MLB Power Rankings: 15 best free agents next winter and who should steal them
By Tim Boyle
5) MLB Power Rankings: 2024 free agent Max Scherzer
The mega-deal the New York Mets signed Max Scherzer to includes an opt out after the 2023 season. It’s too soon to guess what Scherzer will decide. He can simply take the $43.33 million owed to him or try and test the market for another similar short, high AAV deal. If Justin Verlander was able to get the deal he did this winter at an older age, maybe Scherzer does, too.
A trip to his hometown team, the St. Louis Cardinals, could be the outcome with Scherzer in free agency again. The Cardinals have four starting pitchers that could hit free agency after the 2023 season. Adam Wainwright could retire but Miles Mikolas, Jordan Montgomery, and Jack Flaherty are all open for business. Landing Scherzer could give the Cardinals a final punch toward a championship.
4) MLB Power Rankings: 2024 free agent Julio Urias
Julio Urias is on the rise. He led the league with 20 wins in 2021. In 2022, he led the league with a 2.16 ERA. What will he do in 2023? Urias may only have a pair of years with 100+ innings pitched. A fantastic season in 2023 will set him up for a mega-contract and probably the biggest of any free agent starting pitcher in terms of overall total.
Urias hits the open market right before his age 27 season. The Philadelphia Phillies are the team that should steal him from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under the pretense of losing Aaron Nola, Urias would be the record-breaking addition to make. The Phillies do have a couple of intriguing young pitchers in the minor leagues. Bringing on Urias will reward them with one experienced arm to have behind Zack Wheeler for a year and move forward with as their new ace.
3) MLB Power Rankings: 2024 free agent Manny Machado
The opt out in Manny Machado’s contract is likely to get flexed next offseason. The San Diego Padres have plenty of other high-profile players to think about retaining. Machado could be on his way out. A couple of teams should chase after him, including this one American League contender.
In their attempt to not waste all of the talented youth, the Chicago White Sox should be the team to snag Machado when he becomes a free agent. Unless they have plans of targeting someone else, it’s pretty important for the White Sox to make a valiant attempt at someone of Machado’s caliber. His experience and overall MVP-caliber performance is can’t miss. He won’t be the highest-priced free agent which will allow them to add other pieces around him.