MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top Free Agents Still on the Market

While the supply of top talent is running thin, there are still quality MLB free agents available on the open market.

Max Scherzer was the big name everyone was waiting to see signed, and he finally was, agreeing to a $210 million deal with the Washington Nationals. This leaves very few truly impact players capable of coming into a clubhouse in 2015 and making a difference.

Of course, this doesn't mean there aren't quality options still available. These players are likely to help an organization either this year or in the future, and each of them will be locked up before long.

Here is a look at the latest rumors concerning some of the more intriguing names still available in free agency.

James Shields, SP

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At this point, James Shields is the best free agent available. He might not have lived up to his "Big Game James" nickname recently in the postseason, but he is still a proven commodity at the front of the rotation.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the price for the pitcher has come down lately:

This has gotten a few teams more involved in what has been a relatively quiet race to sign the veteran. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays are the latest to inquire about the 33-year-old starter.

Still, the most intriguing destination comes from Fox Sports' Jon Morosi:

No matter what the Detroit Tigers have said publicly, signing Shields would represent a good move for a team that just lost its best pitcher to the Nationals.

Dan Szymborski of ESPN listed Detroit as the team that most needs the starter, saying, "The Tigers' 'official' position is that they're not interested in Shields. This is a mistake. Scherzer was an important part of the team's success in recent seasons, and their winter pickups don't replace his performance."

Shields is as consistent as they come with over 200 innings pitched in each of the last eight years, including at least 220 in the last four. This past season he posted a 3.21 ERA while earning some MVP votes for his work with the Kansas City Royals.

For a team like the Tigers with plenty of question marks in the rotation (yes, that includes Justin Verlander), this would be a smart signing.

Burke Badenhop, RP

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Just because he isn't a household name, it doesn't mean Burke Badenhop should be overlooked in free agency.

The middle reliever is coming off an impressive season with the Boston Red Sox where he tallied a 2.29 ERA, which was 13th best in the American League among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched.

While right-handed relievers are in large supply, it's not necessarily that easy to find good ones you can trust. This is why the market has picked up for the 31-year-old veteran, according to Morosi:

Additionally, Rosenthal speculates a few other potential landing spots for Badenhop:

The problem the pitcher has had to this point is the lack of incentive for a team to make a move with so many other options available. He explained his situation to Rob Bradford of WEEI:

"

If you want to offer me a contract, let's do it. Just throw me out something. Because there are teams that want me to be on their team. But there's just no incentive for Team No. 1 to fire the first shot because they know if Team No. 5 fires the first shot we'll eventually get a hold of Team No. 1. It's interesting the longer and longer you wait. But that's where you have to be confident that I know I'm a good pitcher, and I know I couldn't have a much better year than last year, so we'll just go from there.

"

The life of an MLB journeyman is never easy, especially for a player like Badenhop who has pitched for four different teams over the last four years. That being said, his recent success should be enough to finally earn him a multiyear contract.

Considering the Nationals recently traded top setup man Tyler Clippard, this might be the most logical destination for the veteran pitcher.

Yoan Moncada, INF

Unlike the first two players on the list, Yoan Moncada doesn't have MLB experience and might not be able to help out a team this season. However, the 19-year-old Cuban star could end up being the biggest signing of the offseason.

Bleacher Report's Scott Miller gave a quick breakdown of what we might be preparing ourselves for with the youngster:

"

Moncada is 6'0", 210 pounds and a switch-hitter whose legend in Cuba is on par with that of Yasiel Puig and Jorge Soler. Scouts say his ceiling is higher than that of outfielder Rusney Castillo, whom the Red Sox signed last August for six years and $72.5 million. [...]

Moncada can run, he's got power and he's got a powerful arm. 

"

Baseball America's Ben Badler, who noted Moncada "would be in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick" in the 2015 draft if he was eligible, has been following the interest level of various teams.

Badler reported the San Francisco Giants had a private workout with the player and are "trying to get more involved in the Cuban market." Meanwhile, the New York Yankees "are one of the frontrunners to sign Moncada" after having their own private workout.

According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers also have their sights on the talented young player:

Throwing big money at Moncada is a riskier proposition than signing a more established player like Jose Abreu. However, the upside remains almost too great to ignore.

This likely limits the race to the Yankees and Dodgers as both teams are looking to improve while showing in the past neither is scared to risk a high cost for a big reward.

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