Top 5 Most Impactful MLB Free Agent Signings

This MLB offseason has been huge in terms of shaping the 2023 season. But, with players switching teams left and right, major moves can be hard to keep track of. And so, here are my picks for the top five most impactful Free Agent signings. 

First, at number five, shortstop Xander Bogaerts. He had a .307 batting average last year on the Boston Red Sox and had a .833 on base plus slugging average, which was a very good year. Only two people (Aaron Judge and Luis Arraez) had a better batting average. In December however, he signed a monster 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. Bogaerts joins Juan Soto, Fernado Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and many other star players on the Padres roster.

At number four, another shortstop, Carlos Correa. He became a free agent in 2022 after opting out of the remainder of his contract with the Minnesota Twins only a year after he signed with them. However, Correa came back to the Twins after his two other attempted deals fell through. The shortstop ended up signing a six-year, $200 million contract. Some say the Twins overpaid for a player who hit .291 and only hit 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in (RBIs). However, I expect him to have a much better year, but not so great of a year that he gets MVP honors. 

At number three, our final shortstop, Trea Turner. He signed with the Phillies, who won the National League pennant last year. This contract was for eleven years and $300 million, and I think the Phillies got their money’s worth. I think that Turner will be as good as ever and he might win the MVP award.

At number two, the only pitcher on this list, Jacob deGrom. The New York Mets tried and failed to re-sign deGrom, so deGrom signed with the Texas Rangers instead. The Mets had to settle for the free agent replacement signing of Justin Verlander. In my opinion, the Rangers are the biggest boom or bust team this year. They spent so much money on pitchers; deGrom headlined the various deals with a five-year, $185 million contract. I think that deGrom will have another good year but the rest of the team will be average and the Rangers’ offseason efforts won’t be worth it. 

At number one, outfielder Aaron Judge. A certified superstar, he broke the American League single season record for home runs last year, hitting 62 and breaking Roger Maris’s record of 61. He won the MVP award as well and took his team to the playoffs. He bet on himself during the last offseason, when he declined an extension from the Yankees worth $213.5 million over 7 years. Instead, he signed again this year for $360 million. I think that, coupled with the Yankees’ great pitching staff, they could make a run to the World Series.