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Here are the best remaining MLB free agents

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Here are the best remaining MLB free agents

Here are the best remaining MLB free agents originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The MLB free agency period certainly hasn’t been short on details.

Several big names have changed teams this offseason, led by New York Mets luring outfielder Juan Soto from the Bronx to Queens with a record 15-year, $765 million contract.

Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell also made an in-state move, leaving the San Francisco Giants for a five-year, $162 million contract with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

After the departures of Snell and Soto, the Giants and New York Yankees welcomed new stars to the city. San Francisco got shortstop Willy Adames with a seven-year, $182 million contractwhile New York reinforced its rotation by signing max fried still Eight-year, $218 million contract..

The Yankees then found their replacement for Soto on the trade market, acquiring outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs moved on from Bellinger after making their own big trade. bring in outfielder Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros.

And in the other major trade of the offseason, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet was sent from the Chicago White Sox toward Boston Red Sox.

It’s been a wild winter so far, and more big moves are yet to come as several notable names remain unsigned. Here’s an updated look at the top remaining free agents (listed alphabetically by last name):

Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

The Mets’ current projected lineup is headlined by Soto and Francisco Lindor, but will it also include one of the franchise’s all-time best home run hitters? Alonso, 30, ranks third in franchise history with 226 home runs in his first six major league seasons. The two-time Home Run Derby champion was an All-Star for the third consecutive season in 2024, hitting .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs in 162 games. He also enjoyed a solid postseason as New York made an impressive run to the National League Championship Series.

Alex Bregman, 3B, Houston Astros

Bregman, a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, has spent the first nine years of his career in Houston. After a slow start in 2024, he finished the season hitting .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in 145 games. The 30-year-old also earned the first Gold Glove of his career.

Corbin Burnes, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Burnes, 30, made a smooth transition from the National League to the American League. After an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, the one-time Cy Young winner went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, 181 strikeouts and 48 walks in 194.1 innings over 32 starts. He also received a fourth consecutive All-Star nod.

Jack Flaherty, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Flaherty had a bounce-back season in 2024, lowering his ERA from 4.99 the year before to 3.17. The 29-year-old, who was acquired midseason by Los Angeles from the Detroit Tigers, was 13-7 overall with 194 strikeouts and 38 walks in 162 innings over 28 starts.

Teoscar Hernández, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hernandez’s decision to join the Dodgers on a one-year deal last offseason appears to be a wise one. After his OPS fell to .741 in 2023, the 32-year-old rebounded by hitting .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in 154 games. He also made his second All-Star Game and helped Los Angeles capture the World Series title.

Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Hoffman, 31, received the first All-Star award of his career in 2024, as he had a 2.17 ERA with 10 saves, 89 strikeouts and 16 walks in 66.1 innings. In two seasons with Philadelphia PhilliesHoffman posted a 2.28 ERA in 118.2 innings.

Ha-Seong Kim, INF, San Diego Padres

A strong defensive infielder, Kim saw his production at the plate drop in 2024. The 29-year-old hit .233/.330/.370 with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and 22 steals in 121 games. That followed a 2023 season in which Kim posted a .749 OPS in 152 games, stole 38 bases and won a Gold Glove. Kim’s Opening Day status is up in the air after undergoing surgery shoulder in October.

Sean Manaea, LHP, New York Mets

Manaea had a solid first season with the Mets as he returned to a full-time starting role. The 32-year-old left-hander went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 184 strikeouts and 63 walks in 181.2 innings over 32 starts. It was his first season with a sub-4.00 ERA in at least 30 starts since 2021.

Joc Pederson, designated/offensive hitter, Arizona Diamondbacks

Pederson, 32, has put together three straight solid seasons at the plate, with his 2024 campaign being the best of the bunch. The two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion hit .275/.393/.515 with 23 home runs and 64 RBIs in 132 games. His .908 OPS was the best of his career as he continued to primarily face (and enjoy) right-handed pitching.

Anthony Santander, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Unanimous MVPs Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani were the only players last season to hit more home runs than Santander, who threw for a career-high 44 yards. The 30-year-old also drove in over 100 runs for the first time with 102 RBIs, hitting .235/.308/.506 in 155 games. Santander, who has increased his OPS in each of the last three seasons, made his first All-Star Game in 2024.

Roki Sasaki, RHP, Japan

Sasaki is the latest high-profile arm to join Japan’s big guns. The 23-year-old had a 2.02 ERA with 524 strikeouts and 91 walks in 414.2 innings over four seasons with Japanese club Chiba Lotte. He also made two starts during the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship in Japan. However, there is a twist to Sasaki’s free agency draw: the teams only be able to use money from the international bonus fund to sign him.

Tanner Scott, LHP, San Diego Padres

Scott, 30, was called to the All-Star Game for the first time in 2024. The left-handed reliever, who was traded from the Miami Marlins toward San Diego Padres At midseason, he posted a 1.75 ERA with 22 saves, 84 strikeouts and 36 walks in 72 total innings.

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