While some of the best free agents on the market have already signed, who are the best MLB free agents remaining in 2024?
Apparently, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have already signed two of the biggest contracts in MLB history. But there are still plenty of players remaining in MLB free agency who are genuine difference-makers who sign a huge contract before spring training begins.
Ranking of the top 10 remaining free agents in MLB
Now that 2024 is official, we should start to see more dominoes start to fall. Although they won't get the same money as Ohtani, the top remaining MLB free agents in 2024 will get a big payday.
Of course, there's always the possibility that one of these players could end up signing one of the worst contracts ever given the value of the dollar being talked about. With that in mind, here are MLB's top 10 remaining free agents in 2024.
10. J.D. Martinez
Of course, J.D. Martinez is not the player he once was. But the guy still had 33 home runs and 103 RBI last season. He is a professional batsman and would be a great asset to any club.
Additionally, teams will not have to commit to a long-term deal to sign him. All of these factors still make Martinez one of the best free agents left on the board.
9. Marcus Stroman
Somehow, Marcus Stroman has been overlooked among rookie pitchers on the market. He's still a bit young and starting to age, so Stroman may not warrant a long-term deal.
However, with the exception of 2020, he has made at least 25 appearances in seven straight seasons and has reached an ERA below 4.00 in five of the past six seasons. Stroman remains a reliable mid-rotation player capable of emerging as an ace for a few starts a year.
8. Teoscar Hernandez
Teams in need of a power bat should look to Teoscar Hernandez. He may not bring a ton to the table outside his authority.
But Hernandez has hit at least 29 home runs in three straight seasons and four of the past six years. He can also hold his own in the corner outfield, so it's not like he's just a DH or a one-trick pony.
7. Jorge Soler
No free agent offers more power potential than Jorge Soler. He hit 36 home runs for the Marlins last year and also has a 48-home run season on his resume.
Soler also hit 24 doubles and hit .250 in 2023, so he's not an all-or-nothing hitter. Any team looking for a full-time DH should have Soler on their radar.
6. Shota Imanaga
Yamamoto obviously came in with a lot of hype, but Shota Imanaga would be a big consolation prize for teams who missed out on signing him. He probably doesn't qualify as an ace and isn't as powerful a player as Yamamoto.
However, he is a talented and shifty lefty who is considered a reliable starter in the major leagues. For teams that still need a pitcher, he would be a great asset at an affordable price.
5. Josh Hader
It's rare for a relief pitcher to receive a qualifying offer like Josh Hader did, which explains why he wasn't among the first free agents to sign.
Hader also has a chance to set a record contract value for free agent players. As a five-time All-Star and three-time National League Most Valuable Player Award winner, Hader is deserving of the massive contract he will likely sign before the season begins.
4. Matt Chapman
It's a bit surprising to see Matt Chapman still available this late in the offseason. He is a Gold Glove third baseman who also brings a powerful bat to the middle of the lineup.
The only problem is that not every team in the market is looking for a third baseman. But at least a few teams have a hole to fill at the hot corner, so there are a few potential destinations Chapman could land.
3. Jordan Montgomery
Even though he may be the second-best left-handed player on the market, there is a lot of interest in Jordan Montgomery. He has proven to be a reliable starter for many years, while the role he played in helping the Rangers win the World Series last year only helped his stock.
In fact, remaining in Texas is an option for Southerners, as is a reunion with the Yankees. But those aren't the only teams that would be happy to sign Montgomery before the season.
2. Blake Snell
After winning his second Cy Young of his career in 2023, Blake Snell will receive a huge payday. Waiting to sign Yamamoto first may have increased demand for Snell among teams that lost Yamamoto.
Outside of the Dodgers, any team interested in a development player will reach out to Snell. That should give Snell his choice of any team he wants and a lucrative contract.
1. Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger is without a doubt the biggest fish in the pond. After a bounce-back season with the Cubs in 2023, the former MVP appears to have put his struggles during his final two seasons in Los Angeles behind him.
Bellinger won the Player of the Year award and the second Silver Slugger Award of his career in 2023, so he hits the free agent market at the right time. He is also only 28 years old and is capable of playing outfield or first base. Bidding for Bellinger could get him a contract of up to 10 years and nearly $300 million, if not more. This is obviously a big commitment, but the upside that Bellinger still has to be one of the biggest stars in the game is hard to ignore.
