Time to warm up those hands. MLB Hot Stove SZN is here for the offseason after the Texas Rangers won their first World Series as a franchise.
It’s obvious who the top name is, and that will be the focus for contenders: Signing Shohei Ohtani, who underwent Tommy John surgery, but who could continue to be the two-way threat he’s been so far in his professional career as a pitcher and slugger.
Beyond Ohtani? There are a bunch of intriguing names who we’ll list below who could help teams right away. Let’s dive in to the biggest free-agent names out there now that it’s the offseason:
1
SP/DH Shohei Ohtani
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
You know what he can do on both the mound and at the plate. Though he won’t pitch in 2024, you can expect him to make a HUGE amount of money with the hope that he’ll return to that form by 2025. Even then, as a slugger, he’s one of the league’s best.
2
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
You should get to know him immediately. He’s an Orix Buffaloes superstar pitcher in Japan, one who could be a top-of-the-rotation star.
3
SP Blake Snell
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Snell may win the NL Cy Young after an incredible year for the Padres, which could earn him a bunch of cash.
4
SP Jordan Montgomery
(AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
He’s not the biggest star, but no matter. He’s consistent, and that counts for a lot when it comes to pitching.
5
OF/1B Cody Bellinger
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
He bounced back big time after winning MVP a few years ago, faltering in Los Angeles, and booming again in Chicago.
6
SP Aaron Nola
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
We know he can pitch well … sometimes. But the risk could come with reward after an up-and-down year in Philly.
7
SP Sonny Gray
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Gray has looked REALLY good in recent years despite struggles in the middle of his career. A veteran arm who could be a big middle-of-the-rotation help
8
RP Josh Hader
Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
Need a lights-out closer? Here you go.
9
3B Matt Chapman
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Dude can rake and field, and at third base, that means he’s going to see a big contract (and deserve it!).
10
SP Marcus Stroman
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
He was a little bit all over the place and injured last year, but he could be better than you think next season.
11
DH Jorge Soler
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Dude can hit home runs. That’s a good thing to pay for.
12
OF Jung Hoo Lee
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
The KBO star looked really good in the World Baseball Classic.
13
SP Eduardo Rodriguez
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Don’t forget about him. He pitched well last year and could be a No. 3 starter type for a contender.
14
OF Teoscar Hernandez
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
We know he can drive in runs, so there’s plenty of value there.
15
1B Rhys Hoskins
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The slugger can hit dingers, and as long as his recovery from a torn ACL went well, he’ll get paid.
16
3B Jeimer Candelario
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
A solid year and the need for talent at the hot corner means he’ll be in demand.
17
SP Lucas Giolito
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
A rough 2023 for the starter means he could be a change-of-scenery signing with the hope he regains some of his old form.
18
DH J.D. Martinez
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
He’s ageless and keeps hitting!
19
SP Seth Lugo
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A sub-4.00 ERA last year shows he can be a good arm in the middle of a rotation.
20
SP Michael Wacha
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
He’s bounced back from a few bad years and won 14 games for the Padres last year.
