The 2018 MLB free agent all-stars heading into spring training
Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals hits the ball against the Indians on May 6, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Credit: Getty Images / Brian Davidson
With more than 100 free agents still unsigned, you could draft a playoff contender from the deep pool of talent still available. Not to mention get them at a bargain rate, considering that only days before pitchers and catchers are due to report, the frozen market has yet to thaw, much to the consternation of the Players Association and the players’ seething agents. Meet the All-Unemployed team:
Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy
A two-time All-Star, Lucroy, 31, enjoyed the thin air at Coors Field after a midseason trade to the Rockies, batting .310 with an .865 OPS in his final 46 games.
First base: Eric Hosmer
A durable Gold Gold defender, the 28-year-old Hosmer should have set himself up perfectly to get paid with a walk-year slash line of .318/.385/.498 to go with 25 homers. He played in all 162 games.
Second base: Neil Walker
If not for the bad taste lingering over past negotiations with the Mets, Walker, 32, already might be back. A versatile switch hitter with some pop, Walker had an .801 OPS last season coming off back surgery.
Shortstop: Eduardo Nuñez
Better suited as a utility player, Nuñez, 30, plays shortstop on this team because of his offensive prowess. A career .282 hitter, he batted .313 for the Giants and Red Sox and had an .801 OPS last season.
Third base: Mike Moustakas
Moustakas, 29, muscled up at the right time, drilling a career-high 38 homers last season, nearly double his previous best. If not for the new $197-million luxury-tax threshold, he’d probably be a Yankee.
Rightfield: J.D. Martinez
As turnarounds go, count the 30-year-old Martinez among the top stories. After his March 2014 release by the Astros, Martinez has batted .300 with a .936 OPS and averaged 32 home runs in the past four seasons. He reportedly has a five-year, $125-million offer on the table from the Red Sox.
Rockies catcher Jonathan Lucroy at Coors Field on Oct. 1, 2017. Credit: Getty Images/Russell Lansford
Centerfield: Carlos Gomez
A few years removed from his All-Star days, the 32-year-old Gomez can provide some pop — 17 homers in 105 games last season — and has the speed to steal a few bases. His .802 OPS a year ago was an upgrade from his career mark of .733.
Leftfield: Carlos Gonzalez
Gonzalez, 32, finished third in the MVP voting in 2010 and won the Silver Slugger award after his 40-homer season in 2015. He has been a tough player to read, though, given that he played his home games at Coors Field for nine years. His .997 OPS at home drops to .735 on the road.
STARTING PITCHERS
Jake Arrieta
Arrieta, 31, went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA to win the National League Cy Young Award in 2015. In three of the past four seasons, he has finished in the top 10. Arrieta bounced back from a slow start last year to post a 2.28 ERA in the second half.
Eduardo Nunez of the Red Sox bats in the third inning against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 11, 2017. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Lance Lynn
After missing 2016 because of Tommy John surgery, Lynn, 30, recovered nicely last season with a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 186 1⁄3 innings. Since 2012, he’s averaged 32 starts and 189 innings and had a 3.39 ERA.
Alex Cobb
Cobb, 30, had a pair of sub-3.00 ERA seasons before his Tommy John surgery in 2015. He finally returned to form last year with a 3.66 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 29 starts (179 1⁄3 IP).
Andrew Cashner
The 6-6 Cashner rebounded from a lackluster 2016 to finish 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA in 28 starts for the Rangers. He’s 31 entering the season.
Jason Vargas
Arizona Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez after hitting his fourth home run of the game in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers on Sept. 4, 2017. Credit: AP
The lefthander, who turned 35 earlier this month, was tied for the American League lead in wins last season with 18. In addition to going 18-11, he posted a 4.16 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 179 2⁄3 innings. He earned his first All-Star team last season.
CLOSER
Greg Holland
During his days as the lethal closer in the Royals’ nasty bullpen, Holland, 32, had three seasons of sub-2.00 ERAs and averaged 12.1 K/9. He missed the 2016 season because of Tommy John surgery but had 41 saves and a 11.0 K/9 ratio for the Rockies last season.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
