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MLB free agent rumors: Next five players to sign

By Josh Criswell

Sep 7, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) is congratulated after scoring during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) is congratulated after scoring during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Yovani Gallardo

With aces Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Zack Greinke and David Price off the free agent market, elite starting pitchers are in short supply.

As a result, Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo is at the forefront of discussions for any team in need of a top-of-the-rotation starter.

According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, Gallardo could very well be the next starting pitcher to come off the board. And as of Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals were the three most likely candidates to land the former All-Star’s services.

Gallardo would improve any pitching staff he goes to, but the aforementioned clubs are all teams that would be contenders immediately upon his arrival. As for Houston and Kansas City, they already are.

Expect more potential suitors to emerge in the coming days as well, as teams miss out on some of their primary free agent targets.

Gallardo will not be an ace for a top contender, posting a 3.66 ERA throughout his career. But he has developed a knack for consistency, and could be a difference maker as a No. 2 or No. 3 pitcher on a team looking to bolster the depth of their rotation for a deep playoff run.

Next: Justin Upton

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