2024 Free Agent Predictions

We have never really seen a top free agent. This class has not just one, but four, and a plethora of free agents after that who can all be key additions to teams.


MLB: Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals

SP Stephen Strasburg | Age 35 | 14 – 6 | 2.71 ERA | 152.2 IP | 176 K |

The 5-time pitcher of the year just hit the open market for the first time in CBL history. While he’s only made 25 and 24 starts in the past two seasons, respectively, he was still a top contender for the Bob Feller Best Pitcher Award, and some team looking to add a top-flight starting pitcher will sign him to a massive deal. In the past, the best starting pitcher to hit the open market was Tijuan Walker, who signed with Nashville for 5 years and $112.5 million total. Strasburg could sign for 3 years and get that much money. With very few pitchers with the abilities that he has, regardless of the other factors, teams looking for pitching will pay. Despite his age and late injury history, he will likely land a 5-year deal worth over $150 million.

Prediction: 5-year deal worth $184 million (5th year – vesting option 22 GS) to… the Connecticut Colonials


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2B Scooter Gennett | Age 33 | .303/.366/.423 | 9 HR | 68 RBI | 82 R |

Okay so who’s going to pay over $20 million for a player with only 9 home runs and a negative zone rating at a weak defensive position? Well, the answer is teams looking to add one of the most consistent bats in CBL history, a player who has put up a 4.0 WAR or better every season since 2016. With a lifetime average at .299 and only 1 year removed from a 20+ home run season, he’ll still be a hot commodity. He hasn’t been a good defender since 2021, and that may be caused by age, and at 5’10” he will never be a first baseman, but if needed he can switch to DH.

Prediction: 3-year deal worth $84 million (Opt Out after 1 Year, Player Options for 3rd Year) to… the Erie SeaWolves


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LF Justin Williams | Age 28 | .270/.311/.453 | 25 HR | 96 RBI | 69 R |

Holy shit, a player under 30 becoming a free agent? And he can still catch and throw the ball, as well as hit? He doesn’t walk with a cane? And while selfish, he’s not a clubhouse cancer? Can you say dream free agent? Williams has played his past 4 1/2 seasons in a pitchers park, and still put up fantastic numbers. Only 2 other teams play in pitchers parks, and one of them could sign him, just imagine what he could in any of those other hitter parks? This guy has pure power, and has hit over .300 in the past, and he plays solid defense in left field.

Prediction: 5-year deal worth $160 million to… the Minneapolis Millers


Cardinals v San Francisco Giants

LF Oscar Taveras | Age 31 | .287/.359/.517 | 28 HR | 91 RBI | 84 R |

Another multiple time winner, Taveras has taken home the MVP twice. But he has also missed 94 weeks of play due to injury, close to 2 full seasons. In 2021, he only played 11 games, and only 67 in 2022, so his ability to stay on the field is a huge cause for concern. Austin was able to keep him on the field this year, only missing 2 weeks. If he has another season like that, he can be one of the best hitters in the league.

Prediction: 3 year deal worth $71 million (Team Options for 2nd & 3rd Year, Bonus for PA) to… the Altoona Curve


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C Gary Sanchez | Age 30 | .242/.363/.419 | 19 HR | 63 RBI | 77 R |

Don’t put this guy behind the plate, and you will get production. His poor defense outweighs all of the good his bat does. His patience is his big selling point, as he can be placed in the 2 hole or lower in the lineup and get on base, while providing power. The cause for concern is that he played in the hitters paradise in Colorado for the past two seasons and he’s been very average. He hit just .256 with 43 home runs in 310 games. Those are less than stellar numbers for someone who services as a DH only. But his ability to stay on the field will be rewarded.

Prediction: 5-year deal worth $96 million (Opt Out after 2 Years) to… the Nashville Outlaws


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SP Randall Delgado | Age 33 | 17 – 7 | 4.16 ERA | 205.2 IP | 161 K |

Delgado has handled a full workload for the past 4 seasons, working just over 200 IP per season. He has proven himself to be an unbelievably consistent pitcher, and while his best seasons are behind him, he actually had one of his better seasons this year, based off of FIP. He’s a groundball pitcher, and with a strong defense and big ballpark, he’ll be a great #2 or #3 pitcher.

Prediction: 4-year deal worth $71 million (Team Option for 4th Year) to… the Tucson Express


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SP Trey Ball | Age 29 | 8 – 14 | 4.40 ERA | 196.1 IP | 152 K |

He’s a left handed pitcher, and that’s a hot commodity. That alone will get teams to go for him, and that he’s been consistently a solid pitcher doesn’t hurt. He’ll give you around 180 IP, and will sit around a 4.00 ERA, keeping you in games, and when in the right matchups he’s an even better pitcher.

Prediction: 4-year deal worth $52 million (Opt Out after 1 Year, Player Option for 4th Year) to… the Erie SeaWolves


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RF Giancarlo Stanton | Age 33 | .213/.301/.418 | 29 HR | 68 RBI | 67 R |

Over a quarter of his hits are home runs, good enough for the 6th best HR/H ratio in the league. That kind of power is coveted, and some team will take a flyer on him as a DH. If he can put up 30 HR again, then he could be a huge asset. But he’s also oft injured, and only playing just over 100 games per season. He also drew plenty of walks while with Calgary this past season, and had a strong end of the season with them.

Prediction: 2-year deal worth $17 million (Team Option for 2nd Year) to… the Dayton Sting


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RP Josh Edgin | Age 36 | 0 SV | 2.28 ERA | 43.1 IP | 49 K |

The greatest closer of all-time, even though he’s coming his first season without a save since his age 28 season, which he spent in AAA. He missed lots of time last season with a strained shoulder, but when he was on the field he was fantastic. He still has the deadliest slider out there, and we can expect a return to greatness as a top closer in this next season. The newfound love of stoppers may impact Edgin, but he is still one of the best.

Prediction: 3-year deal worth $34 million (Vesting Option for 2nd & 3rd Year) to… the Portland Panthers


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SP Ruben Alaniz | Age 32 | 6 – 10 | 5.03 ERA | 105.2 IP | 113 K |

This could be a huge stretch, and there are better pitchers available, one’s that will be ready to pitch at the start of the 2024 season. And Alaniz was truly awful last season in 20 starts, but this next contract will be signed because of what he could be. Hunter Harvey was at one point, a starting pitcher, and for a season, a very good one. Alaniz is similar, except he was a dominant starter for several years, and a very good one for many. But he’s been slowly falling apart, but still has two dominating pitchers. If a team is willing to pay for him for the start of the season, he will be ready by the end of July, and could be a big boost to a teams bullpen for a playoff push.

Prediction: 3-year deal worth $19 million (Team Options for 2nd & 3rd Year) to… Portland Panthers

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Nathan Royce

The Sultans organization would love to sweep i and steal one of these players. should be an interesting off-season!

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