JotCast | 2022 Top 50 Free Agents Chat

2022 Top 50 Free Agents Chat - 11/8/2021

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Ben Clemens

2:01

Hey everybody, welcome to a chat for our top 50 free agents post.

2:02

It was a labor of love, and of cooperation -- our whole stable of writers chipped in really great commentary. You can pin the people who you think were mis-ranked on me, but everyone else did yeoman's work getting this from 'Ben writes 50 names' to a giant article

Let's take some questions!

Guest

2:02

Best FA fit for the Cardinals?

Ben Clemens

2:02

I'm actually gonna say Scherzer. I don't know if they'll go after him, but they need pitching stability, they probably don't want many long-term deals, and he's from St. Louis

Dave

2:02

If I asked you a question on reddit can I ask you a question here too?

Ben Clemens

2:02

Of course!

2:03

I did a reddit AMA earlier, and if you're interested in predicting where these 50 free agents will land and hopefully winning some internet kudos, you can play their prediction contest here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/qpfqkc/20212022_top_50_free...

LOVE GALLO

2:03

Do we think that Kershaw not getting a QO is a sign that the injury is worse than we thought? Or could this potentially be a courtesy move on the Dodgers to let him go elsewhere?

Ben Clemens

2:03

I'm right between these two

Which is why I hedged in his comment and ranking

2:04

I had him higher before they didn't QO him, and I still wonder whether it's just a courtesy move

But it could definitely be an injury thing, too, which is why I took the coward's way out and projected him for roughly a QO

Jeremy

2:04

Which of these FA make the most sense for the Marlins?

Ben Clemens

2:05

Hm, I actually think Mark Canha would make sense here

My default for these not-quite-ready teams is to say go sign some pitchers

That's not really Miami's problem, though

2:06

I don't think they're gonna mess around at the top of the market, but Canha would play right away, can play enough positions that he probably won't block anyone, and injects some badly needed OBP into their lineup

joe

2:06

Do you see any of the big SS playing a different position in 2022?

Ben Clemens

2:06

Entirely possible that Semien is, a lot of evaluators like him at second over short

Mannyfan69

2:06

Ridiculous that E-Rod isn't on the list. What does the guy have to do to prove himself to the haters?

Ben Clemens

2:06

He is number 13...

Ryan

2:07

Does Jon Gray get more than what the Rockies offered? It seems their offer was what you have him projected.

Ben Clemens

2:07

I think he'll get roughly what they offered. He's a player I worried about being too low on, so if I'm wrong it's almost certainly on the low side, so I understand why he turned their offer down

Dan

2:08

Who is the 51st top free agent?

Ben Clemens

2:08

Alex Wood. Then Eddie Rosario, then Andrelton Simmons.

Joseph

2:08

What kind of moves do you think the Giants make to address their (rather large) starting pitching holes?

Ben Clemens

2:08

I think they'll look to add one top-tier starter. Scherzer would make some sense, so would a Gausman reunion or kicking the tires on Syndergaard if he declines his QO

E Rod? Ray? whatever

2:09

After that, I think they'll be the Giants! They'll dip into the mid-tier free agent range for some guys they like

Mr. Redlegs

2:09

What was your projected salary for Wade Miley if the Reds Cubs didn't pick up his option? How much surplus value did he have with that option?

Ben Clemens

2:09

I had him projected for 2/11

So I don't think the surplus was huge

Six Ten

2:09

I was thinking Canha to the Royals makes a lot of sense, too, for all the same reasons. He definitely has the air of the kind of hole filler that a small market team signs when they think their core is getting close to competing

Ben Clemens

2:10

Totally agree. I think Canha is AWESOME, fits in almost everywhere, and is wildly underrated nationally

Dave

2:10

Does Andrew Chafin make the top 60?

Ben Clemens

2:10

Yes

Yung Joc

2:10

Aside from (hopefully) Freeman, do you see the Braves attempting to sign any big names?

Ben Clemens

2:11

I think they'll go for Freeman and some mid-level pitching. I doubt this happens but Stroman would be great with their infield, depending on how much you believe in Riley's defense

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