The actual start date of Major League Baseball Free Agency doesn't start until next week, but with the World Series now over and the Boston Red Sox champions, it's time to look towards free agency and some of the top sluggers on the market this offseason includes hitters like Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Brian McCann, Nelson Cruz and Carlos Beltran.
All those players will be getting plenty of attention come wintertime and Cano might be the top option among them. Cano is the best hitting second baseman in the league and while him and the Yankees are reportedly $150 million apart, unless someone else ponies up the cash, he will stay in New York. Ellsbury is coming off of a World Series win and a solid season and after being injured last year, he comes into free agency clean, which Nelson Cruz cannot say after getting suspended, but he should also command a nice salary by sneaking in his suspension and completing it last season.
Shin-Soo Choo will be another player that will command some money after a solid season and McCann looks to be the best catcher on the market and could get up to $100 million this offseason. Beltran has had a nice little career renaissance in St. Louis and reports say the Yankees could come after him. The Yankees at first reportedly were not going to be big spenders, but depending on how things go with Cano and A-Rod, that could change heading into the offseason. The Red Sox don't need to add too much, but losing someone like Ellsbury or Mike Napoli could be a big void that they need to fill.
Free agency starts on the sixth day after the World Series and now that means Tuesday. Cano should be the top option on the market despite being 31 when the season begins, as he had another very good season and continued his run of 25 HRs and 100 RBIs. This season he hit .314 and should get a nice contract, but it likely won't be up to the $300 million he initially is asking for.
Ellsbury is another player that could command some money and attention, as the Mariners, Rangers and Yankees all could come after him after he hit .298 with nine home runs and over 50 RBIs and his biggest stat are the 52 steals. He had an excellent season in 2011 before getting hurt last year and now he could get some big money from someone, as he has a good glove and can be a leadoff hitter, something Seattle needs desperately and he's from the Pac Northwest as well.
Choo is a bit on the older side but there are a number of teams that could go after him, including the Mets, Mariners and Rangers. Some other players include Beltran of course, Ervin Santana as well as Matt Garza and there could be a number of other pitchers that get big money as well. Cano should end up the top player to sign this offseason and he should command the highest contract and the most money.
