Top 5 MLB free-agent first basemen for 2020-21
Which first basemen will be the most coveted free agents on the market this winter? Let's take a look at the top five.
Age: 31
The Cubs picked up Rizzo's $16.5 million option for 2020, but will they do the same for their star first baseman in 2021?
The abbreviated 2020 campaign turned out to be a rough one for Rizzo as he hit just .222 with 11 homers. Those numbers are a major outlier, however, as the three-time All-Star has consistently been among the best first basemen in the game over the last six seasons. It'd be a surprise if the Cubs didn't pick up his option once again.
UPDATE (Oct. 31): The Cubs have exercised Rizzo's option for 2021.
Age: 34
Santana is coming off a 2020 season in which he hit .199 with eight homers. While it was a down year for the switch-hitting slugger, he showed in 2019 there's still plenty left in the tank. Now that the Indians have declined Santana's option, expect him to get plenty of attention from teams looking to bolster their lineups.
UPDATE (Dec. 8): Santana has agreed to a two-year, $17.5 million deal with the Kansas City Royals, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Age: 35
The Padres have declined Moreland's $3 million option. Could Boston bring the 2018 World Series champ?
He was a bright spot with the Red Sox in 2020, hitting .328 with 11 home runs in 22 games. After being traded to San Diego, he hit just .203 with two homers.
Age: 30
Cron's 2020 season with Detroit was cut short as he underwent knee surgery in August. In his two previous seasons with Tampa Bay and Minnesota, he quietly put up solid offensive numbers and proved he can be a valuable addition to any lineup in need of some pop.
Age: 36
Zimmerman opted out of the 2020 season, but it doesn't look like the longtime Washington National is ready to call it a career just yet. Wherever he lands in free agency, he'll bring an invaluable veteran presence and can still produce at the plate when healthy.
