Top 3 Free Agents 2023-24 — AL West

We continue our look at the biggest free agent names available at the end of the season, and it doesn't get any bigger than the one topping the AL West list. 

(We covered the NL West here, the NL Central here, and the NL East here.)

If the Los Angeles Angels don't show that they're ready to contend, they could lose this century's most generational player.

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

The All-Star hitter plus Cy Young-worthy pitcher is unlike anything ever seen before in the history of baseball (at least since Babe Ruth). If the Angels can't find a way to re-sign him and he hits free agency, he is expected to become the first $500M player in the sport. The LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres are the likely two leading contenders to sign him, with the New York Mets and Yankees perhaps also in the running.

Martin Perez, Texas Rangers

The 32-year-old had a career year in 2022, cashing in by accepting the Rangers' $19.65M qualifying offer. But truly, that was his only impactful year in the majors, as his 2.38 ERA was the best (by far) of his 12-year career. This season, he's still ahead of his career pace with a 3.97 ERA, but that and his 1.44 WHIP have ballooned from his All-Star season last year. It'll be interesting to see if he'll get any other teams biting on him this offseason.

Teoscar Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

The former Toronto Blue Jays slugger arrived in Seattle this season entering his walk year, and while he is blasting bombs at his usual 30-HR pace, his average (.246) and OPS (.706) are well below his norms, and he leads the majors with 82 strikeouts in 60 games. But this guy knows how to leave the yard, and there will be some teams who would be interested in adding his pop to the lineup.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports