The 2020 free-agent class is not as star-studded as the previous two free-agent classes, but the 2020 free-agent class has some impressive, and even surprising stars and complementary pieces that plenty of teams will be interested in. The 2020 free-agent dream team will consist of one catcher, one infielder, one outfielder, two pitchers, and one designated hitter. Along with the free-agent dream team will be a signing prediction, guessing where the player will sign before the 2021 season begins.
Catcher – J.T. Realmuto
J.T. Realmuto (29) has been one of the top catchers in all of Major League Baseball for a couple of seasons now. His success started in 2016 when he put up a 2.6 WAR, according to Baseball-Reference, on a Miami Marlins team that finished with a 79-82 record. The 2017 season is when Realmuto broke out, between 2017 and 2019, Realmuto averaged a 4.5 WAR according to Baseball-Reference. 2019 was Realmuto’s first year with the Philadelphia Phillies after getting traded in the offseason, he slashed .275/.328/.493 with 25 long balls. 2020 was a little bit of a down year for Realmuto who finished the season with a slash line of .266/.349/.491 and a meager Baseball-Reference WAR of 1.2.
The combination of Realmuto’s position, age, and prior success is going to net him a nice contract with a team in need of a starting catcher. Realmuto can go pretty much anywhere, catchers who can play both sides of the ball well are rare. Depending on what happens with the St. Louis Cardinals and Yadier Molina, it is not hard to see Realmuto signing with the Cardinals on a nice deal for both sides. Realmuto will receive high interest from a lot of ball clubs this offseason, it might take some time before we know where the two-time All-Star will end up.
Infielder – DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu is a second baseman who can also play first base and third base. LeMahieu has spent the last two seasons with the New York Yankees and has fit perfectly, slashing .336/.386/.536 with 36 homers during that span. LeMahieu has, no doubt, benefitted from the size of Yankee Stadium, especially the short porch in right field. Since his first All-Star season with the Colorado Rockies in 2015, Lemahieu has an outstanding combined slash line of .316/.373/.457 and a 162 game average of 16 home runs. He also led the league in batting average twice. LeMahieu is the kind of guy that quietly leads a team by example.
For a second baseman, who can play first, LeMahieu is a guy that can help any team. He hits for a high average and gets on base a lot, while also hitting some balls out of the park. LeMahieu’s high contact approach is not going to slow down anytime soon, although the power in his swing might start to diminish. It would be very interesting to see LeMahieu end up in an Atlanta Braves uniform, even though that is never going to happen. DJ LeMahieu will end up re-signing with the Yankees or going to a club like the Phillies who need another infielder and want to contend for a World Series next year.
Outfielder – George Springer
The top outfielder on this year’s market is clearly George Springer. Since his debut in 2014 Springer has an average war of 3.9. In 2019 Springer had a WAR of 6.4 and finished seventh in American League MVP voting. The three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and World Series MVP had a 2020 slash line of .270/.361/.491 ( Batting Average/ On-Base Percentage/ Slugging Percentage). That slash line, combined with his above-average defense in centerfield has Springer poised to sign a lucrative multi-year contract this off-season. Springer’s bat and defense are here to stay. The Houston Astros will try their best to re-sign him, but could be unsuccessful, reports say that Springer does not want to re-sign with the team. If the Astros do not sign Springer, watch out for the New York Mets to make a splash and sign him.
Pitcher – Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer is known by many people across the nation, for numerous reasons. Whether people like how outspoken he is or not, Bauer is one of the best pitchers in the league and the best starting pitcher on this year’s market. Bauer is coming off what was likely a Cy Young campaign. Bauer’s 2020 was nothing short of terrific, pitching 73 innings with a league-leading 1.73 ERA. Bauer was dominant, striking 100 batters in those 73 innings.
His 276 ERA+ is proof of just how successful Bauer’s 2020 campaign was. ERA+ is a stat that reflects on the performance of one pitcher based on others, a 100 ERA+ would be an average pitcher. Anything below 100 would be below average, while anything above 100 would be above average. According to ERA+, Bauer was 176 percent above league average for pitchers. Whether or not you watch his YouTube videos, Bauer is a great pitcher who will help any ball club that ends up signing him. Pinning Bauer to one team, however, is a tough task. Bauer is a competitor, he wants to win, he will end up signing with the San Diego Padres or a team like the Los Angeles Angels, who could be a couple of players away from being a real contender.
Pitcher – Corey Kluber
Another starting pitcher on this list is Corey Kluber, Kluber is the most interesting free agent on the market. Corey Kluber did not have his one year option picked up by the Texas Rangers and is now a free agent. Kluber has been one of Major League Baseball’s best pitchers for many years, accruing an impressive track record including; three-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young, and an ERA title. Kluber is unique in the fact that he is not a power pitcher. He is a true sinker and breaking ball pitcher.
Yes, Kluber is currently 34 years of age and coming off two injury-riddled seasons, but, he still has some gas in the tank. Kluber is a pitcher, not a thrower, he is very talented and has incredible command. If Kluber can become comfortable wherever he lands, he will be an absolute steal on this year’s market. The game is moving towards a mentality of “What have you done for me lately?” Well, Kluber has not done much recently, but he has the know-how to handle a Major League lineup every five days. Barring any more injuries and setbacks, it would not be a surprise to see Kluber have some success with his new club.
Kluber will end up signing a one or two-year deal embedded with incentives. Baseball fans would absolutely love to see Kluber sign with the San Diego Padres, I think his veteran presence would immensely help the Padres, both on the stat sheet, and in the clubhouse.
Designated Hitter – Nelson Cruz
The clear and obvious answer here is Nelson Cruz. Cruz has been one of the very best power hitters since 2009. Cruz is a six-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Since 2009 Cruz has a very, very impressive slashing line of .280/.350/.538 with an average of 33 home runs each year. Unlike the power hitters people have got accustomed to over the last decade, Nelson Cruz hits for average and gets on base. At this point in his career, Cruz is limited to being a Designated Hitter. Unless the National League permanently adopts the Designated Hitter, Cruz will be limited to American League teams.
Cruz’s incredible career is likely to land him another two-year deal. All the buzz surrounding Cruz see him returning to the Minnesota Twins on a two-year deal. If the Houston Astros do not end up re-signing George Springer, Nelson Cruz would be an excellent replacement for Springer’s bat in Houston’s lineup, not his defense, however.
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