2023 MLB Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Top Available Players
With Shohei Ohtani officially signed and the rest of the baseball world waiting on Yoshinobu Yamamoto's decision, the free agency rumor mill continues to turn.
Grizzled veterans such as J.D. Martinez and Zack Greinke find themselves at the forefront of it while one of the most valuable pitchers from a season ago, Jordan Montgomery, awaits his fate amid speculation that a reunion with his former World Series-winning team may not be in the cards.
Dive deeper into each rumor and find out where those stars may be headed with this collection of insider reports.
Zack Greinke Preparing to Play
1 of 3
Zack Greinke plans to play in 2024, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported.
Greinke compiled the second-worst ERA of his career at 5.06, gave up 25 home runs and walked 23 batters, with a WHIP 1.272. His 1.6 home runs per nine innings were tied for the worst of his career and his 2-15 record was the worst.
It is important to remember that he played on the second-worst team in baseball in the Kansas City Royals, but opponents still averaged .282 against him, had a .312 on-base percentage, and an OPS of .779.
The 89.2 exit velocity was the highest of his career and the 4.2 home run percentage against was the second highest.
There will still be a team excited at the opportunity to bring Greinke in based on his veteran leadership and name value alone, but it is hard to argue with the numbers from a season ago, many of which were career highs in the worst possible categories.
He is worth a deal if a team can get him short-term, without overpaying. What he brings to the clubhouse, with his knowledge of the game and experience on the mound, is priceless and can help a young team learn and grow.
If teams are looking for the guy that he was at the height of his excellence, the numbers suggest that this Greinke is not him.
Prediction: Greinke returns to Kansas City on a one-year deal or reunites with the Dodgers on a similar contract
Arizona Diamondbacks Hopeful They Can Land J.D. Martinez
2 of 3
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that "The Arizona Diamondbacks are hopeful of signing free-agent DH J.D. Martinez now that the Dodgers no longer need him, with Justin Turner also in play."
In his 13th season, Martinez continued to produce, putting up 33 homers, 103 RBI, and a slash line of .271/.321/.572 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the team acquiring Shohei Ohtani in the deal that broke baseball for a short time Saturday afternoon, however, the team has no reason to hold onto a second designated hitter.
The idea that the interdivisional Diamondbacks would want to bring him in is an intriguing one, to say the least. Fresh off a World Series berth that saw them ultimately lose to the Texas Rangers, the team appears determined to add some offensive firepower to go alongside Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel, and Ketel Marte.
Martinez would be a big upgrade over the D'backs' 2023 DH, Pavin Smith, who tallied just 36 hits, 26 runs, and seven homers.
For a team that had its first taste of the Fall Classic since 2001, it makes sense that they would attempt to load up and make another run at a title, especially with Ohtani now in their division.
Martinez, like the aforementioned Greike, would bring veteran leadership and World Series experience to the clubhouse, too, making him valuable beyond what he offers at the plate.
Prediction: The Diamondbacks get their man on a short-term deal
Jordan Montgomery's Asking Price Too High for World Champs?
3 of 3
Jordan Montgomery was a big part of the Texas Rangers' run to their first World Series title in 2023 but according to Nightengale, may not return to the champs next season amid ongoing free-agent negotiations.
"The Texas Rangers, who could lose their local TV rights deal, would love to have starter Jordan Montgomery back, but the price tag may be too high for their liking," the USA Today writer reported.
It is no wonder the Rangers would love to have their starter back.
Montgomery went 4-2 for Texas after joining the team following a trade from St. Louis. In the 11 games he played for the team, he accumulated a 2.79 ERA in 67.2 innings, gave up just six home runs, walked 13, and gave up less than one home run per nine innings.
He was a revelation of sorts for the team and in the postseason, went 3-1 with an ERA of 2.90 and a WHIP of 1.35 in 31 innings pitched.
On the heels of a second half of 2023 like that, of course, his asking price would be high, and more importantly, of course, a team is going to pay it.
Whether it is the Rangers is the question.
Prediction: Montgomery gets a big payday from a team that misses out on Yamamoto, such as the Mets, Giants, Dodgers, or Cubs
.png?w=256)
.png?w=480)
