You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Top 50 MLB Free Agents Chat
powered byJotCast
Tim Dierkes
8:58
Hello everyone!  We're so excited to have our 2022-23 MLB Top 50 Free Agents list hit the site last night!  https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/mlb-trade-rumors-top-50-free-ag...
8:59
We worked very hard on it for about a month and finally pulled the trigger last night, after making adjustments for Robert Suarez and Justin Turner.
One note is to take the team picks with a proper grain of salt.  Hitting on more than roughly a dozen of these is pretty tough.
9:00
Lastly, if you enjoy our work, please consider supporting us with an ad-free subscription.  MLBTR has remained independent for 17 years!  Check that out here: https://mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=top50chat-11-11-22
OK...let's party.  I think Steve and Anthony are in here somewhere
Steve Adams
9:00
Yes! Mostly excited to just be done typing the thing. Ha.

Also, apologies to Nick Martinez, who'd probably have been in there had we expected him to opt out... but sounds like he might follow Suarez's path and re-up with the Padres anyhow. (I should add Martinez to the honorable mentions)
9:01
Oh, and also -- enter the Free Agent Prediction contest to test your own picks against ours:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/enter-the-mlbtr-free-agent-pred...
Jamie D
9:01
Do Guardians upgrade at all thru FA?
Tim Dierkes
9:02
It's been a while since they spent even $16 mil on someone in FA (Yonder Alonso) but I think they'll bring in a bat or two.
Steve Adams
9:02
I put them on JD Martinez, though I don't necessarily love that specific fit. I think they could add one power bat to the mix, but I don't expect them to be huge spenders (evergreen statement). JDM, Brantley, Conforto, etc. could all make some sense in that regard.
Anthony Franco
9:03
Think Cleveland's going lower-tier spending but they could look into the catcher depth options, maybe a bat at DH
Tim Dierkes
9:03
I had the Guardians on Jose Abreu for a while but changed my mind.  And Trey Mancini before he fell off the list.
Steve Adams
9:03
Yeah Mancini would work for sure.
Chachachanges
9:03
If Bellinger is non-tendered, where would he slot into this list?  Around where Conforto sits?
Tim Dierkes
9:03
I think so, yes.  A one-year deal around 15 mil makes sense, or two with some kind of opt-out.
Steve Adams
9:04
Yeah -- it'll be one year, maybe at a slightly higher rate since he was healthy and can play CF well, but that would be my expectation as well
(Or, as Tim said, two with an opt-out, I guess)
Anthony Franco
9:04
I'd go under that personally. Maybe 1/12. More offensive upside with Conforto but higher floor with Bellinger's defense
Tim Dierkes
9:04
Not a ton of guys who can play a regular CF out there, so that helps him.
Aaron
9:04
Cubs twitter was pretty puzzled by the heavy connection on Dansby -- is that based on any inside info or simply rumor interpretation?
Tim Dierkes
9:05
I had the Cubs on Correa for most of this process.  Then I read the thing from I think Sharma and Mooney about how they would not be going 8+ years at a high AAV, which is exactly what we project for Correa.  So it was easier to talk myself into Dansby.
Anthony Franco
9:06
Yeah similar logic on my end. I went back and forth between the Cubs and Braves on Dansby the whole time but just liked Chicago's long-term payroll projection a little more
Steve Adams
9:06
Jed Hoyer has time and again thrown out "intelligent" spending and other such GM-speak, and there are dozens of reports out of the Chicago market about how they probably won't go super long-term; Swanson at seven years is still long, but I think he could justifiably command a similar guarantee over six, and even then -- 7 at the AAV we projected doesn't feel back-breaking.
Tim Dierkes
9:06
Six years pays Dansby through age 34.  Nine years pays Correa through 36.  We have Xander through 36 as well, and Turner through 37.  Certainly the Cubs could sign any of these guys, but they seem to be acting like they don't want to pay guys this long.
Jay
9:07
Thoughts on the Jays chasing a big fish SS, especially after some of the rumblings overnight?
Steve Adams
9:07
The Cubs will be in the SS market, but I don't think all the way in the deep end. Dansby is second-youngest and will be the "most affordable" of the bunch; it's just a decent fit. Could also see him with the Twins or a bunch of other teams
Tim Dierkes
9:07
It's kinda fun, and I believe they make a habit to check into all the best guys, but I find that to be a long shot.
Anthony Franco
9:08
On Dansby, I think the strong overlap is coincidental -- we all just see it as plausible -- but probably comes off as presenting more certainty than any of us feel individually when three of us pick him there
Jays, I don't see it. Payroll's pretty cluttered already, pitching feels like the bigger need
Steve Adams
9:09
I don't put any stock in said "overnight rumblings" and don't think the Jays will sign one of the big names. They're already near record payroll levels (perhaps above -- need to break out my payroll projection sheet)
Dan
9:09
Seeing a few predictions for the DBacks.  What do you see as their FA plan over the next few years as the farm produces everyday potential stars?  Any chance they'll make a play at a bit FA this year or next?
Tim Dierkes
9:10
I ended up landing on Willson Contreras there, I think Hazen talked about a right-handed bat.  And he can play some catcher, DH, a little LF.  I think they are sometimes a forgotten NL West team and can make a little noise in FA.
Steve Adams
9:11
I had the D-backs on Vazquez right up until about 15 minutes before publish and still like that pick more than the Brewers, ha. I threw Vazquez to the Brewers because I find it plausible and they felt underrepresented.

Generally, yeah I think they'll be active in the second and third tiers of the market, probably sign at least one decent reliever as well and maybe a rotation arm.

All of that's especially true if they can ditch some of the MadBum deal (easier said than done)
Or Ahmed
Anthony Franco
9:11
I think they'll spread things around more so than jump on any top 10 player in the class but I expect they'll be pretty aggressive in building out the bullpen and adding to the infield
Patty O’Furniture
9:12
Based on the list, you guys think the Braves not just miss out on the Big 4 shortstops, but also skimp everywhere else? Rogers and Kluber are OK, but do you really think they’re going to basically punt on this off-season after winning 101?
Tim Dierkes
9:12
I think if there's one fanbase that did not enjoy our team picks, it's Braves fans.
Steve Adams
9:12
Don't sleep on the Mets base! But yes.
Anthony Franco
9:13
I had them bringing back Dansby until the last second. I think that's totally plausible. Expect they'll be in the market for corner outfield help as well, although that could come via trade or guys from outside the top 50
Tim Dierkes
9:13
So, we all think the Braves signing Dansby is a reasonable thing to happen.  However, we all liked the field more for him.  I think that's because he has not signed yet even though they've had some time on it, and for me a tiny bit because he has the same agency Freeman did.  Steve has written a lot about their payroll situation, they're not overflowing with space to sign guys.
Load More Messages
Connecting…