There will be plenty of free-agent signings over the new few months and some of the biggest names in the MLB could be looking for new homes. Good news! If your team needs pitching help this could be the year to bolster some rotations as two of the biggest pitching names in baseball are free agents. If your team needs a third baseman there are two big options available this off-season as well. We’ll look at some of the three biggest names in free agency in the MLB and where they could end up.
Gerrit Cole RHP (Houston Astros)
Gerrit Cole is one of the biggest free agents on the market this off-season. Cole finished as one of the top pitchers in the AL with a record of 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts. If not for the season Justin Verlander had Cole likely would have been the pick for the AL CY Young. The three teams that are likely to seek his services are the Yankees, Dodgers, and Padres. However, I believe he stays in Houston.
Anthony Rendon 3B (Washington Nationals)
Arguably one of the biggest free agents is Anthony Rendon. One of the best hitters on the Nationals team this season was Anthony Rendon. Rendon made his case for being the NL MVP. However, Anthony Rendon finished 3rd in the race behind Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich. Anthony Rendon finished the regular season with a .319 batting average with 34 home runs, 117 runs scored and 126 RBIs. Two teams are in the race for Rendon in the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals. Rendon is from Texas, so it would not be a surprise to see him land there. If he remains with the Nationals, then I expect the Rangers to go after Josh Donaldson.
Stephen Strasburg RHP (Washington Nationals)
Strasburg had one of his best seasons in his career this past season and has made himself a lot of money in the process. Stephen Strasburg opted out of his 100 million dollar contract to test free agency and I expect him to be highly sought after. Finishing with a record of 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA and 251 strikeouts Strasburg was one of the top pitchers this season in the NL. Strasburg is from California, so I would expect the Padres and Dodgers to be two of the top teams that will try to sign him. I don’t see the Nationals being able to resign Stephen Strasburg and I expect him to be pitching for the Padres on Opening Day in 2020.