Logo

Ready for baseball’s free agency? The Post is.

Here you go: Our top 30 free agents, all of whom – with the exception of Seibu Lions pitcher Yusei Kikuchi – can sign with any team after 11:59 p.m. Friday.

These rankings come together from statistical analysis, projected earnings and a particularly strong dosage of popular demand/New York bias this year, thanks to many familiar names being in the mix. The predictions result from background conversations with team officials, agents and other people in the loop, as well as an attempt to think along with clubs and players.

1. Bryce Harper, OF. It comes down to this: Will the Nationals, their outfield already looking pretty good, pay him at market prices? Prediction: Cardinals, 10 years, $330 million.

2. Manny Machado, SS-3B. Yes, his October from hell will impact his bottom line. Prediction: Phillies, six years, $225 million.

3. Patrick Corbin, LHP. The upstate New York native hasn’t hid his love of pinstripes, nor has Brian Cashman hid his desire for pitching. Prediction: Yankees, five years, $110 million.

4. Craig Kimbrel, RHP. Could the closer’s championship with the Red Sox increase his interest in staying as his shaky October hurts his market a little? Prediction: Red Sox, four years, $60 million.

5. Dallas Keuchel, LHP. How much will his hiring of Scott Boras (last offseason) impact his destination? Prediction: Braves, four years, $85 million.

6. A.J. Pollock, OF. Durability concerns will temper his earning power. Prediction: Diamondbacks, one year, $17.9 million.

7. J.A. Happ, LHP. Ranked too high? I just wanted to follow an “A.J.” with a “J.A.” Prediction: Yankees, three years, $48 million.

8. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP. So alluring, yet that injury history terrifies. Prediction: Twins, three years, $45 million.

9. Charlie Morton, RHP. The Astros surprisingly passed on issuing him a qualifying offer. Prediction: Nationals, two years, $36 million.

10. Michael Brantley, OF. Timing is everything. He stayed healthy in his walk year after being sidelined for much of 2016 and 2017. Prediction: Giants, three years, $42 million.

Nelson Cruz tips his cap to Mariners fans.APNelson Cruz tips his cap to Mariners fans.AP

11. Nelson Cruz, DH. He proved an excellent four-year investment for the Mariners. At age 38, can he reward his next employer? Prediction: Astros, one year, $16 million.

12. Andrew McCutchen, OF. If he’s no longer an MVP type, he still brings real value to the party. Prediction: Indians, three years, $40 million.

13. Yasmani Grandal, C. Runner-up to Machado in the “Most damaging October” sweepstakes. Prediction: Angels, three years, $40 million.

14. Mike Moustakas, 3B. The biggest loser of last year’s Hot Stove League tries to recoup some of his losses. Prediction: Cardinals, three years, $45 million.

15. David Robertson, RHP. He’s representing himself, which begs the question of whether he already has something lined up with the Yankees. Prediction: Yankees, two years, $20 million.

16. Zach Britton, LHP. Will his low workload the prior two seasons scare teams off? Prediction: Braves, three years, $36 million.

17. Josh Donaldson, 3B. If the term “pillow contract” hadn’t been invented by Scott Boras for Adrian Beltre nine years ago, it might be now for Donaldson. Prediction: Braves, one year, $10 million.

18. CC Sabathia, LHP. While he dropped many hints about leaving The Bronx, he can’t beat the comfort level. Prediction: Yankees, one year, $8 million.

19. D.J. LeMahieu, 2B. His standout defense mitigates his offensive slippage. Prediction: Nationals, three years, $33 million.

20. Wilson Ramos, C. He revived his career with a terrific 2018. Prediction: A’s, two years, $25 million.

21. Daniel Murphy, 2B. Would the Mets kick in a little under the table to get him out of the National League? Prediction: Twins, two years, $26 million.

22. Asdrubal Cabrera, IF. He would be a nice fit with his old team, as long as he’s willing to bounce around. Prediction: Mets, two years, $12 million.

23. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP. The expectation is that the Lions will post the 27-year-old. Prediction: Rangers, three years, $30 million.

24. Wade Miley, LHP. The promising rookie turned journeyman enjoyed a rebirth – and a nice October – with the Brewers. Prediction: Brewers, three years, $33 million.

25. Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP. While health has been a major concern, he performed well for the Dodgers when active. Prediction: Dodgers, two years, $25 million.

26. Adam Ottavino, RHP. The Manhattan resident remade himself last winter while working out in Harlem. Prediction: Mets, two years, $17 million.

27. Andrew Miller, LHP. He picked the wrong year to suffer from injuries and control problems. Prediction: Mets, one year, $9 million.

Jeurys FamiliaGetty ImagesJeurys FamiliaGetty Images

28. Jeurys Familia, RHP. A pretty solid comeback in 2018 after his serious injury in ’17. Prediction: A’s, two years, $18 million.

29. Martin Maldonado, C. He can’t hit much, but his defense will make him a desired commodity. Prediction: Mets, two years, $12 million.

30. Matt Harvey, RHP. He sure did seem to find happiness in Cincinnati. Prediction: Reds, two years, $19 million.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy