Gerrit Cole tops list of 2020 MLB free agents

As the World Series heads back to Houston for Game 6, it seems like a good idea to peek into the future and rank the Top 10 free agents that could be on the market this offseason.

1. Gerrit Cole, SP, age 29

The market for starting pitching could be very crowded, but Gerrit Cole will more than likely command a big price. The three-time All-Star is fresh off a career-year as he went 20-5 in Houston with a 2.50 ERA and an MLB-leading 326 strikeouts. SNY’s Andy Martino cited one MLB executive who estimated that Cole could land a deal of at least seven years at upwards of $33 million a year.

2. Anthony Rendon, 3B, age 29

According to The Washington Post, the Nationals offered Anthony Rendon a seven-year extension worth between $210 and $215 million in September, but he is expected to hit the open market nonetheless. Rendon had an MVP-caliber season in 2019, collecting an NL-leading 44 doubles and a major-league high 126 RBI.

3. Stephen Strasburg, SP, age 31

Strasburg has four years and $100 million remaining on his current contract with the Nationals, but agent Scott Boras’ recent comments suggest the former No. 1 overall pick will test free agency.

“With all this ‘opener’ dynamic and... pushing players to the major leagues at younger ages because they are using them in the bullpen, we’re having fewer and fewer No. 1 starters develop,” he told The Los Angeles Times on October 4. “Therefore, in the free agent market, those that are No. 1 pitchers have a higher demand.”

Strasburg is 112-58 with a 3.17 ERA for his career.

4. Aroldis Chapman, RP, age 32

Will Smith or Will Harris would be a nice addition to any club’s bullpen, but Aroldis Chapman (2.21 ERA, 37 saves in 2019) would easily be the best available reliever on the market should he opt out of the last two years and $30 million on his contract with the Yankees.

5. Madison Bumgarner, SP, age 30

There’s no denying that Madison Bumgarner has lost some luster since his last All-Star appearance in 2016, but his 3.13 career ERA and playoff pedigree (8-3, 2.11 ERA in postseason play) make him a tantalizing option for GMs to consider this winter.

6. Josh Donaldson, 3B, age 34

Josh Donaldson’s big bet on himself (one-year, $23 million deal with Atlanta) paid off as he hit 37 home runs and drove in 94 RBI while slugging .521 in 2019, a big recovery from his injury-plagued 2018 campaign. He’ll be looking for a lucrative, multi-year deal this offseason.

7. Dallas Keuchel, SP, age 32

Dallas Keuchel held out until June for a multi-year deal but was forced to settle on a one-year, $13 million pact with the Braves. The southpaw produced his highest FIP (4.72) and WHIP (1.367) since 2013, but teams looking for a bargain could do worse.

8. Yasmani Grandal, C, age 31

Yasmani Grandal looked foolish turning down a four-year, $60 million offer from the Mets for an eventual one-year, $16 million pact with the Brewers, but he recorded a career-high .848 OPS in 2019. He could either test the open market or pick up his one-year, $16 million option with Milwaukee.

9. Nicholas Castellanos, OF, age 28

Nicholas Castellanos showed new life once traded by the Tigers to the Cubs, producing a 1.002 OPS in 51 games. His age and lack of a qualifying offer will attract suitors, but his oft-criticized defense may scare NL teams away.

10. Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, age 33

Hyun-Jin Ryu has been excellent when healthy (54-33, 2.98 career ERA), but his injury history is frightening. He’s tossed just 740 1/3 innings since being signed by the Dodgers in 2013. Ryu is just another intriguing starter for GMs to consider along with Zack Wheeler, Jake Odorizzi, Cole Hamels and Wade Miley.

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