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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 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton (55) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton (55) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Joe Blanton, RHP

There are a few solid middle relievers left on the market, so let’s start with Blanton. The right-hander just turned 36, and is coming off his first full season spent exclusively as a reliever. Blanton appeared in 75 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, finishing with a very solid 2.48 ERA over 80.0 innings.

As a reliever, Blanton almost exclusively relied on his fourseamer and slider, a change from his starting days where he threw a sinker. Both pitches were very effective, with opponents batting only .177 off the slider with 67 strikeouts. He was also almost equally effective against hitters from both sides of the plate.

Blanton has done well to reinvent himself as a relief pitcher after a moderately successful career as a starter that appeared to be over after the 2013 season. He should have no problem finding a two-year deal on the open market.

Oct 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Travis Wood (37) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning in game four of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Travis Wood (37) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning in game four of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Travis Wood, LHP

Wood, like Blanton, is another starter-turned-reliever. Where Blanton is fully locked into a reliever role next year, Wood could have some options if he wants to pursue a return to the starting rotation. He is entering his age-30 season, and was actually an All-Star for the Chicago Cubs in 2013.

That one season does look like an outlier because Wood followed up a year with 200 innings of 3.11 ERA pitching with 173.2 innings of 5.03 ERA pitching. For his career, Wood started 133 games, logging almost 800 innings with a 4.19 ERA. It’s likely he would only find another opportunity as a starter with a rebuilding team like the Cincinnati Reds or San Diego Padres. Going back to starting has its obvious benefits for Wood, because that’s where all the money is in baseball, but he may be forced to take a one-year deal to start.

Taking a look at Wood’s numbers this season would lead one to believe that he is better off sticking to his niche as a left-handed specialist. He held down left-handed hitters to a .447 OPS in 2016, but gave up a much higher .865 OPS to righties.

Oct 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Sergio Romo, RHP

The last of the three true “middle relievers” in the top-20 list, Romo has the most closing experience. He last saved games for the San Francisco Giants in 2014 before losing his job. Romo also saved three of the four wins in the 2012 World Series and did not allow an earned run.

Romo is entering his age-34 season, and is coming off his best year since 2013. Numbers for middle relievers like Romo are difficult to predict from season to season, and his peripheral numbers last year were just as bad as 2014 when he lost his grip on the ninth inning. He allowed a similarly bloated home-run rate with more walks and fewer strikeouts, but managed a 2.64 ERA compared to 3.72 in 2014.

Even at 34, Romo is still a quality pitcher, but he may be entering the downward arc of his career. For a middle reliever, that sharp decline can come without the slightest warning. As a relatively soft tosser who gets by on the movement of his fastball and slider, Romo’s decline could be steeper than most. He still has a strong track record, and continues to be effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. Romo’s experience in the postseason should make him attractive to contending teams.

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