One hundred and forty-nine MLB players became free agents on Thursday morning, signaling the start of what's sure to be a compelling offseason.
Many organizations are keeping one eye on next year's incredibly deep free agent class, set to feature players like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Gio Gonzalez, and Craig Kimbrel, so rebuilding clubs may be a bit quieter than usual this winter. Still, there's plenty of talent available on the market right now, so expect to see some fierce bidding wars, especially among teams with playoff aspirations.
Below, check out our breakdown of the top 30 free agents and their potential landing spots.
30. Alex Avila, C
Age: 30
Old team: Chicago Cubs
2017 stats: .264/.387/.447, 14 HR, 49 RBI
One thing to know: Avila's bat quieted down after a midseason trade sent him from Detroit to Chicago, but his on-base skills remained as potent as ever, helping him to a .369 mark while on the North Side. For all their dominance this year, the Indians could use an extra catcher to split the starting duties with Yan Gomes.
Best fit: Cleveland Indians
29. Tyler Chatwood, RHP
Age: 27
Old team: Colorado Rockies
2017 stats: 8-15, 4.69 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 1.442 WHIP
One thing to know: Chatwood's numbers don't exactly jump off the page, but at just 27 years old, he's a strong candidate to rebound in the seasons ahead. The Orioles never seem to be out of contention for long, and they could use a rotation stopgap to go along with Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy.
Best fit: Baltimore Orioles
28. CC Sabathia, LHP
Age: 37
Old team: New York Yankees
2017 stats: 14-5, 3.69 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 1.271 WHIP
One thing to know: Most pitchers decline once they enter their mid-30s, but not Sabathia, who's improved his ERA in every year since his injury-shortened 2014 campaign. His veteran experience and poise under pressure make him an ideal candidate to return to the Yankees' young rotation in 2018.
Best fit: New York Yankees
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