It’s been a throwback kind of offseason.
Unlike the last two winters when many premier free agents sat on the market forever, many of the top available players have signed. Among those off the board are Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, Zack Wheeler, Madison Bumgarner and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
However, there are still unsigned players capable of making a major impact in 2020 and beyond. Here is a look at the top five remaining free agents:
JOSH DONALDSON
Even at 34, the slugging third baseman is the one free agent left who could command a nine-figure contract.
Donaldson bet on himself last winter, signing a one-year, $23-million contract with the Atlanta Braves as he believed he could parlay a bounce-back season into a lucrative deal this winter. Donaldson delivered by hitting .259/.379/.521 with 37 home runs in 155 games.
The fact that Donaldson was limited to 52 games in 2018 because of injuries might be reason to pause for some teams. However, Donaldson reportedly has a list of suitors that includes two teams willing to go to four years in the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals.
NICHOLAS CASTELLANOS
The outfielder greatly boosted his stock with an outstanding final two months of the 2019 season with the Chicago Cubs after they acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in a trade.
In 51 games, he batted .321/.356/.646 with 16 home runs. That came after he posted a .273/.328/.462 line with the Tigers in 100 games.
At 27, Castellanos is younger that most free agents and seemingly has more upside. The Cubs would like to bring him back if they can clear payroll and he has also been connected to the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.
MARCELL OZUNA
A handful of teams are reportedly interested in the 29-year-old outfielder. However, it seems Ozuna is the fallback option for whoever doesn’t sign Castellanos.
Ozuna had a decent platform season to enter free agency, hitting .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs in 130 games but not the type of year that would command a nine-figure contract.
The Cardinals are still looking to replace Ozuna in left field. Thus, it might make sense for the duo to reunite on a one-year contact in 2020 and Ozuna to then try free agency again next winter.
WILL HARRIS
Harris gave up the World Series-losing home run for the Houston Astros when the Nationals’ Howie Kendrick banged one off the foul pole in Game 7.
However, the right-hander had an otherwise outstanding year as he posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 68 games during the regular season. The 35-year-old wasn’t a one-season wonder, either, as he compiled a 2.36 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 309 games during his five seasons with the Astros.
DANIEL HUDSON
Speaking of the World Series, Hudson recorded the final out in Game 7 when he struck out Michael Brantley. That ended an improbable season that began with Hudson being released by the Los Angeles Angels during spring training.
The 32-year-old had a combined 2.47 ERA and 1.13 WHIP during the regular season in 69 games with the Toronto Blue Jays and Nationals. However, what may concern some suitors is that Hudson did not have an ERA better than 4.11 in a three-season span from 2016-18.
