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Who Will Be The Last Top-50 Free Agent To Sign?

By Mark Polishuk | February 7, 2021 at 7:54pm CDT

After a slow start, the 2020-21 free agent market finally sprung to life over the last few weeks.  The result is a lot of red ink (i.e. signing details) on MLBTR’s list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents, with only ten of the players that original list remaining without a contract for the 2021 season or beyond.

With less than two weeks to go before Spring Training camps are scheduled to open, the question has gone from “when will anyone sign?” to “who is left to be signed?”  There are still plenty of prominent names remaining, including multiple former All-Stars, Gold Glovers, a Cy Young Award winner, and former World Series champions — including a very prominent member of the defending champion Dodgers.

Any of these players could sign at any time, of course, but it’s possible Yadier Molina could be back with the Cardinals very soon, given the reports of an agreement that could be made official now that the Caribbean Series is over.  Justin Turner may also be down to a choice between four teams, and Jackie Bradley Jr. still has interest from a reported half-dozen teams.

With Trevor Bauer now a Dodger, interest seems to be picking up for starting pitchers like Jake Odorizzi, James Paxton, and Taijuan Walker.  That could, in turn, spark some offers further down the ladder for veteran hurlers like Rick Porcello or Cole Hamels, as there hasn’t been much public buzz about either pitcher this winter.

On the bullpen front, Trevor Rosenthal has gotten interest from a few teams this winter, though several of his known suitors have since moved on to other late-game options.  However, the “no such thing as too much pitching” mantra would certainly seem to apply to relievers as well heading into a 2021 season that may see several starters on innings limits as they rebuild arm strength.  That would imply that the likes of Rosenthal and Mark Melancon could still be of interest to teams who already have a closer in place, in an effort to create a super-bullpen.

To add a couple more names to the mix, this poll also includes Brett Gardner and Brad Miller, who were honorable mentions on the original Top 50 list.  They were bumped up to the 50-player slate for MLBTR’s free agent prediction contest after Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman made early exits from the market by accepting qualifying offers.

Of these twelve, who is your pick as the last free agent standing?  (poll link for app users)

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Brad Miller Brett Gardner Cole Hamels Jackie Bradley Jr. Jake Odorizzi James Paxton Justin Turner Mark Melancon MLBTR Polls Rick Porcello Taijuan Walker Trevor Rosenthal Yadier Molina

Blue Jays Interested In Marwin Gonzalez
Main
NL Central Notes: Turner, Wong, Doolittle, Flaherty
71 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. jocpedersonsmom

    3 weeks ago

    JBJ because Boras.

    7 Like
    Reply
    • cards81

      3 weeks ago

      Boras-Exactly why I picked him also…not to mention he is asking for a lofty contract…Boras agents like this he lets them go into spring training before signing

      Like
      Reply
    • doug.daniel243

      3 weeks ago

      Didn’t it come out a couple weeks ago that Yadi was going to resign as soon as he came back stateside? I could be completely wrong but I do know he’s supposed to sign very soon so my bet is on him

      Like
      Reply
      • 123Redsox

        3 weeks ago

        The poll asks who will be the last to sign. Not the next to sign

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Jim Emmons

          3 weeks ago

          Like every body always stays on topic

          Like
          Reply
    • fox471

      3 weeks ago

      As did I and for that reason.

      Like
      Reply
      • fox471

        3 weeks ago

        I was replying to jbj, not Molina.

        Like
        Reply
    • yick04

      3 weeks ago

      I picked Miller but this is a great point.

      Like
      Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      3 weeks ago

      I picked JBJ because of the length he’s seeking. I just don’t see anyone offering him 5 years.

      Like
      Reply
    • thebare54

      3 weeks ago

      That’s why Kris Bryant need a need agent times is hard and there no bend in that Boris .He don’t lose only the player lose

      Like
      Reply
  2. Joe Says...

    3 weeks ago

    Gardner because he’s going to retire.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      3 weeks ago

      As a Rays fan, I hope this is correct. Really solid career.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      3 weeks ago

      Ugh, I tussled between he and Boras, er, I mean, JBJ. I picked Gardy because I don’t see him going elsewhere and I’m starting to think this is the season the Yankees draw the line.

      Like
      Reply
      • lordd99

        3 weeks ago

        I don’t think it’s a case of Gardner retiring. It’s a waiting game. I believe the Yankees may want to make one more move and are waiting to see if they can pick up a starter or reliever on the cheap. They can’t make a final offer to Gardner until they know exactly what they have left.

        Like
        Reply
    • thebare54

      3 weeks ago

      Gardner need to be a met but I think Almora if given a fair chance could be a good CF starter but Cubs never gave him a chance cause. Happ is better but he was the 4th OF but got no chance

      Like
      Reply
  3. amk1920

    3 weeks ago

    MLBTR predicted the Bauer signing

    Like
    Reply
    • differentbears

      3 weeks ago

      Quasimodo predicted all of this.

      Like
      Reply
  4. titanic struggle

    3 weeks ago

    Turner because the D’s want every angle covered..

    Like
    Reply
    • Tatsumaki

      3 weeks ago

      I put the same, turner is quickly running out of options

      Like
      Reply
  5. Tatsumaki

    3 weeks ago

    I’m really surprised the angels haven’t signed rosenthal or melancon to a 1 year deal. Heaven knows they need help outside of Iglesias.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • jim stem

      3 weeks ago

      How about the Phillies spending 3 million a year on reclamation projects instead of these relievers?

      4 Like
      Reply
      • Tatsumaki

        3 weeks ago

        True as well, I can’t see either asking for more than 5/6 million per year.

        Like
        Reply
  6. fairyland

    3 weeks ago

    I was thinking Puig but I guess he’s not considered top 50.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Marc_from_Brooklyn

      3 weeks ago

      I was trying to recall if he was a Top 50 last year. If so, he still hasn’t signed from that list.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • quonset point

        3 weeks ago

        I, too, was going to ask about Puig since he was on the list last year. I guess rollover minutes don’t apply here.

        Like
        Reply
  7. Rangers29

    3 weeks ago

    I want to ask… why Cole Hamels? SF or Philly will pick him up here soon.

    I said JBJ because I think he has the most… “flak” around him. None of the other guys have any real doubts around them. With the up and down production plus the fact that he wants a long term deal… that doesn’t add up. My second choice would probably be Paxton, but I expect all of those guys to start falling off the board soon.

    Edit: Paxton has doubt, that’s why he’s my second choice.

    Like
    Reply
    • tedtheodorelogan

      3 weeks ago

      SF needs to sign Hamels. The only lefty starter on the team is Alex Wood and he has never topped 171 innings in a season.

      Like
      Reply
    • RunDMC

      3 weeks ago

      I picked Hamels out of bitterness. I took the tags off my Braves Hamels jersey. :(……..

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Rangers29

        3 weeks ago

        Oof, yeah that sucks. Hamels is a good dude, it was just unfortunate that he didn’t play last season. Imo he has a pretty underrated HOF case, and I hope he can put together another solid season or two just to add on.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        3 weeks ago

        RunDMC I loved that signing by the Braves, and it broke my heart a little (as a Phillies fan), but I was happy I never had to watch Cole beat the Phillies for a division title. People forget how much bad luck the Braves had last year, and they still overcame a lot of it.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • ZacharyPaul

      3 weeks ago

      Rangers….Do you comment on EVERY single post?

      3 Like
      Reply
      • RunDMC

        3 weeks ago

        I commented on their (@Rangers29) post – and they are responding.

        Like
        Reply
    • thebare54

      3 weeks ago

      Hamel would be great in Philly again

      Like
      Reply
  8. JDGoat

    3 weeks ago

    I’d guess JBJ. The reported years he wants is pretty ridiculous and all the pitchers will easily find jobs.

    Like
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      3 weeks ago

      I doubt highly Gardy retires he’s just waiting for the last few Million the Yankees have left under the tax. Unfortunately it’s inevitable

      Like
      Reply
    • The_Rev_Rams

      3 weeks ago

      I agree. JBJ is one hellva defender but is a horrible hitter. Having Boras trying to get more than he’s worth makes that a sh!tty long term deal for a team. Don’t get me wrong, I loved seeing him at Fenway all these years but I could also watch Pillar make the same plays at a fraction of the price.

      Like
      Reply
  9. BlueSkies_LA

    3 weeks ago

    Turner, because he should be signed already. Whatever offers he’s going to get he must have in hand by now. The hold up is hard to figure.

    Like
    Reply
  10. 2020WorldChampions

    3 weeks ago

    Turner needs to decide where he wants to play this year.
    He’s got strong ties here in Los Angeles. But he ain’t get’n 4 yrs. no way

    1 Like
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      3 weeks ago

      Turner got his ring go back to the Mets.

      Like
      Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        3 weeks ago

        I think the Braves swoop in on Turner.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • 123Redsox

          3 weeks ago

          No way the braves show interest in Turner when they knowingly want to give young stud Austin Riley time there

          Like
          Reply
        • Tatsumaki

          3 weeks ago

          @von that’s a really good spot but it would have to be for 4 years because anything less he would have a better chance at a ring with dodgers

          Like
          Reply
        • VonPurpleHayes

          3 weeks ago

          @123Redsox Riley can play 3 different positions. Braves definitely have room for Turner.

          @Tatsumaki It really depends how much interest LA has in bringing him back.

          Like
          Reply
        • thebare54

          3 weeks ago

          Braves would be good but don’t over pay his a starter but we need the DH please bring it back

          Like
          Reply
        • fabulous61

          3 weeks ago

          @123Redsox, I’ve been a Braves fan for about 55 years and I think they need to trade Riley for 2 cases of balls, a case of sunflower seeds and a case of bubble gum because he’s never going to be anything more than a strikeout machine as he’s been since high school. His range to his right is limited which causes him to allow too many hits down the line. Yes he occasionally gets hot and crushes a few homers but I’ll guarantee you that if Camargo went into the season knowing he’s the starter he would be much better playing consistently as he showed a few years ago when he led the team in OBP and RBIs with runners on base and in scoring position after the all star break. If I had it to bet I wouldn’t hesitate to bet $10,000 that if Riley and Camargo both played 140 games in a season Camargo would beat Riley in average, drs, rbi and obp and would be very close if not ahead in homers and slugging percentage.

          Like
          Reply
    • Rangers29

      3 weeks ago

      Turner needs to go to Milwaukee, and see what it feels like on the opposite side of a Dodgers-Brewers NLDS series lol.

      Like
      Reply
  11. 2020WorldChampions

    3 weeks ago

    Also, with the Dodgers over the LT , Turner suddenly becomes expensive. Even at 2+ 1

    Like
    Reply
  12. VonPurpleHayes

    3 weeks ago

    Cole Hamels. After last season’s injury, I can see teams being hesitant.

    Like
    Reply
  13. geg42

    3 weeks ago

    Paxton. The most questions with his health.

    Like
    Reply
  14. metsgolf

    3 weeks ago

    Does it really matter?

    1 Like
    Reply
  15. tedtheodorelogan

    3 weeks ago

    RIP Pedro Gomez.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • depressedtribefan

      3 weeks ago

      yeah, where’s the coverage on this?!?!

      Like
      Reply
      • Cey Hey

        3 weeks ago

        Important baseball news. The guy was a groundbreaker with a passion for both baseball and reporting. How fortunate we baseball fans were to have him covering our game.

        Like
        Reply
  16. philliesphan77

    3 weeks ago

    Why is Bamboo Brad even being mentioned here?

    Like
    Reply
  17. mike156

    3 weeks ago

    Gardner is easy to critique, but he’s been among the more consistently useful players around for more than a decade. 43 BWAR in 6153 PA, is a very solid career. Not a star, but produced consistent value. He’s 20th among active players in WAR. As a GM, you could have done a lot worse than sign him and run him out there. That being said, he’s not worth (to the Yankees) an eight figure salary.

    Like
    Reply
  18. all in the suit that you wear

    3 weeks ago

    I said Porcello because he last two years were pretty shaky.

    Like
    Reply
    • Ketch

      3 weeks ago

      Porcello was worth 1.6 fWAR (tied for 22nd in MLB among starters!) with a 3.33 FIP last year. I’ll take that especially at a $5mill price tag for one year!

      2 Like
      Reply
      • all in the suit that you wear

        3 weeks ago

        OK. Big difference between his ERA and FIP.

        Like
        Reply
  19. Ketch

    3 weeks ago

    Will all 50 even sign? Or will a few of them hang on until after the draft? And do they know that would be stupid since none of them have QO’s attached?

    Like
    Reply
  20. Ketch

    3 weeks ago

    Yadier Molina. Only one team was ever going to sign him, and with catchers reporting next week, they seem unfazed…

    1 Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      3 weeks ago

      he said he’d ink after the Caribbean Series

      Like
      Reply
    • RJNarvick

      3 weeks ago

      Cards might be in for a surprise. TLR has contacted Yadi and offered the back up position to Grandal. In a full season that’s possibly 70 games starting behind the dish. White Sox move Grandal to first and DH Abreu some. TLR is obviously a short term manager. Possible for Yadi to become the next David Ross in Chicago and end up with the top job after retiring as a player.

      Like
      Reply
  21. EndinStealth

    3 weeks ago

    Porcello.

    Like
    Reply
  22. bravesfan

    3 weeks ago

    Hamels has to be the safest bet. After what happened last year with him, I’m surprised he’s even in the top 100 or that any team would have real interest. To me, a team like the O’s, Rockies, rangers, bring him in on a minor league deal hoping he breaks the major league roster and can coach some young guys. Like… even then, seems like a risky waste of any money lol

    Like
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      3 weeks ago

      Sure, but if his medicals check out, a team could get a potential HoFer on a discount. Personally, I’d take a chance on him – with cleared medicals – over Jon Lester everyday and twice on Sunday.

      Like
      Reply
  23. lordd99

    3 weeks ago

    Rosenthal. He’s a Boras client and he wants a closer role or a high-paying set-up role similar to Britton. Boras will wait well into Spring Training or even the start of the season for inevitable pitching injuries.

    Like
    Reply
  24. JoeBrady

    3 weeks ago

    I’m going with JBJ if Boras thinks he is getting a 5-year contract.

    Like
    Reply
  25. Cohn Joppolella

    3 weeks ago

    Markakis

    Like
    Reply
  26. leftcoast11 - pyramidsuccess

    3 weeks ago

    Where’s Osuna on the list?

    Like
    Reply
    • tad2b13

      3 weeks ago

      Ozuna has re-signed with the Braves.

      Like
      Reply
  27. tad2b13

    3 weeks ago

    With so many teams still needing pitching I think it will be one of the position players.

    Like
    Reply

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