10 Under-The-Radar MLB Free Agents Still Available | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

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The MLB offseason is coming to an end, and while this year’s free agent market has more or less eliminated high-profile talent, a handful of players could make an impact in 2023.

Only three unsigned free agents remain on the top 50 list released by the MLB Trade Rumors at the start of the offseason.

33. OF Jurrickson Proffer
39. LHP Andrew Chafin
41. RHP Michael Wacha

But beyond those three, there are other under-the-radar players worth watching before spring training.

Players returning from injury, players returning from bad health, and veterans with something left in the tank are mixed. Both have the potential to deliver production above projected salaries in 2023.

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Jorge Alfaro made three appearances baseball america After making Top 100 prospects with the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies, he joined the Miami Marlins in JT Realmut’s blockbuster.

He had an 18-home run season as the Marlins’ starting catcher in 2019, before settling into a part-time role and spent last season with the San Diego Padres.

The 29-year-old has 94 OPS+ with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBI in 274 at-bats in 2022, but he’s going to have a bigger impact than those numbers suggest thanks to his clutch hitting. I was. 281/.329/.531 in scoring position and set a franchise record for four walk-off hits in a single season.

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Only a year after winning his first Gold Glove with 38 homers and an NL-leading 113 RBI, Adam Duvall is a forgotten man in this year’s free agent class. .

The 34-year-old was limited to 86 games in Atlanta last season with a wrist injury that required surgery, batting .213/.276/.401 and striking out 32.1%.

His proven track record of power production, strong defense and ability to play all three outfield spots makes him a useful addition to any team’s bench and could step into a bigger role if swinging a hot bat. There is a nature.

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The Hanshin Tigers officially appointed Shintaro Fujinami on December 1st. What does he offer his MLB team?

was 28 mentioned As the two passed through the high school ranks, Shohei Otani had the same breath, but command issues prevented him from living up to his potential.

That said, he posted a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts in 107.1 innings in 2022, while reducing his walking percentage from 15.0% to 8.2%. He may be best known for his bullpen role, but he has the swing-and-miss element to make an impact.

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The shortstop market was in the spotlight again this offseason as Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson and Carlos Correa (eventually) signed lucrative nine-figure deals in free agency.

Dropoffs at positions after these four players are steep, and veteran Elvis Andrus has been commonly cited as a top fallback option after finishing 2022 on the highs with the Chicago White Sox. rice field.

However, fellow veteran Jose Iglesias could also be a good low-cost addition for a team that needs to fill in the middle. He replaced Trevor Story and delivered his usual strong defense over 118 games.

Could he replace Story again in 2023 after the Boston Red Sox’s presumptive starting shortstop underwent elbow surgery?

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Lefty Matt Moore was the second-best overall prospect in baseball in 2012, and after pitching seven shutout innings in Game 1 of the 2011 ALDS, was tied between Bryce Harper and an up-and-coming outfielder named Mike Trout. was interrupted by Tampa Bay his Rays made his fourth appearance in the MLB.

He was an All-Star in 2013, but injuries derailed his rise to stardom. In 2016, the Rays traded him to his San Francisco Giants, and the following season he flamed out with a 5.52 ERA and his 1.53 WHIP in 174.1 innings.

After struggling with a 6.23 ERA in 185 innings from 2018-2021, he resurfaced last year with the Texas Rangers and revived his bullpen career. In 63 appearances, he had a 1.95 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings with five saves and 14 holds. His 2.98 FIP provides reason for optimism that his resurgence is real.

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When the Arizona Diamondbacks traded David Peralta to the Rays last summer, he left the organization with the third-most games played in franchise history. This is behind Luis Gonzalez (1,194) and Paul Goldschmidt (1,092).

A strong defensive outfielder who won a Gold Glove Award in 2019, he has some pop off the left side of the plate and has 109 OPS+ in 2022 with 30 doubles, 12 homers and 59 RBI in 490 plate appearances.

The 35-year-old fits well as a fourth outfielder on competing teams, but could also find a starting gig at a rebuilding club if that’s his preferred route.

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One of baseball’s most productive, ultra-versatile players during his time with the Oakland Athletics, Chad Pinder hit 12 home runs, 42 RBIs and 379 plate appearances last year while playing six different positions. Recorded.

He’s best suited for the corner outfield spot, but can handle second base, third base, and even shortstop in a pinch. He was a league-average offensive contributor in his 7 seasons in his MLB, scoring 96 OPS+ and averaging 21 home runs per 600 at-bats.

The 30-year-old has far outperformed left-handed pitchers (.778 OPS) over right-handed pitchers (.660 OPS) in his career, and as an option for shortside platoons, the role may also have played on the bench.

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Alex Reyes was once considered one of baseball’s elite pitching prospects. He made his electric debut in 2016 with the St. Louis Cardinals and caught fire, posting his 1.57 ERA and his 10.2 K/9 with 4 wins, 1 hold and 1 save. He made 12 appearances in one go.

Unfortunately, he first underwent Tommy John surgery and then sat out with a torn latissimus dorsi tendon, which limited him to 26.2 innings over the next four years due to injuries.

He will eventually return to action as a reliever in 2021, pitching to the closer role, earning an All-Star selection while converting 29 of 34 save opportunities with a 3.24 ERA and 11.8 K/9. bottom.

The injury bug rears its ugly head again in 2022, and he missed the entire season, recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder. No, but he’s targeting a May comeback, and could roll the dice for huge payouts.

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With Justin Turner and Max Muncy seeing the majority of their playing time at third base in recent years, Edwin Rios never got a legitimate chance to prove himself with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He made the most of limited opportunities with 109 OPS+ and 20 home runs in 291 at-bats, but that didn’t stop the Dodgers from bidding him in November.

Still only 28, he’s a subpar third baseman and probably best suited as a designated hitter, but he has a 30-home run upside if given the opportunity to play regularly and could be controlled by arbitration through the 2025 season. can.

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Luke Voight was one of baseball’s most productive middle-order hitters for the New York Yankees during the abbreviated 2020 season, leading MLB with 157 OPS+ and 22 homers in 56 games. and finished ninth in the AL MVP voting.

He stalled the following season with a knee injury and lost his starting job to deadline pick-up Anthony Rizzo before the Yankees traded him to the Padres before the start of last year.

The Juan Soto big hit turned him for the Washington Nationals, and he finished the season with 106 OPS+, 22 doubles, and 22 home runs in 568 plate appearances. His value is limited to his right-handed box performance, but it wouldn’t be out of the question for the 31-year-old to spend another season in the tank like his 2020.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.