No participant on the checklist under is kind of in that firm now, however they might have match completely again of their heyday. Whereas they could not be the perfect at their positions, an extended profession within the Majors has left these free brokers with a distinct superlative: most completed.
Listed below are the 12 most completed free brokers nonetheless out there, ordered by their profession bWAR.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP (77.1 bWAR)
Kershaw might be 5 years away from being inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame as quickly as he decides to retire. However it seems that clock will not begin for at the least one other season. The three-time Cy Younger Award winner plans to pitch in 2024, though an actual timetable is not clear after he underwent surgical procedure on his throwing shoulder in November. Kershaw stated then that he was “hopeful” for a return in the summertime and lately reiterated that perception.
As for the jersey Kershaw will put on, it is a binary selection: He’ll both rejoin the Dodgers, the one franchise he has often known as an expert, or the Rangers, which might symbolize a homecoming for the Dallas native. Kershaw acknowledged final yr that these are the one groups he would think about at this level in his profession. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear in October that the membership will convey Kershaw again for 2024 if that’s what the previous Nationwide League MVP and his household need. In the meantime, a supply instructed The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) that Texas is “very a lot” in play for Kershaw, who ranks sixth amongst left-handed pitchers in profession bWAR.
Zack Greinke, RHP (72.4)
Solely 19 pitchers in MLB historical past have reached 3,000 strikeouts. Greinke, with 2,979 Okay’s, ought to grow to be the twentieth member of that revered group early subsequent season. Greinke has spent practically half of his life within the Majors and is planning to come back again for his twenty first yr — his age-40 season — in 2024. 9 of these years have are available a Royals uniform, however is there nonetheless room for Greinke in Kansas Metropolis? The membership’s rotation appears to be like fairly full following the additions of Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Nonetheless, any membership that wants a pitcher who can eat innings and be a task mannequin for a younger workers ought to have some measure of curiosity in Greinke, one of many best hurlers of his era.
Joey Votto, 1B (64.4)
The Reds declined Votto’s membership possibility on Nov. 4, making him a free agent for the primary time in his profession. Votto turned the face of the franchise throughout his 17 seasons in Cincinnati and issued a heartfelt thanks to the Reds, their followers and the encompassing group quickly after the crew’s resolution. The 2010 NL MVP ranks among the many Reds’ all-time high 5 in lots of classes together with dwelling runs (356, second), walks (1,365, first), and video games (2,056, fifth).
Votto, like Kershaw, may determine to finish his enjoying profession nearer to dwelling. The Toronto native is a possible match for the Blue Jays, who need to add offense this winter. Early within the offseason, common supervisor Ross Atkins stated the crew does have some curiosity within the 40-year-old.
Evan Longoria, 3B (58.6)
This previous season was considered one of Longoria’s worst from a statistical standpoint — .295 on-base proportion, .717 OPS, 30.8% strikeout charge. Nevertheless it additionally needed to be considered one of his most rewarding because the 38-year-old helped information the upstart D-backs to the World Collection. When he signed with Arizona final offseason, Longoria stated his selection was influenced by a need to see his spouse and younger kids extra typically; he owns houses in Arizona and Florida, so the Rays have been additionally on his shortlist, as have been the Giants as a result of his familiarity with the crew after spending the earlier 5 seasons with them. The Giants are the one crew in that group with a transparent want at third base this yr, however they’re reportedly eyeing Matt Chapman.
Longoria, a three-time Gold Glover, nonetheless gives serviceable protection on the scorching nook and a few pop on the plate. Nevertheless it’s unknown if he would proceed his profession if these aforementioned golf equipment are usually not concerned with a reunion.
Josh Donaldson, 3B (46.8)
Donaldson desires an opportunity to exit on a excessive observe. The slugging third baseman discovered his profession at a crossroads in August, when he was launched by the Yankees following an injury-marred two-year stint with New York. The 2015 American League MVP was picked up by the Brewers a few days later and slashed .169/.290/.390 over 69 plate appearances to finish the common season. Donaldson, 38, stated final month that he’s “undoubtedly up” for enjoying one ultimate season so long as he feels comfy with the scenario. Like Longoria, Donaldson can nonetheless deal with third base and has continued to submit some robust hitting metrics. As an illustration, his 16.2% barrel charge final yr was the second-best of his 13-year profession.
Johnny Cueto, RHP (38.5)
The elder statesman within the Marlins’ youthful rotation, Cueto noticed his 2023 season sabotaged by damage virtually instantly. He departed his first begin after dealing with seven hitters — and permitting 4 runs — as a result of biceps tightness. He was shelved till after the All-Star break. When on the mound, Cueto scuffled to a career-worst 6.02 ERA throughout 52 1/3 innings. Miami declined his $10.5 million possibility after the season, however there hasn’t been any indication that the 37-year-old is able to retire after 16 seasons. The 2-time All-Star is just one yr faraway from handing over a 3.35 ERA over 158 1/3 innings with the White Sox, so Cueto would possibly shimmy his manner onto one other crew quickly.
Justin Turner, DH (36.5)
Turner appears to be drawing curiosity from essentially the most golf equipment amongst gamers on this checklist. He has been linked this offseason to the D-backs, Blue Jays, Mets and Crimson Sox, for whom Turner clubbed 23 homers and drove in 96 runs final season. He spent 4 seasons with the Mets early in his profession, however Turner did not blossom into the scary hitter he’s as we speak till he signed with the Dodgers previous to the 2014 marketing campaign. Over the following eight years, he averaged a 133 OPS+, made two All-Star groups and at all times displayed robust plate self-discipline. As Turner enters his age-39 season, his bat stays a helpful commodity.
Kevin Kiermaier, CF (35.5)
After signing with the Blue Jays final December, Kiermaier loved considered one of his higher offensive seasons — his 104 OPS+ was a six-year excessive — and was nonetheless elite in heart subject. It was reported final month that the Twins have been within the four-time Gold Glover, however he ought to have a number of suitors after exhibiting that he hasn’t misplaced a step at age 33. The free-agent market is wealthy with heart fielders who play stellar protection, however nobody within the outfield has accrued extra outs above common than Kiermaier (84) for the reason that inception of Statcast fielding metrics in 2016.
Carlos Santana, 1B (35.5)
Santana’s profile shares some similarities with Turner’s: nook infielders of their late 30s who provide extra-base energy, can draw a stroll and do not strike out a lot. Nonetheless, Santana has acquired a lot much less buzz this offseason. Maybe he begins 2024 the place he ended ’23; Brewers common supervisor Matt Arnold stated earlier this month that the crew is open to bringing Santana again at first base. Not like Turner, Santana nonetheless receives constructive marks within the subject. Though his batted-ball metrics dipped considerably final season, Santana can nonetheless be a productive participant in his fifteenth Main League season.
Michael Brantley, DH (34.3)
Brantley got here very near sporting a Blue Jays uniform in 2021 — there have been experiences of him signing with Toronto — however he finally stayed with the Astros, the crew with which he has spent the previous 5 years. Brantley has performed in solely 79 video games over the previous two seasons as a result of a left shoulder damage that required surgical procedure in August 2022. He does not present a lot energy or protection at age 36, however the five-time All-Star hardly ever strikes out and has a profession .298 common. And there simply so occurs to be a crew searching for a left-handed bat that has reportedly proven curiosity in Brantley: the Blue Jays.
Elvis Andrus, SS (34.0)
By means of his first 14 seasons, Andrus performed 1,914 video games within the subject, they usually have been all at shortstop. Final season, his fifteenth, noticed him man second base for almost all of his video games with the White Sox, and he was serviceable, in line with OAA. His identify hasn’t been talked about a lot within the rumor mill, however Andrus may very well be a worthwhile funding for a crew that wants a center infielder who might help on the basepaths. His 347 stolen bases are essentially the most amongst energetic gamers. The 35-year-old owns 2,091 hits and a .269/.325/.370 profession slash line.
Corey Kluber, RHP (34.0)
Over a five-season span from 2014-18, there have been hardly any beginning pitchers higher than Kluber. His 151 ERA+ trailed solely Kershaw (180). He averaged 218 innings, a 2.85 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 246 Okay’s per season. He picked up two Cy Younger Awards, three All-Star alternatives and an ERA title.Â
The final 5 years have been a really completely different story. Accidents have actually taken their toll on the right-hander, who has thrown a complete of 335 2/3 frames throughout that point. This latest interval additionally features a 4.80 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a few well-below-average Okay charges. In 2023, he registered a 7.04 ERA in 55 innings with the Crimson Sox and missed the second half of the season as a result of shoulder irritation. Kluber, 37, indicated final month that he’s undecided about whether or not he’ll play in 2024.