MLB free agent rankings: Top 10 starting pitchers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
This offseason feels familiar for Boston Red Sox fans. After missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, the club must prioritize starting pitching.
Last year, when Craig Breslow replaced Chaim Bloom as president of baseball operations, the Red Sox addressed the rotation by signing Lucas Giolito and little-known swingman Cooper Criswell. Giolito didn’t throw a pitch for Boston in 2024 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Even with Giolito expected to return in 2025, more needs to be done to improve the pitching staff. To achieve this, Breslow and Co. either have to make a blockbuster trade or spend a lot of money in free agency. Boston has been reluctant to make any of these moves in recent seasons.
Nevertheless, there will be options for them in the 2025 free agent class. It’s not the strongest group of starting pitchers, but there are some attractive options for the Red Sox if John Henry finally wants to open his wallet.
Here’s a look at the top 10 starting pitchers that will hit the open market.
1. Corbin Burnes, RHP
Age: 30
2024 statistics: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 starts)
Corbin Burnes lived up to expectations as a bona fide ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner anchored the O’s staff and was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth straight year, this time starting for the American League.
Burnes will cost a pretty penny as the most coveted pitcher on the market, but he will almost certainly be worth the high price tag. He has proven to be one of the most durable starters in the game (three straight years with 30+ starts) and is a virtual lock to post an ERA around 3.00, around 200 innings and 200 strikeouts in a season.
2. Blake Snell, LHP
Age: 32
2024 statistics: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 starts)
Note: Snell has a $38.5 million player option with the San Francisco Giants through 2025.
Despite winning the 2023 NL Cy Young award, Snell did not sign his free-agent contract until March 27, the eve of Opening Day. It shouldn’t take as long for teams to throw money at him this time around.
Snell posted the best K/9 percentage (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his career, proving his second Cy Young season was no fluke. If he opts out as expected, he will be one of the most sought-after weapons on the market.
3. Max Fried, LHP
Age: 31
2024 statistics: 10-10, 3.42 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 157 SO, 55 BB, 165.2 IP (28 starts)
Fried has been among the most consistent starters in the sport since 2020. The veteran southpaw has posted an ERA of 3.25 or lower every season since, earning two All-Star awards, an NL Cy Young runner-up and three Gold Gloves in the process. He was instrumental in the Braves’ 2021 World Series title.
If perhaps the left-handed version out there, Fried will be pricey. But after him, Burnes and Snell, there aren’t many bona fide aces in this year’s free agent class.
4. Jack Flaherty, RHP
Age: 29
2024 statistics: 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 194 SO, 55 BB, 162 IP (28 starts)
Flaherty gambled on himself when he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers in free agency. That decision paid off as he enjoyed a great recovery campaign in 2024.
He made 18 starts with Detroit and amassed a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 133 strikeouts before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline. With LA, he posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 10 starts.
There’s a pretty steep drop from the Burnes/Snell/Fried trio to the Flaherty level. Still, the 29-year-old right-hander should earn plenty of attention in free agency after showing his undeniable upside.
5. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Age: 35
2024 statistics: 11-8, 3.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 161 SO, 41 BB, 163.2 IP (28 starts)
Note: Eovaldi has a $20 million player option with the Texas Rangers through 2025.
Eovaldi followed up his strong debut season in Texas with perhaps an even better season in 2024. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the two-time World Series champion opted out of his $20 million deal and stayed with his hometown team, but he would almost certainly make more than that on the open market as a proven veteran with a postseason. pedigree.
6. Sean Manaea
Age: 33
2024 statistics: 12-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 183 SO, 61 BB, 178 IP (31 starts)
Note: Manaea has a $13.5 million player option with the New York Mets through 2025.
Manaea led the Mets into the postseason as the ace of the pitching staff in 2024. The veteran southpaw posted the best ERA of his nine-year career while throwing a career-high 181.2 innings. While some regression should be expected, he will be an excellent addition for teams looking for a reliable starter in the middle of the rotation.
7. Michael Wacha, RHP
Age: 33
2024 statistics: 13-8, 3.28 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 143 SO, 44 BB, 161.2 IP (28 starts)
Note: Wacha has a $16 million player option with the Kansas City Royals through 2025.
Perhaps the Royals’ surprisingly successful season will be enough to convince Wacha to exercise his player option. However, the right-wing veteran continued to prove worthy of a multi-year contract with another excellent campaign. He only gets better with age.
8. Luis Severino, RHP
Age: 31
2024 stats: 11-7, 3.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 161 SO, 60 BB, 182 IP (31 starts)
Severino was one of the biggest rebounding artists of the season. After a terrible end to his Yankees career, the veteran right-hander moved to Queens and reminded the league what he is capable of when healthy. He likely earned a significant deal in free agency.
9. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP
Age: 33
2024 statistics: 9-10, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 206 SO, 44 BB, 175.2 IP (32 starts)
Kikuchi struggled with the Toronto Blue Jays this season, but found something after being traded to the Houston Astros at the deadline. The Japanese left-hander was one of the best pitchers in the league during the second half, posting a 2.70 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 10 starts (60 innings) with Houston. It would be foolish to expect these numbers to continue into 2025, but Kikuchi has at least established himself as a solid mid-rotation target this season.
10. Shane Bieber, RHP
Age: 29
2024 statistics: 2-4, 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 40 SO, 10 BB, 43.1 IP (nine starts)
Bieber rounds out the list as a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. The 2020 AL Cy Young is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in May or June and even if he isn’t his Cy Young self, he should still be a valuable piece for teams looking to start pitching. The biggest concern is that his pace has dropped significantly in 2023, so that could deter some clubs.
Honorable mentions: Matthew Boyd, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Walker Buehler, Charlie Morton, Clayton Kershaw, Alex Cobb, Jose Quintana, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney, Michael Lorenzen, Nick Martinez, Martin Perez.
