The 2023 World Series is done, and the attention now shifts to the available free agents in the offseason. There are several huge names up for grabs, with Shohei Ohtani at the top of the list.
The names of the MLB 2023 free agents are expected to grow as the days go by. The latest name to be added is Justin Turner.
The 38-year-old declined the $13.4 million contract option with the Red Sox and is another popular free agent name that MLB teams will pursue.
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Among the teams linked to the 2020 World Series champion third baseman is the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The D-backs are coming off a huge World Series run, and the third base is a position they need to fill up. The mix of Emmanuel Rivera, Josh Rojas, Jace Peterson, and Evan Longoria faltered, and Arizona can address that by getting someone like Turner.
Beyond Turner, other 2023 free agents will get their share of suitors. The top free agents from MLB.com aside from Shohei Ohtani are as follows:
1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Ironically, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is another Japanese player whom several teams will court. He has won the Pacific League MVP honors and the Sawamura Award (the Japanese version of the Cy Young award) in the past two years, as well as the Triple Crown in the past three years.
The 25-year-old is seen as someone who can immediately get a spot in a big-league rotation. Yamamoto could make sense for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, or the Boston Red Sox.
2. Blake Snell
The All-Star pitcher is another name in the MLB free agent market that is expected to draw a lot of suitors. Although he got off to a slow start, Snell got his act together and proved why he is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Snell could end up with the St. Louis Cardinals, Dodgers, or Padres if both sides can get a deal done.
3. Cody Bellinger
After taking a tumble in the past two MLB seasons, there is no question that Cody Bellinger used his time with the Chicago Cubs to turn his career around.
Settling for a one-year $17.5 million deal with the Cubs, the two-time All-Star re-established himself last season - enough to ensure he will be a top target in free agency this winter.
This time around, the 2019 NL MVP could be dangled a multi-year contract. Teams that could lure him include the Cubs, Giants, or Yankees.
4. Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola has received a qualifying offer from the Philadelphia Phillies, although this is no assurance that the All-Star pitcher will stay. Nola has until November 14 to decide on the one-year $20.325 million qualifying offer.
The belief is that the 30-year-old is looking for a long-term deal, something that could exceed $200 million. Among the teams who could make a go for Nola are the Cardinals, Giants, and Phillies.
5. J.D. Martinez
With the Dodgers opting not to extend a qualifying offer to Martinez, the six-time All-Star is expected to get offers from teams in need of a designated hitter.
Being an All-Star in each of his past five seasons, he could be a wise alternative for teams who may come short of the Ohtani sweepstakes.
Among the teams who could line up for the three-time Silver Slugger Award winner are the Angels, Dodgers, and the Mets.
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