Ranking the Top 5 Players Available in MLB Free Agency

1. Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger's redemption arc has seemingly taken a hit. After reluctantly agreeing to a one-year deal last offseason, Bellinger must prove his MVP wasn't a fluke. Following a Silver Slugger and top-ten MVP-caliber season, Belli is still short on suitors a year later. 

Some of his underlying metrics are underwhelming, but Bellinger still swings a power bat. The two-time All-Star fell three RBI short of the century mark and finally got his home run total north of 19 again. We also saw him benefit from the new rules, setting a career-best with 20 steals. 

There aren't too many centerfielders who can boast about their left-handed power bat, making Bellinger a highly-rated commodity. After proving naysayers wrong on a show-me deal, he's ready to get paid like the former MVP he is. 

4. Jordan Montgomery

Fresh off his World Series win, agent Scott Boras will be sure to maximize Jordan Montgomery's next contract. Surely, that has to be part of why the big southpaw remains unsigned just weeks ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting. 

Last year was a banner year for Montgomery. The former fourth-round draft pick set a career-high with a 4.1 WAR, splitting time between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Additionally, his ten wins, 188.2 innings pitched, and 138 ERA+ were all new personal benchmarks. 

Hard-throwing southpaw starters aren't readily available, and Montgomery would be a welcome addition to most rotations. Whichever team adds him could see a boost to their World Series odds. 

3. Matt Chapman

It wasn't long ago that Matt Chapman was touted as one of the best third basemen in the game. Even at the start of the offseason, Chapman was considered one of the top players available; however, as we're starting to find out, no one is willing to pay him what he thinks he deserves. 

A hip injury could be a factor in Chapman's ongoing free agency, but it's not the only issue impacting teams' interest in him. Chapman's offensive metrics have taken a hit recently. From 2018 to 2020, his OPS didn't dip below .812. Since then, Chapman has failed to eclipse the .757 mark. But there's a contrasting look when we dig deeper into his analytics. 

Listen to this. The former Toronto Blue Jay ranked in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate, 98th percentile in barrel percentage, and 97th percentile in average exit velocity. Further, the third baseman has fallen below his expected slugging percentage in the past two seasons. Those MVP-caliber metrics will land Chapman somewhere on the MVP futures board.

Whether it was an environmental change or lousy luck, Chapman is better than his traditional stats suggest. Now, he needs to find someone who will pay him for it. 

2. Blake Snell

This probably isn't a problem Blake Snell envisioned himself having at the outset of free agency. The 30-year-old claimed the second Cy Young award of his career, becoming just one of seven pitchers to hoist the trophy in both leagues and cashing as a +3500 longshot. Still, teams have been reluctant to give Snell the money or term he seeks. 

Snell remains one of the most dominant pitchers in the bigs. Last year, he finished with a 31.5% strikeout rate, putting him among the top 6% of pitchers. Moreover, it was the sixth straight season in which he finished above 30.9% and the second in which he led the majors in ERA+. 

Snell posted ERAs of 1.89 and 2.25 in his two Cy Young-winning campaigns. Between those seasons, that number jumps to 3.85. Worse, Snell has an underwhelming 24-25 record over that stretch.

Consistency might be the red flag keeping teams away. Nevertheless, Snell is the stabilizing force any team would be lucky to have. 

1. Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger's redemption arc has seemingly taken a hit. After reluctantly agreeing to a one-year deal last offseason, Bellinger must prove his MVP wasn't a fluke. Following a Silver Slugger and top-ten MVP-caliber season, Belli is still short on suitors a year later. 

Some of his underlying metrics are underwhelming, but Bellinger still swings a power bat. The two-time All-Star fell three RBI short of the century mark and finally got his home run total north of 19 again. We also saw him benefit from the new rules, setting a career-best with 20 steals. 

There aren't too many centerfielders who can boast about their left-handed power bat, making Bellinger a highly-rated commodity. After proving naysayers wrong on a show-me deal, he's ready to get paid like the former MVP he is.