Predicting Landing Spots for Top 10 Remaining MLB Free Agents

Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month. Most of the top free agents have come off the board.

Yet multiple impact players remain unsigned, ranging from genuine stars (Josh Donaldson, Marcell Ozuna) to high-upside gambles (Taijuan Walker, Yasiel Puig).

As we await the final flickers of the hot stove and anticipate Opening Day, let's parse the top 10 remaining free agents and predict where they'll land, based on the latest rumors and a healthy dollop of informed speculation.

OF Cameron Maybin

Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press

In 82 games with the New York Yankees last season, Cameron Maybin posted an .858 OPS with 11 homers and swiped nine bases to boot.

He'll turn 33 in April and is nobody's idea of a game-changer. But as a right-handed bat with gas left in the tank who could likely be had on a short-term deal? You bet.

That profile suits the needs of multiple contenders, but the the Yanks should re-sign him to add outfield depth and a veteran presence who has expressed a desire to remain in the Bronx.

Predicted landing spot: New York Yankees

INF/OF Brock Holt

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Utility players aren't the most exciting free agents, but they're a useful commodity. Consider Brock Holt, who logged time in left field and right field as well as every infield position other than pitcher and catcher for the Boston Red Sox in 2019.

Along the way, the 31-year-old hit .297 with a .369 on-base percentage in 87 games.

The Sox could bring him back in a non-utility role. Jose Peraza, who posted a .631 OPS in 2019, tops the depth chart at the keystone sack in Boston.

Holt wouldn't bust the budget for a Red Sox team that's looking to dip under the luxury tax, and he'd bring flexibility and familiarity.

Predicted landing spot: Boston Red Sox

OF Kevin Pillar

D. Ross Cameron/Associated Press

Outfielder Kevin Pillar hit 21 home runs, stole 14 bases and posted 1.5 WAR by FanGraphs' calculation in 2019. He even earned a down-ballot MVP vote.

He was non-tendered by the retooling/rebuilding San Francisco Giants in December and is entering his age-31 season.

But he's a valuable player and would possibly accept a reasonable, incentive-laden contract for a club with designs on contending. 

MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi tossed out an array of suitors, including the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. We'll go with the Rangers, who could be set from left to right with Willie Calhoun, Danny Santana and Joey Gallo but could also benefit from some proven depth.

Predicted landing spot: Texas Rangers

RHP Ivan Nova

Jim Mone/Associated Press

The free-agent aces have all been signed. But there are enticing hurlers for the taking.

Right-hander Ivan Nova is entering his age-33 season and posted a 4.72 ERA in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox. On the other hand, he made 34 starts, tossed 187 innings and was worth 2.0 WAR, according to FanGraphs.

He also put up a 2.62 FIP as recently as 2016. A pitcher with that output would slot nicely into the middle of any rotation.

Given his durability, Nova may be appealing to a team on the cusp of a rebuild that wants to develop young pitchers while employing lower-cost innings eaters. How about the Pittsburgh Pirates, for whom Nova pitched in 2018, 2017 and part of 2016?

The Bucs aren't likely to contend in the crowded National League Central in 2019, but Nova could offer a steadying, familiar presence.

Predicted landing spot: Pittsburgh Pirates

RHP Taijuan Walker

Darryl Webb/Associated Press

The Los Angeles Angels whipped out their checkbook and signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to join reigning American League MVP Mike Trout in the middle of the lineup.

But they haven't done enough to improve a starting rotation that ranked dead last in the AL with a 5.64 ERA.

The top-tier free-agent targets are gone, but the Halos could take a chance on righty Taijuan Walker.

Walker underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and has pitched just 14 innings over the past two seasons.

On the flip side, he's only 27 and posted a 3.49 ERA in 28 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017. This is a chance for the Angels to rehabilitate a once-promising hurler.

Granted, they tried that with the likes of Tim Lincecum and Matt Harvey with limited success. But, provided he's healthy, Walker might reverse the trend.

Predicted landing spot: Los Angeles Angels

1B Mitch Moreland

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Mitch Moreland posted an .835 OPS and hit 19 home runs in 91 games for the Boston Red Sox last season. At age 34, he's a valuable left-handed slugger who can still play a decent first base.

The defending champion Washington Nationals have addressed the departure of Anthony Rendon by re-signing Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera and inking Starlin Castro and Eric Thames. Plus, they've got prospect Carter Kieboom waiting in the wings.

Moreland would be another option for the Nats, however, and could provide valuable pop off the bench while seeing time at first. They declined the option on longtime first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, leaving another vacancy on the right side of the infield.

With Rendon in SoCal and Zimmerman in limbo, Washington needs to plug the hole with as many pieces as possible. Enter Moreland.

Predicted landing spot: Washington Nationals

OF Yasiel Puig

David Maxwell/Getty Images

Yasiel Puig hit 24 home runs and stole 19 bases between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians last season. He's only 29 years old and despite his checkered past, he's an incredibly talented athlete with the ability to improve any outfield.

So where will he wind up? What about the San Francisco Giants?

It seems ridiculous. The Giants are moving toward a rebuild. Puig is a largely reviled figure in S.F. based on his heated history with former Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner.

Yet Puig was on the Los Angeles Dodgers at the same time current San Francisco President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi was working in L.A.'s front office. The Giants could use depth in the outfield, and Puig could likely be had on a shorter-term, non-bank-breaking contract.

Longtime Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow didn't dismiss the possibility in an interview with KNBR 680 (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area).

"Here's a guy that's got some credentials, got some power, got a great arm. How much fun would it be to watch that arm in right field?" said Krukow. "With [Zaidi] it never stops. He's always looking to improve his club."

Predicted landing spot: San Francisco Giants

INF/OF Nicholas Castellanos

Matt Marton/Associated Press

Nicholas Castellanos hit 27 home runs with an .863 OPS for the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs last season and can play the infield and outfield. He'll turn 28 in March, but he's still dangling on the open market.

Morosi reported the Texas Rangers "are among the finalists" to sign him. It feels like a match.

The Rangers need a right-handed bat. Castellanos needs a job. Texas wouldn't have to deplete its farm system to acquire Castellanos. And he isn't attached to draft-pick compensation because he was traded in the midst of the 2019 campaign.

Predicted landing spot: Texas Rangers

OF Marcell Ozuna

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Outfielder Marcell Ozuna hit 29 home runs with an .800 OPS for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019. Then, he rejected the Cards' qualifying offer, which would have meant a one-year, $17.8 million deal.

Yet according to Neftali Ruiz of the Dominican Republic's CDN37 (h/t Lone Star Ball's Adam J. Morris), St. Louis is the two-time All-Star's preferred destination this offseason.

It makes sense. The Cardinals are the only club that can sign him without surrendering a draft pick. Not to mention he helped them win the NL Central last year and could do so again in 2020.

Predicted destination: St. Louis Cardinals

3B Josh Donaldson

John Amis/Associated Press

Josh Donaldson bet on himself by signing a one-year, $23 million deal with the Atlanta Braves last offseason. The bet paid off.

Donaldson rebounded from a pair of injury-marred campaigns to hit 37 home runs with a .900 OPS and help the Braves win the NL East.

He's entering his age-34 season, but there's little doubt he's among the most valuable third basemen in the game.

Various teams could use his services. But it makes the most sense for him to return to Atlanta, considering the Braves' hot-corner depth chart is headed by Johan Camargo and his .663 2019 OPS.

As USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted, the Braves are "the clear-cut favorite" to retain Donaldson.

We concur. 

Predicted landing spot: Atlanta Braves

All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.