Be mine? Finding matches for MLB’s best remaining free agents
Cleveland Indians right fielder Yasiel Puig. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)
February 13th, 2020
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we've decided to play matchmaker for the five best remaining MLB free agents on the market.
Yasiel Puig
It’s hard to believe that no one has taken a chance on Puig. The career .277 hitter had 24 homers between Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019 and a career-high 84 RBIs.
Puig may have worn out his welcome with the Dodgers, but down Interstate 5, the Angels would be a good fit for him. He could either replace Brian Goodwin in right field or form a platoon. Puig’s defense has slipped since his big-league debut in 2013, but having Mike Trout in center should alleviate some of those concerns.
Yasiel Puig perfectly executes the Janitor Throw pic.twitter.com/VvGmmvKKkW
— Kent (@RealKentMurphy) July 19, 2019
Jason Vargas
The Mets found out the hard way that Vargas’ 2017 campaign, in which he won 18 games in Kansas City, was a fluke. He showed flashes of brilliance in May and June of last season, though, when he produced a 2.74 ERA (46 innings).
Vargas has been serviceable over 14 seasons (99-99, 4.29 ERA), so a team that is hungry for starting pitching may want to take a chance.
A reunion with Seattle at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park would be ideal for Vargas. The Mariners need a fifth starter, and all they’ve done to address that this winter is bring in two glorified mop-up men—Wei-Yin Chen and Manny Banuelos.
Scooter Gennett
Gennett had a 2019 to forget. He played just 42 games between the Reds and Giants because of injury, but he could prove to be a bargain if he returns to his 2018 form (.847 OPS).
The Rockies could use another bat, particularly on the infield, where Garrett Hampson (.686 OPS in 2019) would be forced to fill in should Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Ryan McMahon, or Daniel Murphy get injured or traded. Gennett could fill that role and potentially usurp McMahon at second if he returns to form.
Scooter Gennett isn't even 30 years old.
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) February 12, 2020
Scooter Gennett posted 6.6 bWAR from '17 to '18.
Scooter Gennett hurt his groin for one season.
Now Scooter Gennett is still unemployed.
You're going to tell me this guy can't play baseball anymore, just because he hurt his groin? 🤦♂️
Russell Martin
Martin, a 14-year veteran, has settled into a backup catcher’s role over the last three seasons but can still produce a respectable on-base percentage when called upon (.337 in 2019). He is also a pitcher’s best friend, with his above-average framing and arm strength.
There are plenty of teams that could use Martin’s services, but perhaps no one more so than the Athletics. Catcher-of-the-future Sean Murphy is slated to get a large chunk of the starts for Oakland during his rookie campaign, but he could use a backup who is more proven than Austin Allen (34 games played).
Russell Martin still hasn’t signed with a team. If he hangs em up, this will be the final hit of his career. @Dodgers please bring him back as a coach in some capacity pic.twitter.com/Q1rbzZZcm6
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) February 2, 2020
Ryan Buchter
Buchter produced career worsts in WHIP (1.434) and strikeout-walk ratio (2.17) in 2019, but teams that need bullpen help should give the southpaw with a career 2.86 ERA a chance.
The Nationals have just one lefty projected to make their Opening Day roster in the bullpen—closer Sean Doolittle. Buchter could help Washington improve on their league-worst reliever ERA from a year ago (5.66).
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