MLB Power Rankings of the best contract extension candidate on every team.
Last week’s MLB Power Rankings took a look at the worst contract on every team’s roster. Some of those came via contract extension. They’re always a risk. Then there are those times when a contract extension with a youthful player turns into a bargain by the time he has made his fourth All-Star team.
Every team has at least one player worthy of a contract extension to some degree. This week’s MLB Power Rankings selects one from each organization.
Which young, old, and middle-aged players deserve a longer deal and a whole lot of cash from their team’s owner?
30) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies, Ezequiel Tovar
Despite the record and reputation, the Colorado Rockies have spent quite a bit of money on contract extensions. Many haven’t worked out so well. At the moment, they don’t have an obvious player who deserves a contract extension. Ezequiel Tovar, their 21-year-old shortstop and one of the best prospects in baseball, would have the best case. Although only a handful of games into his MLB career, buying out some of his arbitration years and hoping for the best is the best justification for a contract extension within the organization.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics, Tyler Soderstrom
The situation with the Oakland Athletics is very different. Small spenders who have even less business extending players, their best candidate is prospect Tyler Soderstrom. He had a monster year in the minors last year and should be in contention for significant MLB at-bats this season. Oakland has bigger priorities than extending players, but if there is anyone they should consider, it’s this young up-and-coming future star.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins, Alex Kirilloff
The Minnesota Twins are the last of the three teams with a very weak contract extension candidate. Ever since Byron Buxton got his, for better or worse, an obvious player hasn’t stood out. Young outfielder Alex Kirilloff might be someone to consider. It wouldn’t be a huge amount either. In fact, the Twins might not even want to go beyond the current team control. He has yet to break out in the majors in a big enough way to finish any higher in this week’s MLB Power Rankings.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Washington Nationals, Josiah Gray
Josiah Gray is a pitcher on the rise; or so the Washington Nationals hope so. He was given enough innings last year to lead the league in home runs allowed and walks. It’s not exactly putting him in a prime position to receive a contract extension. It’s not unusual to see a young pitcher struggle so badly. The Nationals don’t have too many players with a better case. Joey Meneses is already a little too old to rely on for long.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox, Brayan Bello
Brayan Bello got some of the rookie jitters out of the way last year. Now that Rafael Devers got his contract extension from the Boston Red Sox, he seems like the next logical fit for the same. He’d be another player to buy out early on. He’s nowhere near the top of this list because that’s not always the wisest strategy, particularly for a pitcher. An alternative option could be Alex Verdugo although he seems destined to either get traded or test free agency in the near future.
25) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds, Hunter Greene
The Cincinnati Reds have gotten their payroll way down and actually have openings to start paying some young players. Not too many have made a strong enough case. If their faith in Hunter Greene is as strong as his fastball, he’s the guy to reward some money to. Greene hasn’t accomplished enough to be a top candidate in MLB for an extension. The situation could be much different after this season is over.
24) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres
A perennial New York Yankees trade candidate, it’s not so outrageous for the team to actually think about extending Gleyber Torres. It doesn’t have to be for a long duration. Young and one of the better hitting second basemen in the league even in his down years, tacking on even another year or two to his current deal is a minor consideration. Players like Anthony Volpe will look to surpass him on this list sometime in 2023.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners, Teoscar Hernandez
Newly acquired outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is a free agent after the 2023 season and someone the Seattle Mariners should already start to consider paying to stay around. He has consistently hit for power for several seasons now, even winning a pair of Silver Sluggers in 2020 and 2021. The Mariners have locked up many of their core players already. A three or four year deal for someone like Hernandez should be the next step.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers, Martin Perez
Martin Perez is back on the Texas Rangers after accepting the qualifying offer. With all of the money the Rangers are paying Jacob deGrom, Corey Seager, and Marcus Semien, they were done a bit of a favor by Perez for accepting the QO. He seems to enjoy playing for the Rangers. They should already be in discussion about continuing the relationship.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers, Riley Greene
Not too many of the young Detroit Tigers players performed well last year. Riley Greene was a bit of an outlier. While there is still a lot more growth he must show before anointing him the next American League star, his abilities and presence as a center fielder make him a rising star to watch. He’s someone that can help turn things around for the best in Detroit.
20) MLB Power Rankings: Kansas City Royals, Bobby Witt Jr.
Yet another youngster who could have some of his years bought out, Kansas City Royals infielder Bobby Witt Jr. could get the same treatment as other future stars across the league. The Royals aren’t in a position to extend any of their older players. Those guys are short-term options. Someone like Witt will be around for a while. A rookie season that included 20 home runs, 80 RBI, and 30 stolen bases showcased multiple ways he can be a threat on offense.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins, Luis Arraez
If Sandy Alcantara didn’t already have a deal, he’d be the guy the Miami Marlins need to pay. Instead, it’s Luis Arraez. More than any of their young pitchers, locking up the newly acquired and reigning American League batting champion should be on Kim Ng’s to-do list. It’s not a priority. It is, however, a logical move to make. Not many players are as pure of hitters as Arraez. Hopefully he can bring his Rod Carew skills to Miami.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks, Gabriel Moreno
This spot was previously reserved for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll. He signed an extension with the team over the weekend which allows us to turn our attention to another young player the team could look to lock up, Gabriel Moreno. The young catcher was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade this offseason. Buying out a few of his arbitration years and maybe more could be next on the front office’s agenda.
17) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals, Jordan Montgomery
The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping Jordan Montgomery is as good for them in 2023 as he was down the stretch in 2022. Acquired from the New York Yankees for Harrison Bader, it’s a deal that should include a contract extension for Montgomery. The Cardinals have a whole lot of starting pitchers hitting free agency next offseason, including him. His age and performance should make him the biggest priority.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates, Bryan Reynolds
The only reason Bryan Reynolds isn’t higher in this week’s MLB Power Rankings is because extending him might not be the most practical move for the Pittsburgh Pirates to make. He deserves it, but it is someone else who will most likely end up paying him. The Pirates haven’t set themselves up well for long-term success. The Reynolds contract saga seems like it will lead to the team eventually trading him for a package of prospects. As soon as that happens, look for negotiations to resume.
15) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants, Logan Webb
Maybe one of the league’s best pitchers nobody really talks about, San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb has been impressive these last two years. Now 26 and in his first year under arbitration, the Giants should start thinking about where he fits into their future plans. Extending him now could help the team get pointed in the right direction.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays, Shane McClanahan
The Tampa Bay Rays don’t need to rush to extend Shane McClanahan. It’s certainly something we should believe they’ve thought about. Wander Franco received his massive extension already. A few weeks ago, the team handed out a more modest one to Yandy Diaz. McClanahan fits the problem of someone the Rays may want to ensure stays with their ball club well past his arbitration years. Pitchers are riskier. Tyler Glasnow’s injury history could be enough to have them proceeding cautiously.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves, Max Fried
It’s a bit unbelievable for the Atlanta Braves to not have a contract extension with Max Fried yet. The team’s ace could be leaving in a few years the same way Dansby Swanson did. We know the Braves are unafraid to extend players. Using their past decisions as a hint, there does seem to be a model they follow. Many of the players they have extended got their money early on. Fried could be past the point. This is good news for other teams looking to upgrade their rotations.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs, Nico Hoerner
Nico Hoerner is no longer the starting shortstop for the Chicago Cubs with Dansby Swanson on the roster. This shouldn’t hurt him in any extension talks. Hoerner is well on his way to becoming one of the better second basemen in baseball while providing the Cubs with insurance at shortstop. The Cubs have consistently spent even during their rebuild. Hoerner is the next one to pay.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Nola
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is a year away from hitting the open market. Easily one of the best homegrown pitchers the franchise has ever had, the ups and downs of his stint in Philadelphia might be one reason for the delay. He’s alongside Rhys Hoskins as one of the two biggest free agent considerations. Extending Nola as soon as possible is the far more logical decision to make. Once he leaves, the Phillies will be scrambling to find a replacement.
10) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox, Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson has been one of the more overlooked shortstops in baseball for a few seasons. It’s never really discussed how he won the 2019 American League batting title and has consistently hit over .300 in each of the last three seasons after. On a team with more success, the Chicago White Sox star would be far more popular. As long as the White Sox realize what they have, a contract extension should be in his future. Otherwise, look for someone else to benefit.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers, Julio Urias
Do the Los Angeles Dodgers really need to keep Julio Urias? It would be a smart move. He’s young and continuing to get better. Unless they have their eyes set on other free agents and don’t think he fits into the budget, a contract extension is something they’ll need to get done before the 2023 season is through. Urias could always be one of those players who wants to flirt with other ball clubs over the winter only to return to the Dodgers.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles, Adley Rutschman
The Baltimore Orioles are hopeful catcher Adley Rutschman is going to help change the franchise. He had an impressive rookie season in 2022. The team’s lack of spending this offseason should have us believing an extension isn’t something they’re too adamant about handing out. It would be a good faith move to do it. The Orioles are a younger team and rewarding a young star early on will signal to the fans things will be different.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the best contract extension candidate on the Toronto Blue Jays. Ahead of his age 24 season, the second-generation star has already won a home run title, a Silver Slugger, been a runner-up in the MVP race, and last year added a Gold Glove to his arsenal. His contract will end up being a massive one. Toronto shouldn’t wait. Pay this man all of the loonies they can to keep him in town.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers, Corbin Burnes
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like a contract extension with Corbin Burnes will actually happen. The Milwaukee Brewers took him to arbitration this offseason and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Nonetheless, he’s the most logical choice on the roster to receive one. Maybe they change their mind and decide to keep the 2021 NL Cy Young winner.
5) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros, Kyle Tucker
There are a couple of Houston Astros players who could be in the contract extension conversation. Jeremy Pena is someone to pay early. Alex Bregman’s free agency is coming dangerously close. For them, the selection is Kyle Tucker. He has a mix of youth and power the ball club will want to keep around. Houston hasn’t been afraid of letting many of their star players walk away as they did with George Springer and Carlos Correa. The same could happen with Bregman with someone like Tucker remaining present to pick up the pieces.
4) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets, Pete Alonso
Speaking of Carlos Correa, Steve Cohen was willing to pay him over $300 million in free agency. The deal with the New York Mets never went through and some of that cash needs to land in the pocket of first baseman Pete Alonso. A team leader on and off the field, he’s well on his way to becoming the most prolific slugger in franchise history. His buddy Jeff McNeil received an extension this offseason. The Polar Bear is a must to get one, too.
3) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres, Juan Soto
The San Diego Padres are trying to keep up with the Atlanta Braves with contract extensions. The Padres have been handing them out players with an All-Star resume already. Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, and Joe Musgrove each received one this offseason. Juan Soto is the next logical player to get it. Why haven’t the Padres paid him yet? The urgency isn’t quite there with two more years of control over the young outfield star. San Diego could be waiting to see if someone else ends up being a better fit for them.
2) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians, Shane Bieber
Shane Bieber has been doing his thing for several years now. The Cleveland Guardians ace is one of those guys who should start questioning why he hasn’t received a contract extension from his ball club. We know the reason why. The Guardians don’t typically pay players. They made an exception with Jose Ramirez who appeared to take a more team-friendly deal. The Guardians might not be so lucky with Bieber. The clock is already ticking to keep him around or trade the star pitcher.
1) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels, Shohei Ohtani
Records will be broken when Shohei Ohtani reaches free agency. It seems inevitable at this point. Thoughts of Ohtani becoming the first $500 million player have already been buzzed about and that probably puts the Los Angeles Angels out of serious contention. Even if his deal eventually comes up short, he’ll be the most talked about free agent next offseason. If the Angels can show to him they do care about winning, maybe a hefty extension offer thrown his way during the season could be enticing enough. It’s doubtful. It doesn’t change the fact that he is the clear-cut best extension candidate in Major League Baseball.