Fansided

MLB Free Agency 2017: Top 18 players left on the market

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Michael Saunders (21) hits a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning in game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Michael Saunders (21) hits a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning in game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Michael Saunders, OF

Saunders would have been a candidate for a long-term contract this offseason, but his numbers fell off a cliff in the second half. After making the All-Star team, he batted just .178 with a measly 15 RBIs in the second half. To date, there has really only been one serious offer to Saunders, one year from the Cleveland Indians.

The Orioles were linked to Saunders earlier in the offseason, but there were rumblings that he would not pass their notorious physical. The outfielder has a history of knee trouble, and missed most of the 2015 season. Prior to last season, Saunders was almost traded for Jay Bruce, but that deal was scuttled over health concerns.

Saunders will have to keep waiting if he is unwilling to accept a pillow deal for next season. That the New York Mets are dangling Bruce and Curtis Granderson as trade bait will also slow the market for Saunders. Both Bruce and Granderson have a single year left on their contracts.

For now, the Indians look like the most aggressive suitors for Saunders. The Blue Jays have blocked a potential return by signing Steve Pearce. The Seattle Mariners could get in the mix. Saunders came up through their farm system, and was born and raised in British Columbia, so he may welcome a return back to the Pacific Northwest.

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