The baseball off-season is nothing short of amazing. Each and every year, there is a flurry of activity, giving fans a renewed sense of hope heading into the season. Last season, the intrigue surrounding Shohei Ohtani was the only thing the baseball world could focus on. The problem last off-season was the lack of activity. Aside from Ohtani, who signed on December 10, there were many more prized free agents that signed much later than normal. That should not be the case this season. With the decision from Juan Soto rapidly approaching, teams will be pivoting quickly to bring in players if they aren’t lucky enough to bring in Soto. Once Soto signs, expect the dominoes to fall quickly. With the baseball winter meetings looking to be exciting this year, ISC’s Backwards K Baseball crew, Chris Asbrock and Scott Kyser give their predictions on where the top 10 free agents will sign.

1. Juan Soto, OF

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Mets, 13 years, $700MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Red Sox 12 years, Opt out after 4 years, $658 MM.)

Just like last year with Ohtani, this off-season is surrounding one major player, Juan Soto. Last season, Ohtani smashed the free agent record, signing a 10 year, $700 million deal. It is almost certain that Soto will sign a longer deal that Ohtani, the question is, what will the money look like. Reportedly, there are five teams in on Soto. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are the lucky finalists. The bidding is expected to start at $600 million, so the dollar value will quickly skyrocket with a bidding war. Look for the Red Sox or Mets to shock the world and sign the Dominican slugger.

UPDATE – Mets: 15 years, $765MM

2. Corbin Burnes, RHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Mets, 6 years, $220MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Mets, 7 years $240 MM.)

The top pitcher on the market is Corbin Burnes. Burnes is a pitcher that every team would love to be the ace of their staff. Burnes will command over $200 million so that will most likely price a few teams out. Burnes should be the top priority for the Baltimore Orioles to bring back. If Baltimore can snag Burnes, then they will be in good shape moving forward. Losing Burnes would remove their ace from last season. The Blue Jays and Yankees have been the most recent teams to check in with Burnes. With Steve Cohen’s pockets deeper than anyone in the game, look for the Mets to make a big splash and bring in Burnes to lead their rotation for the foreseeable future.

UPDATE – Diamondbacks: 6 years, $210MM

3. Blake Snell, LHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Giants, 5 years, $200MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Dodgers, what he signed for, lol)

 

UPDATE – Dodgers: 5 years, $182MM

4. Alex Bregman, 3B

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Tigers, 7 years, $175MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Tigers , 7 years, $190MM)

 

UPDATE – _____: _ years, $____MM

5. Pete Alonso, 1B

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Mets, 7 years, $220MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Mets, 8 years, 260MM )

 

UPDATE – _____: _ years, $____MM

6. Max Fried, LHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Padres, 6 years, $215MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Red Sox, 6 years, $226MM )

 

UPDATE – Yankees: 8 years, $218MM

7. Willy Adames, SS

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Dodgers, 6 years, $170MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Dodgers, 7 years 195MM)

 

UPDATE – Giants: 7 years, $182MM

8. Anthony Santander, OF

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Red Sox, 6 years, $160MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Nationals, 7 years $180MM)

 

UPDATE – Blue Jays: 5 years, $92.5MM

9. Shane Bieber, RHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Reds, 2 years, $40MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Red Sox, 2 years, 45MM)

 

UPDATE – Guardians: 1 year, $14MM

10. Tanner Scott, LHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Red Sox, 5 years, $70MM.)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Orioles, 5 years, $56MM)

 

UPDATE – Dodgers: 4 years, $72MM

Wild Card: Roki Sasaki, RHP

(Chris Asbrock Prediction – Padres)
(Scott Kyser Prediction – Padres)

UPDATE – Dodgers

 

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