Dark-Horse Landing Spots for Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Top MLB Free Agents
The longer the MLB offseason stretches on, the more likely it becomes that we will see at least one of the market's top remaining free agents end up selecting a dark-horse landing spot over one of the more prominent teams they have been linked to this winter.
Did anyone expect the Arizona Diamondbacks to be the team that offered a six-year, $210 million deal to sign Corbin Burnes last winter?
Looking at what's left on the free-agent market, Kyle Tucker (No. 1), Bo Bichette (No. 2), Alex Bregman (No. 3), Framber Valdez (No. 5), Cody Bellinger (No. 8) and Ranger Suárez (No. 9) all remain unsigned from B/R's list of the top 50 free agents that was published at the start of the offseason.
Ahead, we've highlighted the top three suitors for each of those players before choosing one dark-horse contender that could swoop in and secure their services with a surprise offer.
LHP Ranger Suárez
1 of 6
Age: 30
Stats: 26 GS, 3.20 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, 151 K, 157.1 IP
WAR: 4.7
Top 3 Suitors: Orioles, Mets, Astros
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Diamondbacks
With Merrill Kelly brought back after he was traded to the Texas Rangers at the deadline and Michael Soroka inked to a one-year, $7.5 million deal, the D-backs have already added to an in-house group of arms that includes Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodríguez and Brandon Pfaadt.
With that in mind, the bigger focus now might be shoring up the offense, with first base, left field and designated hitter all potential areas to add, while third base is also a possibility given the inexperience of top prospect Jordan Lawlar.
However, if they don't get any traction in their pursuit of a bat, they could pivot to the starting pitching market, and Suárez would be an especially attractive target on a short-term, high-AAV deal.
OF Cody Bellinger
2 of 6
Age: 30
Stats: 656 PA, 125 OPS+, .272/.334/.480, 59 XBH (29 HR), 98 RBI
WAR: 5.1
Top 3 Suitors: Yankees, Mets, Giants
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Royals
A return to the Yankees remains the most likely outcome for Cody Bellinger's offseason, while the Mets also have to be considered serious contenders given the two glaring holes in their outfield alongside right fielder Juan Soto.
The Giants, Blue Jays and his former teams the Dodgers and Cubs are also logical candidates to kick the tires, but if we're looking for a dark-horse suitor, the Royals are an intriguing candidate.
They don't often make splashy free-agency moves, but Bellinger could be a transformative addition to their lineup, joining Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel García, Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino. With Isaac Collins, Kyle Isbel and Jac Caglianone as the current projected outfield, there might be no team that would benefit more from upgrading in the grass.
LHP Framber Valdez
3 of 6
Age: 32
Stats: 31 GS, 3.66 ERA (3.37 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, 187 K, 192.0 IP
WAR: 3.8
Top 3 Suitors: Mets, Orioles, Giants
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Tigers
Given the fact he is roughly two years older than Dylan Cease, it's unlikely Framber Valdez will be able to match the seven-year, $210 million commitment he received from the Blue Jays, but a similar AAV over a shorter deal is well within reach.
That price tag does limit his market to a point, but a shorter deal also opens things up to a potential dark-horse suitor, and the Tigers are an interesting team to watch for a variety of reasons.
Not only are they viable playoff contenders with a relatively large gap between ace Tarik Skubal and No. 2 starter Jack Flaherty in terms of impact, but they could also be motivated to hedge their bets on potentially losing Skubal in free agency next winter.
3B Alex Bregman
4 of 6
Age: 31
Stats: 495 PA, 128 OPS+, .273/.360/.462, 46 XBH (18 HR), 62 RBI
WAR: 3.5
Top 3 Suitors: Red Sox, Cubs, Diamondbacks
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Angels
Despite opting out of the final two years and $80 million of the contract he signed just last offseason, a return to the Red Sox has looked like the top landing spot for Alex Bregman throughout the offseason.
However, if they decide to prioritize adding another high-end starting pitcher to join Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray, they could aim lower in their pursuit of infield help.
If that's the case, his market is ripe for a dark-horse team to come in with an offer he can't refuse, and after officially cutting ties with Anthony Rendon, the Angels are a logical suitor from a roster construction and spending power standpoint.
SS Bo Bichette
5 of 6
Age: 27
Stats: 628 PA, 129 OPS+, .311/.357/.483, 63 XBH (18 HR), 94 RBI
WAR: 3.5
Top 3 Suitors: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Yankees
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Mariners
Not since the 10-year, $240 million deal given to Robinson Cano have the Mariners offered up a nine-figure deal to a hitter in free agency, and while they did sign Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million in November, roster holes remain.
Cole Young and Ben Williamson are currently the in-house favorites to start at second base and third base, respectively, with top prospect Colt Emerson also a potential candidate if he has a strong spring.
If the Blue Jays land Kyle Tucker and the Dodgers prioritize outfield help, Bichette's market gets tougher to nail down, and the Mariners' current window of contention and clear need at second base make them a candidate for a late push.
Kyle Tucker
6 of 6
Age: 28
Stats: 597 PA, 143 OPS+, .266/.377/.464, 51 XBH (22 HR), 73 RBI
WAR: 4.6
Top 3 Suitors: Blue Jays, Mets, Dodgers
Dark-Horse Landing Spot: Giants
The Blue Jays and Mets remain the clear favorites to sign Kyle Tucker, though rumors surrounding the top player on the market have been few and far between all offseason, perhaps in response to his potential $400 million price tag.
The Dodgers become more of a factor if he is open to a shorter deal, but if that's the case, expect the rival Giants to also be a more significant player in his market as they look to continue adding to an improved offense.
With an offensive game that is not overly reliant on over-the-fence production, Tucker would be a good fit at Oracle Park, and right field is a glaring hole in San Francisco right now.
