Fansided

Top 25 MLB free agents for 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

9. Will Smith

If for some reason Aroldis Chapman receives poor financial advice and decides not to opt out of his contract, Giants closer Will Smith will become the top free-agent reliever on the market. The 30-year-old lefty is coming off the first All-Star season of his career and has worked as both a setup man and closer. Think of him as something of a poor man’s version of peak Wade Davis.

Smith missed the entire 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but has bounced back well. He has appeared in 117 games over the past two years with a 2.66 ERA in 118.1 innings with 36 walks and 167 strikeouts. Smith has held opponents to a .195/.256/.324 line since returning from surgery, with his slider serving as a particularly devastating weapon.

Last season was Smith’s first season as a full-time closer after he stole the job away from Mark Melancon at the end of 2018. He went the entire first half without blowing a save and was named an All-Star on the strength of his 1.98 ERA. Smith labored to a 3.72 ERA in the second half and blew four saves.

Had Smith been able to replicate his first-half numbers in August and September, he would be looking at a much richer deal this offseason. As it stands, he will have to convince potential suitors that he is able to handle the pressure of closing for a contender. Based on his second half and overall career, Smith is more likely to be treated like a high-end setup man as a free agent than All-Star closer.

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