This was supposed to be the last semi-stable winter of free agency for Major League Baseball.
Sure, the veteran player has been an endangered species for several years now. Clubs disinclined to compete have slowed the market, though now there are more takers than there are tankers.
And the labor war that’s been brewing for years doesn’t officially settle in until next December, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
Yet the effects of the novel coronavirus that cut the 2020 season down to 60 games will impact off-season movement far beyond the mere act of cancelling December’s winter meetings. Losses estimated in the multi-billions by MLB aren’t nearly as daunting as unpredictive revenues in 2021, when no or partial attendance is expected, in addition to potentially permanent changes in fan behavior.
USA TODAY Sports’ ranking of the top free agents available is even more volatile than ever, what with dozens more players likely hitting the market in December after they are non-tendered. The market will likely move in fits and starts, some veterans leaping at early offers to ensure a job, dozens of others likely not hearing the phone ring until the new year.
It’s all exacerbated by a class short on elite players, clouding the concept of “market value” once you get past the top dozen or so. With that, here’s a look at our top 81 free agents available, from the very elite to those with a reasonable shot at landing a major league contract. Rankings based on projected future performance and perceived market value:
(Age as of April 1, 2021; 2020 team)
***
1. George Springer (31, OF, Astros): He salvaged a rough start to the shortened season to reach his usual levels in on-base percentage (.359) and OPS (.899), then proved Playoff George is real by hitting four homers and driving in 10 runs, all away from Minute Maid Park. He’s on the old end for a first-time free agent, and his future is likely at a corner outfield spot, but he’s the best option for instant and consistent offense and should receive a nine-figure deal. SIGNED: Six years, $150 million with Blue Jays, Jan. 19
2. Trevor Bauer (30, RHP, Reds): Every facet of Bauer’s career has been unique and free agency should be no different, evidenced by his social media charm campaign even before the playoffs ended. Bauer has gone from curiosity to innovator to, now, the best pitcher on the market after leading the NL in ERA (1.73), hits per nine (5.1) and adjusted ERA (276). SIGNED: Three years, $102 million with Dodgers, Feb. 5
3. J.T. Realmuto (30, C, Phillies): The Phillies gave up a No. 1 starter to acquire him. The Nationals have long wanted him. The Mets tried dealing for him two years ago and now have a deep-pocketed owner itchy to make a splash. Yes, in the NL East alone, there’s a significant market for Realmuto, whose receiving ability, on-base acumen and leadership qualities will combine to make him the richest catcher ever in free agency. SIGNED: Five years, $115.5 million with Phillies, Jan. 26.
4. DJ LeMahieu (31, 2B, Yankees): That he only received a two-year, $ 24 million contract in his last free agent go-round is more an indictment of the market two years ago than LeMahieu’s skills. Since then, he’s become the most valuable player on the richest team in baseball and the only player in the modern era to win a batting title in both leagues. The Yankees will have to dig deeper this time if they want to retain him. SIGNED: Six years, $90 million with Yankees, Jan. 15
5. Marcus Semien (30, SS, Athletics): An interesting test case for what matters more: The recent but limited-sample 60-game season or a 2019 campaign that saw Semien finish third in the AL MVP race thanks to 33 home runs and an .892 OPS. He batted .223 in 2020 and his adjusted OPS fell from 139 to 91. Yet Semien represents a strong, more economic alternative to the epic 2021 shortstop class (Javy Baez, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Carlos Correa), providing stability up the middle and atop a batting order. SIGNED: One year, $18 million with Blue Jays, Jan. 26.
6. Marcus Stroman (29, RHP, Mets): Stroman did not pitch this season after suffering a calf injury and then opting out of the remainder of the season Aug. 10, leaving a strong if uneven track record for suitors to evaluate. Stroman is a fierce competitor capable of suppressing the home-run ball (0.8 per nine innings in his career) and posted adjusted ERAs of 145 and 137 in 2017 and ’19, two of the roughest pitching environments this century. While shy of No. 1 starter status, he’s surpassed 200 innings twice in his career and still has upside. SIGNED: Accepted one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer from Mets, Nov. 11.
7. Marcell Ozuna (30, OF, Braves): A monster 2020, including playoffs, and the lack of a qualifying offer ensures this free agency will be much more lucrative for Ozuna. He led the NL in homers (18), RBI (56) and total bases (145) while batting .338; he followed that up by driving in nine runs in the NLDS and NLCS, regaining his status as a feared middle-of-the-lineup presence. With the permanent DH lurking and no draft-pick compensation required to sign him, Ozuna will greatly exceed the one-year, $18 million pact the Braves gave him a year ago. SIGNED: Four years, $65 million with Braves, Feb. 5.
8. Justin Turner (36, 3B, Dodgers): The Dodgers guaranteed him $64 million over four years after 2016, and he repaid them in kind, with two top-15 MVP seasons, an All-Star campaign and a 2020 season in which he slashed .307/.400/.460 and helped them to a World Series title. Though he exhibited dubious judgment in appearing on the field after a positive COVID-19 test during Game 6, Turner remains a valued clubhouse leader, gifted defensively and should be worth a strong short-term investment for a contending club – perhaps even back in L.A. SIGNED: Two years, $34 million with Dodgers, Feb. 13.
9. Masahiro Tanaka (32, RHP, Yankees): There’s not many Yankees out there less appreciated than Tanaka, who was rarely spectacular yet highly dependable in seven seasons in the Bronx. The two-time All-Star posted a career 3.74 ERA that dipped to 3.33, including a 0.98 WHIP, in 10 playoff starts. If nothing else, the pitching-poor Yankees badly need him back, lest they put too much faith in young starters Deivi Garcia, Jordan Montgomery and Clarke Schmidt to fill the void behind Gerrit Cole. But they did not extend Tanaka a qualifying offer, which enhances his value on the open market. SIGNED: Two years with Rakuten Golden Eagles, Jan. 28.
10. Nelson Cruz (40, DH, Twins): It appears Cruz will let us know when he’s done. He hit 57 home runs in 173 games with Minnesota, proving no park is too big for him, and could see the market open up for him with the universal DH on the horizon. His .876 career OPS ranks 15th among active players. SIGNED: One year, $13 million with Twins, Feb. 3.
11. Michael Brantley (33, OF, Astros): They call him Dr. Smooth, but Ageless Raker might be more apropos at this point. He’s roared into his 30s, with four seasons in which his batting average landed between .299 and .311 and his OPS ranged from .801 to .875, while never striking out more than 66 times. Those skills are far harder to come by in this three-true outcomes era, and a playoff contender will bet at least three years that he’ll keep it up. SIGNED: Two years, $32 million with Astros, Jan. 20.
12. Liam Hendriks (32, RHP, Athletics): The fearless Aussie has the stuff and the flexibility to meet any modern team’s relief needs. Hendriks converted 39 of 46 save opportunities the past two seasons, with his strikeouts per nine innings (13.1) and strikeout-walk ratio (12.3) hitting elite levels in 2020. SIGNED: Four years, $54 million with White Sox, Jan. 11.
13. Andrelton Simmons (31, SS, Angels): He won a pair of Gold Gloves and was an above-average offensive performer in 2017-18, but regressed more toward an all-field, adequate-bat guy the past two seasons. Simmons went homerless this season in 118 at-bats before opting out in the season’s final week. Still a special defender, but with so many total packages at the position, he’ll fall short of a massive payday. SIGNED: One year, $10.5 million with Twins, Jan. 26.
14. Didi Gregorius (31, SS, Phillies): Few have navigated the one-year “pillow contract” game better than Gregorius, who played in all 60 games, posted a career high in OBP (.339) and hit 10 home runs, equaling the output of Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson and Tim Anderson. He will have a nice, multiyear landing somewhere. SIGNED: Two years, $28 million with Phillies, Jan. 30.
15. Charlie Morton (37, RHP, Rays): With his $15 million option from the hometown Rays declined, Morton will consider whether to play in 2021, though there will be ample suitors for one of the most respected pitchers in the game. Morton could not match his Cy Young-caliber 2019 campaign, missing some time with a shoulder injury, but went 3-0 against the Yankees and Astros in the playoffs. SIGNED: One year, $15 million with Braves, Nov. 24.
16. Kevin Gausman (30, RHP, Giants): He’ll be a fascinating case study among free agents after a strong season of reinvention with the Giants, for whom he posted a 1.11 WHIP and struck out 79 in 59 2/3 innings; they surprisingly tendered him the $18.9 million qualifying offer. Be it as a starter, “bulk” pitcher or some combo in between, Gausman remains a potentially dominant force when deployed properly. SIGNED: Accepted one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer from Giants, Nov. 11.
17. Joc Pederson (28, OF, Dodgers): Pederson salvaged a grim season with yet another fantastic playoff, going 11 for 28 (.393) with two big home runs in the NLCS and World Series. Just one year removed from a 36-homer season, Pederson is best enjoyed as the lefty half of a platoon (he’s .191/.266/.310 lifetime against lefties) and could be a powerful addition to a contender. SIGNED: One year, $7 million with Cubs, Jan. 29.
18. Jon Lester (37, LHP, Cubs): Who says long-term deals for pitchers don’t work out? Lester’s six-year, $155 million pact with the Cubs saw him win 77 games and post a 3.64 ERA over 1,002 innings, not including that little run to the 2016 World Series. He was hit harder in 12 2020 starts, giving up a career-high 1.6 homers per nine innings with a 5.16 ERA. But he retains significant value as a back-end guy for a contending team, a lefty who missed virtually no starts in six years with Chicago. SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Nationals
19. James McCann (30, C, White Sox): Nudged aside for Yasmani Grandal behind the plate, McCann’s seven home runs in 97 at-bats nearly equaled Grandal’s eight in 161. A 2019 All-Star, McCann’s off-season pitch framing work resulted in him cracking the top 10 in Statcast’s catcher framing leaderboard. An attractive right-handed piece of a catching timeshare. SIGNED: Four years, approximately $40 million with Mets, Dec. 12
20. Jackie Bradley Jr. (30, CF, Red Sox): Always an elite defender, Bradley picked a fine year to post career highs in batting average (.283) and OBP (.364). His value will always lie in his ability to go get the ball; only Kevin Kiermaier and Lorenzo Cain grade higher over the past three years than Bradley among center fielders in FanGraph’s overall defensive rating. SIGNED: Two years, $24 million with Brewers, March 4.
21. Adam Wainwright (39, RHP, Cardinals): He’ll turn 40 before next year’s playoffs, rendering him little more than a hired gun in 2021, yet a startling 2020 renaissance should have plenty of contenders seeking his services. Wainwright’s two complete games (one of seven innings) were tops in the NL, and his 1.05 WHIP and 137 adjusted ERA were his best since 2014, when he finished third in Cy Young voting. A return to the Cardinals makes sense, as would a reunion with the Braves, who drafted him in 2000. Twenty years later, Waino can still stabilize a staff. SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Cardinals, Jan. 28.
22. Alex Colomé (32, RHP, White Sox): Colome doesn’t miss many bats for a closer – just 16 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings this year – but that doesn’t stop him from locking down the ninth inning. He’s converted 101 of 116 save chances the past four years, an 87% conversion rate that will endear him to clubs that still prefer a more traditional bullpen setup. SIGNED: One year, $6.25 million with Twins, Feb. 3
23. Tommy La Stella (32, 2B, Athletics): A defensively versatile, on-base machine is always in demand, and La Stella reached at a .370 clip for the Angels and A’s this season. SIGNED: Three years, approximately $19 million with Giants, Jan. 27.
24. James Paxton (32, LHP, Yankees): Yet another mystery item, as agent Scott Boras has said Paxton is back to normal after February back surgery and a forearm flexor strain limited Paxton to five starts. He won 15 games for the Yankees in 2019, and so the pattern of tempting upside combined with vexing injury troubles continues for a pitcher who has never pitched more than 160 innings. SIGNED: One year, $8.5 million with Mariners, Feb. 13.
25. Brad Hand (30, LHP, Indians): The Indians declined his $10 million 2021 option, but there’s a decent chance Hand exceeds that, at least in total value, on the open market. He led the AL with 16 saves, had a 0.77 WHIP and did not give up a home run in 22 innings. SIGNED: One year, $10.5 million with Nationals, Jan. 24.
26. Mark Melancon (36, RHP, Braves): Melancon experienced a nice mini-renaissance these past two seasons, converting 23 of 25 save chances with the Giants and Braves, although his strikeout rate fell from 9.1 per nine innings last year to 5.6 this year. His value will depend on whether clubs will deem him a closer or a “guy who pitches the ninth inning.” SIGNED: One year, $3 million with Padres, Feb. 12
27. Trevor Rosenthal (30, RHP, Padres): Feeling lucky? Rosenthal’s 2020 was as dominant as his ’19 was disastrous. The man who walked a staggering 26 in 15 1/3 innings suddenly turned into Mr. Precision, posting a 0.85 WHIP, 38 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings and the best walks per nine innings (3.0) since his rookie season of 2013. That dominance is hard to come by, but a multiyear commitment won’t be for the risk-averse. SIGNED: One year, $11 million with Athletics, Feb. 18
28. Kiké Hernández (29, INF/OF, Dodgers): It’s not often a .240 lifetime hitter gets as much October airtime as political attack ads, but for the past six years, Hernandez kept finding himself in the middle of huge playoff moments for the Dodgers. This year, it was his game-tying homer in Game 7 of the NLCS. In another era, a club would overbid on him, try to make him an everyday player and everyone would go home miserable. In this era, a team will follow the Dodgers’ blueprint for usage and get themselves a highly useful utility player – he can play anywhere except catcher – who doesn’t shrink from any moment. SIGNED: Two years, $14 million with Red Sox, Jan. 24.
29. Drew Smyly (31, LHP, Giants): Is Smyly’s long climb back from missing the 2017-18 seasons complete? He was fantastic in a seven-game run for the Giants, striking out 42 in 26 1/3 innings and nearly pitching them into the playoffs on the season’s final day. Yet another intriguing risk-reward play. SIGNED: One year, $11 million with Braves, Nov. 16.
30. Kevin Pillar (32, OF, Rockies): Still a premium defender, Pillar’s lot these days seems to be best player on a bad team. He did not have a job until mid-February and then was a rare bright spot on a horrid Red Sox team before he was flipped to Colorado. The modern off-season rhythm suggests Pillar will sign very late, once again, yet also please the team that does sign him. SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Mets, Feb. 15.
31. César Hernández (30, 2B, Indians): Led the AL with 20 doubles and posted a .355 OBP, boosting his career mark to .352. Nothing dazzling about Hernandez, but he’s a capable defender who gets on base and can move the line along near the top of the order. SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Indians, Jan. 26.
32. Garrett Richards (32, RHP, Padres): San Diego’s two-year investment in Richards’ Tommy John surgery recovery was a partial success: He capably covered 51 1/3 innings this year for a playoff team, with a 4.03 ERA over 14 appearances. Richards is five years removed from his last season making more than 16 starts, which means he may have to settle for another short-term deal this winter. SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Red Sox, Jan. 23.
33. Rich Hill (41, LHP, Twins): A modern marvel, Hill returned from nine months on the shelf after a complicated elbow procedure and spun his curveball to the tune of a 1.16 WHIP and 3.03 ERA over eight starts. All indications are he wants to keep going. SIGNED: One year, $2.5 million with Rays, Feb. 12.
34. Kolten Wong (30, 2B, Cardinals): It was mildly surprising the Cardinals declined Wong’s $12.5 million 2021 option, setting loose a 2019 Gold Glove winner who reached base at a .358 clip the past two seasons. But Wong offers little power and is a league-average offensive performer roughly every other year. SIGNED: Two years, $18 million with Brewers, Feb. 3.
35. Taijuan Walker (28, RHP, Blue Jays): This shortened season was arguably the best of Walker’s inconsistent and injury-plagued career, producing a 1.16 WHIP in 11 starts and prompting Toronto to acquire him for its playoff push. Yet another scenario where a club must wager on Walker’s significant upside, even as he’ll be four years removed from his last season pitching more than 53 innings. SIGNED: Two years, $20 million with Mets, Feb. 19.
36. Blake Treinen (32, RHP, Dodgers): Treinen couldn’t quite come all the way back from a disastrous 2019 that followed an epic 2018 All-Star season, but did show a modicum of reliability in posting a 3.86 ERA. Can he ever regain the form that saw him punch out 11 batters per nine innings in ’18? Perhaps not, but he’ll still occupy a late-inning slot for somebody. SIGNED: Two years, $17.5 million with Dodgers, Jan. 5.
37. Jurickson Profar (28, INF/OF, Padres): Profar may not have the track record of Kike’ Hernandez or Tommy La Stella, but his relative youth may make him the best bet in the super utility category. He grooved with the Padres, posting his best OBP (.343) and adjusted OPS (113) of his career, and played five defensive positions. SIGNED: Three years, $21 million with Padres, Jan. 22.
38. José Quintana (32, LHP, Cubs): A kitchen accident limited Quintana to four appearances, so evaluators must ruminate on a 2019 that saw his ERA soar to 4.68, but his Fielding Independent Pitching drop to 3.80. Quintana will be five years removed from his lone All-Star season and won’t strike out 207 again as he did in 2017. He’ll still make a fine mid-rotation lefty for somebody. SIGNED: One year, $8 million with Angels, Jan. 20.
39. Trevor May (31, RHP, Twins): It never hurts to have a late-ish innings guy who struck out 12.2 per nine innings the past three seasons. Command has been the issue for May; greater home run and walk avoidance would enhance his value. SIGNED: Two years, $15.5 million with Mets, Dec. 2.
40. J.A. Happ (38, LHP, Yankees): A sour finish to Happ’s season – a grim and series-turning appearance as a “bulk guy” in Game 2 of the ALDS – clouded a 2020 in which he posted a 1.05 WHIP over nine starts. Back-end, innings-eating lefties never die. SIGNED: One year, $8 million with Twins, Jan. 22.
41. Jonathan Schoop (29, 2B, Tigers): After bottoming out with a .682 OPS in 2018, Schoop continued a gentle resurgence by posting a .799 OPS and again reestablished himself as better than a league-average performer. He’s a long way from the 32-homer All-Star of 2017, but still has some pop. SIGNED: One year, $4.5 million with Tigers, Feb. 5.
42. Yadier Molina (38, C, Cardinals): Will teams bid on the catcher who produced an 81 adjusted OPS and career-worst .303 OBP while making a pro-rated $20 million in 2020? Or will they bid on Yadi, possible Hall of Famer? That’s a question the Cardinals first must answer in a market where catchers are once again plentiful. SIGNED: One year, $9 million with Cardinals, Feb. 8.
43. Jeremy Jeffress (33, RHP, Cubs): Quite a ride for Jeffress, from Brewers All-Star in 2018 to 5.02 ERA in 2019 to Cubs closer in 2020, when he posted a 0.94 WHIP despite a career-worst 1.42 strikeout-walk ratio. SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Nationals, Feb. 22 – released on March 7.
44. Corey Kluber (34, RHP, Rangers): The two-time Cy Young winner pitched just one inning this year before tearing a muscle in the back of his shoulder. He’s been cleared to pitch, and likely will fall into the incentive-laden, short-term category. SIGNED: One year, $11 million with Yankees
45. Brandon Kintzler (36, RHP, Marlins): Miami declined his $4 million 2021 option even though Kintzler provided significant guts and glory to a COVID-stricken team that rallied for a surprise playoff berth. Kintzler converted 12 of 14 save chances, but 11 walks and just 14 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings gives some pause that that rate is sustainable. SIGNED: Minor-league contract with Phillies, Feb. 10
46. Tony Watson (35, LHP, Giants): Watson was undaunted in the first year of the three-batter minimum, holding right-handed hitters to a .573 OPS and lefty batters to .564 while producing an overall WHIP of 0.89. SIGNED: Minor-league contract with Phillies, Feb. 17.
47. Greg Holland (35, RHP, Royals): You can go home again. Over 28 games, Holland produced his best season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015, striking out 31 in 28 1/3 innings, with just one home run given up. SIGNED: One year, $2.75 million with Royals, Dec. 14
48. Darren O’Day (38, RHP, Braves): Slingers live forever, evidenced by O’Day’s 0.80 WHIP and 1.10 ERA this season, followed by scoreless outings in four of his five playoff appearances. Tuck him between pure gas in the late innings and watch the magic unfurl. SIGNED: One year, $2.45 million with Yankees, Jan. 27.
49. Brett Anderson (33, LHP, Brewers): Has eased into the itinerant innings-eating stage of his career, with his ceiling somewhere around the 3.89 ERA over 176 innings he produced for Oakland in 2019. SIGNED: One year, $2.5 million with Brewers, Feb.16.
50. Adam Eaton (32, OF, Nationals): An injury-riddled 2020 season belies a career .360 OBP and a 25-double, 15-homer, 15-steal 2019 campaign on a World Series-winning club. SIGNED: One year, $7 million (2022 option) with White Sox, Dec. 8.
51. Pedro Báez (33, RHP, Dodgers): Fun fact: Baez has pitched in more postseason games (31) than Clayton Kershaw has made postseason starts (30). Baez has never had an ERA worse than 3.35 and sports a career WHIP of 1.10. Immediately available for your seventh- and eighth-inning needs. SIGNED: Two years, $10 million with Astros, Jan. 13.
52. Yusmeiro Petit (36, RHP, Athletics): Better with age? Petit’s 1.66 ERA in 2020 was the best of his 13-year career, coming one season after appearing in a career-high 80 games. SIGNED: One year, $2.55 million, with Athletics, Feb. 14.
53. Aaron Loup (33, LHP, Rays): Benefited greatly from the Rays’ acumen for pitcher usage, posting the best WHIP (0.84) of his career and best ERA (2.52) since 2013. Did not yield a homer to a left-handed batter, holding them to a .212 average. Righties batted .192 but with three homers in 52 at-bats. SIGNED: One year, $3 million with Mets, Jan. 27.
54. Shane Greene (32, RHP, Braves): An All-Star closer in Detroit and a reliable late-inning guy in Atlanta, though declining strikeout rate (9.2 per nine innings in ’19, 6.8 in ’20) and strikeout-walk ratio (3.76, 2.33) may line him up for a lower-leverage slot in 2021.
55. Alex Wood (30, LHP, Dodgers): A respected veteran plagued by injuries the past two seasons, Wood ended 2020 on a high note with two crucial, scoreless relief outings in the World Series. While it’s questionable whether he’ll enjoy good health over a full season, Wood remains a valuable swingman in an era when clubs appreciate versatility on their staffs. SIGNED: One year, $3 million with Giants, Jan. 14
56. Robbie Grossman (31, OF, Athletics): Useful, switch-hitting corner outfielder who produced a career-best 130 adjusted OPS this season. SIGNED: Two years, $10 million with Tigers, Jan. 5.
57. Tyler Clippard (36, RHP, Twins): Has not saved a game since 2018 but keeps putting up high-leverage zeroes while punching out a batter an inning the past two years with Cleveland and Minnesota. SIGNED: One year, $2.25 million with Diamondbacks, Feb. 26
58. Mike Fiers (35, RHP, Athletics): He can still consume innings, even if the quality with which he does so has diminished. SIGNED: One year, $3.5 million with Athletics, Feb. 6.
59. Carlos Santana (34, 1B/DH, Indians): It’s tough to lead the league in walks yet finish below league average as a hitter. That’s how 2020 went for Santana, who batted a career-worst .199, a season removed from an All-Star appearance. Could be reinvigorated with a DH expansion to the NL. SIGNED: Two years, $17.5 million with Royals, Dec. 8
60. Robbie Ray (29, LHP, Blue Jays): Ray’s swing-and-miss skills will always lure clubs into hoping they can recreate 2015, when Ray made the All-Star team, won 15 games with a 2.89 ERA and struck out 218 in 162 innings. The strikeouts are still there – he averages 11 per nine innings for his career – but that’s about it: Ray walked a staggering 31 in 31 innings with Arizona before they dealt him to Toronto in August. SIGNED: One year, $8 million with Blue Jays, Nov. 7.
61. Tommy Hunter (34, RHP, Phillies): Showed he was recovered from a torn flexor tendon that ended his 2019 season, posting 25 strikeouts to six walks in 24 2/3 innings. Sufficiently seasoned and affable to fill the salty veteran reliever role on any squad. SIGNED: Minor-league contract with Mets, Feb. 14.
62. Kirby Yates (34, RHP, Padres): His 41 saves led the NL in 2019, but bone chips in his right elbow required season-ending surgery after six largely ineffective outings. The recovery rate is very good after such a procedure, but Yates’ age and a market flooded with right-handed arms may make 2021 a year to reestablish his value. SIGNED: One year, $5.5 million with Blue Jays, Jan. 19
63. Nick Markakis (37, OF, Braves): Sitting on 2,388 hits after a 2020 in which he opted out and back in, and then produced career lows in average (.254), OBP (.312) and OPS (.704). Whether he returns in 2021 remains an open question on both sides of the equation. RETIRED
64. Mike Zunino (30, C, Rays): Batted .161 in his two years with Tampa Bay, but hit .300 with a pair of home runs in their ALCS conquest of Houston. A consummate glue guy who figures to intangible his way to a major league deal. SIGNED: One year, $3 million with Rays, Dec. 17.
65 Joakim Soria (36, RHP, Athletics): After 732 big league appearances, Soria can still put up zeroes and for the past five years has struck out more than a batter per inning. SIGNED: One year, $3.5 million with Diamondbacks, Feb. 3.
66. Asdrúbal Cabrera (35, INF, Nationals): Cabrera can still slug and play the corner infield spots competently. Replace Cabrera types with unproven players at your own risk. SIGNED: One year, $1.75 million with Diamondbacks, Feb. 12
67. Brad Miller (31, INF, Cardinals): Miller has graced five teams with his presence over the past four years, but all he did in St. Louis was tie for the team lead with seven home runs and rank second in OBP (.357). Useful until determined otherwise. SIGNED: One year, $3 million with Phillies, Feb. 12.
68. Cole Hamels (37, LHP, Braves): Shoulder problems dogged Hamels throughout 2020, from spring training to camp re-start and then limiting him to just one appearance before he shut it down.
69. Rick Porcello (32, RHP, Mets): The gap between Porcello’s ERA (a career-worst 5.64) and his FIP (a reasonable 3.33) was massive, perhaps portending a season less ghastly than it appears. He also made all 12 of his starts and completed six innings in half of them; someone will pay him to gobble those innings in 2021.
70. Howie Kendrick (37, 1B/DH, Nationals): The 2019 playoff hero was limited to 20 games by a hamstring injury and it’s possible the career .294 hitter may call it a career, although he indicated a preference to go out in a year less disrupted by pandemic and injury. RETIRED: Announced Dec. 21
71. Anthony Bass (33, RHP, Blue Jays): It took Bass nearly a decade to accrue the service time necessary for free agency after his 2011 debut. Posted a WHIP of 1.06 over parts of the last three seasons with Seattle, the Cubs and Toronto. SIGNED: Two years, $5 million with Marlins, Jan. 22.
72. Junior Guerra (36, RHP, Diamondbacks): Can serve capably as your fifth-, sixth- or seventh-inning guy. SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Angels, Jan. 30.
73. Jason Kipnis (33, 2B, Cubs): A two-time All-Star who’s now league average by various definitions, Kipnis acquitted himself well in his Chicago homecoming, but will face a crowded market at his position. SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Braves, Feb. 15
74. Jake McGee (34, LHP, Dodgers): A nice bounceback after scuffling to a 4.78 ERA over four seasons in Colorado, McGee had a 0.84 WHIP and, oddly, held righties to a .135 average, lefties a .304 average. SIGNED: Two years, $7 million with Giants, Feb. 9.
75. Brad Boxberger (32, RHP, Marlins): Two years removed from a 32-save season, Boxberger was a reliable if not particularly dominant member of the Marlins’ bullpen over 18 innings. SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Brewers, Feb. 14.
76. Kurt Suzuki (37, C, Nationals): Provides league-average offense and second-tier pitch-framing, according to MLB Statcast. Hit two homers in 33 games after hitting 17 in 85 in 2019. SIGNED: One year, $1.5 million with Angels, Jan. 20.
77. Justin Wilson (33, LHP, Mets): Posted a 1.35 WHIP in two years with the Mets. His ERA ticked up from 2.54 to 3.66 in 2020, the first year of the three-batter minimum. SIGNED: One-year deal with Yankees, Feb. 15.
78. Matt Joyce (36, OF, Marlins): His power comes and goes – last year it went, with two homers and a .331 slugging percentage – but Joyce remains a functional platoon dude, getting on base at a .370 rate against right-handers and .351 overall. SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Phillies, Feb. 10.
79. Sean Doolittle (34, LHP, Nationals): Two years removed from an All-Star season and one after leading the NL with 55 games finished, Doolittle hit a rough patch in 2020, suffering an oblique injury and working just 7 2/3 innings. The man with a knack for reinvention was aiming for another such act this winter. SIGNED: One year, $1.5 million with Reds, Feb. 2.
80. Brandon Workman (32, RHP, Phillies): The truncated 2020 season did not agree with Workman, who went from a 10-1 record, 16 saves and a 1.88 ERA with Boston to a combined 5.95 ERA and 2.23 WHIP with the Red Sox and Phillies. A curious reclamation project, at least. SIGNED: One year, $1 million with Cubs, Feb. 17.
81. Wilson Ramos (33, C, Mets): He went from a 2.2-WAR player to replacement level in his two seasons in Queens, but Ramos should still be able to find a guaranteed gig sharing time behind the plate. SIGNED: One year, $2 million with Tigers, Jan. 26.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top MLB free agents: Ranking the 2020-21 class