Top 3 Bargain Bin Free Agent Position Players

While the big names in free agency, like Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Willy Adames take up most of the conversation on the hot stove this winter, there are other, much more affordable position players available to those teams that are a bit more financially challenged.

We checked out 3 affordable free agent pitchers here, now we look at three bargain bin batter options flying under the radar, available at a discount for teams seeking older, proven contributors without breaking the bank.

Josh Bell

After arriving with the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline, Bell put up numbers closer to his career norm after a weak first half with the Miami Marlins. In 41 games and 162 plate appearances with the Snakes, Bell posted a .279 average with a .796 OPS and a 121 OPS+, despite leaving the yard just five times.

Overall on the 2024 season, his 97 OPS+ was his first time as a below-average hitter in eight full MLB seasons.

Bell has posted an OPS as high as .936 and in the .800s twice more in previous seasons. Teams in need of a middle-of-the-order bat might see Bell, 32, as a bounce-back candidate, especially for clubs looking for affordable pop without the big price tag that other sluggers might command.

Harrison Bader

The 30-year-old can bring Gold Glove-caliber defense, though with a questionable bat. In 2024, Bader struggled at the plate for the third straight season, this time with the New York Mets. He batted .236 with a .657 OPS and an 86 OPS+. However, his speed and defensive prowess could make him an appealing target for teams looking for help in those areas. He placed in the 95th percentile in Outs Above Average last season, 92nd in fielding run value, and 86th in arm strength.

He might have to take a pay cut from the $10.5 million he got from the Mets in 2024.

Justin Turner

At the age of 39 this past season, the former World Series champ saw his counting numbers take a dip, to just 11 homers and 55 RBIs, split between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners, but he still managed an OPS+ of 114 thanks largely to a .354 on-base percentage. Does he have something left in the tank going into his age-40 season? He will definitely have to take a pay cut from the $13M he signed with in Toronto last year.