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MLB free agency 2017: Top 25 free agents

By Joshua Sadlock

Aug 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) celebrates after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Mets won 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) celebrates after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Mets won 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Ivan Nova, RHP

Someone is going to make a very big bet that the things Ivan Nova picked up during his brief time with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second half of 2016 will carry through into next season. It worked for J.A. Happ, right? Prior to being dealt at the deadline, Nova’s ERA for the New York Yankees sat at 4.90. In the 11 starts he made for the Pirates, Nova went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA and a crazy 52:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Nova is going to get paid, and it is going to be ridiculous. Here is a pitcher who has never thrown more than 180 innings in a big-league season. Prior to this season, he had gone 8-13 with a 5.65 ERA in 2014 and 2015. However, Nova is not even 30 years old, and had quality seasons in 2011 and 2013. There is also no draft-pick compensation tied to his name.

Nova should look to remain in the National League, as he was never able to produce consistent success in the American League.

Prediction — San Francisco Giants, four years, $60 million

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