All-Free-Agent Team: Closers and corner outfielders aplenty, harder to fill up the middle

The MLB offseason is an exciting time for baseball fans as teams look to bolster their rosters with top free agents. With rankings from scouts, GMs, and writers, the market’s top talent is assessed to determine where the strengths and weaknesses lie. Here, we present a hypothetical 26-man roster made entirely of free agents to showcase the depth and scarcity in different positions.

Lineup:

1. Willy Adames, SS
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Anthony Santander, DH
5. Teoscar Hernández, LF
6. Alex Bregman, 3B
7. Gleyber Torres, 2B
8. Travis d’Arnaud, C
9. Harrison Bader, CF

   Power in the middle:
   The offseason offers several options for teams in need of power hitters. With five free agents who hit over 30 home runs this season, including Soto, Santander, Alonso, Hernández, and Adames, there is no shortage of sluggers available. Players like Randal Grichuk, Joc Pederson, Tyler O’Neill, and Kyle Higashioka also provide significant power potential.

   Depth at the corners:
   The market is rich in corner outfielders, with enough options to create a competitive lineup. Players like Jurickson Profar, Tyler O’Neill, and Joc Pederson offer solid offensive production. Additionally, first baseman Christian Walker adds depth as a versatile player with a strong offensive and defensive skill set.

   Point of weakness:
   Center field emerges as the market’s weakest position, especially after Cody Bellinger’s decision to stay with the Cubs. The lack of standout center fielders presents a challenge for teams looking to fill this crucial position. While options like Harrison Bader are available, the depth in center field remains limited.

   Bench:

   • Christian Walker, 1B
   • Ha-Seong Kim, SS/2B
   • Jurickson Profar, OF
   • Danny Jansen, C

     Thin in the infield:
     Building a strong infield bench proves challenging due to limited options in the free-agent market. While players like Paul Goldschmidt and Jorge Polanco offer some infield depth, the lack of backup third basemen and center fielders highlights a scarcity in this area.

     Options behind the plate:
     Catchers like d’Arnaud, Jansen, Higashioka, and others present viable solutions for teams seeking catching depth. While there may not be a standout everyday catcher available, the market offers a variety of options for teams looking to build a solid catching duo.

     Lefty bats:
     The market features several left-handed hitters who could serve as valuable platoon options. Players like Joc Pederson, Max Kepler, Alex Verdugo, and others provide balance and versatility to lineups in need of left-handed hitting.

     Rotation:

10. Corbin Burnes, RHP
11. Max Fried, LHP
12. Blake Snell, RHP
13. Jack Flaherty, RHP
14. Sean Manaea, LHP

    Impact starters:
    The free-agent market boasts a mix of top-tier starting pitchers, with Burnes leading the pack. Established arms like Fried, Snell, Flaherty, and Manaea offer teams reliable options for their rotations. The market includes a range of mid-rotation starters with varying levels of performance and potential.

    Bullpen:

    • Tanner Scott, LHP
    • Jeff Hoffman, RHP
    • Clay Holmes, RHP
    • Carlos Estévez, RHP
    • Blake Treinen, RHP
    • Kirby Yates, RHP
    • Kenley Jansen, RHP
    • David Robertson, RHP

      Impact at the top:
      The bullpen features a mix of experienced relievers, with six of the eight having recent All-Star appearances. Players like Treinen and Robertson bring valuable postseason experience and reliability to the bullpen. The depth in the bullpen presents opportunities for teams to strengthen their late-game options.

      Closers for hire:
      The free-agent class offers a wealth of pitchers with closing experience, providing teams with numerous options to solidify their bullpen. Players like Jansen, Kimbrel, Chapman, and others rank among the top closers available, ensuring that teams can find a reliable closer for the upcoming season.

      From the left side:
      While the bullpen is predominantly right-handed, left-handed options like Chapman and Coulombe could provide balance and versatility. With a few notable lefty relievers available, teams have the opportunity to round out their bullpen with effective left-handed arms.

      The MLB offseason presents a unique opportunity for teams to address their roster needs and enhance their competitiveness for the upcoming season. With a diverse pool of free agents available, organizations have the flexibility to build a balanced and competitive team across all positions.