The 2023 MLB free agent market isn't as loaded as last winter's, but there still are some big names who could end up wearing new uniforms next season.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom highlight the upcoming free agent class. Other stars, such as Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts and Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander, have player options for 2023. Bogaerts is expected to decline his option and become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
More MLB Free Agents: Top 10 SP | Top 5 RP | Top 10 OF | Top 5 C | Top 5 1B | Top 5 2B | Top 5 SS | Top 5 3B
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Other Red Sox players set to hit free agency include right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and righty Michael Wacha. Suffice it to say, Boston's front office has a busy offseason ahead.
So, who could the Red Sox target this winter? Here are the top 25 players who could potentially hit the open market after this season.
1. Aaron Judge, OF
Age: 30
Boston Red Sox
Judge is set to get a monster contract after a historic 2022 campaign. The Yankees would be foolish to not lock up the face of their franchise, and if they don't act on it sooner than later they could lose him to a rival like the New York Mets or the Boston Red Sox.
UPDATE (Dec. 7): Judge has agreed to a massive nine-year, $360 contract with the Yankees to remain in New York, per multiple reports.
2. Jacob deGrom, RHP
Age: 34
deGrom remains the best pitcher in baseball when healthy. Unfortunately, that hasn't been all that often as of late. He'll still sign for big money this offseason, but injuries are a real concern as the two-time Cy Young award winner reaches his mid-30s.
UPDATE (Dec. 2): The Rangers have agreed to a five-year, $185 million deal with deGrom, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
3. Trea Turner, SS
Age: 29
There's nothing Turner can't do. He's a former National League batting champion with blazing speed and the power to boot. He should become one of the league's highest-paid players in 2023.
UPDATE (Dec. 5): Turner and the Phillies reportedly are in agreement on an 11-year, $300 million contract.
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
Age: 31
2023 player option: $35 million
Arenado is unlikely to opt out of his contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The seven-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glover has five years and $144 million left on his deal. But if he does, he'll immediately become one of the most coveted players on the market.
UPDATE (Oct. 30): Arenado has chosen to exercise his player option.
5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
Age: 30
The Red Sox' homegrown shortstop has opted out of his contract and officially become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. With no extension in sight and seemingly no strong desire from Boston to get a deal done, there's a strong chance Bogaerts will be wearing a new uniform in 2023.
UPDATE (Dec. 8): Bogaerts reportedly has agreed to an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres that will keep him in San Diego through his age-40 season.
6. Carlos Correa, SS
Age: 28
It was somewhat of a down year by Correa's lofty standards, but he's undoubtedly still one of the game's premier shortstops and should land a huge long-term deal this offseason.
UPDATE (Dec. 13): Correa is headed to the San Francisco Giants on a massive 13-year contract, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
7. Carlos Rodon, LHP
Age: 30
Rodon has become one of the best pitchers in MLB over the last couple of seasons with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants. The southpaw opted out of his Giants contract to test the free agent waters and given how dominant he's been, he should be one of the highest-paid hurlers in the game.
UPDATE (Dec. 15): Rodon is signing a six-year contract with the Yankees.
8. Justin Verlander, RHP
Age: 40
Verlander has been one of the best stories of the 2022 season. In his return from Tommy John surgery, all the aging veteran has done is post a league-leading 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP through 24 starts. It's incredible what he continues to accomplish at this stage of his career, and a team will reward him for his efforts with a sizable deal this offseason.
UPDATE (Dec. 5): Verlander reportedly is joining the Mets on a two-year, $86 million deal.
9. Willson Contreras, C
Age: 30
Why the Chicago Cubs held on to Contreras at the trade deadline remains a mystery. The veteran catcher will be the most coveted backstop on the open market by far coming off his third All-Star season.
UPDATE (Dec. 9): Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
10. Edwin Diaz, RHP
Age: 29
Between his entrance and his performance in 2022, Diaz is one of the most electrifying players in baseball. The two-time All-Star has a career-best 1.38 ERA with an 0.90 WHIP and 29 saves through 52 appearances. He enters free agency as unquestionably the top bullpen arm available.
UPDATE (Nov. 6): The Mets are re-signing Diaz to a record-breaking five-year, $102 million contract, per USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale.
11. Dansby Swanson, SS
Age: 29
Swanson couldn't have picked a better time to have a career year. The Atlanta Braves star earned his first All-Star nod and is slashing .287/.342/.446 with 17 homers and 77 RBI through 131 games. He's positioned himself for a big payday along with the other star shortstops in the free agent class.
12. Clayton Kershaw, LHP
Age: 35
Kershaw has added another stellar year to his Hall of Fame resume with a 7-3 record and a 2.64 ERA through 15 starts. It's difficult to imagine Kershaw finishing his career with a team other than the Dodgers at this point.
UPDATE (Nov. 10): Kershaw is back with the Dodgers for 2023.
13. Jose Abreu, 1B
Age: 36
Age has yet to catch up with Abreu as the former American League MVP continues to rake for the Chicago White Sox. As of Thursday, he leads the AL in hits (151) and boasts a .840 OPS. He'll have no problem getting a lucrative deal with those numbers.
UPDATE (Nov. 28): Our John Tomase wrote about why the Red Sox shouldn't let Jose Abreu get away in free agency, but Abreu is signing a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros.
14. Josh Bell, 1B
Age: 30
Bell should be one of the most coveted first basemen in free agency this winter as a switch-hitter with power and the ability to get on base. He enjoyed an outstanding season with the Washington Nationals and while that success hasn't yet translated to San Diego, the Padres should still look to extend him.
UPDATE (Dec. 6): Bell is signing a two-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians.
15. Chris Bassitt, RHP
Age: 34
Bassitt declined his $19 million mutual option, which makes him one of the better pitchers available in a somewhat underwhelming market. The former Oakland A's right-hander proved with the Mets in 2022 he can be a rock-solid mid-rotation arm wherever he goes.
UPDATE (Dec. 12): Bassitt reportedly is joining the Blue Jays on a three-year contract.
16. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Age: 33
Rizzo's 30 homers so far this season marks his highest total since 2017. His .832 OPS is his highest since 2019. It's fair to assume both he and the Yankees will want to make another deal happen this winter.
UPDATE (Nov. 15): The Yankees announced they have re-signed Rizzo to a two-year deal.
17. Luis Severino, RHP
Age: 29
2023 club option: $15 million
Severino is enjoying a bounce-back season that should convince the Yankees to exercise his option as long as he stays healthy. In both of his full seasons, he has finished top 10 in Cy Young award voting.
UPDATE (Nov. 7): The Yankees have exercised Severino's club option.
18. Adam Wainwright, RHP
Age: 41
Wainwright just continues to produce in his 17th MLB season, all with the Cardinals. I wouldn't expect him to sign with a new team in free agency at this stage of his career.
UPDATE (Oct. 27): Wainwright is staying with the Cardinals for at least another season.
19. Brandon Nimmo, OF
Age: 30
Nimmo's career .385 OBP and stellar defense in center field will make him an attractive free agent this offseason. He's a refreshing talent in today's game, which is so dominated by the long ball.
UPDATE (Dec. 8): Nimmo is re-signing with the Mets on an eight-year, $162 million deal, per the New York Post.
20. Trey Mancini, 1B/OF
Age: 31
The move to Houston should help Mancini's free-agent stock this offseason. In 51 games with the World Series champs, the former Baltimore Oriole tallied eight homers but struggled with a .622 OPS.
21. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Age: 33
Injuries will forever be a giant question mark for Eovaldi but when he's healthy, he can anchor a pitching staff. The Boston Red Sox righty finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2021 and has shown flashes of that dominance when at full strength this season. That should be enough to entice the Red Sox front office to bring him back for 2023.
22. Andrew Benintendi, OF
Age: 28
Since being traded from the Red Sox to the Royals, Benintendi has refined his game to focus more on his contact and defense. It has paid dividends as he earned his first All-Star nod this season and is on pace to set a career-high in batting average.
UPDATE (Dec. 16): Benintendi reportedly is signing a five-year deal with the Chicago White Sox.
23. J.D. Martinez, DH
Age: 35
Was it simply a long slump, or are we starting to see a real decline for Martinez? The Red Sox DH has experienced a serious power outage this season with only 11 homers through 113 games. His 36 doubles are worth noting, but the lack of power could scare some teams off -- including Boston -- this offseason.
24. Charlie Morton, RHP
Age: 39
Morton can still pitch at a high level as he approaches his 40s, but is his production worth $20 million next season? The Braves will have to make that decision before the free agency begins.
UPDATE (Oct. 7): Morton and the Braves agreed to a $20 million deal for 2023.
25. Kenley Jansen, RHP
Age: 35
Jansen's first season in Atlanta has mostly been a success. The former Dodgers star has a league-high 30 saves and a 3.22 FIP through 49 appearances. Also impressive is his 12.0 SO/9, his second-highest mark since 2017.
UPDATE (Dec. 7): Jansen and the Red Sox have agreed to a two-year, $32 million contract.