Big MLB Offseason Values Still Available on Free-Agent, Trade Markets

Nestled somewhere between the Hot Stove League's big-ticket items and bargain bin you'll find baseball's biggest values. Superstars they're not, yet these players provide teams with an excellent return on their investment.

If they were items on a restaurant's menu, the players we're talking about would likely be served as part of brunch: "It's not quite breakfast, not quite lunch, but it comes with a slice of cantaloupe at the end. You don't get completely what you would at breakfast, but you get a good meal."

While much of the offseason focus remains on unsigned studs like Edwin Encarnacion and yet-to-be-traded assets like Chicago's Jose Quintana, teams in the market for a first baseman or starting pitcher would be wise to turn their attention to some of the players on this list.

They may not deliver the same level of production as their more highly touted counterparts, but these players aren't going to cost a fortune to acquire, either. Of course, values can be found around the diamond, not just on the mound and at first base.

What follows is a look at five of the biggest values that remain available, either as free agents or via trades.

Zack Cozart, SS, Cincinnati Reds

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A long-discussed deal that would have sent Zack Cozart to Seattle never came to fruition, and Cincinnati was unsuccessful in its attempt to find a new home for him (and Brandon Phillips) at the winter meetings.

“You can’t control who comes knocking or what their needs are,” Reds general manager Dick Williams told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan about those failed efforts. “This particular year, people seem to be set. It’s always good to have some depth there. We’ve got some good players. I think it’ll work itself out."

A plus defender at a premium position, Cozart is coming off a year that saw him hit .252 with 46 extra-base hits (16 home runs), 50 RBI and a .722 OPS. While he's due a raise over his $2.925 million salary last season as he enters his final year of arbitration, his 2017 salary will be affordable for nearly any team.

Other teams know the Reds want to clear a path to regular playing time for prospects Dilson Herrera and Jose Peraza, so Cincinnati doesn't have a ton of leverage in negotiations. Ultimately, a deal might not materialize until another team suffers an injury in spring training.

Jason Hammel, SP, Free Agent

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Of the 30 pitchers who have logged at least 500 innings over 90 starts since 2014, only 13 have a lower ERA than Jason Hammel's 3.68 mark. That's a lower ERA than the likes of Jake Odorizzi (3.72), Jeff Samardzija (3.91) and Mike Leake (4.00), among others.

At the very least, those numbers prove that Hammel is a durable, reliable starter who keeps his team in games more often than not. That helps to explain why as many as 10 teams had expressed interest in his services, as his agent Alan Nero told the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo earlier this month.

Another reason those teams likely have interest: Signing Hammel won't cost a team a compensatory draft pick, nor will it cost nearly as much as it did San Francisco and St. Louis to sign Samardzija (five years, $90 million) and Leake (five years, $80 million), respectively, as free agents last winter.

Adam Rosales, UT, Free Agent

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Adam Rosales isn't a superstar or an All-Star. In fact, he's no star at all. He's the player fans groan and mumble about at the ballpark when he's in the starting lineup, replacing someone the fans believe gives their team a better chance to win.

But as San Diego manager Andy Green explained to the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans back in June, Rosales is the guy those in the dugout want—and need—on their team.

"

Rosey’s so professional. He’s going to give everything he has every second of every single day no matter what. ...The great thing about him is in the limited opportunities [he gets to play], he’s been a positive guy who cares about other people. Those are veteran guys you want on the bench. He’s got six years of major-league service time, so I’m not the first manager who wanted him on a club. A lot of guys have enjoyed having him.

"

A capable defender at multiple positions—second base, third base, shortstop and left field—Rosales is coming off a career year that saw set new career-highs in doubles (12), home runs (13), RBI (35), slugging percentage (.495) and OPS (.815).

While the odds may be stacked against the 33-year-old in replicating that kind of production—he also played in a career-high 105 games for San Diego last season—he's more than capable of contributing to a team's success in multiple ways.

Perhaps the most enticing part of it all for teams looking to bolster their bench? Rosales, who has never earned a $1 million salary, isn't going to command much more than that on a new deal.

Neftali Feliz, RP, Free Agent

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A late-season arm injury put a damper on what was otherwise a terrific bounce-back season for Neftali Feliz in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old made 62 relief appearances for the Pirates, pitching to a 3.52 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 21 walks, 61 strikeouts and 29 holds, the second-highest total in the majors.

Per Brooks Baseball, Feliz also saw an uptick in his velocity for the second consecutive year, with his 96.86 mph average fastball the highest he's posted since he served as Texas' closer in 2011. That he's capable of filling multiple bullpen roles—he can set up, close or serve as a generic middle reliever—only adds to his value.

With Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Mark Melancon and Brad Ziegler all off the board, Feliz is one of, if not the most intriguing free-agent relievers still available. His history of arm issues might scare off some teams, but a healthy Feliz can still be a force at the back of a team's bullpen.

Mike Napoli, 1B/DH, Free Agent

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Speaking of players whose true value can't be expressed statistically, we find Mike Napoli floating adrift in the sea of unsigned first base/designated hitter-types, with Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Trumbo and even Chris Carter getting more attention than the 35-year-old at times.

 “The guy’s a stud, man,” Cleveland closer Cody Allen told the Boston Globe's Julian Benbow in October. “...You could be from anywhere in the world, you could have different beliefs, whatever your background is, you’re going to get along with that guy. He’s going to push you, he’s going to make you better. He keeps everything moving in the right direction. He’s a big part of our culture change in the clubhouse."

Having the ability to make that kind of an impact in the clubhouse carries significant value by itself. But Napoli is more than a glorified cheerleader and veteran leader.

He's coming off a season that saw him slug a career-high 34 home runs and crack triple digits in RBI for the first time, finishing the year with 101. Aside from his pop, Napoli remains adept at drawing walks and getting on base consistently.

Even if his defense continues to trend in the wrong direction, Napoli's leadership and offense make him a worthy addition to nearly any American League team's lineup, especially those looking to move past the "fringe contender" label.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs. All contract information courtesy of Cot's Contracts (via Baseball Prospectus).