With the common season winding down, quite a few groups (and their fanbases) are already beginning to flip their consideration in the direction of the offseason. Figuring out free agent targets is an enormous a part of that prep work, so it’s value taking an early take a look at the gamers who’ll be obtainable on the open market.
We’ve already seemed by way of a typically weak catching class and a stronger (however older) group at first base. We’ll now flip our consideration to second base. A fast be aware on eligibility: we’re solely taking a look at gamers who’ve appeared within the majors this season and are both main second basemen, utilitymen with 100+ innings on the place, or regulars at different positions who might draw legit curiosity as an on a regular basis second baseman. (Ha-Seong Kim, for example, has been completely a shortstop in ’24 however has greater than 1000 innings at second base in his profession.)
Potential Regulars
Jose Iglesias (35)
Iglesias has had a wildly unexpected resurgence this season, OMG-ing his approach into the hearts of Mets followers with an eye-popping .337/.381/.459 batting line in 265 plate appearances. Iglesias isn’t going to maintain his outlandish .380 common on balls in play, however his paltry 13.2% strikeout price underscores that he nonetheless has plus bat-to-ball expertise. He’s drawn sturdy rankings for his glovework at each second base and third base this season. The previous has been his main place, however Iglesias has lengthy been a well-regarded defender who can deal with both place and certain nonetheless absorb some innings at shortstop if wanted. Groups are going to be skeptical of his potential to recreate this yr’s gorgeous offensive efficiency, however he ought to nonetheless have an enormous league deal ready for him this winter after such a robust exhibiting.
Ha-Seong Kim (29)
Kim has been not less than common on the plate in every of the previous three seasons and is a plus defender at any of shortstop, second base or third base. He’ll draw curiosity as an on a regular basis shortstop this offseason, and that’s in all probability the place he’s most precious, given the significance of that place. That stated, he’s drawn his greatest marks in Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Common at second and is a transparent on a regular basis choice on the place who might additionally slide elsewhere on the defensive spectrum as his crew’s wants change (as he’s completed in San Diego). Kim’s .233/.330/.370 line this season is a step again from final yr’s .260/.351/.398, however he’s improved each his strikeout and stroll charges for a 3rd straight season and swiped 22 bases in 27 tries. Kim has been out since mid-August because of irritation in his proper shoulder. So long as that doesn’t show to be a extra critical problem, he ought to nonetheless command a notable multi-year deal, given his mixture of youth, defensive excellence, plus pace and common (or barely higher) energy.
Kim has a mutual choice that gained’t be picked up by each events. The Padres could make him a qualifying provide if and when that choice is declined.
Gleyber Torres (28)
It’s been a poor yr total for Torres by his requirements, however maybe to not the extent many onlookers notice. Torres had one of many worst months of his profession in April, loved a stable Might after which slumped once more in June, leaving him with dismal total manufacturing by way of half the season. Since July 1, nevertheless, he’s hitting .286/.359/.398 in 302 plate appearances. His April now appears to be like like a transparent outlier, and when you combine in his barely sub-par June and stable Might, he’s hit .263/.336/.405 in 510 plate appearances. It’s a far cry from his peak output, however Torres has a monitor report of above-average offense and is ending the season on his hottest stretch of the yr (.320/.385/.469 in his previous 143 plate appearances). He’s posted very poor defensive marks at second base, however he might nonetheless web a multi-year provide primarily based on his offensive ceiling and age.
Utility Gamers/Bench Candidates
Brandon Drury (32)
Drury hit .262/.306/.497 with the Angels in 2023 after signing a two-year deal there. Some golf equipment would possibly’ve seemed to commerce him after the crew struggled a lot in ’23, however the Halos held onto him and have watched the versatile slugger scuffle by way of one of many worst seasons of his profession. He’s hitting simply .167/.242/.230 (35 wRC+) in 339 plate appearances. Drury can deal with any of second base, third base and first base. He’s dabbled within the outfield corners as properly. After this season, he’s possible taking a look at a really low-cost one-year pact or, likelier, a minor league deal.
Adam Frazier (33)
A former All-Star, Frazier didn’t hit a lot with the 2022 Mariners or the 2023 Orioles, however the Royals added him on an enormous league deal in hopes of recapturing a few of his earlier kind. It hasn’t occurred. In 289 plate appearances, Frazier has batted .202/.283/.296. Kansas Metropolis has used him at second, third and in each outfield corners. Second base is historically his greatest place. He’s possible ticketed for a minor league deal this winter.
Garrett Hampson (30)
One other inexpensive offseason addition from the Royals, Hampson signed a $2MM deal final winter however has turned in only a .227/.271/.300 slash with out a homer in 220 plate appearances. He can run and performs stable protection all around the infield and outfield, however Hampson’s lack of offense will in all probability restrict him to a minor league deal.
Enrique Hernandez (33)
Hernandez retains discovering his approach again to the Dodgers, however in his third stint with the crew this yr, he’s managed solely a .219/.272/.362 exhibiting. To his credit score, he’s picked up the tempo with the bat for the reason that calendar flipped to August, however not sufficient to avoid wasting his season. Hernandez is a advantageous second baseman and has been a lights-out heart area defender in his profession, however he’s now sitting on a .227/.285/.352 batting line over the previous three seasons — in simply shy of 1300 plate appearances total.
Whit Merrifield (36)
“Two-hit Whit” led the large leagues in hits in each 2018 and 2019. He’s thrice led the league in stolen bases and has additionally put up MLB-leading doubles and triples totals in a pair of seasons. That every one seems like a reasonably distant reminiscence, as Merrifield’s bat declined over his two seasons with Toronto and bottomed out when he batted .199/.277/.295 in 53 video games with the Phillies earlier than being reduce unfastened. He’s rebounded to an extent in Atlanta after signing to fill in for the injured Ozzie Albies; Merrifield owns a .248/.348/.336 line in 161 plate appearances with the Braves. That and his monitor report may very well be sufficient to get him one other huge league deal this winter, however it’s been awhile since he was a sturdy All-Star-caliber second baseman. He may also play all three outfield spots and third base.
Amed Rosario (29)
Rosario hit .307/.331/.417 with the Rays earlier than being traded to the Dodgers previous to the deadline. Los Angeles stunned fairly just a few folks by designating Rosario for task after simply 12 plate appearances. They paid a minimal value to get him in that commerce with Tampa Bay although, and Rosario’s manufacturing (or lack thereof) since being claimed off waivers by the Reds has made the choice look extra wise. The Reds have given Rosario restricted enjoying time, and he’s managed solely a .161/.190/.214 batting line in 21 video games/58 plate appearances there. Rosario can deal with lefties properly and hit for an empty common in opposition to fellow righties, however he lacks energy and grades out poorly throughout the diamond. He settled for a $1.5MM deal this previous offseason coming off nearly similar price stats to those he’s posted this season.
Tyler Wade (30)
Wade has performed six positions for the Padres this season however is on his approach to his third straight yr of properly below-average numbers on the plate. In 149 plate appearances, he’s hitting .229/.299/.252. Wade has homered one time since Opening Day 2021. He’s a stable center infield defender who’s seen extra sparse time at third base and throughout all three outfield spots. At greatest, he’ll compete for a bench position someplace subsequent spring.
Gamers with 2025 Choices
Kyle Farmer (34) — $6.25MM mutual choice, $250K buyout
Farmer missed a month this summer time with a shoulder pressure. He’s pulled his batting line as much as practically league-average after a horrible begin to the season, with practically all of his injury coming in opposition to lefties (.277/.342/.466 in 111 plate appearances). Mutual choices are nearly by no means exercised by each events, nevertheless. It was a shock to see the Twins tender a contract to Farmer and preserve him amid payroll cuts final winter. They could attempt to carry him again at a decrease price in ’25, however this selection might be declined.
Wilmer Flores (33) — $3.5MM participant choice
Flores hit simply .206/.277/.317 in 242 plate appearances earlier than present process a nonsurgical Tenex process on his ailing knee. He’s not going to command greater than $3.5MM in free company this winter, so it’d be a shock if he didn’t choose his choice up.
Brandon Lowe (30) — $10.5MM membership choice, $1MM buyout
Lowe has had two poor months on the plate (April, September), two roughly common seasons on the plate (Might, August) and two blistering months on the plate (June, July) in 2024. It’s been one thing of a curler coaster total, however the finish result’s a .242/.312/.475 batting line with 20 huge flies. Even when the Rays are cautious of paying Lowe his $10.5MM subsequent yr, it’s a simple name to select this up and search for a commerce companion. He has an $11.5MM choice for 2026 as properly.
Jorge Polanco (31) — $12MM membership choice, $750K buyout
Polanco’s bat has picked up some since a disastrous begin to the season, however he’s run out of time to salvage his season. His .206/.290/.343 line is a significant shock for a participant who was persistently productive from 2018-23 in Minnesota, when he batted a mixed .270/.338/.455 and even ripped 33 homers throughout the 2021 season. On the time the Mariners acquired Polanco from the Twins, it seemed like they have been solidifying second base for 2 seasons, however Polanco’s choice now appears to be like prone to be declined.
Miguel Rojas (35) — $5MM membership choice, $1MM buyout
Rojas will flip 36 in February, however he’s hitting .287/.337/.416 with plus protection at shortstop and the power to deal with both second base or third base as properly. For a web $4MM, that is an apparent name for the Dodgers to train.
