Best Available Free Agents


George Springer and JT Realmuto were two of the six players receiving Qualifying Offers, thus placing atop the list of baseball's Free Agents.


Even in a winter of economic uncertainty, these are the most likely to land nine-figure contracts -- for good reason. 


Springer has been the model of consistency with the Astros. While some of this teammates played 2020 under a cloud of suspicion, the Connecticut native produced at a similar level to his five previous years.  A top of his class centerfielder and leadoff man with good power, he'd check off a lot of boxes for several teams with big 2021 plans.

Realmuto was a terrific sidekick to Bryce Harper in Philadelphia the last two seasons. A catcher who profiles as a mix of Joe Mauer and Pudge Rodriguez, Realmuto was everything the Phillies could have asked for after arriving in 2018 for top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez. Now, this two-time All Star brings strong skills and leadership to a marketplace where several teams could use someone just like him.

And with the Phillies having imposed widespread layoffs, there are questions whether JT, despite pleas from Harper, has become too pricey to commit to longterm.

The players have until a week from Wednesday (the 11th), to decide whether or not to take the QO's. It would be a surprise to see either of these stars take them.

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