In a couple of week’s time, Main League Baseball groups will open their spring camps throughout the states of Florida and Arizona. Quickly thereafter, the exhibition season will get underway, and earlier than you recognize it, Opening Day could have arrived. However, earlier than MLB groups begin hanging the ceremonial bunting round their stadiums, it is value remembering that there are nonetheless some high quality free brokers on the open market.

The previous week has seen right-handed starter Jack Flaherty return to the Detroit Tigers, in addition to first baseman Pete Alonso rejoin the New York Mets. Add in Yoán Moncada’s cope with the Los Angeles Angels, and that leaves eight members of CBS Sports activities’ top-50 free-agent rankings out there for rent. 

With that in thoughts, under I’ve provided a market reset of types by highlighting the 5 finest unsigned gamers. You will discover evaluation on what these gamers can deliver to golf equipment, in addition to ideas on why they continue to be unsigned — and, certainly, the place they could find yourself when all is alleged and completed.

Let’s get to it.

1. Alex Bregman, 3B, No. 3 getting into the winter

What does he provide? It is true that Bregman has not, lately, soared to the identical heights he occupied earlier in his profession. However, he is been one of many six most efficient third basemen within the sport since 2020, based on Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Substitute metric. There is no thriller as to why: Bregman has posted an OPS+ under 115 simply as soon as in his profession, and he stays a extremely expert defender. He additionally has ample postseason expertise, for no matter that is value as of late. 

Why is he nonetheless out there? The principle issue right here appears to be Bregman’s desired size of contract. To be clear: there are some reputable crimson flags in his profile, together with the chance that his slugging will take a big hit outdoors of Houston’s pleasant confines. Groups, naturally, would favor to restrict their draw back publicity with a shorter pact. Bregman has seemingly held robust on his calls for, nonetheless, and if latest stories are to be believed, he’ll find yourself getting his approach.

The place may he land? A handful of groups have been linked to Bregman over the previous few weeks. The group contains the Astros, his incumbent group, in addition to the Tigers (managed by former Houston skipper A.J. Hinch), Pink Sox, and Cubs. Wherever Bregman goes, you work he’ll assist clear up the Nolan Arenado market, too.

What does he provide? At some unidentifiable level in Pivetta’s profession, he become a meme on account of the disconnect between his stuff and his outcomes. Due to that dynamic, I believe it has been simple to miss that he is grown right into a legitimately strong pitcher. To wit, Pivetta has amassed a 102 ERA+ and a 3.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio because the 2021 season — and he is completed it whereas averaging 26 begins per pop. Add in how Pivetta has at all times graded nicely from a pitch-quality perspective, and you’ll perceive why he and his agent declined the qualifying provide to start the winter.

Why is he nonetheless out there? Alas, declining the qualifying provide looking for a extra profitable payday resulted in Pivetta’s inventory being weighed down by draft-pick compensation. Previous perceptions die arduous, and it is attainable that groups are nonetheless viewing Pivetta with some skepticism, too, even when that feels unwarranted at this stage.

The place may he land? There’ve been just a few groups publicly linked to Pivetta over the previous month or so. Amongst them are the Reds and Blue Jays (who’ve since signed Max Scherzer). It additionally stands to motive another membership might get entangled with Pivetta over the approaching weeks ought to an damage or commerce happen that shakes up their pitching employees. For instance: may the Padres ink Pivetta in the event that they commerce Dylan Stop? 

What does he provide? Jansen is getting lengthy within the tooth, having celebrated his thirty seventh birthday again in September. Nonetheless, he is compiled an ERA+ of 120 or higher in 5 consecutive seasons. Final yr, he posted his highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.10) in a full-length season since 2019. Jansen additionally now ranks fourth all-time in saves, and whereas I do not suppose his pursuit of Lee Smith (who he is 31 away from tying) will show to be a ticket-office draw or something, it is value mentioning right here all the identical. 

Why is he nonetheless out there? Jansen’s trademark cutter did fare worse than common final season, permitting the loudest common contact of his profession. That, plus his superior age, may give groups pause earlier than they hand over the reins to a high-leverage position. And that is with out contemplating the monetary facet. That is pure conjecture, however it’s in all probability honest to suppose that, even at this stage of his profession, among the finest closers of all time would anticipate a greater payday than another random veteran reliever.

The place may he land? The Cubs and Mets had been each publicly linked to Jansen earlier than making different additions. Chicago has since landed Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brasier in trades; the Mets signed Ryne Stanek. Presumably, another group will keep away from the temptation to acquire a Ryan/Ryne and ink Jansen as a substitute, however the identification of that group will stay a thriller at this time limit. 

What does he provide? Heaney is very unlikely to ever have one other season pretty much as good because the one he authored with the Dodgers in 2022. Nonetheless, he is a superbly nice No. 4 starter who managed a 98 ERA+ and a 3.07 strikeout-to-walk ratio within the two years since. Loads of groups can (and can) do worse than penciling him in for 25 to 30 begins.

Why is he nonetheless out there? Credit score this to a couple elements. Heaney is older (he’ll flip 34 in June) and lacks actual upside, making him extra of a fallback possibility for golf equipment who need to elevate their ceilings. He is additionally one thing of a situational match based mostly on his 44% fly-ball proportion. For reference, that is one of many 20 highest percentages amongst pitchers with not less than 100 innings tossed in 2024. You possibly can perceive if a group in a homer-friendly ballpark would favor to not give Heaney the ball each fifth day.

The place may he land? The Tigers and Rangers have been talked about in rumors with Heaney this winter. Provided that Detroit has since signed Jack Flaherty, after having beforehand inked Alex Cobb, it is in all probability honest to take them out of the operating. That is pure conjecture, however perhaps another membership — just like the A’s, the Twins, or the Padres — will step up and add Heaney to the again of their rotation over the following few weeks.

What does he provide? Quintana may be very a lot a outcomes over type pitcher. You would not know that he is compiled a 118 ERA+ over the past three seasons, and that is largely as a result of he is completed it whereas tallying simply over seven strikeouts per 9 innings. Quintana missed half the season in 2023, however he is recorded 30-plus begins in two of the previous three years. At the moment, that makes him one thing of a workhorse. 

Why is he nonetheless out there? Once more, Quintana is not thrilling. Fashionable entrance places of work are at all times going to deal with a low-strikeout starter with trepidation, and considered from a sure perspective, there’s undeniably extra draw back with the profile than upside. That is not to recommend Quintana needs to be pressured into retirement or a minor-league deal; it is simply how groups suppose, particularly if they’ve a less expensive, comparable possibility in tow. 

The place may he land? Beats me. Quintana’s title hasn’t popped up within the rumor mill all winter. I must think about that, at an absolute minimal, some group with out aggressive aspirations would view him as an innings sponge who might then be traded on the deadline, supplied he stays efficient.