Top 20 MLB free-agent position players

With the offseason now underway, theScore's MLB editors rank the top 20 free-agent position players. (statistics from 2020, ages are current).

Top 20 MLB free-agent pitchers

1. J.T. Realmuto, C, 29

Realmuto has been one of the league's two best catchers since 2016, alongside Yasmani Grandal. The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, who spent the previous two seasons with the Phillies, has posted an .820 OPS or higher in three straight campaigns. The Oklahoma native should eclipse the four-year, $73-million deal Grandal received from the White Sox last offseason, even with teams expected to be careful following pandemic-induced financial losses.

2. George Springer, OF, Blue Jays*

*Agreed to 6-year, $150M contract with Blue Jays

Springer continued to quietly serve as the Astros' motor in 2020. Hitting primarily out of the leadoff spot, he led his team's position players in WAR while ranking among the top 10 in the AL in slugging, OPS, home runs, and runs scored. He also brings a stellar postseason resume that includes an .895 OPS with 19 home runs, and Springer was named the 2017 World Series MVP. With Mookie Betts off the board, Springer is the best free-agent outfielder available this winter. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner would be a welcome addition to just about any contender.

3. Marcell Ozuna, OF, 29

After a couple of productive but underwhelming seasons in St. Louis, Ozuna went ballistic in possibly his lone campaign with the Braves. He led the Senior Circuit in home runs and RBIs, and the veteran ranked third in batting average. Since Ozuna rejected a qualifying offer from the Cardinals after last season, he won't be eligible to receive one from the Braves. Consequently, any team that signs him won't surrender a draft pick to Atlanta as compensation.

4. DJ LeMahieu, 2B, 32

*Agreed to 6-year, $90M contract with Yankees

LeMahieu has been one of the league's most productive hitters over the past two years with the Yankees. "The Machine" ranks first in batting average and has been among MLB's top 10 in runs, wRC+, and OPS since the beginning of 2019. The 32-year-old also became the first player in the modern era to win the batting title in both leagues thanks to a .364 average during the shortened campaign, and he's a three-time Gold Glove winner who's logged time at first, second, and third base. LeMahieu has done enough to warrant more than the $24 million he received his last time as a free agent.

5. Michael Brantley, OF, 33*

*Agreed to 2-year, $32M contract with Astros

Even at the age of 33, Brantley proved he's still one of the league's steadiest at the plate. A patient contact hitter who posted a 15.3% strikeout rate in 2020, Brantley is a consistent threat to reach base. His .364 OBP this season marked the sixth time in the last seven years that he's reached base at a clip of .360 or higher. Brantley can play left field, but he spent more time at DH this season, and the veteran might be heading toward a future at that position. But he remains a dependable and productive All-Star hitter.

6. Marcus Semien, SS, 30

Semien experienced a down season after finishing third in AL MVP voting in 2019. However, that won't necessarily quell interest in his services. The Athletics have already indicated they'd like to keep him around, but Oakland rarely spends big money on the open market, even to retain a longtime player. The 30-year-old produced a remarkable season in 2019 when he set new career highs in home runs (33), doubles (43), triples (seven), RBIs (92), walks (87), and OPS (.892). Semien's defense was rightly scrutinized early in his career, but since 2018 he's sixth among shortstops in DRS (21) and fourth in UZR (17.1).

7. Justin Turner, 3B, 35

Turner's decision to break COVID-19 protocols so he could celebrate the Dodgers' World Series win is likely going to cost him on the open market, as there's a good chance the veteran will be suspended for part of the 2021 campaign. If next season is another short one, that might cause teams to shy away from the soon-to-be 36-year-old. However, if clubs are willing to overlook his post-World Series behavior, Turner is still a fantastic hitter (.886 OPS since 2014) and a reliable defender at the hot corner (22 career defensive runs saved).

8. Nelson Cruz, DH, 40

Cruz might be a strict DH now, but there's no question he can still rake. The 40-year-old is coming off another stellar season as the heart of Minnesota's powerful lineup, finishing fifth in the AL in homers and fourth in OPS. A reunion with the Twins could very well be in the cards, though other contenders looking for power would be wise to give Cruz a call.

9. Ha-seong Kim, SS, Padres*

*Agreed to 4-year, $25M contract with Padres

Kim, who starred for the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization last season, should generate plenty of interest in free agency after his team agreed to post him this winter. He offers a rare mix of power, speed, and defense at a premium position and is only 25 years old. Though it's tough to gauge how well Kim will perform against MLB pitching, it's worth noting Baseball America said in May that he'd be a top-100 prospect in the majors, and that was before he had the best season of his career in 2020.

10. Didi Gregorius, SS, 30

Tommy John surgery limited Gregorius at the tail end of his Yankees tenure, and it likely contributed to him settling for a one-year deal in Philadelphia. Gregorius has now proven he's healthy after playing in all 60 of the Phillies' games this past summer and showed he's still a consistently solid producer. He hit .289 in the first half of this past season, following that up with a .280 average in the second. And although his glovework may have fallen off a bit, he's not going to hurt a team in the field.

11. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, 30

Bradley is one of baseball's most exciting defenders and a Gold Glove threat every year, but his bat has normally held him back. The 30-year-old turned things around at the plate in 2020 though, posting career highs in batting average and on-base percentage, while drawing more walks and limiting his strikeouts. Those improvements should help him find an everyday gig, though that will likely come outside of Boston.

12. Andrelton Simmons, SS, 31

An ankle injury limited Simmons to 30 games in 2020, and it might have impacted his defense. Simmons produced an abnormally poor year, finishing with a career-worst minus-2 defensive runs saved and a 0.8 ultimate zone rating. But defense remains the Curacao native's calling card. The four-time Gold Glove winner is arguably the best defensive shortstop of his generation, and if healthy, his presence instantly improves any team's infield. Simmons struggled through a tough year offensively, but he usually holds his own at the plate, and balances that weakness out with his elite glovework.

13. Carlos Santana, 1B, Royals*

*Agreed to 2-year, $17.5M contract with Royals

Santana became a free agent after the Indians declined his 2021 option following the worst campaign of his career. But despite hitting just .199 last season, the Dominican still did what he does best: Get on base. Santana led the AL in walks this past season while posting an OBP above .349 for the 11th consecutive year. He's also been incredibly durable, appearing in every 2020 game and never playing fewer than 143 contests since becoming a full-time regular in 2011.

14. Tommy La Stella, 2B, 31

La Stella has come a long way since his humble beginnings as the Cubs' light-hitting utility man. He seldom strikes out, fanning only 40 times in 549 plate appearances since the beginning of 2019. He doesn't possess prodigious power, but La Stella will run into one every now and then because of his remarkably consistent contact. The veteran can also play multiple positions, which could make him appealing to more teams.

15. Yadier Molina, C, 38

Molina's been one of the best catchers over the past 20 years. However, he's far from the player who earned nine All-Star appearances and nine Gold Gloves. His 82 wRC+ in 2020 was only better than Gary Sanchez among catchers with at least 150 plate appearances, but his agent thinks he's still worthy of a two-year deal. The Cardinals have been involved in contract discussions with the future Hall of Famer, but if talks go south, the Puerto Rican might need to settle for a one-year pact.

16. Joc Pederson, OF, 28

Pederson hits free agency after enduring the worst season of his career. He salvaged some value by posting a .991 OPS in the postseason for the champion Dodgers, but Pederson was a weak spot in Los Angeles' otherworldly lineup. His .677 OPS against right-handers was a career low over a full season, which could be concerning since he's generally been a platoon hitter in recent years. Still, Pederson showed what he can provide as a powerful, righty-mashing outfield hitter during the playoffs.

17. Kolten Wong, 2B, 30

Wong can't be expected to be a difference-maker offensively, though he's generally been an average hitter. He makes his mark on defense. Wong is the reigning NL Gold Glove winner at second base, and he's a finalist for this year's honor. He can change a game with his defense, which should give him plenty of suitors this winter. His postseason experience also won't hurt his prospects.

18. Ryan Braun, OF, 36

Braun is no longer a perennial MVP candidate, and there's a chance he could retire. But his offense hasn't entirely disappeared. He wasn't at his best in the shortened 2020 campaign, but Braun slashed .285/.343/.505 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs in 2019, his healthiest and most productive season in years. If he doesn't return to the Brewers, Braun could transition nicely into a first base/DH role for an American League club looking to add depth.

19. Cesar Hernandez, 2B, 30

Hernandez was among Cleveland's collection of switch-hitters in 2020, and he put together a fine if unspectacular campaign at the dish. The second baseman isn't a superstar, but he's consistent and has rarely been injured. He played 150-plus games in three of the last four regular-length seasons, and Hernandez appeared in all but two of Cleveland's contests this summer while leading the AL with 20 doubles. He'll be a solid depth option and probably won't command a massive payday.

20. Jurickson Profar, IF, 27

Versatility will likely be Profar's calling card this winter. The 27-year-old has logged time at five different positions, but he primarily played left field and second base for the Padres this past year, rating as a better defender in the outfield. Profar hasn't developed as a hitter the way many hoped, as he's produced only two above-average offensive seasons by wRC+. He's a solid player, but no longer an elite prospect.