MLB Free Agency Pt.2: Four More Top Free Agents

MJ Cohen and Robbie Costello

December 4, 2023

Image via Fantasy Alarm

Clayton Kershaw
- The 2014 National League MVP Clayton Kershaw is available in free agency in 2024. The crafty lefty relies on his signature 12-6 curve and nasty slider to go along with his four-seam, sinker, and splitter. The only question mark with the veteran is his current injury status, as he had a recent shoulder surgery that is preventing him from taking the mound until the middle of next season. Teams in win-now scenarios should be looking to sign the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer.

- Prediction: We predict that either the Texas Rangers or Los Angeles Dodgers will lock up Kershaw on a shorter-term deal. The Rangers are Kershaw’s hometown team, not to mention the fact they are the defending World Series champions. Pairing Kershaw up later in the season with a healthy Degrom and Scherzer could make for the best big three in a pitching rotation since Atlanta’s Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. On the other hand, Kershaw has spent his entire phenomenal career with the Dodgers, and it seems that he does not want to leave if he doesn’t have to. Kershaw is the type of loyal player to be a lifelong Dodger, so don’t count them out.

- Dark Horse: Retirement. That’s right. It is widely believed that if neither the Rangers nor Dodgers sign Kershaw, he will hang the cleats up for good. The reason for this is his recent injury history; Kershaw’s velocity and command have dipped over the past few seasons as his age and arm problems have caught up to him. It is still up in the air as of now, and he will likely sign with a team, but time catches up to everyone eventually. Kershaw’s time may or may not be now.

Josh Hader
- By far the top free-agent reliever/closer, Josh Hader is a 29-year-old left-handed pitcher. Josh Hader has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the MLB since he made his debut in 2017. Hader has a 2.50 career ERA with a 0.944 WHIP. Josh has notched 165 career saves and has been consistently reliable since the day he toed the rubber for the Milwaukee Brewers. Hader’s most telling statistic is his 648 strikeouts over 388.2 innings pitched. That number equates to almost two strikeouts per inning (1.67 K/IP), meaning that roughly 56% of Josh Hader’s outs come via the K. That rate is by far one of the highest in the MLB. The left-handed pitcher does this by utilizing a dominant fastball/slider pitch mix which keeps hitters guessing. Hader’s career strikeout percentage is 42.2% (K/Batters Faced) which is ridiculous for the duration of an entire season, let alone an entire career. Regardless of where the free agent lands, he will be an immediate impact player who bolsters down the closing position of a bullpen.

- Prediction: Look for the NLCS finalist Philadelphia Phillies to sign Josh Hader. The Phillies have consistently been one of the best teams in the National League for the past three years and Philadelphia has been lovin’ it. While the Phillies have a couple of great bullpen pieces, they could definitely use some help. José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, and Gregory Soto are the three big names at the backend of the relievers. Last year Craig Kimbrel was the Phillies closing pitcher. However, Kimbrel only signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia, making him a free agent this offseason. This allows the Hader move to make sense. The Phillies are a younger team with many players either entering their prime or currently being in them. Acquiring a guy like Josh Hader who is one of the best, if not the best, closing pitchers in all of baseball would allow the Phillies to lock down a top-end reliever at the peak of his abilities for 4-6 years. They already checked off their number one concern, re-signing Aaron Nola, earlier this offseason. Keep an eye out for Philadelphia bolstering down their bullpen and becoming an even stronger team.

- Dark horse: Don’t be shocked if the reigning World Champion Texas Rangers make a play for Josh Hader. The Rangers have some elite setup men without one true closer. José Leclerc and Josh Sborbz are two of their most effective relievers – both being hard-throwing right-handed pitchers with wipeout breaking balls. Put Hader into that bullpen, sign one or two more solid arms, and you have one of the best relief staffs in the entire MLB.

J.D. Martinez
- J.D. Martinez continues to beat projections as a 36-year-old designated hitter. Since the 2018 season, J.D. has made five out of the six All-Star Games. He has aged like fine wine, producing better seasons later in his career. Last season with the Dodgers in another All-Star campaign, Martinez batted .271 with 33 home runs and a .893 OPS. J.D. also posted a 138 OPS+ (100 is the league average), meaning that he was 38% better than the average MLB hitter. The right-handed batter had 103 RBIs, tallying 61 runs scored himself. These are the best numbers that Martinez has logged in the past four years. The slugger will likely look to join a contender and occupy the middle of the lineup next season.

- Prediction: J.D. Martinez will likely sign a one-year deal with the New York Mets. Martinez has proven that he can play in a big market with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox. The Mets need a short-term but capable designated hitter who can provide some more pop in the lineup. J.D. fits that role perfectly and would slide into the middle of the Mets lineup along with hitters like perennial power bat Pete Alonso and Silver Slugger Award-winning Francisco Lindor.

- Dark Horse: A dark horse team that could acquire J.D. Martinez is the World Series Finalist Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s no secret that the Diamondbacks had a fairytale run to the World Series in the 2023 Postseason, shocking the baseball world and becoming blazing hot at the right time. However, their DH for that time was Tommy Pham, who is currently a free agent. Pham was acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Mets to replace Pavin Smith who was a below-average MLB hitter, let alone a DH. With Tommy hitting the market as a free agent, this leaves a void in their lineup that needs to be filled as Pavin Smith is not a formidable option. This provides an opportunity for J.D. Martinez to enter a strong lineup with the likes of Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, budding star catcher Gabriel Moreno, hard-hitting Ketel Marte, and breakout shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. The addition of J.D. could make this lineup an absolute headache for pitchers.

Matt Chapman
- Chapman has been solidified as undoubtedly one of the top third basemen in baseball. His defense at the hot corner is only rivaled by the incredible Nolan Arenado, and he just produced a solid bounce-back offensive season last year. Chapman posted a .240 batting average with over 100 hits for the Blue Jays in his 30-year-old season and is set to upgrade the third base position for whichever team decides to pick him up.

- Prediction: We believe the Seattle Mariners will win the Matt Chapman sweepstakes. A team that attempted to trade for Chapman two years ago, the Mariners actually traded away their own third baseman Eugenio Suarez at the deadline last year. With Luis Urias topping their depth charts, Seattle requires a substantial upgrade, and Chapman can very well be their guy.

- Dark Horse: Another possible suitor for Matt Chapman is the Detroit Tigers. While they finished towards the bottom of the MLB last year, the Tigers have some young talent and promise with the likes of Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Casey Mize, and Tarik Skubal. Adding Chapman to the middle of the young lineup will provide the team with an experienced mentor that they desperately need. The Tigers are a historic franchise that has seen better days, and signing Matt Chapman could be the spark that turns them in the right direction for next season and beyond.