MLB Free Agency Update: Who's Gone Where, and Who's Left to Sign?

Image © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

✍️ Written by :

Frank Weber

🗓 Updated :

Aug 23rd 2023

It’s been a crazy few days for baseball fans, as we’ve seen some of the top free agents on the market already sign with teams that may have been a bit less than expected. It’s hard to believe that even with the list of players below there are still names like Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, and Nicholas Castellanos still left on the market--but for now, here’s a rundown of all the free agency signings various MLB teams have made.

Texas Rangers

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Texas Rangers were able to add some serious talent to their hurting roster by signing SS Corey Seager, 2B Marcus Semien, and SP Jon Gray. All three are signed to a combined 21 year, 556 million dollar contract--with Seager eating the brunt of that with a 10yr/$325mil deal. Semien signed to a 7yr/$175 mil deal, and Jon Gray signed a 4yr/$56mil contract. This is exactly what Rangers fans wanted to see after their 102 loss campaign in 2021, and it was a bit expected seeing how the Rangers came into the offseason with only $28 million committed to contracts.

Despite these additions, the Rangers still need a lot of help--their pitching staff is still one of the worst in the league, and besides their two new additions to their lineup, they still severely lack both power and contact. It’ll be interesting to see how the Rangers close out the offseason, but regardless they should see a significant improvement on their 60 win season last year.

New York Mets

It was reported on Saturday that the Mets had signed star Centerfielder Starling Marte, and added on OF/1B Mark Canha and 3B Eduardo Escobar. Just these three signings were a shining moment for Mets fans, who have seen offseasons fly by without any significant changes to the roster more times than they’d like to admit. Mets Owner Steve Cohen then said the attention was shifted to the pitching staff, where I’ll be honest, I thought they would maybe grab a few mid-rotation guys and hope for the best.

Oh boy, was I wrong.

Yesterday, news broke of 3-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer signing a 3yr/$130mil contract with the Amazin’ Mets--and all of a sudden the Mets have a dangerous team. If Francisco Lindor can bounce back--and if they can find someone else to shift into the outfield--then the Mets are a real World Series contender.

Los Angeles Angels

We knew the Angels were going to make a splash this offseason, seeing as they have been practically wasting the careers of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani by surrounding them with decent hitting yet an awful pitching staff. Well, the Angels addressed their rotation by signing two former Mets, SP Noah Syndergaard and RP Aaron Loup. Syndergaard is coming off of almost two full seasons of not playing due to injury, so there’s no knowing what you’ll get from him. Loup, on the other hand, was the Mets’ best reliever last season and would be a terrific addition to any bullpen.

The Angels also bolstered their bench a bit by trading almost nothing for Yankees 2B Tyler Wade, but I expect them to make a bit more of a splash and sign a few more hitters in the coming weeks.

The Seattle Mariners

The Mariners first made their presence known this offseason by trading for Padres 2B Adam Frazier, who had his first all-star season last year. Frazier is under contract for only $7 million this year, and becomes a free agent after the 2022 season. Turning 30 this December, Frazier is set to play a super-utility role for the Mariners, especially if the Mariners are looking to sign another big infielder in the coming weeks.

Seattle didn’t stop there, though. It was just released yesterday that the Mariners and last season Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray have agreed to a 5yr/$115 deal. The Mariners will look towards Ray to help them snap out of their playoff drought, and is set to be the first Mariners ace since Felix Hernandez.

Detroit Tigers

Breaking just a few minutes ago, the Detroit Tigers are reported to have reached a deal with former Met and Cub SS/2B Javier Baez. The deal, which is a 6yr/$150mil deal, is the second move the Tigers made this offseason, having already signed SP Eduardo Rodriguez almost two weeks ago. Still being connected to SS Carlos Correa, the Tigers are looking to take a page out of the Rangers playbook and are trying to revamp their roster have a less than average season.

While Baez struck out a league-high 184 times, he brings a lot of power and a gold glove to a Detroit Tigers lineup that can take all the help it can get.