Top 20 MLB free-agent pitchers

With the offseason now underway, theScore examines the top 20 free-agent pitchers (statistics from 2023, ages as of Opening Day 2024).

1. Blake Snell

Age: 31
Throws: Left
Position: SP
2023 salary: $16.6M
Qualifying offer: Yes

Snell couldn't have picked a better time to hit free agency. The likely NL Cy Young winner enjoyed a fantastic year for the Padres that saw him lead the majors in ERA and ERA+, finish second in strikeouts, and make 30-plus starts for the first time since his AL Cy Young-winning campaign of 2018. Yes, he did walk an MLB-high 99 batters, but his high walk rate feels like an anomaly. There's a reason Snell could own two Cy Young Awards, and he'd fit perfectly at the top of any rotation.

2. Aaron Nola, Phillies*

*Nola signed a 7-year, $172M contract with Phillies on Nov. 19

Age: 30
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $16M
Qualifying offer: Yes

Nola bounced back in the postseason after an inconsistent regular season, setting himself up nicely to land a long-term, nine-figure contract. The Phillies and the talented right-hander didn't seriously discuss an extension, making it very possible that he'll ultimately land elsewhere in free agency. Nola relies on commanding both sides of the plate and can be susceptible to home runs (he posted a career-worst 1.49 HR/9 in 2023). Despite that, Nola remains an elite, front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher capable of giving his team a chance to win every time he takes the ball. That'll always be rewarded handsomely in free agency.

3. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers*

*Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325M contract with Dodgers on Dec. 21

Age: 24
Throws: Right
Position: SP

*Stats from 2023 season in NPB

The latest Japanese pitching sensation has already created plenty of hype in MLB. Yamamoto just won his third consecutive Eiji Sawamura Award (Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young) after authoring one of the best seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball history. He allowed two homers in 164 innings, averaged under two walks per nine innings, and threw his second career no-hitter while leading the defending champion Orix Buffaloes to a third straight Pacific League pennant. Once the Buffaloes officially post him, expect a fierce bidding war for his services and one of the largest contracts of the offseason.

4. Josh Hader, Astros*

*Hader signed a 5-year, $95M contract with Astros on Jan. 19

Age: 29
Throws: Left
Position: RP
2023 salary: $14.1M
Qualifying offer: Yes

After a puzzlingly inconsistent 2022 campaign, Hader re-established himself as one of the game's preeminent ninth-inning stoppers with a signature dominant season for the Padres. The left-hander posted the second-lowest ERA (1.28) of his career while striking out 13.58 batters per nine innings. There is some downside associated with giving a closer who will be 30 next April a long-term contract, but it would still be a major surprise if Hader doesn't land a four- or five-year contract worth something in the neighborhood of $80 million-$100 million.

5. Sonny Gray, Cardinals*

*Gray signed a 3-year, $75M contract with Cardinals on Nov. 27

Age: 34
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $13.1M
Qualifying offer: Yes

Gray is an AL Cy Young finalist after turning in a career-best season for the Twins. He was the majors' leader in FIP and HR/9, surrendering only eight long balls in 184 innings, while finishing second in the AL in both ERA and WAR. Perhaps most importantly for his free-agent prospects, Gray was healthy, crossing the 170-inning mark for the first time since 2019. A longer-term deal for a 34-year-old pitcher could be risky, but Gray has a track record of success and should have another couple of solid seasons left in his arm.

6. Jordan Montgomery

Age: 31
Throws: Left
Position: SP
2023 salary: $10M
Qualifying offer: No

Montgomery raised his stock with an excellent performance for the Rangers in the postseason. The left-hander has been very durable, making at least 30 starts in each of the last three seasons. Montgomery boasts a career 3.68 ERA and 8.4 K/9. Although he doesn't profile as an ace, any teams looking for a dependable mid-tier rotation piece this offseason are likely to give Montgomery a long look.

7. Marcus Stroman, Yankees*

*Stroman signed a 2-year, $37M contract with Yankees on Jan. 11

Age: 32
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $23.7M
Qualifying offer: No

Injuries in the second half wrecked what was shaping up to be a career year for Stroman. Over his first 16 starts with the Cubs before getting hurt, he posted a sparkling 2.28 ERA with 82 strikeouts and only five home runs allowed. Stroman has a history as an innings-eater and his resume features some big playoff performances, qualities that many teams look for in a veteran starter. Health permitting, Stroman could make a team very happy if the price is right.

8. Eduardo Rodriguez, D-Backs*

*Rodriguez signed a 4-year, $80M contract with D-Backs on Dec. 6

Age: 30
Throws: Left
Position: SP
2023 salary: $15.4M
Qualifying offer: No

Rodriguez opted out of the final three years of his deal with the Tigers after a career-best season, and he's poised to cash in. He was everything Detroit hoped he'd be while stabilizing the team's young pitching staff. The left-hander had tremendous success limiting home runs, giving up just 15 in over 152 2/3 innings. E-Rod may not be an ace on a contending club, but he's the kind of solid mid-rotation pitcher that most staffs need. The market for his services should be robust.

9. Jordan Hicks, Giants*

*Hicks signed a 4-year, $44M contract with Giants on Jan. 12

Age: 27
Throws: Right
Position: RP
2023 salary: $1.8M
Qualifying offer: No

Hicks added a sweeper to his repertoire in 2023 and it helped him produce the best season of his career. The 27-year-old set new career highs in FanGraphs WAR (1.1) and K/9 (11.10). Hicks pitched in more of a setup role after a midseason trade to the Blue Jays but will likely be looked at as a closer in free agency. He still has issues with command at times, but he can overpower hitters with an electric fastball. That ability should help create a robust market for Hicks as teams look for a high-leverage bullpen piece that won't cost quite as much as Hader.

10. Lucas Giolito, Red Sox*

*Giolito signed a 2-year, $38.5M contract with Red Sox on Dec. 29

Age: 29
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $10.4M
Qualifying offer: No

After posting three straight seasons of an ERA under 3.53 from 2019-21, Giolito struggled over the past two campaigns to the tune of a 4.90 ERA in 2022 and a 4.88 ERA this past season. He did excel in 21 starts for the White Sox in 2023, registering a 3.79 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 121 innings. Things unraveled after a trade to the Angels before he was waived and claimed by the Guardians. Giolito's ability to pitch deep into games while staying healthy and missing bats at a strong clip should keep his market relatively strong despite his recent inconsistency.

11. Shota Imanaga, Cubs*

*Imanaga signed a 4-year, $53M contract with Cubs on Jan. 10

Age: 30
Throws: Left
Position: SP

*Stats from 2023 season in NPB

Imanaga is one of the more intriguing names available. A star in Japan, his 174 strikeouts led all of NPB this year, while his 10.6 K/9 rate was tops among Central League starters. He's a two-time NPB All-Star, he threw a no-hitter in 2022, and he was Japan's starter in this year's World Baseball Classic final against the U.S. The diminutive southpaw's issues will be homers - he allowed 17 in 2023, the second-most in his league - and age, as he'll be an MLB rookie in his age-30 season. He likely won't command the kind of price Yamamoto is asking for, and that should work in his favor.

12. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers*

*Kershaw reportedly re-signed with Dodgers on Feb. 6

Age: 36
Throws: Left
Position: SP
2023 salary: $20M
Qualifying offer: No

After flirting with retirement last offseason, Kershaw decided to return in 2023. The three-time Cy Young winner excelled in the regular season yet again but struggled in the playoffs as the Dodgers were shockingly swept in the NLDS by the Diamondbacks. Following the early exit, Kershaw admitted that he was uncertain about returning for his 17th season in 2024, and his future became even more murky after he underwent shoulder surgery last week.

13. Hector Neris, Cubs*

*Neris signed a 1-year, $9M contract with Cubs on Jan. 27

Age: 34
Throws: Right
Position: RP
2023 salary: $8M
Qualifying offer: No

Neris completely transformed his career with the Astros after a rocky eight-year stint in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old posted a strong 2.69 ERA with a 10.5 K/9 over two seasons with the Astros, helping the club win the World Series in 2022. Neris declined an $8.5-million player option for 2024, betting that he'll be able to land a multi-year deal in free agency. With his recent track record, that's a smart bet.

14. Mike Clevinger

Age: 33
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $12M
Qualifying offer: No

Clevinger's ERA and FIP don't inspire awe, but they were the lowest marks on the 2023 White Sox. He does come with some injury concerns: Clevinger is two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and he missed time this year with wrist and bicep issues. Still, he just threw his first 130-inning season since 2018, including two complete games for the White Sox. Clevinger may not be a star, but he's a solid mid-rotation arm at a potentially cheaper cost in both term and dollars.

15. James Paxton, Dodgers*

*Paxton signed a 1-year, $7M contract with Dodgers on Jan. 23

Age: 35
Throws: Left
Position: SP
2023 salary: $4.2M
Qualifying offer: No

Paxton carries considerable injury risk but also elite stuff. The left-hander's 2023 season was a tale of two halves. Paxton posted a 2.98 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 56 innings with the Red Sox before the All-Star break. Following the break, Paxton struggled mightily, registering a 6.98 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 40 innings. It will be interesting to see how teams approach a pitcher who will be 35 in 2024 with a long track record of injuries.

16. Seth Lugo, Royals*

*Lugo signed a 3-year, $45M contract with Royals on Dec. 12

Age: 34
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $7.5M
Qualifying offer: No

Lugo became a free agent when he opted out of his deal with the Padres, and he's hitting the market at the right time. He just re-established himself as a starter in his first season as a full-time member of the rotation since 2017. Lugo won't be a game-changer but is clearly a reliable back-end option who's capable of making at least 25 starts a season. Another multi-year deal is very likely in his future.

17. Tyler Mahle, Rangers*

*Mahle signed a 2-year, $22M contract with Rangers on Dec. 14

Age: 29
Throws: Right
Position: SP
2023 salary: $7.5M
Qualifying offer: No

It will be interesting to see how Mahle's market materializes considering injury cut his 2023 season short after just five starts for the Twins. He can miss bats at an impressive rate with a career 9.35 K/9. There is risk associated with signing a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery, but teams should be interested based on Mahle's body of work if the contract makes sense.

18. Aroldis Chapman, Pirates*

*Kimbrel signed a 1-year, $10.5M contract with Pirates on Jan. 22

Age: 36
Throws: Left
Position: RP
2023 salary: $3.8M
Qualifying offer: No

The seven-time All-Star closer had a very nice bounce-back campaign split between the lowly Royals and the world-champion Rangers. Chapman didn't do much work as a closer for either team, but he still turned in his lowest ERA and FIP during a full season since 2019 while collecting 100 strikeouts for the first time in eight years. Although his Texas stint wasn't always smooth, especially in the playoffs, he did enough to show that there's still plenty of gas left in his tank.

19. Craig Kimbrel, Orioles*

*Kimbrel signed a 1-year, $13M contract with Orioles on Dec. 6

Age: 35
Throws: Right
Position: RP
2023 salary: $10M
Qualifying offer: No

Kimbrel was found money for the Phillies during the regular season, tallying 23 saves in 71 appearances en route to a surprising All-Star berth. Unfortunately, his postseason pitching left a lot to be desired. Arizona rocked Kimbrel in the NLCS, and he only tallied one strikeout in three innings during the Phillies' previous two playoff series. He also gave up a career-high 10 home runs during the regular season. Still, this is one of the greatest closers of all time. He'll help most bullpens, even if a seatbelt is required for his appearances.

20. David Robertson, Rangers*

*Robertson signed a 1-year contract with Rangers on Jan. 25

Age: 38
Throws: Right
Position: RP
2023 salary: $10M
Qualifying offer: No

Robertson isn't the flashiest option at this stage of his career but the veteran can still get the job done in important spots out of the bullpen. The 38-year-old struggled after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets but still posted a strong 3.06 ERA with 78 strikeouts across 65 1/3 innings in 2023. Expect Robertson to land another one-year deal with a bullpen-needy club this offseason.