10 Remaining MLB Free Agents Who Suddenly Look Like Huge Values
The MLB free-agent market is drying up fast. That is especially true with the pool of bats. The biggest names like Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Nelson Cruz, Victor Martinez and Russell Martin have already inked deals of four seasons or more.
While all of those players landed highly lucrative contracts, there are still quality contributors to be had at a reasonable price. The 10 big leaguers who crack this list all come with a defect or two, but they also have the potential to provide their new employers with all sorts of value.
Some of the players on this top 10 have injury histories, others underwhelmed during the 2014 season, and one even has a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs on his resume.
Francisco Liriano, SP
1 of 10
2014 Stats: 7-10, 3.38 ERA, 29 GS, 162.1 IP, 130 H, 13 HR, 81 BB, 175 K
Aside from Jon Lester, Francisco Liriano is the most effective left-handed starter on the market.
The 31-year-old is also going to cost a fraction of the price that Lester will command. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Lester has already received a six-year, $138 million offer from the Chicago Cubs, and the Boston Red Sox are ready to dish out more than $130 million.
Both lefties were absolutely dealing during the second half of the 2014 season. Lester reeled off a 2.18 ERA, while Liriano checked in with a 2.20 ERA.
Contract Prediction: Three years, $42 million
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B/SS
2 of 102014 Stats: .241 AVG, .307 OBP, .387 SLG, .694 OPS, 31 2B, 4 3B, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 10 SB
There's no avoiding the fact that Asdrubal Cabrera doesn't have the best glove. However, he does have the ability to play both shortstop and second base, and both of those positions are extremely weak on the free-agent front.
The 29-year-old also possesses an impressive amount of power for a middle infielder. Cabrera has totaled at least 31 doubles and 14 home runs in four consecutive seasons.
Contract Prediction: Three years, $24 million
Chase Headley, 3B
3 of 102014 Stats: .243 AVG, .328 OBP, .372 SLG, .700 OPS, 20 2B, 3B, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 7 SB
With Pablo Sandoval having already signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox, the class of free-agent third basemen is looking incredibly light.
Chase Headley is the only starting-caliber player left at that spot and should have a lot of value as a result. According to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com, the switch-hitter is seeking a five-year deal. However, one potential bidder might already be out of the race to sign the 31-year-old.
The New York Yankees could opt to go with Martin Prado at third and Ryan Refsnyder at second base, as one team source explained to Matthews.
"There are a lot of people in [the Yankees'] organization who want to give Refsnyder a shot. They think he's [their] best hitter."
In such a scenario, there would be no room for Headley in the infield at Yankee Stadium
Contract Prediction: Three years, $36 million
.png?w=256)
Edinson Volquez, SP
4 of 10
2014 Stats: 13-7, 3.04 ERA, 31 GS, 192.2 IP, 166 H, 17 HR, 71 BB, 140 K
Quietly, Edinson Volquez had an excellent season in 2014 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-handed starter approached the 200-innings mark and posted an ERA just north of three.
It is worth noting that Volquez racked up a 5.71 ERA while splitting the 2013 season between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Volquez isn't the most consistent starter on the market, but on a two- or three-year deal, he would be a shrewd addition.
Contract Prediction: Three years, $30 million
Nick Markakis, RF (Update: Signed by Atlanta)
5 of 10Update: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. ET
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports Nick Markakis has signed with the Atlanta Braves.
---End of Update---
2014 Stats: .276 AVG, .342 OBP, .386 SLG, .729 OPS, 27 2B, 3B, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 4 SB
Nick Markakis doesn't offer the kind of power typically associated with a right-fielder. The left-handed hitter went yard just 14 times in 2014 and hasn't topped the 20-home run plateau since 2008.
While his power is lacking, the 31-year-old provides tons of value in right field, where he's a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Markakis is also remarkably reliable, as he's appeared in at least 147 games in eight of his nine seasons.
The Atlanta Braves recently had a "face-to-face" meeting with Markakis, according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. Signing Markakis would be an odd move for the Braves, as the club just traded away Jason Heyward, who is a better and younger right fielder.
Contract Prediction: Four years, $44 million
Geovany Soto, C
6 of 10
2014 Stats: .250 AVG, .302 OBP, .363 SLG, .665 OPS, 6 2B, HR, 11 RBI
One look at MLBTradeRumors.com's list of free-agent catchers proves just how limited the market is.
From that underwhelming group, Geovany Soto is a backstop worth gambling on. Injuries limited Soto to just 24 games in 2014, but the right-handed hitter owns a .770 OPS in 10 big league seasons. Soto is also highly accomplished behind the plate. Last year, he dominated the run game, throwing out nine of 17 would-be base stealers.
Contract Prediction: One year, $5 million
Emilio Bonifacio, UTL
7 of 10
2014 Stats: .259 AVG, .305 OBP, .345 SLG, .650 OPS, 17 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 26 SB
Emilio Bonifacio's two greatest attributes are his speed and versatility.
In 2014, Bonifacio piled up 26 steals while splitting the season between the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. In the field, the 29-year-old made appearances at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. Bonifacio's ability to play all over the diamond makes him an ideal fit for a National League team looking for a superutility player.
Contract Prediction: Two years, $6 million
Colby Rasmus, CF
8 of 102014 Stats: .225 AVG, .287 OBP, .448 SLG, .735 OPS, 21 2B, 3B, 18 HR, 40 RBI, 4 SB
The 2014 season didn't go to plan for Colby Rasmus.
The center fielder checked in with a .225 average and punched out 124 times while appearing in just 104 games for the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite his low average and high strikeout total, the left-handed hitter still managed to connect on 18 home runs. Ramsus is also just one year removed from his 2013 season, when he posted an .840 OPS and hit 22 homers.
Contract Prediction: Two years, $16 million
Stephen Drew, SS
9 of 102014 Stats: .162 AVG, .237 OBP, .299 SLG, .539 OPS, 14 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 26 RBI, SB
After a train wreck of a 2014 season, Stephen Drew is a perfect buy-low candidate.
Drew simply never got on track offensively last year, but he posted a .777 OPS in 2013. The 31-year-old is also a far better defender than Jed Lowrie or Asdrubal Cabrera, who are the other top shortstops on the free-agent market. A one-year deal for Drew would be a risk worth taking for any of the array of the teams around the league looking for a new shortstop.
Contract Prediction: One year, $8 million
Melky Cabrera, LF
10 of 102014 Stats: .301 AVG, .351 OBP, .458 SLG, .808 OPS, 35 2B, 3 3B, 16 HR, 73 RBI, 6 SB
Melky Cabrera is the most dangerous hitter left on the free-agent block.
According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the left fielder could land a deal in the neighborhood of the four-year, $57 million contract that Nelson Cruz agreed to with the Seattle Mariners. The switch-hitter doesn't offer anywhere near the same type of power that Cruz does, but Cabrera is a far superior defender and is four years younger.
Contract Prediction: Four years, $55 million
Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
.png?w=480)
