There might not be any offseason in sports better than baseball. From the time the World Series concludes to the beginning of spring training, Major League Baseball keeps the fans engaged in the sport. This year is no different with this hot stove season. This year is again, one of the top free agent classes that we have seen, headlined by one of the greatest players that we have ever seen, Shohei Ohtani. With Ohtani on the market, there are teams that are going to be doing a full court press to bring in the two way star. The beauty of the offseason, is the dominoes that fall when a player signs. Will that be the case again this year? That will most likely be the case once Ohtani signs and teams have to pivot.

ISC’s Chris Asbrock and Scott Kyser give their predictions on where the top 10 free agents will sign.

1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Dodgers, 12 years, $540MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Cubs, 10 years, Opt out after 2 years, $510MM.)

This offseason is all about Shohei. Plain and simple, Ohtani is the top story this entire offseason. The best player in baseball is a free agent and is about to make some major money. The question is, where does he sign? There are a handful of teams that are interested in signing him. While everyone would love to have him, only a few can afford him. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays are the teams that have the massive financial backing to take on Ohtani. There are other teams that can be thrown into that mix, depending on how the contract is structured. The Dodgers were the team that have been linked for the last year plus. The Dodgers were able to get their payroll in line to where they are in a perfect position to bring him in. The question remains, who will do the best job in wooing him to their city? Aside from the big teams previously mentioned, look out for the Blue Jays and Rangers as being sneaky candidates to bring him in.

UPDATE – Dodgers: 10 years, $700MM

2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Red Sox, 10 years, $230MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Yankees, 9 years $250MM.)

Aside from Ohtani, Yamamoto is the most sought after free agent this offseason. His NPB team, the Orix Buffaloes, just posted him last week and now is able to sign anywhere. Yamamoto is going to command a solid contract and will be making an immediate impact for any MLB team. The 25 year-old is looking to play for a team that currently has other Japanese players on it, which would eliminate a good amount of teams. It would be a realistic scenario to see one of the bigger teams, like the Dodgers, bring in both Ohtani and Yamamoto. The Mets and Red Sox are two teams that have money to spend and currently have Japanese talent on their respective rosters.

UPDATE – Dodgers: 12 years, $325MM

3. Blake Snell, LHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Giants, 7 years, $210MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Giants, 7 years, $230MM)

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner is one of the top pitchers available on the free agent market. The left-hander will provide much needed depth and experience to any rotation. With the demand for pitching always at a premium, a left-hander who has the resume that Snell possesses, makes him a high valued target for any team. The San Francisco Giants are a team that has a lot of money to spend and the need for pitching. Snell is already in California, where he last played for the Padres, and is from Washington which is a few hours north from San Francisco. The Giants will be a major player in the Snell sweepstakes and are the favorites to land him.

UPDATE – Giants: 2 years, $62MM

4. Cody Bellinger, CF/1B

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Yankees, 7 years, $140MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Giants, 6 years, $150MM)

Aside from Ohtani, Cody Bellinger is the top bat available. A left-handed batter, who can play multiple positions, makes him a valuable player. Bellinger had a tough ending to his Dodgers career before signing with the Chicago Cubs on a 1 year deal, with an option. Bellinger batted .307 with 26 home runs and 97 runs batted in. There are multiple teams that are in need of what Bellinger can offer. The New York Yankees and Bellinger seem to be the perfect fit for each other. Coming off of the great season he had, Bellinger could thrive in New York with the short right field fence, giving the Yankees another dangerous bat in their lineup.

UPDATE – Cubs: 3 years, $80MM

5. Aaron Nola, RHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Cardinals, 6 years, $160MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Phillies, 7 years, 175MM )

Aaron Nola is another pitcher on the market that will get paid this offseason. The St. Louis Cardinals are in desperate need of pitching and will be looking to shell out the money. The battle for Nola’s services will be most likely between the Cardinals and the Phillies. Nola has been such a huge part of the Phillies success on the mound and will be a huge loss if the Phillies are unable to bring him back. The Cardinals need for pitching and money available could be just enticing enough to bring Nola to the midwest.

UPDATE – Phillies: 7 years, $172MM

6. Josh Hader, LHP 

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Rangers, 6 years, $100MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Phillies, 5 years, $110MM )

When it comes to relievers on the market, Josh Hader is the cream of the crop. Hader went 2-3 with a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves in 56 1/3 innings pitched. Throughout his 8 year career, Hader has 165 saves and a career 2.50 ERA. Hader is a dominant left-handed pitcher that can be in the setup role or closer, which is most likely what he will be signed for. Hader is only 29 years-old and will turn 30 at the beginning of the season. Expect Hader to get at least a contract worth five or six years. The Texas Rangers captured the World Series, despite having a rough bullpen. They were able to bludgeon teams with their offense and that took a lot of pressure off of the bullpen. While it worked for them this year, that is not a solid recipe for success. Expect Texas to go hard after Hader to help solidify the back end of their bullpen.

UPDATE – Astros: 5 years, $95MM

7. Sonny Gray, RHP 

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Cardinals, 4 years, $80MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Cardinals, 5 years 100MM)

Sonny Gray is one of the better starting arms that is available. Gray spent the last two seasons in Minnesota where he was only able to win a maximum of 8 games in each of those two seasons. While his numbers weren’t the greatest for the Twins, Gray is the type of pitcher that will take the ball every fifth day and go all out. There will be multiple teams that will be vying for Gray’s services. One of his former teams, the Cincinnati Reds are expected to make a run at him. Gray would add a lot to the Reds, helping stabilize the rotation and providing a veteran presence for the young pitchers. Another team that is in desperate need of pitching is the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have money to spend and like with Aaron Nola, they will do their best to add another quality starter to their club.

UPDATE – Cardinals: 3 years, $75MM

8. Jordan Montgomery, LHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Rangers, 6 years, $150MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Rangers, 6 years $160MM)

Jordan Montgomery had one hell of a postseason, helping lead the Texas Rangers to the World Series championship. Montgomery went 3-1 in the playoffs for Texas, including two huge wins over the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. Montgomery’s performance in the postseason is going to lead to him getting paid this offseason. A left-handed starter is always a valuable asset to any team. Montgomery has a career record of 38-34 and a 3.68 ERA over seven seasons. As with most every sports situation, it is a what have you done for me lately and that will be the case for Montgomery this offseason as well. The Texas Rangers acquired Montgomery at the trade deadline and they will look to make a serious push to retain him.

UPDATE – Diamondbacks: 1 year, $25MM

9. J.D. Martinez, DH

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Mariners, 2 years, $40MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Red Sox, 2 years, 40MM)

One of the top right-handed bats available, J.D. Martinez will be highly sought after. While Martinez won’t command a massive contract, he will be paid adequately for his services as a designated hitter. There will be many teams that are going to be wanting Martinez to join their team. Where will Martinez land? There seems to be some thought out there that the Dodgers will look to bring Martinez back but the Mariners seem to be another landing spot, since there is some offense the Mariners need to replace. Could a return to Boston also be in the works? The San Francisco Giants are another team that will be expected to make a major push for the 36 year-old. It would be a surpise should he land somewhere other than those four teams mentioned.

UPDATE – Mets: 1 year, $12MM

10. Matt Chapman, 3B

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Giants, 6 years, $160MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Mariners, 5 years, $150MM)

If you are a team that is in need of a third basemen, Matt Chapman is your guy. The four-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Platinum Glove winner was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays leading up to the 2022 season. The Blue Jays will be battling it out with a few other teams for Chapman. During his time north of the border, Chapman had a .234 average, with 44 homeruns and 130 RBI. When the Blue Jays traded for Chapman, there might have been an unrealistic expectation for his number to take off in that lineup. That simply was not the case but Chapman provided solid defense and helped be a stable part of the lineup. This offseason the Blue Jays will need to do what they can to bring him back. During his time in Oakland, Chapman had Bob Melvin as his manager which makes the San Francisco Giants a huge player for him. Melvin took over as Giants manager a few weeks ago and coupled with the money the Giants have to spend, look for Chapman to reunite with Melvin in the bay area.

UPDATE – Giants: 3 years, $54MM

Wild Card: Jung Hoo Lee, CF

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Blue Jays, 5 years, $55MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Blue Jays, 5 years, 55MM )

UPDATE – Giants: 6 years, $113MM

Wild Card: Joey Votto, 1B/DH

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Reds, 1 year)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Blue Jays, 1 year)

UPDATE – Blue Jays: Non-Roster Invitee (Minor League deal)

The Toronto Blue Jays are in need of some help in the outfield. If they are unable to land Ohtani, look for them to pivot to the Korean centerfielder, Jung Hoo Lee. Landing Ohtani does seem to be a bit of a long shot, so the more realistic move would be to bring back Matt Chapman and bring in Lee. Lee does an incredible job of making contact, making the Blue Jays a great destination for the Korean star. Adding Lee to the Jays lineup would be a massive addition and would help boost the Jays offense. The other wild card free agent is Joey Votto. The Cincinnati Reds declined the option on Votto’s contract, making him a free agent. Votto has spent his entire 17 year career with the Reds, which included winning the 2010 NL MVP award. The 40 year-0ld wants to come back for one more season but will it be with the Reds or will he end up somewhere else? Votto is widely known around the league as one of the best hitters in the game. As he has grown older, the stats have declined as expected. There are two realistic destinations for Votto, the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays. Votto is from Canada and a return to Canada could be in the cards. The value Votto provides a clubhouse is immeasurable, so a return to the Reds would be a great help to a young team.

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