Top 3 Free Agents 2023-24 — AL Central

Let's complete our look ahead at the top free agents for the winter of 2023-34. 

We had a look at the top AL East free agents the last time out; the AL West here; the top picks from the NL West here; the NL Central here, and the NL East here.

In the AL Central, possibly baseball's worst division, three solid starting pitchers head up this offseason's free agent list. 

Sonny Gray

The two-time All-Star is having one of his best seasons, with a 2.25 ERA, and a 76:26 K/BB ratio while allowing a measly .316 slugging against. He'll be a free agent at season's end, coming off a club-exercised $12.7M option with the Minnesota Twins. 

The 33-year-old is hitting his stride again at just the right time, as he should be in line for one more nice contract. 

Eduardo Rodriguez

E-Rod was on target to be the top trade chip on the market at this year's deadline, as the Detroit Tigers will be sure sellers. Rodriguez was off to a tremendous start to the season before suffering a "ruptured A4 pulley in his left index finger". 

His 2.13 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 11 starts is sitting on the injured list, and will be until very close to the All-Star Break in the first half of July. He is quite likely to exercise his opt-out and enter free agency at the end of the year.

Lucas Gioliti

One of the most talked-about trade chips on the market this season, Giolito saw his ERA balloon to 4.90 last season, but this year has settled back down to a 3.54 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. It seems unlikely the White Sox will re-sign the 28-year-old, meaning his name has already popped up in several trade rumors, with teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres being likely suitors.

Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports