Yardbarker
x
Top remaining MLB free agents
Maikel Franco had a .778 OPS with eight home runs and 38 RBI with the Royals in 2020.. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros’ agreement with Jake Odorizzi on a two-year contract on Saturday removed the top remaining free agent from the market. Even into the second week of spring training, however, there are a few potentially valuable players available to teams.

Rick Porcello


Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

MLBTR’s #46 free agent entering the offseason, Porcello made 12 starts for the Mets in 2020. His 5.64 ERA isn’t eye-catching, but Porcello logged a more respectable 4.45 SIERA. The 32-year-old isn’t a particularly exciting option at this stage of his career, but he’s been an extremely durable innings-eater, and we’re entering a year during which reliable innings might be more valuable than ever coming off the shortened season.

Cole Hamels


TNS

Hamels is the other of MLBTR’s top 50 free agents still unsigned, having placed 47th on the list. 2020 was a lost season for Hamels, who was limited to a single start by shoulder issues. He was still plenty productive as recently as 2019, however.

Shane Greene


Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The rumor mill has been surprisingly quiet for the reliable Greene. His peripherals don’t support the 2.60 ERA he put up for the Braves last season, and it’s alarming that his strikeout rate fell by six points last year. Greene has been something of a bullpen workhorse in recent years, however, and he generally does a decent job avoiding hard contact.

Maikel Franco


Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The 28-year-old didn’t live up to expectations as the regular third baseman in Philadelphia. But he had a decent 2020 season after signing with the Royals, hitting .278/.321/.457 with eight home runs in 243 plate appearances. The Orioles are among the teams interested in Franco, whose market is now “heating up” after a slow winter.

Jedd Gyorko


Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Gyorko’s name hasn’t appeared on MLBTR’s pages since the Brewers declined his club option last October. That’s a bit surprising considering Gyorko’s performance in limited action last season. The 32-year-old hit a very productive .248/.333/.504 and looks like a decent right-handed platoon option at the corner infield spots.

There are a handful more who could plausibly claim to be the top free agent remaining. Roberto Osuna, Yasiel Puig, Edwin Encarnación and Homer Bailey are among the others unsigned. 

This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.