think you’re a free agency savant? Put your predictions to the test with Just Baseball’s Free Agency Contest. Predict the team and number of years for each top free agent, and the three entries with the most correct answers will win their share of merchandise from Just Baseball and its partners, a surprise collectible, and more!

• Relievers are especially difficult to predict contract value and destination with some extreme yearly volatility compared to other positions. Tanner Scott is the top closer available after a few consecutive great seasons while Jeff Hoffman, Clay Holmes, and Kenley Jansen, lead the rest of the pack.

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Just Baseball Trivia of the Week

Here’s the weekly trivia question! The answer to the weekly trivia question will be at the bottom of the newsletter each week.

Who signed the first ever $300 million MLB free agency deal?

A) Bryce Harper

B) Manny Machado

C) Carlos Correa

D) Gerrit Cole

What Else?

• Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is officially heading stateside! It was announced by the Chiba Lotte, his NPB team in Japan, and is set to be posted to MLB and will be eligible to sign as an international free agent. Since Sasaki is not yet 25 years old yet, teams looking to sign Sasaki will be limited to offering their IFA pool money as a bonus with Sasaki entering pre-arb and then arbitration years, similar to Shohei Ohtani’s situation back in 2017. Sasaki has a 2.10 ERA with 505 strikeouts across 394.2 innings in NPB.

• Guardians ace Tanner Bibee joined the Just Baseball Show! He dove into his excellent season, the Guardians run to the ALCS, impending free agent Shane Bieber, and more.

• The final team with a vacancy hired a manager this weekend as the Marlins brought in Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough to be their manager. He worked as an MiLB manager for a number of years and has been the first base coach in Los Angeles for the past four seasons.

• Kyle Hendricks was one of the few free agents to sign a deal this week as he inked a one-year deal with the Angels as he attempts to keep his career going for at least another season. Hendricks was the last remaining member of the Cubs 2016 World Series Championship team.

Trivia Answer: B) Manny Machado

Following the 2018 season, the talk of free agency was superstars Bryce Harper and Manny. By just about a week, Machado signed first with the Padres on a deal worth $300 million over a decade making him the first $300 million player in any of the four major U.S. sport leagues.

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