2023-24 MLB free-agent signing tracker, grades: Cards add Gibson, Maeda to Tigers
MLB free agency is well underway.
All free agents could start signing with teams as of Nov. 6, the start of hot-stove season.
Shohei Ohtani is the top prize on the market. The two-way superstar is likely to receive the biggest contract in MLB history, if not the biggest contract in the history of North American professional sports. But there are several other star players, notable names and valuable contributors on the open market as well.
[Read more: 2024 MLB free-agent rankings: Shohei Ohtani leads top 30]
Here’s a look at the notable moves made so far this offseason, signing grades, and the top free agents still available.
Nov. 26
RHP Kenta Maeda signs with Tigers
2023 stats: 6-8, 4.23 ERA, 117 strikeouts, 1.169 WHIP, 21 appearances (20 starts), 104.1 innings pitched
Reported teams: Two years, $24 million
Previous team: Twins
Nov. 21
SS Paul DeJong signs with White Sox
2023 stats: .207 batting average, .258 on-base percentage, .355 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, 38 RBIs, four stolen bases
Reported terms: One-year deal
Previous team: Cardinals
RHP Kyle Gibson signs with Cardinals
2023 stats: 15-9, 4.73 ERA, 157 strikeouts, 1.32 WHIP, 33 starts, 192.0 innings pitched
Reported terms: One year, $12 million
Previous team: Orioles
Nov. 20
RHP Reynaldo López signs with Braves
2023 stats: 3-7, 3.27 ERA, 83 strikeouts, 1.273 WHIP, 68 appearances, 66 innings pitched
Reported terms: Three years, $30 million
Previous team: Guardians
A few days after acquiring lefty groundball machine Aaron Bummer, Atlanta bolstered its bullpen further with the signing of Bummer’s former White Sox teammate in López. López is a traditional late-inning flamethrower that is coming off a career year racking up punchouts at a career-high 30% clip, which positioned him as one of the top relievers on the market. Early reports that the Braves are considering having López stretched out as a starter are curious to say the least, but securing a pitcher of his caliber this early in the offseason is a nifty move regardless of the role he ultimately settles into. — Jordan Shusterman
Grade: A-
RHP Lance Lynn signs with Cardinals
2023 stats: 13-11, 5.73 ERA, 191 strikeouts, 1.394 WHIP, 32 starts, 183.2 innings pitched
Reported terms: One year, $10 million
Previous team: Dodgers
Nov. 19
RHP Aaron Nola re-signs with Phillies
2023 stats: 12-9, 4.46 ERA, 202 strikeouts, 1.151 WHIP, 32 starts, 193.2 innings pitched
Reported terms: Seven years, $172 million
Previous team: Phillies
Can’t spell Aaron Nola without three A’s. Nola and the Phillies were canyons apart when they discussed an extension in spring training, but compromise won the day. Nola got the seventh year he wanted, while the Phillies kept the average annual value in a reasonable range. The Phillies needed a pitcher and went with the one they knew intimately, one whose work ethic and makeup they love and one they believe will age well into his late thirties. — Jake Mintz
Grade: A
Top free agents still available
Shohei Ohtani
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Blake Snell
Cody Bellinger
Jordan Montgomery
Sonny Gray
Matt Chapman
Josh Hader
Clayton Kershaw
Eduardo Rodríguez
Lucas Giolito
Marcus Stroman
Jung Hoo Lee
Jorge Soler
JD Martinez
Teoscar Hernández
Jeimer Candelario
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Justin Turner
Mitch Garver
Rhys Hoskins
Seth Lugo
Shota Imanaga
Kenta Maeda
Michael Wacha
Brandon Belt
Joc Pederson
Jordan Hicks
Yariel Rodríguez
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