Top 3 Catchers on the Free Agent Market

With the World Series about to begin, we're edging ever closer to the start of free agency in the major leagues.

And while catcher is not exactly the glamour position on the open market, there are a number of serviceable backstops up for grabs on the 2024-25 winter free agent market.

Here, we take a look at the top 3:

Kyle Higashioka

The former New York Yankee had a career season at the age of 34 going into his free agent year, slugging 17 home runs with 45 RBIs in just 263 plate appearances. He also came up big in the postseason, with three HRs for the San Diego Padres, while starting all seven of their playoff games. With his strong play behind the plate as well, he could be in line for a two-year contract.

Elias Diaz

Higashioka's teammate to finish the 2024 season, Diaz was an All-Star in 2023, driving in a career-high 72 runs while starting 126 games behind the plate for the Colorado Rockies. Now going into his age-34 season, however, he's coming off a disappointing end to the season, as the Rockies released him in August, and then he batted just .190 for the Padres after they picked him up, and wasn't trusted enough for anything more than one plate appearance in San Diego's seven postseason contests. It could be tough sledding for him in free agency.

Danny Jansen

The former Toronto Blue Jays backstop had established himself as a top offensive option behind the plate for three consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2023, with 43 home runs and a .487 slugging percentage over that time. But then came 2024. Between the Jays and the Boston Red Sox, Jansen hit just .205 with a .349 slugging and just 9 home runs—about half of what he hit the season prior. He's also very injury-prone and has trouble staying on the field for long stretches.

Honorable mention: Carson Kelly, Yasmani Grandal, Gary Sanchez