Predicting Where The Remaining Marquee MLB Free Agents Will Play in 2023
It feels like the MLB free agency floodgates were opened out of nowhere, and now that they’re open, there’s no closing them. It seems like we are presented with huge free agency news every day, all seemingly starting with Jacob DeGrom’s signing with the Texas Rangers. If you need a recap as to which stars have signed where so far this offseason, here it is:
- Willson Contreras, Catcher: Signed 5yr/$87.5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals
- Jose Abreu, First Base: Signed 3yr/$58 million deal with the Houston Astros
- Anthony Rizzo, First Base: Signed 2yr/$40 million deal with the New York Yankees
- Josh Bell, First Base: Signed 2yr/$33 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians
- Trea Turner, Shortstop: Signed 11yr/$300 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies
- Xander Bogaerts, Shortstop: Signed 11yr/$280 million deal with the San Diego Padres
- Brandon Nimmo, Center Field: Signed 8yr/$162 million deal with the New York Mets
- Cody Bellinger, Center Field: Signed 1yr/$17.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs
- Aaron Judge, Right Field: Signed 9yr/$360 million deal with the New York Yankees
- Mitch Haniger, Right Field: Signed 3yr/$43.5 million deal with the San Fransisco Giants
- Clayton Kershaw, Starter: Signed 1yr/$20 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jacob DeGrom, Starter: Signed 5yr/$185 million deal with the Texas Rangers
- Tyler Anderson, Starter: Signed 3yr/$39 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels
- Justin Verlander, Starter: Signed 2yr/$86.7 million deal with the New York Mets
- Jose Quintana, Starter: Signed 2yr/$26 million deal with the New York Mets
- Jameson Taillon, Starter: Signed 4yr/$68 million deal with the Chicago Cubs
- Taijuan Walker, Starter: Signed 4yr/$72 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies
- Mike Clevinger, Starter: Signed 1yr/$12 million deal with the Chicago White Sox
- Edwin Diaz, Closer: Signed 5yr/$102 million deal with the New York Mets
- Kenley Jansen, Closer: Signed 2yr/$32 million deal with the Boston Red Sox
Wow, that was a lot more than I expected. The craziest part about all of this? There are still a lot of all-star caliber players that have yet to sign. Since free agency signings have huge World Series future odds implications, it’s important to take a look at who can go where, because one big signing can impact a team's odds greatly. You can bet on the World Series through any of these online casinos, and odds are updated almost daily.
If you want to try and sneak in a future bet before your team snags a top-tier talent, I encourage you to do so. If you want some tips as to who could end up where before you place that wager, then keep reading. Here are where I think the remaining marquee free agents will play in 2023.
Carlos Correa, Shortstop: Boston Red Sox
After having just lost out on Xander Bogaerts, I think the Red Sox will be looking to get right back on track by signing Correa. The Red Sox have already made it clear that they are spenders this offseason, bolstering their bullpen with Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Joely Rodriguez. They could continue to make a splash–and a big one at that–by locking up Correa in what should be a monster deal. They reportedly offered Bogaerts a 6yr/$168 million deal, so it’s clear that they still have some money to spend–and they aren’t afraid to spend it. However, I think Correa’s deal would have to be more in the 7yr/$210 million range.
Dansby Swanson, Shortstop: Los Angeles Dodgers
Other than resigning Kershaw, the Dodgers have been relatively quiet so far this offseason, and I think that’s because they are going to make a big push for Dansby Swanson. By signing Swanson, the Dodgers will be able to play Gavin Lux at his natural position, second base, thus pushing Chris Taylor to his natural position as well, left field. Also, you must remember who is the first baseman for the Dodgers–former Atlanta Brave first baseman Freddie Freeman. I think Swanson is such a natural fit in LA and would be surprised if he signed anywhere else.
Joey Gallo, Left Field: Tampa Bay Rays
Joey Gallo became a bit of a cult hero once he went to LA last season, but I expect his time in LA to remain a short stint. I think the Rays are a great fit for Gallo, who obviously prefers smaller market teams. The Yankees fanbase destroyed Gallo, so going to a team that maybe has 12 fans tops (and that’s generous) could really benefit the streaky power hitter. And speaking of power, the Rays lineup is in desperate need of a big bat, seeing as how they only had two players last season hit over 11 home runs (Paredes and Arozarena both hit 20).
Carlos Rodon, Starting Pitcher: New York Yankees
Now I’m not sure where they’re getting this money from, but in the past few days, all signs have been pointing to the Yankees signing Carlos Rodon. Many expect it to be part of an “Aaron Judge Appeasement” plan, but whatever it is, bringing an ace like Rodon to the Bronx would be a huge move for the Bombers.
Chris Bassitt, Starting Pitcher: San Diego Padres
The Padres are really going for it this offseason, made evident after their signing of Xander Bogaerts. They have the lineup, and they have a solid rotation–but with the absence now of Mike Clevinger, the Padres do have a hole in their starting five. Bassitt would fit so well in the rotation and really shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg either, especially compared to what Rodon will be pulling in.
