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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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Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Michael Saunders, OF

The Blue Jays declined to offer Saunders a qualifying offer, signalling that they may not be all that serious about bringing him back for 2017 and beyond. Saunders was an All-Star after a strong first half, but his hot start to the season may have been fool’s gold. After slashing .298/.372/.551 with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in the first half, the outfielder slumped to .178/.282/.357 with eight homers and 15 RBIs in the second half. Quite the dropoff, and it factored in the difficulty the team had in nailing down a playoff berth.

Saunders projects as a left-handed platoon bat. He started only 24 games against left-handed starters in 2016 and batted .204 off the starter in those games. For his career, the 29-year-old has batted .233/.294/.392 off southpaws.

Throughout his eight-year career, Saunders has tantalized teams with his speed and power, but as he approaches 30, it may be time to accept that he is never going to put it all together for an entire season.

Prediction — Chicago White Sox, three years, $30 million

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