MLBTR’s positional preview of the upcoming free agent class continues with a have a look at the nook outfield. That is the spotlight of the hitting group — led by a generational expertise testing the market at age 26.
Participant ages, listed in parenthesis, are for the 2025 season. Stats are via play on September 25. Solely gamers who’ve appeared within the majors this 12 months are included.
Different Entries: Catcher | First Base | Second Base | Shortstop | Third Base | Middle Subject
High of the Class
Soto isn’t merely the prize of this class. He’s among the many most fascinating free brokers in historical past. He’s a prime-aged celebrity on an interior circle Corridor of Fame monitor. Soto is the gold commonplace for plate self-discipline in MLB. He’s topped 40 homers this season for the primary time in his profession. His .288/.419/.574 slash throughout 700 plate appearances is 80 proportion factors above league common, as measured by wRC+. That’s his greatest in any 162-game season and trails solely teammate Aaron Decide amongst certified batters.
Groups might need some considerations about how Soto’s average-at-best protection will age into his 30s. There’s no such query about his offensive profile. The Yankees ought to do all the things of their energy to maintain Soto and Decide as one of many biggest 1-2 punches ever. They’ll face a problem from Steve Cohen’s Mets. The Dodgers are often concerned on any participant this gifted. Soto’s former groups in Washington and San Diego may make lengthy shot runs at bringing him again. He’s going to determine a brand new assure file (in comparison with the approximate $461MM web current worth of the Shohei Ohtani deal). Soto ought to beat half a billion {dollars}. The most important query is whether or not the quantity on his assure will begin with a 5 or a 6.
Above-Common Regulars
Santander has been a productive energy bat for a couple of years. He picked a superb time to show issues up a notch. The switch-hitter carries a .237/.310/.513 line over 652 plate appearances. He has linked on 44 dwelling runs, shattering his earlier profession excessive of 33. Solely Decide and Ohtani have hit extra. Santander isn’t an all-around celebrity like these gamers, in fact, however he’s been an elite energy menace all 12 months. He doesn’t stroll a lot, so his on-base marks hover round league common. He’s a fringy to common defender in proper discipline. It’s a considerably restricted profile, however Santander is extremely sturdy and matches comfortably in the midst of a lineup. He’ll decline a qualifying provide from the O’s and will land a four-year deal that will get into the $70-100MM vary.
Hernández discovered a disappointing market final winter coming off a down 12 months in Seattle. He took a deferred $23.5MM pillow contract with the Dodgers and has returned to kind. The 2-time Silver Slugger winner has clubbed 31 homers with a .269/.337/.495 slash over 150 video games. It’s again to the extent he confirmed over a number of seasons in Toronto, making his struggles with the Mariners appear like a blip. The Dodgers ought to make a qualifying provide, which he’ll most likely decline searching for a three- or four-year pact.
The Padres’ longstanding love for Profar has paid off in an enormous method in 2024. Restricted to a $1MM deal after a nightmare season in Colorado, the previous #1 general prospect has turned in a profession 12 months at age 31. He’s a first-time All-Star due to a .283/.382/.466 slash with a personal-best 24 homers over 654 journeys to the plate. Profar has married his sometimes sturdy plate self-discipline profile with a lot improved batted ball metrics (career-high 91.1 MPH common exit velocity, 44.6% exhausting contact proportion). There’s an opportunity the Friars make him a qualifying provide. If he declines or hits free company with out draft compensation connected, he’ll possible pursue a three- or four-year deal.
Boston hit on a buy-low acquisition of O’Neill from the Cardinals final offseason. He leads the Crimson Sox with 31 dwelling runs and sports activities a .240/.335/.512 slash throughout 469 plate appearances. He had a trio of temporary injured listing stints however has been one of many Sox’s greatest hitters when wholesome. O’Neill has obliterated lefty pitching at a .313/.429/.750 clip in 156 journeys to the plate. He’s tied with Decide for second in MLB (one behind Ketel Marte) with 16 dwelling runs off southpaws. He’s a two-time Gold Glove winner in left discipline. There are questions on his sturdiness and his streakiness related to big strikeout totals. Few gamers can match his uncooked energy, although. O’Neill is a fringe QO candidate who may land three and even 4 years if the Sox let him hit the market unencumbered.
Rebound Hopefuls
Conforto’s two-year take care of the Giants has been a relative disappointment. He’s been a strong hitter however hasn’t returned to the most effective kind he confirmed with the Mets earlier than present process shoulder surgical procedure. Conforto is hitting .234/.306/.450 this season and has a .237/.320/.418 slash in almost 1000 plate appearances for San Francisco. He’s nonetheless a giant leaguer however doesn’t have the perceived upside of his earlier journey to the market.
Kepler has battled accidents en path to a middling .253/.302/.380 slash in his stroll 12 months. He was an above-average common for the Twins simply final season, when he hit .260/.332/.484 with 24 homers with plus protection in proper discipline. Kepler might be a one-year deal as he tries to rebound — probably exterior Minnesota for the primary time in his profession.
Pham was hitting moderately properly for the White Sox early within the season. His manufacturing has fallen off since he moved to the Cardinals and Royals, and he now owns a .251/.310/.372 slash throughout 465 plate appearances. He may nonetheless land a giant league deal however he is perhaps higher fitted to a bench function than on a regular basis enjoying time.
Verdugo began his tenure within the Bronx properly. He was hitting .267/.358/.446 with extra walks than strikeouts via the tip of April. Since Might 1, he carries a .225/.276/.332 slash line in almost 500 plate appearances. Verdugo was a succesful, if inconsistent and generally irritating, common throughout his time with the Crimson Sox. He’s going into free company on the heels of a dismal five-month stretch.
Platoon Bats
Grichuk, a right-handed hitter, has teed off on southpaws this 12 months. He’s hitting .315/.382/.522 in 180 plate appearances with the platoon benefit. The D-Backs have principally shielded him from right-handed pitching, although he has popped 5 homers in 92 plate appearances in opposition to righties. Grichuk is a strong fourth outfielder who has earned a increase on this 12 months’s $2MM deal. The D-Backs most likely don’t need to train their finish of a $6MM mutual choice for subsequent season however may look to deliver him again at a barely lesser wage.
Heyward is ending the 12 months with the Astros after being squeezed off the Dodgers’ roster. He hasn’t maintained final 12 months’s rebound kind. In 253 plate appearances, he’s hitting .210/.286/.411. Heyward continues to be a superb defender in proper discipline and will land a low-cost MLB deal as a rotational outfield piece.
The Padres have gotten good work from Peralta, whom they initially signed to a minor league deal. The 37-year-old is hitting .267/.332/.422 over 247 plate appearances — nearly all of which have come in opposition to right-handed pitching. He may land a giant league contract this time round.
Winker hit .257/.374/.419 over 379 plate appearances for the Nationals after signing a minor league deal. Washington flipped him to the Mets, the place his manufacturing has tailed off (.248/.317/.372 in 46 video games). Winker is a below-average defensive left fielder who doesn’t have an incredible monitor file hitting lefty pitching. It’s a restricted profile as a platoon nook/DH bat, however he’s hitting .260/.366/.425 in opposition to righties this season and has a wonderful monitor file in opposition to right-handers.
Infield/Outfield Hybrids
Canha has performed extra first base than outfield this season. That’ll most likely proceed as he will get into his late 30s. The appropriate-handed hitter has mixed for a .240/.343/.342 line over 492 plate appearances between the Tigers and Giants. He’s nonetheless drawing a ton of walks however not hitting for the sort of energy wanted on the backside of the defensive spectrum. Canha ought to nonetheless land a giant league deal, however it’ll be a pay lower from this 12 months’s $11.5MM wage.
The Royals signed Frazier for $4.5MM final offseason. They’ll decline their aspect of an $8.5MM mutual choice in favor of a $2.5MM buyout. The previous All-Star is hitting .202/.283/.296 over 289 plate appearances. He’s possible minor league provides.
Hampson is a speedy utilityman with none sort of energy. He’s hitting .229/.273/.302 in 222 plate appearances for the Royals on a $2MM free agent deal. A minor league contract appears possible in his return to free company.
Hernández has made a profession off his defensive flexibility, clubhouse fame and double-digit dwelling run energy. The Dodgers have used him most ceaselessly at third base this season. Hernández has performed almost 150 innings within the outfield, two-thirds of which have come within the corners. He’s hitting .223/.275/.364 with 11 homers.
One of many recreation’s greatest contact hitters in his prime, Merrifield is healthier fitted to a second base/left discipline function off the bench at this stage of his profession. He had a tough tenure with the Phillies early within the season. He’s been a bit higher since touchdown with the Braves however nonetheless has a middling .222/.311/.314 season line.
Rosario has moved from an on a regular basis shortstop function right into a utility capability. He was hitting .307/.331/.417 in 76 video games with the Rays via the commerce deadline. Tampa Bay flipped him to the Dodgers and issues have gone downhill. Los Angeles surprisingly moved on from Rosario after simply 5 video games. He landed with the Reds on a waiver declare. He has a putrid .158/.186/.211 slash via 22 video games with Cincinnati. Rosario has logged almost 200 innings within the outfield this season.
Depth Sorts
A former common with the Marlins, Anderson solely had 5 plate appearances in three MLB video games with Atlanta this 12 months. He hit .237/.326/.365 via 84 contests in Triple-A.
Duvall’s return journey to Atlanta hasn’t gone as hoped. One season faraway from a 21-homer exhibiting with the Crimson Sox, Duvall has been among the many least productive gamers within the majors. He’s hitting .182/.245/.323 with 11 longballs over 330 journeys to the plate.
Gallo is hitting .160/.277/.329 throughout 73 video games with the Nationals on a $5MM free agent deal. Washington goes to say no its finish of a 2025 mutual choice. Gallo is hanging out as a lot as ever and hasn’t hit for wherever close to the extent of energy essential to offset that.
Gamel hit moderately properly in a tiny pattern between the Mets and Astros this 12 months. He broke his leg a pair weeks in the past and is unlikely to take part in Houston’s playoff run. The lefty-hitting Gamel has a roughly common .252/.334/.382 batting line in additional than 2300 profession plate appearances.
The Marlins lower García two and a half seasons into his four-year free agent deal. He hit .217/.260/.322 for the Fish, who nonetheless owe him $17MM — a $12MM wage and a $5MM buyout on a ’26 choice. García didn’t signal after being launched in June. He’d solely price a brand new crew the prorated league minimal for any time spent on the large league roster. The Marlins are on the hook for the remainder of his 2026 wage.
The switch-hitting Grossman takes loads of walks and customarily performs properly in opposition to lefty pitching. There’s restricted defensive worth, and Grossman has solely hit three dwelling runs on the season. He carries a .218/.331/.302 slash in 239 plate appearances between the Rangers and Royals.
Hicks’ resurgent second half in 2023 earned him a giant league contract with the Angels. The switch-hitter struggled to a .140/.222/.193 line and was launched after 18 video games. He has been a free agent since Might.
A speedy depth outfielder, Jankowski has hit .208/.268/.251 over 100 video games for Texas. He had a a lot better .263/.357/.332 exhibiting for the 2023 World Collection crew.
The Twins are going to say no their finish of a $12MM mutual choice on Margot. He’ll decide up a $2MM buyout, for which the Rays stay accountable as a situation of final winter’s commerce with the Dodgers. The appropriate-handed outfielder owns a .237/.290/.336 line whereas splitting his time between all three spots.
Rosario has had a disastrous 12 months. He hit .175/.215/.316 over 319 plate appearances between the Nationals and Braves. The famously streaky left fielder goes to be restricted to minor league provides.
Slater has made a profession of mashing left-handed pitching. The longtime Large hasn’t produced in opposition to pitchers of both handedness in 2024, although. He owns a .205/.317/.263 slash in 81 video games break up between San Francisco, Cincinnati and Baltimore.
Participant Choices
Bellinger can decide out of his three-year, $80MM take care of the Cubs. He’d be leaving $50MM on the desk to take action and has one other opt-out likelihood after subsequent season. Bellinger has had a pleasant season however hasn’t answered groups’ questions on his subpar exit velocities. He’s hitting .267/.326/.429 with 18 homers whereas hanging out at only a 16% clip. The Cubs have used him primarily in proper discipline in deference to defensive standout Pete Crow-Armstrong. Bellinger may most likely beat $50MM if he merely wished to maximise his assure, however he’s not more likely to match subsequent 12 months’s $27.5MM wage on a multi-year pact. He may guess on himself and consider the 2025-26 offseason as the precise time to decide out.
Haniger isn’t opting out of his $15.5MM wage for subsequent season. The Mariners hoped a return to Seattle would reignite his bat. It didn’t occur, as he’s hitting .209/.285/.338 with 12 homers in 118 video games.
Renfroe has a $7.5MM participant choice for subsequent season. He’ll very possible take it after hitting .229/.300/.381 in 414 plate appearances throughout his first 12 months with the Royals.
Membership Choices
The Crimson Sox can preserve Refsnyder through a $2.1MM membership choice. There’s a $150K buyout. The choice worth is a drop within the bucket for the Sox, who ought to retain him as a rotational righty bat in a lineup that skews closely left-handed. Refsnyder hit .283/.359/.471 in 307 plate appearances this 12 months. He’s tattooed lefties at a .302/.393/.548 clip.
