MLB Insider: Predicting where the top 2023 free agents will sign

The 2023-2024 free-agent class remains strong despite Manny Machado staying in San Diego. Where might the top players sign next winter?

Despite Manny Machado re-signing with the San Diego Padres on an 11-year, $350 million contract, the 2023-2024 free-agent market remains strong, and is headlined by two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

All eyes will be on Ohtani, of course, as he will likely be the first player signed to a contract in excess of $500 million in American Sports history. But the free-agent market features more than just Ohtani. The top bats available include Teoscar Hernandez and Matt Chapman while the pitching market is loaded with options that include Max Scherzer, Julio Urias, Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito, Blake Snell, Luis Severino and Sonny Gray.

Where might these players sign? Here’s an early look at where four of the top free agents might sign.

Predicting where the top 2023 MLB free agents will sign

Shohei Ohtani

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers

Everyone in baseball is wondering where Shohei Ohtani will play in 2024. The truth is, no one knows. Not even Ohtani.

What we do know is that there will be massive interest in Ohtani, including from the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. Even the San Diego Padres, who just signed Manny Machado to an extension and still need to extend Juan Soto, are expected to be players in the Ohtani sweepstakes.

But the team to watch is the Dodgers, who were relatively inactive throughout this offseason, as many anticipate that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is eyeing a major run at Ohtani.

In five seasons, he’s hit .267/.354/.532 with 127 home runs and an .886 OPS. He’s posted a 2.96 ERA and 441/118 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 349.2 innings. He’s basically Matt Olson and Max Scherzer combined. The Dodgers’ roster is already loaded. Just imagine it with Ohtani.

That’s what the Dodgers are hoping for.