- Shohei Ohtani
Who does not want to sign the former two-time MLB Most Valuable Player who can do it on both sides of the ball? Ohtani’s career pitching stats of a 3.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP prove that he is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He also proved himself to be one of the best hitters in baseball as he has a career 274 Batting Average and 171 homeruns over six seasons. Although he will not pitch during the 2024 season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament, Ohtani will still be able to hit. Ohtani is coming off an excellent season where he hit .304 and hit 44 homeruns. Fans should remember that Shohei not only spends his time hitting but pitching too. In 2024, one can only wonder how much better of a hitter Ohtani will be as he does not have to worry about pitching. MLB fan Jack says, “I love watching Ohtani. No one has ever been able to play like he has. He can hit, pitch, and has even played a little bit of outfield. I am hoping he goes to a team that can truly make the best of him and win a World Series.” Every MLB team should try to sign Shohei Ohtani. Shohei is a once in a lifetime player and keeps on getting better and can successfully play on both sides of the ball. If a team does not want to sign him, they do not want to win because Shohei makes any lineup or rotation instantly better.
- Blake Snell
Even though he struggled during the first few months of the season, Blake Snell turned it around to produce a CY Young award worthy season. Even though Snell had the best ERA with a 2.25 and was tied for 3rd in the MLB for strikeouts with 234, Snell struggled with control and gave up an MLB leading 99 walks. Snell should be a name that all MLB teams want to sign because he proved he could dominate the National League and American League too by winning a Cy Young Award with San Diego in 2023 and Tampa Bay in 2018. Even though he struggled with control and is getting older, everyone should be reminded that a season ago, Snell only allowed 51 walks. If he improves his control, there is no telling what he could do to an opposing team’s lineup. Teams that should try to sign Snell should be the Red Sox, Twins, Tigers, Diamondbacks, or the Mariners. All of these teams need pitching. By adding Snell, not only will a team bolster their pitching rotation, but they will also add a veteran who is determined to win.
- Cody Bellinger
Who would have thought that Cody Bellinger would bounce back in 2023? A new beginning in Chicago presented Bellinger with the opportunity of a fresh start and it paid off. He went from having a .210 to hitting .307, had significantly less strikeouts by going from 150 to 87, and quietly swiped 20 bags. The former MVP proved that he deserves to be featured on the top half of an MLB team and that he needs to get paid. Bellinger is only 28 years old and offers lots of upside. He also has a gold glove as an outfielder and can play first base if needed and his speed allows him to be a threat on the bases too. Cody Bellinger has so much he can offer an MLB team as a utility player as well as an above average hitter. As an enthusiast of the game, Brailen says, “I look forward to him being an above average hitter. He is a solid all-around player that will help whatever team he goes to.” MLB teams that should try to sign Bellinger are the Marlins, Brewers, Orioles, and Reds. Part of the reason these teams all fell short of winning last year was because they were unable to outhit their opponents. By adding Bellinger a team will get a player with postseason experience, a threat on the basepaths, and who can change the game with one swing.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, and Kodai Senga are three players who have thrived from coming over to the US from the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) in Japan. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is going to be the next star. Yamamoto throws a fastball in the high 90s, a curveball, splitter, and cutter that are all excellent pitches. Yamamoto has an excellent ERA of 1.82 and 968 strikeouts pitching for the Orix Buffaloes in the NPB. Coming over to pitch for an MLB team will certainly be a challenge but Yamamoto will be able to do it. Yamamoto will get paid like Kodai Senga who signed a 5 year 75-million-dollar contract with the New York Mets in 2023. However much he gets paid; Yamamoto will most certainly be the next in line of a dominant series of Japanese pitchers. MLB teams that should be willing to sign Yamamoto are the Tigers, Guardians, Athletics, Rockies, or any team that does not have ahuge payroll. Yamamoto is a huge risk but is one that is worth it. Last year Kodai Senga became an all-star in his first season in the MLB and now it might be Yamamoto’s turn. By spending money on him, Yamamoto will not only be an excellent pitcher, but a player that may be able to jumpstart a team into playoff contention.
- Jung Hoo Lee
Every MLB team needs good hitters. If they’re not hitting for power, hopefully they can get on base. Jung Hoo Lee is known for being an excellent hitter in the Korean Baseball League. He is not a power hitter, not freaky fast, but is excellent at creating contact. Lee offers lots of upside being only 25 years old and has had a batting average of 340 and has 384 walks to 304 strikeouts in his 7 years in the Korean Baseball Organization. Lee also looks to pitch in the MLB, as a reliever, after having a 3.63 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 80 batters in 60 2/3 innings. The team that signs him will certainly hope that he can be like Shohei Ohtani and become a superstar who helps change the game of baseball. MLB teams that should be willing to sing Lee are the Yankees, Angels, Mets, Marlins, or Diamondbacks. In baseball, teams can’t win without scoring runs and Lee’s excellent bat can change a game in an instant. These teams could use a good contact hitter that can balance their lineups or use him as a spark that can fire the team up with his bat.