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Best MLB free agents of 2016-17

Best MLB free agents of 2016-17.

 
1 of 25

Pedro Alvarez, DH

Pedro Alvarez, DH
G. Fiume / Getty Images

After turning down Pittsburgh's qualifying offer last offseason, Alvarez had to settle for a one-year deal in Baltimore. He's off to a slow start, but Alvarez hit at least 27 home runs in three of the last four seasons.

 
2 of 25

Jose Bautista, OF

Jose Bautista, OF
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

Bautista made news with his demand of a $150 million contract with Toronto at age 36. Certainly, he will get paid this offseason, but that offer seems very unlikely, especially considering that he's missing significant time with a toe injury.

 
3 of 25

Carlos Beltran, OF

Carlos Beltran, OF
Hannah Foslien / Getty Images

Beltran is aging gracefully and already has as many home runs as he did all of last season. His best fit is probably DH as he enters his age 40 seasons next year, but it certainly looks like Beltran has something left.

 
4 of 25

Santiago Casilla, RP

Santiago Casilla, RP
Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

Casilla is predicted annually as one of the closers most likely to lose his job, but he's been fantastic since taking over the role in 2014. While he will be 36 next season, Casilla has proved that he's deserving as one of the game's better closers with a sub-3.00 ERA in seven consecutive seasons.

 
5 of 25

Aroldis Chapman, RP

Aroldis Chapman, RP
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Chapman was shipped off to the Yankees at a discount last offseason after he was in the news for alleged domestic abuse, but the flamethrowing lefty is about to be incredibly rich now. He's shown better control than usual this year, while still fanning more than 13 batters per nine innings.

 
6 of 25

Ian Desmond, OF/SS

Ian Desmond, OF/SS
Stephen Brashear / Getty Images

The qualifying offer from Washington hurt Desmond's chance at a long-term deal last offseason, and he shocked many people by accepting a one-year deal in Texas as an outfielder. He's thrived in the outfield this season, putting together career-best numbers in the early going, and should earn a huge contract this offseason either as an outfielder or shortstop.

 
7 of 25

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Matthew Hazlett / Getty Images

Encarnacion leads the AL in RBI and is putting up his normal power numbers. Despite shaky defense, he is set to get a monumental contract going into his age 34 season.

 
8 of 25

Dexter Fowler, OF

Dexter Fowler, OF
Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

Fowler was set to sign a one-year deal with Baltimore before a change of heart that brought him back to the Cubs. He's thrived in his second season with the team, posting an on-base percentage near .400 in the leadoff spot. He will likely be rewarded with a long-term contract this time around.

 
9 of 25

Carlos Gomez, OF

Carlos Gomez, OF
Bob Levey / Getty Images

A former star in Milwaukee, Gomez has been terrible since Houston traded for him last season. However, his offensive numbers have started to come around recently, and teams will surely be interested with Gomez just entering his early 30s.

 
10 of 25

Matt Holliday, OF

Matt Holliday, OF
Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

Holliday has found a home in St. Louis as one of the organization's leaders over eight seasons, and his power numbers are rebounding this year after an injury-plagued 2015 season. He's shown signs of decline, but Holliday has an OPS above .800 for the 13th straight year.

 
11 of 25

Rich Hill, SP

Rich Hill, SP
Michael Zagaris / Getty Images

Hill signed a one-year deal with Oakland during the offseason to remain a starter. He's turned into one of the league's best pitchers and will likely be rewarded handsomely if he has a good second half.

 
12 of 25

Kenley Jansen, RP

Kenley Jansen, RP
Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images

One of baseball's truly elite closers, Jansen is inching toward 200 career saves and has never had an ERA above 2.85 in a season. His control has become elite since last season, and Jansen is likely to receive a huge long-term deal rivaling Aroldis Chapman's pending payday.

 
13 of 25

Colby Lewis, SP

Colby Lewis, SP
Tom Pennington / Getty Images

A lat injury is set to keep Lewis out of action for at least two months. Prior to the injury he was Texas' best pitcher, with a 3.21 ERA in 15 starts. Lewis has continued to show outstanding control and should get a significant raise this offseason despite turning 37 in August.

 
14 of 25

Adam Lind, 1B

Adam Lind, 1B
Stephen Brashear / Getty Images

Lind has struggled in Seattle this season, though he does have 10 home runs in only 56 games. He's usually put up big numbers when healthy, with an OPS above .800 in three consecutive seasons before 2016.

 
15 of 25

Mark Melancon, RP

Mark Melancon, RP
Justin Berl / Getty Images

Melancon seems likely to find a new home with the small-market Pirates keeping the closer spend reasonable. He's been one of baseball's best closers since joining Pittsburgh in 2013, with a 1.82 ERA over that time.

 
16 of 25

Brandon Moss, OF/1B

Brandon Moss, OF/1B
Jamie Sabau / Getty Images

Moss has been an extremely valuable contributor to the Cardinals' offense, hitting 16 homers in only 64 games after fighting through hip issues the last two years. With power at a premium, Moss is likely to get a multiyear deal if he can hold serve in the second half of the season.

 
17 of 25

Mike Napoli, 1B

Mike Napoli, 1B
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images

Napoli is revitalizing his career in Cleveland, with almost as many home runs already as he hit in each of the last two seasons. The veteran first baseman should get significantly more than the $7 million he received this year if his play continues.

 
18 of 25

Jonathan Papelbon, RP

Jonathan Papelbon, RP
G. Fiume / Getty Images

Papelbon's market will be interesting after he was nearly kicked off the Nationals late last season and is now on the DL. He's remained effective with Washington when healthy, with 16 saves.

 
19 of 25

Colby Rasmus, OF

Colby Rasmus, OF
Bob Levey / Getty Images

Rasmus has been streaky in the early going this year, and his streaks could determine his contract this offseason. He accepted Houston's qualifying offer last offseason, netting him $15.8 million.

 
20 of 25

Josh Reddick, OF

Josh Reddick, OF
Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

The oft-injured Reddick is hurt again this season, but he was hitting .322 before his injury. When healthy, Reddick has been an impressive performer with two 20-plus home run seasons.

 
21 of 25

Mark Teixeira, 1B

Mark Teixeira, 1B
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

Big Tex hit 31 home runs in 2015, but injuries have come back to haunt him in 2016. There's no doubt someone will take a chance on him this offseason, though he could have to settle for a one-year deal.

 
22 of 25

Mark Trumbo, OF

Mark Trumbo, OF
Patrick McDermott / Getty Images

Trumbo is having a career year at the right time, currently leading the AL in home runs. Trumbo's strikeouts have also returned, but teams will live with those consequences if he can hit 30 home runs.

 
23 of 25

Edinson Volquez, SP

Edinson Volquez, SP
Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Volquez has remained a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter for Kansas City, going 7-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 15 starts this season. There were skeptics regarding Volquez's ability before he signed a two-year deal with K.C. in 2015, but he should be able to net a bigger contract this time around.

 
24 of 25

Neil Walker, 2B

Neil Walker, 2B
Justin Berl / Getty Images

Walker is thriving away from his Pittsburgh home, on pace to easily set a career high in home runs with the Mets. The offensive-minded second baseman has double-digit home runs for the seventh consecutive season.

 
25 of 25

Matt Wieters, C

Matt Wieters, C
G. Fiume / Getty Images

Wieters is starting to rebound offensively after two years of elbow issues. He's regarded as well for his defense as his offense as a three-time All-Star and should get a long-term deal this offseason after accepting Baltimore's qualifying offer last offseason.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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