MLB free agency is upon us with several big-name players already on the MLB free agent market following the Houston Astros’ World Series win.
The focus here is obviously American League home run king Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. However, other top-end names are also available. That includes Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins star shortstop Carlos Correa.
Here, we look at a list of notable moves that have been made during MLB free agency with a running list of top players at each position and where they land at the bottom.
Related: Top MLB free agents
MLB free agent moves
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers – It’s the biggest surprise of free agency, Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom leaves the New York Mets for the Texas Rangers. He departs New York and lands a five-year contract worth $185 million, with a sixth-year option that increases the potential value to $222 million.
- Chris Martin, Boston Red Sox – The Boston Red Sox are finally on the board in the MLB free agent tracker, signing pitcher Chris Martin to a two-year contract worth $17.5 million total. Martin, age 36, posted a 3.05 ERA, 11.89 K/0 and 2.18 FIP in 56 innings last year out of the bullpen and will be a late-inning arm for the Red Sox pen.
- Jose Abreu, Houston Astros – The All-Star first baseman is joining the reigning World Series champions, making the best team in MLB even stronger. Houston had one of the worst situations at first base in 2022, receiving minimal production at the spot. Abreu changes that entirely, making Houston a more dangerous lineup next year.
- Mike Clevinger, Chicago White Sox: Although he has made just 31 starts over the past three years, Clevinger managed to make it through 114 innings with the Padres in 2022. Now he’ll rejoin the AL Central, this time with the Sox likely as a back-of-the-rotation starter as he just hasn’t had the same stuff since his 2021 Tommy John surgery. Yet a 4.33 ERA with San Diego shows he can still hold his own.
- Carlos Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates (1 year, $6.7 million): Former All-Star slugger Carlos Santana has landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, signing a one-year deal worth $6.7 million (Jeff Passan). The 36-year-old posted a .202/.316/.376 slash line this past season with 19 home runs and a 14% walk rate with the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners.
- Nick Martinez, San Diego Padres (3 years): Martinez re-signed with the Padres on a three-year deal that included team options for the final two seasons. The veteran was a valuable swing man last season, appearing in 47 games with 10 starts. He pitched to a 4-4 record with a 3.47 ERA while boasting a 1.29 WHIP and striking out 95 batters in 106.1 innings.
- Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees (2 years, $40 million): It’s not the signing Yankees fans are waiting for, but Rizzo at least brings a top home run hitter back to the Bronx for a couple more seasons. Rizzo may be 33 years old, but he also socked 32 dingers a season ago.
- Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels (3 years, $39 million): He may have become a first-time All-Star with the Dodgers, but Anderson is now taking his talent to the Halos instead after posting career bests in innings pitched, wins, and ERA. Now the 32-year-old lefty will aim to boost an Angels pitching staff led by Shohei Ohtani.
- Rafael Montero, Houston Astros (3 years, $34.5 million): After a stellar 2022 campaign with the eventual World Series champion Astros, Montero returns to the team in a lucrative three-year deal. The 32-year-old reliever pitched to a 2.37 ERA and 1.024 WHIP while striking out 73 batters in 68.1 innings last season.
- Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (1 year contract): Kershaw returns to the Dodgers for a 16th season after they opted against extending a qualifying offer to open MLB free agency. It’s not a surprise given how committed the future Hall of Famer has been to Los Angeles. Kershaw, 34, pitched to a 12-3 record with a 2.28 ERA and a mere 0.94 WHIP for the Dodgers last season.
- Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres (5 years, $46 million): Some were surprised that San Diego handed Suarez a huge long-term deal after just one year of MLB experience. Though, he did perform well in his first season with 61 strikeouts in 47.2 innings while posting a 2.27 ERA out of the pen. He’ll be the set-up man to Josh Hader moving forward.
- Edwin Diaz, New York Mets (5 years, $102 million): Diaz opted to return to the Mets on a record-breaking contract rather than test the MLB free agent market. In a shocking manner, New York is now paying out this contract through 2042.
Related: Bold predictions for MLB free agency
MLB free agent tracker (by position)
First baseman
- Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees (re-signed with the Yankees)
- Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox – Signed with Houston Astros
- Josh Bell, San Diego Padres
- Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants
- Trey Mancini, Houston Astros
- Carlos Santana – Signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh Pirates
Second baseman
- Jean Segura, Philadelphia Phillies
- Josh Harrison, Chicago White Sox
- Adam Frazier, Seattle Mariners
- Donovan Solano, Cincinnati Reds
- Cesar Hernandez, Washington Nationals
Shortstops
- Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins
- Trey Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves
- Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
- José Iglesias, Colorado Rockies
Third baseman
- Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Evan Longoria, San Francisco Giants
- Jace Pederson, Milwaukee Brewers
- Brandon Drury, San Diego Padres
- Matt Carpenter, New York Yankees
Catchers
- Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
- Mike Zunino, Tampa Bay Rays
- Christian Vazquez, Houston Astros
- Gary Sanchez, Minnesota Twins
- Curt Casali, Seattle Mariners
Outfielders
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
- Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
- Joc Pederson, San Francisco Giants (re-signed with the Giants)
- Andrew Benintendi, New York Yankees
- Michael Brantley, Houston Astros
- Wil Myers, San Diego Padres
- Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays
- Michael Conforto, New York Mets
- Jurickson Profar, San Diego Padres
- Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners
MLB free agent tracker: The pitchers
Starting pitchers
- Jacob deGrom, New York Mets – Signs five-year, $185M contract with the Rangers
- Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
- Carlos Rodon, San Francisco Giants
- Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (re-signed with the Dodgers)
- Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox
- Chris Bassitt, New York Mets
- Jordan Lyles, Baltimore Orioles
- Sean Manaea, San Diego Padres
- Noah Syndergaard, Philadelphia Phillies
- Jose Quintana, St. Louis Cardinals
- Martin Perez, Texas Rangers (re-signed with the Rangers)
- Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Dodgers (signed with the Angels)
Relief pitchers
- Edwin Diaz, New York Mets (re-signed with the Mets)
- Kenley Jansen, Atlanta Braves
- Aroldis Chapman, New York Mets
- Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres (re-signed with the Padres)
- Craig Kimbrel, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Will Smith, Houston Astros
- Taylor Rogers, Milwaukee Brewers
- Seth Lugo, New York Mets
- David Robertson, Philadelphia Phillies
- Corey Knebel, Philadelphia Phillies
- Chris Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers – Signed two-year, $17.5 million contract with BOS
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
