The best team of remaining MLB free agents

We are just days away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training and roughly three weeks until the first Spring Training game. With some of the more exciting free agents, such as Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, off the board, a few players still have yet to sign before Opening Day on March 27.

C: Yasmani Grandal

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Grandal is coming off of a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Pirates. The former first-round pick out of Miami played in only 72 games last season, the fewest in his career since 2014, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

In 2024, Grandal hit .228 with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .704 and nine home runs. While his age, 35, certainly raises some eyebrows, James McCann, another free-agent catcher, is just one year younger with slightly worse stats than Grandal.

Plus, it is most likely that whoever signs Grandal will be able to do so for less money than they would need to sign McCann. The former Orioles catcher is coming off of a four-year deal worth approximately $40 million.

Signing Grandal could allow for roughly 70+ games behind the plate. He also played two games at first last season, so that's another position he could be placed in any emergency situation.

1B: Pete Alonso

AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File

It is shocking that Alonso hasn't signed with a team yet, but it seems any client not named "Juan Soto" for Scott Boras has been placed on the back burner.

Of the remaining free agents, Alonso's resume is the most impressive. At 30 years old, Alonso is a four-time all-star, two-time Home Run Derby champion and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018 when he set a rookie record with 53 home runs.

It is the first time Alonso has hit the free agency market. Last year, the "Polar Bear" appeared in all 162 games for the New York Mets. In that season, Alonso hit .240 with a .788 OPS. He also hit 34 home runs but failed to cross the 100-RBI threshold for the first time since 2021.

Reports have come out that negotiations between Alonso and the Mets haven't gone well. Alonso turned down a deal for $70 million over three years. If Alonso does not return to Queens, he could go to another suitor like the Toronto Blue Jays.

2B: Brendan Rodgers

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

After Jorge Polanco was signed as I wrote this, my pick for second base shifted to Rodgers.

The third overall pick from the 2015 draft had a nice rebound year after playing in only 46 games in 2023 after dislocating his left shoulder that March.

Rodgers was able to nearly replicate his numbers from his 2022 season, where he finished with a 4.3 WAR and won a Gold Glove award. However, that also came with an increase in strikeouts and a decrease in walks and RBIs.

If he can work and improve his plate discipline and return to his Gold Glove-winning fielding ability, Rodgers would be a nice pickup for a team looking to fill this position.

3B: Alex Bregman

AP Photo/Lon Horwedel

Just like Alonso, Bregman is another Scott Boras client that seems he's forgotten about.

The two-time World Series champ and 2018 All-Star Game MVP had some of the worst numbers of his career. His .786 OPS was the lowest finish of his career, hitting .260, with 26 homers and only 75 RBIs.

It is very surprising that no team has scooped up the former second-overall pick. A few interested teams include the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs.

The irony with Bregman potentially going to Chicago is that the Cubs just traded for relief pitcher Ryan Pressly. From Houston's perspective, the move was helpful in getting his contract off the books to pay Bregman after he reportedly reportedly turned down a deal worth $156 million over six years.

SS: Enrique Hernández

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

This was the toughest choice to make between the two players. The honorable mention for this position is Jose Iglesias. However, I'm going to go with Hernandez.

If the term "utility superman" were in the dictionary, it would include a picture of Kiké Hernández. Over the last two seasons, the two-time World Series champ has played in all nine fielding positions. Yes, he has even been on the mound.

LF: Alex Verdugo

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Verdugo had a disappointing season in his lone year with the Yankees. The former Red Sox outfielder hit only .233 and failed to raise his WAR above 1.0 for the first time since 2018 when he played only 37 games for the Dodgers.

His defense was decent; he committed only one error during the regular season. However, people will always remember the bad rather than the good. For example, he fell while chasing a fly ball in Baltimore, and his misplay on a ground ball allowed Freddie Freeman to advance to third in Game 1 of the World Series.

However, Verdugo's advantage over the rest of the available left-fielders is his age. He is the only option younger than 30 years old, and he is the only left-handed bat, which is useful in any lineup.

CF: Harrison Bader

AP Photo/Noah K Murray

The second former Yankee to roam the outfield has bounced around to four teams over the last three seasons.

The former Cardinal, Red, Yankee, and Met hit .236 last season with an OPS of .657. Not very impressive by any means, but his defense is and speed make up for his offense when playing a position like center field.

Plus, Bader has shown more potential in recent years than other available center fielders such as Kevin Pillar and Aaron Hicks.

RF: Randal Grichuk

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Grichuk might be the most underrated free agent that is still available, and it's head-scratching how he's still available.

The former first-round pick totaled a 2.2 WAR in 2024, hitting .291 and having an OPS of .875 in 106 games.

On top of that, Grichuk failed to commit an error in the combined 98 chances he had in the outfield.

He might be 33, but a team looking for a corner outfield should invest in Grichuk with a three-year contract.

DH: J.D. Martinez

AP Photo/Julia Nikihinson

Martinez didn't put up the same numbers as he did in 2023 with the Dodgers during his time with the Mets last season, and that may be because Father Time is catching up with him.

In 2024, Martinez hit .235 with only 16 homers. To put this into perspective, he hit .271 with 33 home runs in 2023 with Los Angeles.

A change of scenery could help bring that pop back to Martinez's bat, as long as he's willing to realize there may be a pay cut in the deal.

SP: Jack Flaherty

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Another free agent that I have no idea how he's still available. If I had to guess, it's because he's trying to get as many offers as possible to get the best deal.

The 29-year-old pitcher put up a 3.17 ERA in 2024, the 13th-best ERA last season among qualified pitchers in his time with the Tigers and Dodgers.

However, the right-hander was either lights out in the playoffs, like when he threw seven scoreless innings of two-hit baseball against the Mets, or disappointing, like when he allowed eight earned runs on eight hits in three innings, also against the Mets.

Regardless, whoever signs Flaherty will be fortunate to add such an ace to their rotation for the 2025 season.

Daniel Studer is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dbs5866@psu.edu