ESPN Ranks Top 10 Free Agents For Coming Offseason

Although trading season is in the rearview mirror and teams are focused on the stretch run, you can bet that front offices are keeping notes on potential free agent targets for the offseason. 

ESPN has compiled its big list of Top Free Agents for the 2023-24 signing period, and it begins with probably the biggest free agent in the history of the sport. 

1. Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels decided to roll the dice and try to add pieces to make a run at getting the two-way superstar into the playoffs for the first time in his five-year run in Anaheim. It's clear that won't happen now, and Ohtani will be offered a contract that will blow past free agent numbers out of the water. He could get a $600M+ deal.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the frontrunners, but never count out billionaire Steve Cohen and the New York Mets, as well as other West Coast teams like the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and yes, even the Angels might have a slim shot at re-signing him. 

2. Matt Chapman

The Toronto Blue Jays' slugging and Gold Glove caliber third baseman comes in at No. 2 on the list. He's expected to command a deal worth over $150M, and the Jays will have a huge defensive void to fill if they can't bring him back.

3. Blake Snell

The former Cy Young winner (2018) is having a renaissance season with the San Diego Padres with a 2.63 ERA and 11.8 K/9. The 5-year, $115M deal signed recently by Robbie Ray is deemed as a starting point for what he can expect on the free agent market. 

4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The 24-year-old starting pitcher with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan comes in at 4th on ESPN's list, and he's expected to easily surpass the deal that Kodai Senga secured from the New York Mets last winter (five years, $75 million plus posting fee), as he's five years younger than Senga. 

5. Aaron Nola

The Philadelphia Phillies starter has been a consistent top-end rotation arm for years now, and he should also pull in a deal similar to what Snell could earn. 

The rest of the Top 10 features plenty of other amazing talent as well:

6. Josh Hader, RP

7. Eduardo Rodriguez, SP

8. Julio Urias, SP

9. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B

10. Lucas Giolito, SP

Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports