MLB Free Agents: Rumors, Predictions for Cody Bellinger, Sonny Gray, and More
Free agency in Major League Baseball is as exciting a time as any, with contending teams looking to add missing pieces that could put them over the proverbial hump and in the World Series conversation.
For those on the fringe, it creates an opportunity to build a team that can compete on a regular basis.
With players like Cody Bellinger, Sonny Gray, and Josh Hader figuring to attract suitors and big-money deals, find out what the latest reports are surrounding them, complete with predictions on where they will ultimately land.
Cody Bellinger enjoyed a career revival in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs and, after declining the team's qualifying offer, is poised to make big money as one of the top free agents in this year's class.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that "The Yankees and San Francisco Giants are widely viewed as the co-favorites now to sign free-agent center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. The Yankees would love to have Bellinger and Juan Soto roaming their outfield, while the Giants would also like to have free-agent Matt Chapman playing third base for them."
Both teams could benefit from having a player of Bellinger's talent on their roster, but the Yankees are desperately in need of both bats and fielders. The team ranked 29th in batting average and 21st in stolen bases.
Bellinger had the highest batting average of his career in 2023 (.307), blasted his most home runs since his MVP season in 2019 (26) and stole 20 bases. Every one of those numbers would instantly enhance the Bronx Bombers' roster amid their attempt to claw its way back into contention in a loaded AL East.
The Giants could use the help offensively, too, but the Yankees are one of those teams in which perception is of the utmost importance and the organization recognizes it must make moves this offseason to satisfy the fans.
Offering big money to Bellinger, in hopes that he is the Cubs version of himself and not the disappointing, post-2019 player that was run out of Los Angeles, is as good a start as any.
Prediction: Yankees sign Bellinger to a long-term deal
Nightengale also reported that "The Cardinals, the favorites to sign free-agent pitcher Sonny Gray, badly need experienced starters to fill innings. They are without five pitchers who made 82 of their 162 starts this past season."
St. Louis was not good in 2023, experiencing a depressingly down season in a city that is not used to them.
The Cardinals had a team ERA of 4.79, one full point higher than in 2022, and gave up 760 earned runs while tallying a WHIP of 1.456, both the highest since 1999.
Sonny Gray finished second in AL Cy Young voting for the Minnesota Twins and figures to be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason. His 2.79 ERA across 184 innings and 5.4 WAR were among the best of his career, despite an 8-8 record that perfectly summed up the Twins' season.
The Cardinals need pitching to return to prominence and ensure that this past season is an exception to the rule rather than the start of disappointment for one of the most storied franchises in the sport's history.
Gray is the perfect option to join the rotation and start the renaissance.
Expect the organization to do whatever it can to bring him on board.
Prediction: Gray signs with St. Louis
Could the world champs be getting stronger?
"The Phillies have shown little appetite for free-agent closer Josh Hader, leaving the Texas Rangers as the heavy favorite to sign Hader this winter," Nightengale wrote, adding to a busy week of free-agent reporting.
The idea that the Rangers could add a reliever the quality of Hader to the mix, fresh off of winning the World Series, is ridiculous. The team got some quality out of José Leclerc in the regular season but the veteran closer struggled a bit in the postseason, opening the door for the Rangers to discuss adding another bullpen arm to the mix.
Hader was magnificent in 2023, allowing just eight earned runs and three homers all year. He walked more than normal, and his WHIP (1.10) was higher than it should have been, but his ERA of 1.28 was the second-lowest of his career.
If he can replicate his performance from this past season, or even get close to it, the Rangers will be in a position to repeat as champions. They have the offense but the one biggest question mark throughout the season was depth in the bullpen.
Hader would provide that, and, with Leclerc, would give the team a one-two punch it could combat any team with, not unlike Baltimore's pairing of Félix Bautista and Yenier Cano.
Considering the depth of the American League and the number of contenders that could realistically emerge from that league, it is an opportunity the Rangers are unlikely to let pass them by.
Prediction: Rangers sign Hader
