Top 3 Free Agent First Basemen Still Available
The big names are long gone—Jose Abreu, Anthony Rizzo and Josh Bell—leaving those teams still looking for a first baseman in free agency looking much farther down the list.
Let's have a look at the three top choices remaining at 1B, plus one late bonus entry.
Trey Mancini
He's now got a World Series ring to go along with the 125 home runs on his resume. Mancini sports a .265 average and .787 OPS over his six years in the majors, all but the last few months with the Baltimore Orioles. He'll be entering his age-31 season.
Jesus Aguilar
With 109 career home runs and a .773 OPS, Aguilar can provide some power for a team in need. He's only one year removed from a 22 HR, 93 RBI season with the Miami Marlins in 2021. He was an All-Star in 2018, drilling 35 balls over the fence while driving in 108 for the Milwaukee Brewers. He's still just 32, so not quite over the hill just yet.
Brandon Belt
Perhaps we can't say that for Belt, who will be entering his age-35 season, and has had a devil of a time staying healthy. He did post a .975 OPS with 29 home runs in 2021, but he was only able to stay on the field for 97 games. It was just 78 games this past season, but with much worse results; only 8 HR and a .676 OPS. He spent his entire 12-year career with the San Francisco Giants.
Eric Hosmer
A late bonus entry to the list, and a brand new entrant to the free agency pool. He was once an All-Star in another life (his Kansas City life). But Hosmer has seen his production continually decline over the past few years. The 33-year-old hit just eight home runs with a .716 OPS for San Diego and Boston this past season, and the Red Sox just released him today.
Honorable mentions to former New York Met Dominic Smith, still only 28, and Yuli Gurriel, ten years his senior.
Photo: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
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