A Very Early Look At The Top 10 Free Agents Of 2023/24

All the big names are off the board in free agency for this offseason, and it's been a wild ride (just ask Carlos Correa, who agreed to deals with three different teams).

With that excitement now dying down, why not check in on the potential list of stars available after the 2023 season?

Failing any surprise extensions, here are the top 10 free agents coming this fall:

1. Shohei Ohtani

So you thought the Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa circuses were something? Wait until we see the fireworks around the greatest unicorn the game has ever seen. An MVP and Cy Young candidate every year, Ohtani expressed his unhappiness with the Los Angeles Angels after the 2022 season, and he will be ripe for the picking—if he isn't traded first.

We could see baseball's first $500 Million Dollar Man.

2. Manny Machado

Machado would have to opt out of the final 5 years and $150M on his deal in order to hit the free agent market. But with the money thrown around this offseason, it's expected he'll take that chance. The San Diego Padres have said they plan on re-signing their 6-time All-Star third baseman. With a lifetime .282 average, .833 OPS and 283 career home runs, and four Top 5 MVP finishes, who knows how high the bidding will get? Not that that has ever stopped the Friars.

3. Julio Urias

We enter a pitching phase of the market now, where Urias has quietly become the ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers' staff. He's only 27, and was the NL's ERA king in 2022, with a 2.16 mark.

4. Aaron Nola

This guy's a horse. He topped the 200-inning mark for the 3rd time in the last four full seasons, and led the majors in strikeouts per walk (8.10). He whiffed over 10 batters per nine for the fourth straight season.

5. Josh Hader

Despite a little blip upon his arrival in San Diego, the four-time All-Star closer has been one of the toughest pitchers to hit for his entire 6-year career in the majors. He has a lifetime 2.71 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, an insane 15.2 strikeouts per nine innings, and 132 career saves.

6. Matt Chapman

His defense at third base is unparalleled. It would be a huge hit to the Toronto Blue Jays' infield defense if they were to lose him. The 3-time Gold Glover also packs a punch at the plate, hitting at least 27 home runs in each of the last three full seasons.

The best of the rest:

Teoscar Hernandez
Yu Darvish
Blake Snell
Lucas Giolito

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports