Top free agents -- Pitchers

It’s the first week of January. Normally, pitchers and catchers are expected to report to camp in a few weeks. However, we still don’t know whether the 2022 spring training will begin on time. But, what we know is that there are several top players who still haven’t signed a deal yet. First of all, 3-time Cy Young award winner and the 2014 NL MVP Clayton Kershaw hasn’t confirmed where he will be playing in 2022. Due to injury, Clayton Kershaw only tossed 121.2 innings, posting a 3.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He’s probably not as dominant as he was. However, he’s still one of the great pitchers in the majors. So far in his career, Kershaw already threw more than 2400 innings and struck out 2670 batters. He will turn 34 in March. If he can finalize a 2-year or 3-year deal, he shall have enough time to join the 3000 strikeout club. Moreover, Kenley Jansen, who has been one of the most reliable closers in the majors, recorded 38 saves in 2021. Additionally, he posted a 2.22 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP last year. Jansen has spent 12 seasons with the Dodgers and collected 350 career saves, 2nd most among active players. He turned 34 last September. If he can sign a 2-year deal and replicate his good performance in 2021, he should be able to join the 400-save club. Zack Greinke turned 38 last October and so far in his career, he already threw 3110 innings, most among active pitchers. Additionally, he has 219 career wins and punched out 2809 batters. It’s unlikely to see him ink a long-term deal again. By far, Greinke already had 9 home runs and 9 stolen bases. It will be interesting to see whether he will agree to a deal with a team in the National League to have more opportunities to hit. So, he might be able to get to the 10-10 mark. The 2021 season was definitely a great one for Carlos Rodon. It was his first season to record 10+ wins and he was selected to the All-Star game. He finished the 2021 season with a 2.37 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Furthermore, he threw a no-hitter last April. Rodon just turned 29 in December and he’s definitely looking for a long-term deal. Finally, Yusei Kikuchi made 29 starts for the Mariners in 2021 and he posted a 4.41 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He became an All-Star last season, however, the Mariners declined the club option and Kikuchi declined his player option for the 2022 season. Kikuchi had an over 5 ERA in the second half of the 2021 season, but he can still draw interest from several teams. We still don’t know when the MLB and the MLBPA will reach the new CBA, hence it will take some time to know where these pitchers will go. Moreover, pitchers such as 2-time All-Star Johnny Cueto, the 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta and the 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels are still looking for a deal. Meanwhile, Tyler Anderson, who made 31 starts in 2021, and Michael Pineda, who threw 100+ innings last year, are available as well.