The no. 1 and no. 2 players in the current MLB free agency are off the list.
Japanese aces Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing historic deals. The former owns the largest contract in sports history, while the latter became the highest-paid pitcher in MLB.
Although the top two players are no longer available, that does not mean clubs have nothing to pursue in the free agency anymore.
MLB transactions will continue to pour in before the January 12 deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures for the new season.
The market is still filled with high-caliber players who can immediately impact their new teams. Players are still looking for clubs that will be an excellent fit for their skills or teams that will give them a better payday.
Top 5 players that fans probably wish were on their team:
1. Cody Bellinger - Last team: Chicago Cubs
The 2019 National League MVP should be on the top of the list of any teams who can pursue him.
He had a subpar 2022 season with the Dodgers but bounced back this year. He even received a National League Player of the Month last July after recording eight home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .400 batting average.
Bellinger, who joined the Cubs this year on a one-year deal, is the most accomplished and talented player still available. He declined the mutual option on November 3 to become a free agent.
Read more: Juan Soto Trade Details, Salary, and More - Why Yankees Traded for Him and What's the Long-Term Plan
The Cubs remain a frontrunner to keep his services, but the Toronto Blue Jays are trying to sweep in even if they just signed Kevin Keirmaier.
2. Blake Snell - Last team: San Diego Padres
Lots of teams could use a quality pitcher, and Blake Snell could be the one to fill that gap. After missing out on Ohtani and Yamamoto, Snell is a good fallback for any team.
His 2023 ERA of 2.25 and hits-per-nine-innings (H/9) of 5.8 were the best in the league last season.
By November, he decided to become a free agent by declining Padres' $20.25 million qualifying offer.
Snell is being chased right now by the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels, who lost Ohtani to state rival Dodgers.
3. Matt Chapman - Last team: Toronto Blue Jays
Four-time Gold Glove award winner Matt Chapman is another free agent still looking for a home.
The April 2023 Player of the Month allegedly receives interest from big market teams, specifically the New York Yankees, who missed out on the postseason this year.
SNY's Anthony McCarron reported that the Yanks are looking to bolster their defense and suggested that they can use a player like Chapman.
4. Jordan Montgomery - Last team: Texas Rangers
Fresh from a 2023 World Series win, pitcher Jordan Montgomery needs a new home.
The veteran pitcher, who posted a 38-34 win-loss record last season and a 3.68 ERA, is now the second-best pitcher with Yamamoto and Ohtani out.
Montgomery should be an in-demand player right now, but according to reports, several teams are hesitant to sign him because of his expensive contract.
"In the aftermath of the Yamamoto news, one industry official was speculating on how the Red Sox might pivot to find the necessary starting pitching. When I suggested free agent Jordan Montgomery as a good fallback option, the official scoffed and offered that even Montgomery would be too expensive for the Red Sox's current budget plans," Red Sox insider Sean McAdam wrote.
5. Clayton Kershaw - Last team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers fans want Kershaw to finish his career with them, but the free agency can be brutal.
The ten-time All-Star did not produce much last season due to injuries. Last month, he decided to undergo surgery to fix his left shoulder.
Despite that, he remains a prospect for this 2024 free agency, and among the teams reportedly chasing him are the recent champs, the Texas Rangers.
Related article: Yoshinobu Yamamoto - 3 Ways Japanese Superstar Helps Dodgers
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