1 remaining free agent each AL team should sign
The slow and deliberate pace of the MLB offseason has left numerous players unsigned as the calendar approaches February. Teams still have needs and no shortage of players to choose from. Here is one free-agent fit for each American League club.
Baltimore Orioles, Mike Clevinger: The Orioles may have to wait until the trade deadline to make a big splash in the rotation. In the meantime, general manager Mike Elias should look to a veteran stabilizer like Clevinger to help raise the floor. The 33-year-old enjoyed a solid season in 2023, posting a 3.77 ERA and accruing 2.2 fWAR in 24 starts for the White Sox.
Boston Red Sox, Adam Duvall: Boston could once again use Duvall's bat and versatility in the outfield. The 35-year-old went deep 21 times with an .834 OPS in just 92 games last season while making the majority of his starts in center field and right field. Wilyer Abreu, 24, is projected to start the season in right if the Red Sox don't land another outfielder.
Chicago White Sox, Whit Merrifield: Merrifield is no stranger to life in the AL Central after spending parts of his first seven seasons in Kansas City. The veteran has said he's most comfortable at second base, an area of weakness for the White Sox. Merrifield could immediately hit leadoff for a lineup seeking more veteran presence.
Cleveland Guardians, Justin Turner: The Guardians are always on the hunt for affordable offense and could use an experienced first baseman on the roster. Turner fits the bill after appearing in a career-high 41 games at first for the Red Sox last season, where he hit 23 homers and added 96 RBIs. The 39-year-old likely won't cost much, which perfectly fits the frugal Guardians' budget.
Detroit Tigers, Eduardo Escobar: The Tigers could use Escobar's experience at third base and second with Matt Vierling and Zach McKinstry projected to enter the season as starters. The veteran slugger can also be a designated hitter despite his struggles last season. The 35-year-old went deep at least 20 times in five different campaigns over his 13-year career, which included a 2021 All-Star berth.
Houston Astros, Phil Maton: The Astros would benefit from adding another high-leverage reliever, even after signing All-Star closer Josh Hader to a five-year contract. The Astros are familiar with Maton after the right-hander registered a 3.67 ERA over parts of three seasons in Houston, helping the club to a World Series victory in 2022.
Kansas City Royals, Michael A. Taylor: The Royals, who are projected to start Kyle Isbel in center field, could reunite with a familiar face. Taylor won a Gold Glove with the Royals in 2021 and is coming off a 21-homer season with the Twins. Only two Kansas City players - Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez - hit more than 20 round-trippers last season.
Los Angeles Angels, Blake Snell: The Angels have reportedly made Snell a priority this offseason - and a union makes a lot of sense. Los Angeles needs to make a big splash to fill the giant hole in its rotation following Shohei Ohtani's departure. Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, led the majors with a 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts over a career-high 32 starts last season.
Minnesota Twins, Michael Lorenzen: The reigning AL Central champions have questions in the rotation beyond Pablo López and Joe Ryan. Lorenzen's current repertoire doesn't leap off the page, but he remains a capable innings eater at 32. He'd be a more stable option than Chris Paddack or Louie Varland at the back of manager Rocco Baldelli's rotation.
New York Yankees, Hector Neris: The Yankees are primarily focused on bullpen upgrades and have been connected to Neris, who's reportedly seeking a multi-year deal. The righty posted a career-best 1.71 ERA and logged 65-plus innings for a third consecutive season in 2023. He'd be a terrific complement to Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loáisiga in New York's pen.
Oakland Athletics, Amed Rosario: The seven-year veteran can probably be had on a one-year deal after a poor season between the Guardians and Dodgers. He's still relatively young at 28 and provides some pop and speed at a reasonable price tag. Oakland is currently projected to start Darell Hernaiz at shortstop as its rebuild continues.
Seattle Mariners, Gio Urshela: The Mariners are projected to enter the 2024 season with Luis Urías as the starting third baseman. For a team looking to rebound after missing the postseason in 2023, that doesn't feel ideal. Injuries limited Urshela to just 62 games for the Angels last season, but he's only one year removed from hitting .285 with a 119 wRC+.
Tampa Bay Rays, Tim Anderson: The Rays already acquired Jose Caballero as a stopgap at shortstop while they await a ruling on Wander Franco's future. But if they're looking for more impact, they could turn to Anderson. The two-time All-Star and former batting champ is coming off a terrible 2023 campaign and could be had on the cheap for the Rays, who have a knack for fixing players.
Texas Rangers, Jordan Montgomery: The 31-year-old left-hander helped the Rangers win their first World Series after posting a 2.79 ERA with 1.09 WHIP over 11 starts following a trade with the Cardinals. He also surrendered only 10 earned runs over 31 innings in the postseason. Texas needs a top starter with Max Scherzer out until at least June and Jacob deGrom recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Toronto Blue Jays, Jorge Soler: The Blue Jays desperately need an infusion of power to a lineup that was middling in home runs last season. Soler's presence would go a long way to helping alleviate some of the concerns surrounding Toronto's offense. The 31-year-old has been an above-average offensive player for the majority of his career and possesses some of the most prodigious power in the league.