NEWSLETTER
This week, Brett shared some surprising contract projections from ESPN’s Dan Szymborski that had Manny Machado, not Bryce Harper, earning the biggest free agent contract after the end of this season, Josh Donaldson landing a $135M deal, and Craig Kimbrel setting a new high for relievers (among many other items).
And like a juicy steak alongside a fine wine, I have the perfect pairing for you today to peruse during breaks in the game action: The first 2018-2019 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings from MLB Trade Rumors.
Yes, yes, yes, it is VERY early for these sort of power rankings, but MLB Trade Rumors kept it to just the top ten names as of now, and I think these guys – even if it’s not this exact order – are likely to be the most attractive names by the end of the season … so long as they stay mostly healthy.
Let’s take a look at the list below, but be sure to head to MLB Trade Rumors for the write-ups:
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Manny Machado, SS/3B
- Clayton Kershaw, P
- Josh Donaldson, 3B
- Craig Kimbrel, C
- Patrick Corbin, P
- Dallas Keuchel, P
- Brian Dozier, 2B
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- Elvis Andrus, SS
YO.
Need a middle infielder? You can have a superstar like Manny Machado, an all-around guy with solid defense in Elvis Andrus, or a slugger like Brian Dozier. How about a center fielder? A.J. Pollock has been worth 4.5 WAR or more in three of the past four seasons. Not just focused on defense? How about big corner bats like Josh Donaldson and Bryce Harper? Both were MVPs and both will dominate at the plate.
Did half of your rotation retire? Well Clayton Kershaw and Dallas Keuchel could lead almost any rotation in baseball and Patrick Corbin is nothing to sneeze at either. How about help at the end of the game? Craig Kimbrel is arguably the best closer in baseball. Basically, unless you need a catcher, the TOP TEN ALONE has some of the best players in baseball at every single position – and that’s leaving out a ton of other really talented players for now
Side note: You’ll have to excuse my periodic CAPS and rhetorical questions. It’s just going to be such an exciting offseason, I can hardly wait. (Actual baseball will help, of course.)
So if you’re feeling anxious, like me, take a look at the 2018-2019 MLB Power Rankings at MLB Trade Rumors for more context and information. Then cross-reference that with the free agent contract projections from ESPN, before circling back and taking a look at the entire post-2018 class as a whole.
I bet you’ll have a good time.
