The Major League Baseball offseason is where teams can change their fortunes around and fix some big holes on their roster to become an instant contender. And those in need of help in the outfield will certainly be looking to add some of the big-name players available in free agency.
Here’s our list of the top ten outfielders available in the 2023-24 offseason as free agency begins to ramp up.
10. Joc Pederson
- 2023 team: SFG
- 2023 stats: 358 at-bats, .235 batting average, .348 OBP, 15 HRs, 51 RBIs
Pederson was used largely in a platoon role for the Giants in 2023, where he had a pretty productive season against right-handed pitching. It was a slight regression in production compared to his 2022 season where he was named to the National League All-Star.
The two-time World Series champion isn’t the player at this point in his career that will completely turn a team around. But he is still a very productive player who can be extremely effective if put in the right situations to succeed.
9. Eddie Rosario
- 2023 team: ATL
- 2023 stats: 516 at-bats, .255 batting average, .305 OBP, 21 HRs, 74 RBIs
Rosario has been a serviceable player for a long time and played a big role on an excellent Braves team this past season.
Much like Pederson, Rosario isn’t a player who will change the course of an organization. But he is a reliable hitter who can clearly still play a big role on a successful team, which should garner him some interest from teams around the league in free agency.
8. Harrison Bader
- 2023 team: NYY/CIN
- 2023 stats: 319 at-bats, .232 batting average, .274 OBP, 7 HRs, 40 RBIs
Bader’s playing time in 2023 was limited due to the depth in the Yankees outfield, which limited his overall offensive production. Regardless, it is his excellent defense that is his selling point to most teams.
He has been one of the most reliable centerfielders in all of baseball since arriving in the MLB in 2017. And this along with his above-average speed on base should be enough for him to generate some buzz around the league in free agency.
7. Adam Duvall
- 2023 team: BOS
- 2023 stats: 320 at-bats, .247 batting average, .303 OBP, 21 HRs, 58 RBIs
Duvall’s first season in Boston was a productive one, providing a power aspect to their lineup that was much needed. He has been a productive power hitter over the course of his career, with three seasons with 30 or more home runs.
Any team in need of a power bat that can either play in the field or as a designated hitter will likely be interested in a player like Duvall this free agency period.
6. Hunter Renfroe
- 2023 team: LAA/CIN
- 2023 stats:498 at-bats, .242 batting average, .304 OBP, 20 HRs, 60 RBIs
Renfroe is a similar type of player to Duvall, just slightly younger with slightly better fielding ability in right field. His 2023 season was a tumultuous one, shockingly being cut by the Los Angeles Angels for cost-saving reasons towards the end of the season.
Regardless, he should be a prime target for teams in need of a power bat and some reliable fielding in right field.
5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- 2023 team: ARI
- 2023 stats: 551 at-bats, .261 batting average, .309 OBP, 24 HRs, 82 RBIs
Gurriel’s first season with the Diamondbacks was a huge success, having a career-best season both individually and from a team aspect. He made his first All-Star appearance this year and played a big role in the Diamondbacks World Series appearance this season.
This standout season should result in him getting a big payday in free agency from a team in need of a promising outfielder who showed some real upside this past season.
4. Jorge Soler
- 2023 team: MIA
- 2023 stats: 504 at-bats, .250 batting average, .341 OBP, 36 HRs, 75 RBIs
Soler had a huge bounce-back year this past season after a disappointing 2022 campaign where he barely hit over .200 on the year. He reached his second All-Star game in 2023 and was a big reason that the Marlins ended up earning a Wild Card bid in 2023.
At this point in his career, Soler may be better suited for a designated hitter role compared to being an everyday outfielder. Regardless, his hitting abilities should net him some solid interest around the league this free agency period.
3. Jung Hoo Lee
- 2023 team: Kiwoom Heroes (KBO)
- 2023 stats: 330 at-bats, .318 batting average, .406 OBP, 6 HRs, 45 RBIs
Lee has been a highly touted player for quite some time in the Korean Baseball League. He is expected to be posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, which would allow him to sign with an MLB team.
He has played in the KBO since the age of 18. And in his seven years in the league, he has never hit below a .318 batting average.
That kind of impressive contact skills will surely result in a ton of interest from MLB teams. And we could see him have a similar effect as players like Masataka Yoshida and Seiya Suzuki have had in the early portions of their MLB careers.
2. Teoscar Hernández
- 2023 team: SEA
- 2023 stats: 625 at-bats, .258 batting average, .305 OBP, 26 HRs, 93 RBIs
Hernández has been one of the best power-hitting outfielders in all of baseball in recent years and quietly continued that this past season with the Mariners.
The former Silver Slugger winner should be a sought-after commodity around the MLB for teams in need of a power hitter who can also hit for average at an above-average clip.
1. Cody Bellinger
- 2023 team: CHC
- 2023 stats: 499 at-bats, .307 batting average, .356 OBP, 26 HRs, 97 RBIs
Bellinger came into the 2023 season with limited expectations, struggling to regain his 2019 form where he was named the National League MVP.
He wasn’t quite as good as his 2019 campaign this past season, but he completely revived his career with an excellent year at the plate.
Bellinger clearly rediscovered his ability at the plate last season. And when you pair that with his excellent fielding skills that have always been there, you have a complete outfielder who can be a true difference-maker for any team.
Teams interested in him will be hoping that the 2023 season wasn’t a fluke and that he can continue his improved ability at the plate moving forward.
Honorable mentions:
- Kole Calhoun
- Aaron Hicks
- Joey Gallo
- Robbie Grossman
- Randall Grichuk
