Everyone loves scoring a great deal, and that enthusiasm extends from fans to MLB front offices. On this day dedicated to shopping, I’m carrying on a tradition at CBS Sports by highlighting four undervalued MLB free agents who could deliver significant value to teams in the upcoming season.
For those unfamiliar, the only restriction I follow is sticking to my top 50 free agent rankings, leaving all others open for consideration. Past editions of this feature successfully spotlighted players like Carson Kelly, Mike Soroka, Jacob Stallings, Pierce Johnson, Anthony DeSclafani, and Luis Garcia.
Let’s dive into the details:
1. Kinley, who will turn 35 in January, appeared in 24 games for the Braves, posting an astonishing 0.72 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.67. His high-quality breaking pitches place him in the 93rd percentile for limiting average velocity off bats. As long as he pitches outside Colorado’s challenging high-altitude environment, he should continue to improve. Kinley’s style closely resembles Brewers reliever Nick Mears, who also overcame time with the Rockies and now thrives with a straightforward north-south pitching style. While that may not sound glamorous, Mears had the third-most high-leverage appearances during one of baseball’s best regular seasons, which is noteworthy. Kinley is expected to land a one-year deal and serve as a reliable middle-relief pitcher.
2. Rodgers, 29, struggled offensively last year. In 43 games with the Astros, he hit just .191/.266/.278 with an OPS+ of 52, six extra-base hits, and struck out more than four times as often as he walked. His season was further derailed by an oblique injury, concussion, broken nose, and lumbar inflammation. Despite a tough year, Rodgers made some promising fundamental changes to his swing, increasing bat speed and shifting his contact point to pull and elevate the ball, though these adjustments caused more swing-and-miss. Rodgers now faces two paths: return to a contact-focused style or refine his new approach. With strong defense at second base, he could bounce back as a competent player in the second half of the league.
3. Newcomb posted a 2.73 ERA last season, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio near 3.00, split between the Red Sox and Athletics, though teams doubt he can maintain that performance. He hasn’t made ten or more starts in a season since 2018 but still uses a versatile six-pitch mix with three distinct fastballs. While he may lack standout pitches, recent trends show that pitchers with varied looks can succeed even if individual pitches aren’t dominant. Newcomb also improved his control, throwing strikes on nearly 65% of his pitches last season, up from a career average below 62%. While not a guaranteed star, he deserves consideration as a back-end rotation option in today’s MLB landscape.
4. Wilson had a strong year with the Red Sox, dominating with a three-pitch arsenal featuring four-seamers, sliders, and cutters. In 61 games, he managed a 3.35 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.85. However, at 38 years old, teams are hesitant to offer relievers lengthy contracts. The only recent exceptions involved Darren O’Day, who signed a modest two-year deal, and Daniel Byrd, who extended with the Rockies. Wilson’s recent history is shaky; he missed all of 2023 to injury and then posted a 5.59 ERA in 2024, but a one-year deal could be within reach.
Fan Take: These free agents highlight the depth and potential value tucked away beyond the marquee names, emphasizing how savvy teams can find impactful players without breaking the bank. For baseball fans, this means the sport remains unpredictable and exciting, as overlooked talents can emerge as key contributors and shift the league’s balance.
