Nos. 15-11
8 of 12
15. OF Trent Grisham (Age: 29)
Stats: 581 PA, 125 OPS-plus, .235/.348/.464, 44 XBH (34 HR), 74 RBI
WAR: 3.5
A non-tender candidate last offseason, Grisham instead turned in a career year offensively after batting a combined .191/.298/.353 in 1,288 plate appearances over the previous three seasons. As a left-handed hitter with plus power numbers, it might seem Yankee Stadium was a catalyst, but he had significantly better numbers on the road (.269 BA, .904 OPS, 21 HR) than at home (.195 BA, .702 OPS, 13 HR).
14. SP Michael King (Age: 30)
Stats: 15 GS, 3.44 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, 76 K, 73.1 IP
WAR: 1.2
King was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2024, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 201 strikeouts in 173.2 innings to finish seventh in NL Cy Young voting. A thoracic nerve issue in his shoulder and a left knee issue plagued him during his contract year, but he has No. 2 starter upside and less mileage on his arm than most pitchers his age.
13. 1B Josh Naylor (Age: 28)
Stats: 604 PA, 128 OPS-plus, .295/.353/.462, 50 XBH (20 HR), 92 RBI
WAR: 3.1
After a 31-homer, 108-RBI season and an All-Star selection in Cleveland in 2024, Naylor had another strong season offensively with the D-backs and Mariners, adding 30 steals in 32 attempts. He had a 138 OPS-plus with nine home runs and 33 RBI in 54 games after he was traded to Seattle, and he is a strong candidate to be re-signed.
12. RP Edwin Díaz (Age: 31)
Stats: 62 G, 28/31 SV, 1.63 ERA (2.28 FIP), 98 K, 66.1 IP
WAR: 3.0
Díaz opted out of the final two years and $38 million of a record-setting five-year, $102 million deal, and he stands as the top reliever on the market with the potential to set a new high mark for relievers. The Mets will make every effort to re-sign the three-time All-Star, or risk having a glaring hole at the back of their bullpen.
11. SP Tatsuya Imai (Age: 27)
Stats (Japan): 24 GS, 10-5, 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 178 K, 163.2 IP
With a terrific track record and electric stuff, Imai looks like the next standout arm set to make the jump from the Japanese League, though his 5’11”, 154-pound frame does raise some durability questions. With one of the best fastballs in Japan and a nasty splitter, he has the stuff to make an immediate impact.
