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MLB Free Agency 2024 | Top Free Agents Ranked | Baseball Signings Tracker

Frank AmmiranteSenior Sports Writer
@FAmmiranteTFJ
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2022

The MLB lockout is finally over, so we can expect a flurry of activity on the free-agent market before the season starts next month. While some of the marquee names were already signed prior to the lockout, there are still several impact players available.

The list includes hitters with proven track records and intriguing arms that can help teams during the upcoming season and beyond.

In this article, we’ll rank the top 100 MLB free agents, keeping track of where each player lands. You’ll also find a breakdown of each position, which will include an explanation of some of the top options.


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MLB Free Agent Rankings: Top 100

RkPlayerPOSAge2021 TeamSigned With
1Max ScherzerSP37Los Angeles DodgersNew York Mets
2Freddie Freeman1B32Atlanta BravesLos Angeles Dodgers
3Corey SeagerSS27Los Angeles DodgersTexas Rangers
4Carlos CorreaSS27Houston AstrosMinnesota Twins
5Trevor StorySS29Colorado RockiesBoston Red Sox
6Marcus Semien2B31Toronto Blue JaysTexas Rangers
7Robbie RaySP30Toronto Blue JaysSeattle Mariners
8Kevin GausmanSP30San Francisco GiantsToronto Blue Jays
9Javier BaezSS28Chicago CubsDetroit Tigers
10Justin VerlanderSP38Houston AstrosHouston Astros
11Clayton KershawSP33Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
12Raisel IglesiasRP31Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles Angels
13Starling MarteOF33Oakland AthleticsNew York Mets
14Kenley JansenRP34Los Angeles DodgersAtlanta Braves
15Eduardo RodriguezSP28Boston Red SoxDetroit Tigers
16Kris BryantOF30San Francisco GiantsColorado Rockies
17Nick CastellanosOF30Cincinnati RedsPhiladelphia Phillies
18Marcus StromanSP30New York MetsChicago Cubs
19Chris Taylor2B31Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
20Seiya SuzukiOF27Hiroshima Toyo CarpChicago Cubs
21Carlos RodonSP29Chicago White SoxSan Francisco Giants
22Noah SyndergaardSP29New York MetsLos Angeles Angels
23Anthony Rizzo1B32New York YankeesNew York Yankees
24Michael ConfortoOF29New York Mets
25Kyle SchwarberOF29Boston Red SoxPhiladelphia Phillies
26Jon GraySP30Colorado RockiesTexas Rangers
27Steven MatzSP30Toronto Blue JaysSt. Louis Cardinals
28Anthony DeSclafaniSP31San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
29Avisail GarciaOF30Milwaukee BrewersMiami Marlins
30Nelson CruzDH41Tampa Bay RaysWashington Nationals
31Jorge SolerOF30Atlanta BravesMiami Marlins
32Eddie RosarioOF30Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
33Mark CanhaOF32Oakland AthleticsNew York Mets
34Alex WoodSP30San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
35Alex CobbSP34Los Angeles AngelsSan Francisco Giants
36Eduardo Escobar3B32Milwaukee BrewersNew York Mets
37Yusei KikuchiSP30Seattle MarinersToronto Blue Jays
38Aaron LoupRP33New York MetsLos Angeles Angels
39Mark MelanconRP36San Diego PadresArizona Diamondbacks
40Corey KnebelRP30Los Angeles DodgersPhiladelphia Phillies
41Andrew McCutchenOF35Philadelphia PhilliesMilwaukee Brewers
42Tommy PhamOF34San Diego PadresCincinnati Reds
43Zack GreinkeSP38Houston AstrosKansas City Royals
44Kendall GravemanRP30Houston AstrosChicago White Sox
45Hector NerisRP32Philadelphia PhilliesHouston Astros
46Jonathan VillarSS30New York MetsChicago Cubs
47Leury Garcia2B30Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
48Andrew HeaneySP30New York YankeesLos Angeles Dodgers
49Ian KennedyRP37Philadelphia PhilliesArizona Diamondbacks
50Yan GomesC34Oakland AthleticsChicago Cubs
51James PaxtonSP33Seattle MarinersBoston Red Sox
52Michael PinedaSP33Minnesota TwinsDetroit Tigers
53Dylan BundySP29Los Angeles AngelsMinnesota Twins
54Yimi GarciaRP31Houston AstrosToronto Blue Jays
55Kirby YatesRP34Toronto Blue JaysAtlanta Braves
56Andrew ChafinRP31Oakland AthleticsDetroit Tigers
57Brooks RaleyRP33Houston AstrosTampa Bay Rays
58Joc PedersonOF29Atlanta BravesSan Francisco Giants
59Yoshitomo Tsutsugo1B29Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
60Corey KluberSP35New York YankeesTampa Bay Rays
61Daniel HudsonRP34San Diego PadresLos Angeles Dodgers
62Luis GarciaRP34St. Louis CardinalsSan Diego Padres
63Collin McHughRP34Tampa Bay RaysAtlanta Braves
64Jimmy NelsonRP32Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
65Ryan TeperaRP34Chicago White SoxLos Angeles Angels
66Joe KellyRP33Los Angeles DodgersChicago White Sox
67Jose QuintanaSP32San Francisco GiantsPittsburgh Pirates
68Drew SmylySP32Atlanta BravesChicago Cubs
69Manuel PinaC34Milwaukee BrewersAtlanta Braves
70Jordan LylesSP31Texas RangersBaltimore Orioles
71Michael LorenzenSP29Cincinnati RedsLos Angeles Angels
72Michael WachaSP30Tampa Bay RaysBoston Red Sox
73Rich HillSP41New York MetsBoston Red Sox
74Kole CalhounOF34Arizona DiamondbacksTexas Rangers
75Roberto PerezC32Cleveland GuardiansPittsburgh Pirates
76Garrett RichardsSP33Boston Red SoxTexas Rangers
77Trevor RosenthalRP31Oakland Athletics
78Joely RodriguezRP29New York YankeesNew York Yankees
79Alex ColomeRP33Minnesota TwinsColorado Rockies
80Archie BradleyRP29Philadelphia PhilliesLos Angeles Angels
81Chris MartinRP35Atlanta BravesChicago Cubs
82Jeurys FamiliaRP32New York MetsPhiladelphia Phillies
83Corey DickersonOF32Toronto Blue JaysSt. Louis Cardinals
84Alex DickersonOF31San Francisco GiantsAtlanta Braves
85Cesar Hernandez2B31Chicago White SoxWashington Nationals
86Danny DuffySP33Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
87Brad HandRP31New York MetsPhiladelphia Phillies
88Collin McHughRP34Tampa Bay RaysAtlanta Braves
89Andrew MillerRP36St. Louis CardinalsRetired
90Jake DiekmanRP35Oakland AthleticsBoston Red Sox
91Matt BoydSP31Detroit TigersSan Francisco Giants
92Chris ArcherSP33Tampa Bay RaysMinnesota Twins
93J.A. HappSP39St. Louis Cardinals
94Dellin BetancesSP33New York MetsLos Angeles Dodgers
95Mychal GivensRP31Cincinnati RedsChicago Cubs
96Adam OttavinoRP36Boston Red SoxNew York Mets
97Tyler AndersonSP32Seattle MarinersLos Angeles Dodgers
98Colin Moran1B29Pittsburgh PiratesCincinnati Reds
99Mitch Moreland1B36Oakland Athletics
100Andrelton SimmonsSS33Minnesota TwinsChicago Cubs

Free Agent Rankings: Catcher

Catchers Yan Gomes and Manny Pina have already signed with new teams. These two players were added as depth and are expected to serve as backups. Gomes can take the load off Willson Contreras for the Chicago Cubs, while Pina can do the same for Travis d’Arnaud with the Atlanta Braves.

You also had Roberto Perez, who departed the Cleveland Guardians for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran backstop is expected to be the new starting catcher for the rebuilding Pirates.

Perez is renowned for his defensive abilities, so perhaps he can help out the Bucs’ mediocre starting rotation.

Free Agent Rankings: First Base

Defending World Series champion Freddie Freeman joined the star-studded Dodgers, where he’ll share a lineup with former MVPs Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. The 32-year Freeman old remains one of the elite hitters in baseball and is coming off another strong season where he slashed .300/.393/.503 with 31 home runs for Atlanta.

Veteran Anthony Rizzo is returning to the New York Yankees after the Cubs traded him to the Bronx last summer. While his production has slipped a bit in recent seasons, he’s still a disciplined slugger who rarely strikes out and can take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right.

Free Agent Rankings: Second Base

Marcus Semien parlayed his career season into a massive deal with the Texas Rangers. While his power numbers will likely decline in a less homer-friendly environment, he still retains 25-30 homer upside.

The versatile Chris Taylor remained with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will rely on him following Corey Seager‘s departure.

Leury Garcia is a dependable middle infielder for the Chicago White Sox with solid contact skills who has batted .267 or better in each of the last five seasons.

Cesar Hernandez has rock-solid on-base skills (career .345 OBP) that can help stabilize a thin Washington Nationals lineup.

Free Agent Rankings: Third Base

The third base pool was extremely limited in the 2022 free-agent crop. Veteran Eduardo Escobar heads over to the New York Mets, where he should benefit from an improved lineup around him. Let’s not forget that back in 2019, he slugged .511 with 35 homers and 118 RBIs. We could see a resurgence in New York.

Kris Bryant will look to continue his renaissance in Colorado after slashing .265/.353/.481 with 25 homers in 586 plate appearances last year. It will be exciting to see what the former NL MVP can do at Coors Field.

Best Bet: Phillies To Win 2022 World Series (+3500) at Caesars

The Phillies have tons of high-end talent that could push them towards World Series contention. Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper remains one of the best hitters in baseball. Their rotation is anchored by two aces in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. The bullpen should be improved with the addition of Corey Knebel.

There’s also a good chance that the Phillies are aggressive in free agency. We already saw them add Kyle Schwarber to the lineup, and Dave Dombrowski always loves to make a splash. Whatever they decide to do, it’s likely that their roster looks stronger by Opening Day.

Free Agent Rankings: Shortstop

Shortstop is the strength of this free-agent group. Young stud Corey Seager heads over to Texas, where he can become a franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future (if he stays healthy).

Javier Baez brings his free-swinging approach and dynamic athleticism to spark a Detroit Tigers team that’s on the rise.

Carlos Correa inked a nine-figure deal with the Minnesota Twins after finally showing what he can do in a healthy season last year, bashing a career-high 26 home runs while cutting his strikeout rate to 18.1%.

There are questions about how Trevor Story‘s production will be affected by leaving Coors Field, but he still has an intriguing power-speed profile in a hitting-friendly environment after signing on with the Boston Red Sox — where he’ll play second base for now given the presence of Xander Bogaerts.

Free Agent Rankings: Outfield

Starling Marte brings speed to an imposing Mets lineup after leading the majors with 47 steals last year. Mark Canha should also give the Mets a boost with his strong on-base skills.

Avisail Garcia hits the ball hard, ranking in the 98th-percentile in max exit velocity. He should assist an improving Miami Marlins’ lineup.

We also have to mention the newest Japanese import Seiya Suzuki, who has the ability to smack 25-30 homers with 15-20 stolen bases. He was heavily courted by multiple teams before signing with the Cubs and figures to bring plenty of excitement to the North Side of Chicago.

Free Agent Rankings: Starting Pitcher

Max Scherzer is still providing ace production into his late 30s and is showing no signs of slowing down. He gives the Mets another frontline starter, making their rotation one of the best in baseball.

Defending AL Cy Young Robbie Ray should benefit from the Seattle Mariners’ pitching-friendly park, while Kevin Gausman returns to the AL East as a different pitcher after two excellent seasons with the San Francisco Giants.

Clayton Kershaw and Carlos Rodon are the wild cards of this class. If we knew that Kershaw was fully healthy, he would approach the top five on this list. He showed that he can still put up elite numbers last year with a 16.7% swinging-strike rate. We’ll see if he can turn in another strong year with the Dodgers in his 15th season there.

Rodon came out of nowhere to have a huge 2021 season, but he has similar health concerns. The hard-throwing lefty notched a career-high 34.6% strikeout rate last year, so we’ll see if that is sustainable with the Giants.

Lastly, future Hall-of-Famer Justin Verlander is back with the Houston Astros. It’ll be interesting to see if the 39-year-old can regain his form after appearing in just one game over the past two seasons combined.

Free Agent Rankings: Relief Pitcher

Raisel Iglesias decided to remain with the Los Angeles Angels, which is great news for a team that needs to win now and stop wasting years of Mike Trout‘s career.

Long-time Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen joins the reigning World Series champs in Atlanta after recording 38 saves with a 30.9% strikeout rate last season.

Keep an eye on Ian Kennedy as well, who has some closing experience and could find himself in a ninth-inning role with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kennedy tallied 30 saves in 2019 and 26 saves last season. We all know how MLB managers like to defer to experience when choosing their closers, so Kennedy could land that gig despite entering his age-37 season.

Best Bet: Angels To Win 2022 World Series (+3000) at Caesars

The Angels have wasted the prime years of one of the best talents we’ve ever seen in Mike Trout. Now, they have another superstar in Shohei Ohtani. It’s time for this team to make some noise in the postseason. Los Angeles has already taken a shot at an upside starter in Noah Syndergaard.

If they’re able to add one of those hitters to a lineup that includes Trout and Ohtani along with Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh, this could be a formidable offense. This is another team that could look much better by the time the season starts, so you’re getting some terrific value at (+3000).

Author

Frank Ammirante

Frank Ammirante is a Senior Sports Writer at The Game Day. Previously, he wrote for 4for4 Football and RotoBaller. Frank is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writer's Association while maintaining an active presence within the community. He has competed in industry contests like the Scott Fish Bowl, The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational, and more. Frank will be making his debut in Tout Wars this year. He's got a diverse sporting background, but specializes in football and baseball.

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