Major League Baseball’s free agency period has begun and their Winter Meetings are only three weeks away. Like each and every off-season, lucrative contracts will be given, large sums of money will change hands, and some of baseball’s best talent will change teams quicker than the swing of a bat.
In regards to pitching, this free agency class may not be top heavy with a plethora of staff aces available. In terms of middle of the rotation and depth pitchers, though, this free agency class is loaded with quality arms that will make a difference in any rotation.
With Major League Baseball’s free agency period under way, here are the top 10 pitchers available this off-season:
1. Zach Greinke, 29 – Not only is Greinke head and shoulders above all other free agent starting pitchers, he is also arguably the premiere free agent available this off-season. Coming off a 2012 season in which he posted a 3.48 ERA, 15-5 record and 200 strikeouts, the former Cy Young award winner can be the ace of any pitching staff and will be the most coveted arm available this winter.
2. Anibal Sanchez, 28 – After being traded from the struggling Miami Marlins to the Detroit Tigers, Sanchez helped lead the Detroit Tigers to an American League pennant in 2012. Although he had a fairly mundane record of 9-13, Sanchez made a seamless transition from the Nation League to the American League with a 3.74 ERA and pitched 20 innings during the Tigers’ postseason run. Sanchez has been an extremely reliable middle of the rotation pitcher during his Major League career and will help any team that is looking for a quality number three starter.
3. Kyle Lohse, 34 – Over the past three seasons in St. Louis, Lohse has progressed nicely each and has topped each of his previous season performances. Posting a record of 16-3, starting a National League leading 33 games, and pitching the most innings in his career (211.0 innings), Lohse enters free agency off of the best season of his Major League career and will hopefully parlay his career-year into a multi-year contract.
4. Dan Haren, 32 – In 2012, Haren experienced several peaks and valleys. As a result of a shaky season and recent news of a nullified trade to the Chicago Cubs, Haren’s former club, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, declined his 2013 option. Haren, who up until 2012 was one of the most reliable arms in the Major’s during his 10-year career, now finds himself at a crossroads in his career. However, if the right situation presents itself, he could find a perfect fit and thrive on a National League team as a middle of the rotation arm.
5. Hiroki Kuroda, 37 – After coming off of a tremendous 2012 campaign with the New York Yankees, Kuroda will have no problem finding a spot in a rotation for the 2013 season. The 37-year old went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA, pitched the most innings he has ever pitched (219.2 innings), and was a valuable arm in the New York Yankee rotation last season. Whether he is in line for another season in pinstripes or looks for an opportunity elsewhere, Kuroda is a quality arm for any starting staff.
6. Edwin Jackson, 29 – Having been on six different teams in the past five years, including a stint on the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Jackson has turned into a vagabond of sorts. A very good middle of the rotation arm, Jackson may finally get something he has not had over the past five years: a multi-year contract and a Major League team he can call home.
7. Rafael Soriano, 32 – The only relief pitcher on this list, Soriano had a phenomenal 2012 campaign for the New York Yankees. When Yankee closer Mariano Rivera went down with a season ending injury, Soriano stepped into the closer role and saved 42 games with a 2.26 ERA. If a team is looking for a closer or a quality bullpen arm in free agency, the list starts with Soriano and he will likely be commanding a hefty price tag considering he opted out of his contract that would have paid him $14,000,000 in 2013.
8. Brandon McCarthy, 29 – Without much recognition or fanfare, McCarthy has pieced together consecutive solid seasons in Oakland. Despite his career getting off to a slow start and not living up to the promise many thought it should have, with the A’s McCarthy has started 43 games, gone 17-15, posted a 3.29 ERA, and nearly struck out 200 batters. Teams may be weary because of health concerns, but McCarthy could be the steal of this free agency class.
9. Ryan Dempster, 35 – After a mid-season trade to the Texas Rangers, Dempster struggled during his brief tenure in the American League. Although he accumulated a 7-3 record, Dempster had an ERA above 5.00 in 12 starts as a Ranger. Despite his American League struggles, Dempster has a lot to offer as a veteran arm in a starting rotation and also offers experience in the bullpen.
10. Shaun Marcum, 30 – In his two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Marcum went 20-11 with a 3.60 ERA. Marcum, who will be 31 on December 14, has had some health concerns and that will surely affect the term of any deal that is offered his way.
