Calling all baseball fans! If you don’t support the Texas Rangers or the Arizona Diamondbacks, now is the moment you’ve been eagerly awaiting since September: Shohei Ohtani is a free agent! And there are other players in the mix too.
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar who is likely to receive his second AL MVP award, is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated free agent in MLB history. Despite an elbow injury that will sideline his pitching in 2024, Ohtani is expected to sign the richest deal in MLB history, making him the dominant force of the offseason.
But beyond Ohtani, there are other exciting players to keep an eye on. A new Japanese talent, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, has caught the attention of scouts. With his impressive performance in Japan’s NPB league, Yamamoto, a potential top-of-the-rotation arm, is set to make a splash in the major leagues.
Additionally, there is an intriguing group of starting pitchers, including Aaron Nola and Blake Snell. While the pool of available hitters is thin, baseball contenders will be competing for their services in the months leading up to spring training.
To help you navigate the MLB free agent landscape for the 2023-24 class, we have ranked the top free agents based on their projected immediate impact. We’ve also included some key 2023 metrics and information to give you a better understanding of their performance.
Now let’s dive into the details and get the hot stove fired up.
1. Shohei Ohtani, two-way player
Age: 29 | OPS+: 184 | ERA+: 142 | WAR: 9.1
Why you want him: Why wouldn’t you want him? Ohtani has proven himself to be the best hitter in MLB while also excelling as a starting pitcher. The team that signs him will have the opportunity to help him reach the playoffs for the first time, gain a devoted fan base, and potentially secure a spot in the Hall of Fame. Although there are concerns about his elbow injury, the allure of Ohtani’s talent and versatility cannot be denied.
What it will take to get him: The bidding for Ohtani is expected to start around $500 million, surpassing current MLB contract records. Creative proposals that account for the risk of his injury and future performance will likely be presented by interested teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.
2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, starting pitcher
Age: 25 | 1.21 ERA in Japan’s NPB
Why you want him: At just 25 years old, Yamamoto is already one of the most proven Japanese pitchers making the transition to MLB. With his mid-90s fastball and devastating splitter, he has dominated in Japan’s NPB league. Yamamoto’s youth and improved scouting and pitch data give MLB teams confidence that he can succeed in the US.
What it will take to get him: Yamamoto is expected to surpass Masahiro Tanaka’s seven-year, $155 million deal with the Yankees. He has garnered interest from multiple big-market teams, including the New York Yankees.
3. Aaron Nola, starting pitcher
Age: 31 | ERA+: 96 | WAR: 3.9
Why you want him: Nola, a durable and reliable arm, has spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite inconsistent ERA numbers, Nola has consistently shown his value through underlying statistics such as strikeouts, walks, and home runs. He is a reliable top-two starter for a contending team.
What it will take to get him: Nola’s stature and career trajectory are comparable to when Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2015. Adjusting for inflation, Nola will likely seek a deal that surpasses Carlos Rodón’s $162 million contract from last offseason.
4. Blake Snell, starting pitcher
Age: 31 | ERA+: 182 | WAR: 4.1
Why you…
