Lead Story - 8/31/2018 2027 MLB Hot Stove... Strasburg excited about new opportunities after Tommy John surgery Top 10 Free Agent SP?s
There are a few starting pitchers available in free agency this year. Many teams need significant upgrades in their rotations. Let?s look at the top 10 according to this columnist:
1. Stephen Strasburg, 38 - Strasburg?s 2024 season was cut short after he suffered a UCL tear in Los Angeles. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025 and is finally at 100%. At 38, many thought he would retire. He still has #1 ace ability and could anchor a playoff team for a couple of years.
signs with White Sox for $18M over 3 years, and a total of $54M
2. Takahiro Norimoto, 29 -The Braves paid a $10M fee to the Yakult Swallows for the rights to sign him. He pitched for 1 season, but the Braves failed to make him a long-term offer. He had a stellar season for the last place Braves, though he got very little run support. He should be a #1 or at least a #2 wherever he goes, and is only 29, so he should see a nice payday this offseason.
signs with Diamondbacks for $20M over 5 years, and a total of $100M
3. Yuki Nishi, 29 - Like Norimoto, Nishi was not signed to a long-term contract after a substantial posting fee. The Marlins spent $13M for his rights but could not lock him down. There is not much that separates the two Japanese pitchers. Nishi has a slightly lower K rate but gives up slightly less hits. He pitched a whopping 310 innings last season, so to say he is a workhorse is an understatement. Whatever team that signs him will gain a valuable top of the rotation starter.
signs with Mariners for $8M over 6 years, and a total of $48M
4. Harrison Musgrave, 27 - Musgrave was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft by the Braves and pitched a full first season in 2026. The Braves failed to sign him to a long-term deal, mostly due to his high WHIP and H9. Still, Musgrave has been working hard this offseason, and with better run support, should still see improvement over his rookie season. Any team that takes a flyer on him, should get a solid middle of the rotation guy for a few years.
signs with Astros for $9M over 7 years, and a total of $63M
5. Karsten Whitson, 28 - Whitson went virtually unnoticed until his breakout rookie season for the Nationals at 27 years old. The Nationals chose not to lock him down, figuring he had reached his maximum potential. He went 11-4 last season (1-0 in playoffs), so he can bolster a rotation. He will add valuable starts to any team that gives him an opportunity.
signs with White Sox for $6M over 4 years, and a total of $24M
6. Chris Stratton, 30 - Stratton is coming off a stellar season with the Phillies, where he went 11-3 (and 1-1 in playoffs). The Phillies have some pitching depth, including two 2026 All-Stars, so they did not put the franchise tag on Stratton. They did however place a 1st round tender on him, which will most likely deter other teams from signing him. Stratton probably is a 3rd or 4th starter on a playoff team, but several teams could use a pitcher of his caliber in their rotation.
returns to Phillies after receiving no offers from other teams. ($15M)
7. Zach Jemiola, 26 - Jemiola struggled last season, but that was with the Marlins. He should improve significantly this season, and still has plenty of upside potential. He should contribute positively in any rotation.
signs with Diamondbacks for $15M over 6 years, and a total of $90M
8. Yudai Ono, 34 - After not pitching in the league in 2025, Ono surprised with a breakout season for the Rays in 2026. He is a workhorse, that should find a spot in the middle of a rotation. If not, he will most likely return to finish out his career in the NPB with the Dragons.
returns to NPB after receiving no offers from other teams.
9. Octavio Acosta, 28 - Acosta could improve many of the rotations in the league, but he did struggle pitching for Mexico in the Caribbean League last season. Acosta might find himself pitching in the Independent League this season, but with some luck, a team will give him a shot.
will pitch in Independent League for Spring Training after receiving no offers from other teams.
10. Luke Weaver, 27 - Weaver struggled to get wins on a terrible Cleveland team, but still pitched well. He has a solid 4 years under his belt, with solid pitching. He should provide a team with a decent option in the bottom of a rotation.
signs with Nationals for $2M over 5 years, and a total of $10M
Catchers
Buster Posey - signs with Phillies for $5M over 3 years, and a total of $15M
Tucker Barnhardt - signs with Royals for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Arvicent Perez - signs with Mets for $2M over 4 years, and a total of $8M
Wade Wass - signs with Dodgers for $2M over 5 years, and a total of $10M
Bruce Maxwell - signs with Dodgers for $2M over 2 years, and a total of $4M
First Base
Paul Goldschmidt - signs with Nationals for $4M over 4 years, and a total of $16M
Greg Bird - returns to Royals ($8M)
Edwin Encarnacion - signs with Royals for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Chad Huffman - signs with Phillies for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Brandon Belt - signs with Mariners for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Jesus Aguilar - signs with Astros for $3M over 5 years, and a total of $15M
Second Base
Masahiro Nishino - signs with Cardinals for $5M over 3 years, and a total of $15M
Jamal Wallace - signs with Brewers for $3M over 2 years, and a total of $6M
Jonathan Schoop - signs with Mariners for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Chris Bostick - signs with Yankees for $2M over 5 years, and a total of $2M
Third Base
Jose Ramirez - signs with White Sox for $15M over 6 years, and a total of $90M
Jody Singleton - signs with Royals for $2M over 2 years, and a total of $4M
Josh Donaldson - signs with Phillies for $5M over 2 years, and a total of $10M
Shortstop
Carlos Correa - signs with White Sox for $15M over 4 years, and a total of $60M
Illdemaro Vargas - signs with Orioles for $4M over 6 years, and a total of $24M
Didi Gregorius - signs with Mets for $2M over 2 years, and a total of $4M
Trevor Story - signs with Mariners for $3M over 5 years, and a total of $15M
Outfielders
LF Rhys Hoskins - signs with Mariners for $8M over 6 years, and a total of $48M
LF Marwin Gonzalez - signs with White Sox for $8M over 2 years, and a total of $16M
CF Darnell Sweeney - signs with Royals for $6M over 5 years, and a total of $30M
CF Mike Trout - returns to Nationals ($14M)
CF Braden Bishop - signs with White Sox for $8M over 8 years, and a total of $64M
CF Skye Bolt - signs with Nationals for $3M over 6 years, and a total of $18M
CF Austin Jackson - signs with Cardinals for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
CF George Springer - signs with Mariners for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
CF Brandon Nimmo - signs with Mets for $2M over 2 years, and a total of $4M
RF Steven Souza - signs with Phillies for $2M for 1 year, and a total of $2M
Relief Pitchers
Keona Kela - signs with Dodgers for $7M over 7 years, and a total of $49M
Yasuaki Yamasaki - signs with Yankees for $7M over 6 years, and a total of $42M
Carlos Ramirez - signs with Orioles for $6M over 7 years, and a total of $42M
Brad Hand - signs with Brewers for $6M over 2 years, and a total of $12M
David Robertson - signs with White Sox for $2M over 8 years, and a total of $16M
Nick Anderson - signs with Diamondbacks for $10M over 6 years, and a total of $60M
Preston Gainey - signs with Royals for $6M over 4 years, and a total of $24M
Raisel Iglesias - signs with Royals for $3M over 5 years, and a total of $15M
Ryan Buchter - signs with Royals for $3M over 3 years, and a total of $9M
Austin Adams - signs with Reds for $2M over 5 years, and a total of $10M
Corey Kluber - signs with Brewers for $4M for 1 year, and a total of $4M
Brandon Brennan - signs with Orioles for $4M over 7 years, and a total of $28M
Yaisel Sierra - signs with Orioles for $3M over 7 years, and a total of $21M
John Fasola - signs with Dodgers for $2M over 3 years, and a total of $6M
Ryne Harper - signs with Phillies for $2M over 3 years, and a total of $6M
Zach Britton - returns to Diamondbacks ($9M) |
