Head of the class: Best free agents at each position

Head of the class: Best free agents at each position

September 1st, 2016

As September begins, there is still plenty of baseball left to be played this season, but it's never too early to look ahead to the Hot Stove.
This coming offseason won't feature the most high-profile group of free agents, with perhaps the biggest name coming off the board when All-Star pitcher signed a long-term extension with the Nationals in May. The middle-infield spots in particular lack depth, but there still should be plenty of appealing options for clubs looking to add pieces over the offseason.
Here then is preview of the upcoming free-agent class, highlighting the top available players at each position based on their 2016 wins above replacement (WAR), according to Baseball Reference.
CATCHER
, Nationals (2.7 WAR): He has stayed healthy for a second straight season and been one of the game's most improved hitters.
, Dodgers (1.6 WAR): Recently acquired by L.A., the respected veteran could end up back there, thanks to his $4.5 million club option.
, Astros (1.2 WAR): The left-handed batter has a career .547 OPS against southpaws, but he has hit righties effectively (.772 OPS this season).
Others of note: (0.4 WAR) has posted a sub-.700 OPS after accepting the Orioles' one-year qualifying offer last offseason. He could be joined in free agency by experienced veterans such as , and , who has a club option for 2017.

FIRST BASE
, Blue Jays (3.3 WAR): He turns 34 in January and has spent a lot of time at DH, but he leads the American League in RBIs and is second in homers.
, Orioles (2.4 WAR): The versatile veteran also has spent time at second, third and both corner outfield spots this season, while slugging better than .500.
, Rangers (1.8 WAR): His roughly league-average 103 OPS+ in 2016 is right at his career total over seven seasons.
Others of note: ($12 million club option) may not join this group, but sluggers such as , and will be available, along with DH types and . will also be on the market, but his lack of defensive value has limited him to 1.0 WAR despite his 40 homers.

SECOND BASE
, Mets (2.5 WAR): He has tied or set career highs in homers (23) and slugging (.476), but he now appears headed for season-ending back surgery.
, Dodgers (1.6 WAR): He has held his own as L.A.'s regular leadoff man in his age-37 season.
, Mets (0.6 WAR): After producing negative WAR with the Braves, Johnson has come up big since a June trade to New York.
Others of note: There isn't much depth here, but , and all have experience at the position.
THIRD BASE
, Dodgers (4.2 WAR): He has been one of the 20 most effective hitters in MLB since 2014, overcoming a slow start this season.
, Marlins (3.6 WAR): The 32-year-old is putting up his best slash line since 2010, batting .319/.371/.432.
, Astros (2.6 WAR): Before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in late July, Valbuena excelled against right-handed pitchers, as usual (.841 OPS).
Others of note: With signing an extension with the Pirates and the Angels holding a $7 million option on , that leaves , who has struggled since a trade to the Red Sox.

SHORTSTOP
Names to note: Unless returns from his successful transition to the outfield, options here are extremely limited. Among primary shortstops who are potential free agents, only the Royals' has a positive WAR value (0.4), and he has an affordable $6.5 million club option for 2017. and are veterans who will be coming off rough seasons, barring a huge late surge.
CORNER OUTFIELD
, Mets (2.8 WAR): Given his .298/.369/.572 line with 27 homers, it seems likely that Cespedes -- who also plays a lot of center -- will opt out of his current deal. If so, he will likely be viewed as the top free agent on the market.
, Blue Jays (2.4 WAR): After playing a total of 87 games over the past two years, Saunders is taking advantage of his good health in 2016.
, Astros (2.0 WAR): Rasmus' bat has been anemic in the second half, but most of his WAR value this season has come from his defense.
Others of note: Trumbo leads the Majors with 40 home runs, but he has not fared well with defensive metrics. , , , ($17 million club option) and all are accomplished players, and and have enjoyed productive rebound years.

CENTER FIELD
, Cubs (3.2 WAR): After returning to Chicago on an $8 million deal with a $9 million mutual option for 2017, Fowler is enjoying a career year despite a month lost to injury.
Desmond, Rangers (3.0 WAR): He should find a more favorable market this offseason, as he sits on the brink of a fourth 20-20 season.
, Tigers (1.4 WAR): In spite of multiple DL stints, including one that held him out until mid-May, Maybin is putting together his best year since 2012.
Others of note: leads the AL with 34 steals at age 35, while , and also will be available. For , a lot could depend on how he performs for the Rangers down the stretch.

STARTING PITCHERS
, Dodgers (3.2 WAR): The 36-year-old's ERA (2.09) is tied for MLB's second lowest (minimum 80 innings), but blister issues have limited him to six innings since July 7.
, Rangers (3.2 WAR): Lewis, who recently turned 37, has a 3.21 ERA in 15 starts and could return soon from a lat strain that has held him out since late June.
, Mets (2.5 WAR): He's still going strong at age 43, throwing more than 150 innings with a 3.44 ERA.
, Phillies (2.5 WAR): His 3.80 ERA is easily his best since 2012, although his peripheral numbers haven't changed much.
, Pirates (1.6 WAR): He has accrued more value in 31 1/3 productive innings with the Bucs than he did in 97 1/3 innings with the Yankees.
Others of note:, and all seem likely to be retained with club options, while and may choose not to exercise their opt-out clauses. ($13.5 million club option), ($11 million club option), ($10 million club option) and ($10 million mutual option) could be more likely to hit the market, along with a group that includes , , , , , and .

RELIEF PITCHERS
, Nationals (2.3 WAR): The righty is 121-for-130 in save chances with a 1.86 ERA since 2014.
, Dodgers (2.1 WAR): He has struck out at least 13 batters per nine innings with a FIP no higher than 2.40 in every season of his career.
, Cubs (1.9 WAR): Nobody hurls triple-digit heat like Chapman, whose 13.5 strikeouts per nine nine is actually his lowest mark since 2011.
Others of note: Relief pitching is probably the deepest aspect of this free-agent class. , , and all could have options picked up, but fellow right-handers such as , , , , , , and should be available. , and are among the southpaws headed for free agency.