5 Biggest MLB Free Agents

by Rob Joyce

Tuesday marked the official start of the MLB “hot stove”, when teams can officially start making contract offers to free agents. Most years there is one or two high-profile position players that dominate the headlines, but this offseason is different. For the first time in years, starting pitchers are all the talk. As front offices begin to go through their options and start negotiating with agents, here are the five biggest names to hit the free agent market:

1) Max Scherzer:

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Coming off a Cy Young-winning season in 2013, Scherzer took a big risk by turning down an offer from Detroit in the spring that would have made him among the league’s richest pitchers. Although his wins and earned run average dipped slightly this year, his strikeout rate was up and he surpassed 220 innings pitched. At 30 years old, Scherzer is at the top of his game and should expect to see a contract similar to the ones given to Clayton Kershaw ($30 million per year) and Felix Hernandez ($25 million).

2) Jon Lester:

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The southpaw quieted any critics who questioned whether Lester was a true ace after a lights-out 2014. His record between Boston and Oakland was just 16-11, but his ERA was under 2.50, he struck out 200 batters and tossed a career-high 219.2 innings. It seemed every start from May through September, his price tag increased. Early on it appears the Cubs are among the favorites to land Lester.

3) James Shields:

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For most teams, the cost of acquiring a Scherzer or a Lester is simply too steep. That makes Shields more appealing as a low-end ace. Already 32, the righty is durable, having thrown 200+ innings every year since his rookie season. His age means the length of the contract will be a few years shorter, and while his numbers are solid, they are not worthy of $20-25 million a year, so he will be cheaper.

His biggest issue involves his postseason numbers. Although he was on the pennant-winning Royals, his career ERA in the postseason is nearly 5.50 – including a 6.12 ERA in four starts this year. That should make his most lucrative offer decrease a bit.

4) Pablo Sandoval:

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He is no longer the guy who his .330 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI in 2009. But Sandoval is a third baseman who is a career .294 hitter and will consistently put up double-figure homers. Where Sandoval brings the most value, though, is the postseason, where he has been integral in the Giants winning three World Series in five years. He is a career .344 postseason hitter, and in the World Series that balloons up to .426. At just 27, he is in the prime of his career, and with three rings and a World Series MVP to his name, he will be paid handsomely.

5) Hanley Ramirez:

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The Dodgers’ shortstop may not be among the game’s most electrifying players anymore, he is still a highly-sought out commodity. There are not too many shortstops who can consistently hit double-digit home runs and drive in anywhere from 60-80 runs, which is all but guaranteed with Ramirez. Turning 31 in December, this may be his final chance for a big contract, and expect him to draw interest from multiple clubs.