Normally this late into the offseason there are not many great free agents left, but that is not the case this year.  There are still some big-time names left such as Chris Davis, Justin Upton, and Ian Desmond. 

Any team looking to improve has plenty of options left, as long as they are willing to open up the checkbook.  Below is my list of the top-10 remaining free agents, for what has been  very strong free agent class.

1. Yoenis Cespedes

Cespedes is coming off by far his best season offensively.  This past season saw him hit .291 with 35 home runs, and 105 RBI. However, the $150 million he is said to be demanding has kept him on the open market. Eventually, a team desperate enough for power and a cannon arm in the outfield will make a puch for him. 

2. Chris Davis

Normally left-handed power bats are extremely coveted yet here we are with perhaps the most powerful lefty in the game still a free agent. 

The Orioles had offered Davis a contract back at the start of free agency but they pulled it after a couple of days and have not offered another contract since.  Davis has 159 home runs with 409 RBI over the last four seasons.  Davis is only 29 years old so he still has four or five strong seasons in him, and in a day and age where power is extremely hard to come by, it shouldn’t be long before someone finally sign Davis.  

3. Justin Upton

I’m sure a big reason that Upton is still a free agent is because of how different of a hitter he becomes in the second half of the season.  Every year Upton starts out the season looking like a MVP but as good as his first half is his second half is equally as bad of not more so. 

At the end of the year his numbers look pretty good but no team is going to give Upton 130 million when a majority of his stats come in the first half.  Also according to his agent he is not looking to sign a short contract so if a team decides sign him they are going to have to give him at least six years.  Upton is only 28 years old so there is still room for improvement, and whatever team signs him long term will have him for a majority of his prime.

4. Wei-Yin Chen

This was a strong offseason for starting pitchers and many of the top one’s already signed, but there are still guys like Chen who can make a big difference on a team.  Chen only has four years of major league service but he has steadily improved each season, and has been a decent innings eater during his time in Baltimore.  Generally levites are coveted free agents which makes it so shocking that he is still available.  Chen should be a relatively cheap option, and will provide an ERA in the low three’s, while eating up close to 200 innings for whatever team signs him.  

5. Ian Desmond

Short Stop is perhaps the most important position on the field, and somehow one of the games best offensive short stops is still a free agent.  Desmond certainly didn’t help his case to get a big contract though as he had an awful season last year during his contract season.  Desmond failed to hit 20 home runs for the first time in four seasons, and only hit .233 which is well below his career average.  I think last year was just a blip on the map for Desmond as many players on the Nationals struggled and he should have a good rebound season for whatever team gets him at a discounted price. 

6. Mat Latos

Much like Desmond, Latos picked a terrible time to have a career worst season.  Latos has a career 3.51 ERA after posting a career worst 4.95 ERA last season.  However Latos may not have been as bad as the numbers say he was.  His BB9, K9, and H9 were all in line with his career averages, and his FIP was 3.7 which suggests that there was a ton of bad luck involved last year.  As long as teams do their homework and realize that he was not as bad as his ERA suggests they are going to get a solid starting pitcher at a huge discount.

7. Howie Kendrick

Unlike Latos, and Desmond, Kendrick had one of the better season of his career at the age of 31.  If Kendrick had stayed healthy he likely would’ve set career highs in RBI, runs, and would have been close in home runs.  Considering how weak the second base position is, it is shocking to see the Kendrick has not been signed yet by a team as he is likely an upgrade over most teams starting second basemen.

8. Tyler Clippard

Since his brief tenure with the Yankees his rookie season Clippard has been a very good bullpen piece.  He has spent time as both the setup man and the closer, and succeeded in both roles.  Clippard has a 2.88 ERA, a 1.089 WHIP, and a 9.8 K9 for his career which are all great numbers.  Likely the only thing keeping Clippard a free agent is his desire to be the closer on whatever team he signs with next.  I don’t know what team will give him that chance but whatever team it is won’t regret that signing.  

9. Yovani Gallardo

Despite seeing his K9 steadily decrease over the years from 9.5 to 5.9 he has managed to maintain a steady ERA, and has actually posted ERA’s lower than his career average the last two seasons despite posting the two lowest K9 of his career.  Gallardo is only going to be 30 years old next season and I think as long as goes to a pitcher friendly park he should continue to remain successful.  His high walk rate along with a decreasing strikeout rate worries me, especially if he is to stay in the American League and have to pitch to the designated hitter.

10. Dexter Fowler

Fowler doesn’t do any one thing particularly well but he has decent poop and he plays great defense in center field.  He also has some good speed that will steal him about 15-20 bags a year.  Fowler is also going to be a much cheaper option than many of the other remaining free agent outfielders, and won’t be commanding a long term contract.  

When Fowler does sign he will make for a good leadoff or number two hitter as despite his .267 batting average he has a .363 OBP for his career.  Fowler is not going to be the key piece that wins a team a championship but he can certainly play a good sized role with his great defense and ability to get on base.