Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Amber Heard
MLB Free Agents 2023 MLB Free Agents Top MLB Free Agents 2023
MLB Free Agents 2023 MLB Free Agents Top MLB Free Agents 2023, The 2023 MLB free agent class is stacked with top talent. It features several starting pitchers and middle infielders.
Shohei Ohtani is a clear standout. But other high-profile players will also receive significant offers in this market. Here are five of the best MLB Free Agents in 2023 to watch out for.
Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a two-way phenom who has transformed the Angels since making the jump from Japan in 2017. He won the AL MVP award this season and is expected to earn a huge payday as a free agent next winter.
He has a strong preference to stay out West, those close to him say. His friends say he enjoys the secluded life of being on the West Coast and that he has no desire to move to the East.
While every team would love to have him, it’s not hard to see why the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to sign him. His contract is likely to be one of the most lucrative in baseball history. And the Dodgers could easily command a deal north of $500 million. If he continues to perform as he has over the past two seasons.
Luis Severino
After a slow start to his career, Severino has been one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the majors. He was a Cy Young Award candidate in 2017. And was named an All-Star in 2018 before Tommy John’s surgery robbed him of that success.
A right-hander, Severino is fast and can generate ground at a good clip. He also offers an elite strikeout pitch and a quality slider that he used to a high degree last year.
Despite his struggles in the second half, Severino was still able to post an excellent 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 102 innings (19 starts) last season. Now that he’s further removed from his 2020 Tommy John surgery, he should be a force to be reckoned with in 2023.
Lucas Giolito
Giolito was a surprise addition to the White Sox this offseason, and he’s expected to be a key piece of their rebuild. He’s thrown well in Cactus League action this spring and will look to bounce back from a rough 2022 season.
He hasn’t thrown a lot of innings this spring, but his strikeout and walk rates are both encouraging. He’s also reportedly weighing less than 35 pounds lighter than he was this time last year. Which should help his fastball.
He’s one of several MLB Free Agents in this class who will be available for a new team to sign after the 2023 season. There are a lot of top-tier starting and relief pitchers available. As well as a handful of middle infielders.
Blake Snell
One of the MLB Free Agents in 2023 likely to receive a substantial payday is San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell. His stuff is unhittable at times, but consistency has been an issue that could cost him a deal.
After he came back from a groin injury that sidelined him in 2021, Snell had a very good year. He walked just 8.4 percent of the batters he faced, allowed a 2.65 ERA and 1.203 WHIP, and pitched at a career-high level.
He had a strong start to 2022, but an elbow scare in February and discomfort in his groin sidelined him until mid-May. He finished the season with an 8-10 record and a 3.24 ERA. He’s due to hit free agency after the 2023 season, so it will be interesting to see if he can replicate those numbers.
Teoscar Hernandez
In a move that surprised many. The Seattle Mariners have acquired Teoscar Hernandez from the Toronto Blue Jays. The veteran slugger is expected to serve as a middle-of-the-order bat for the Mariners. Who has lost several hitters throughout the last few years?
He’s an intriguing candidate to become a free agent next off-season. As the former MLB All-Star continues to work on regaining his form at the plate and excelling defensively.
He’s also a great fit for a team looking to add some depth to their rotation. He’s made 14 starts over the past two seasons, posting a 2.92 ERA and striking out 35 percent of hitters he faced. He’s a quality arm and could be a solid option in the Blue Jays rotation.
