MLB

Catcher Gary Sanchez is an under-the-radar free agent who could end up providing plenty of bang for the buck during the 2023 MLB season.

Although there hasn't been a ton of buzz about his potential destination during the early stages of free agency, his market should eventually heat up once the biggest names come off the board in the coming weeks.

Sanchez morphed into a one-dimensional slugger in recent years after starting his career as a pretty well-rounded hitter for the New York Yankees. His lifetime average, which stood at .283 after the 2017 season, is down to .225 after spending 2022 with the Minnesota Twins.

He's still provided value as a power hitter at a position with a limited number of impact offensive producers, though. His 154 homers since 2016 rank second among MLB catchers behind only the Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, per FanGraphs.

His list of accolades includes two All-Star selections (2017 and 2019) along with the 2017 Silver Slugger Award for American League catchers.

Sanchez is coming off a 2022 campaign in Minnesota in which he compiled a .205/.282/.389 slash line with 16 home runs in 128 appearances. His .659 OPS was the second-lowest mark of his career.

The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native drew mostly positive reviews from Twins manager Rocco Baldelli despite an up-and-down year at the plate.

"He's impressed our group," Baldelli said in June. "He really does care. He's very accountable to his guys. He just wants to be good, and they know it. Overall, as a staff too, we couldn't be more pleased with what we've gotten from him on the defensive side of the ball. He's swinging the bat good too. He's done a real nice job back there. You can tell he's taken pride in what he's doing."

If he can provide 20-plus homers and solid defense moving forward, that'll represent strong value at a position where a lot of clubs are struggling for answers.

Here's a look at a couple of potential landing spots as part of his foray into free agency:

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Minnesota Twins

Sanchez staying in Minnesota wouldn't come as much of a surprise since the team doesn't have a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings. The club would hope for a bounce-back hitting year in 2023 to go along with his improved defending.

He'd likely split time with Ryan Jeffers at catcher while also drawing some starts as the designated hitter when he's not playing the field.

If his OPS returns closer to his career mark of .778 and he can deliver over 20 homers, that would give the Twins above-average production at the position and help the offense rise in the rankings after it finished 17th in runs scored last season.

That said, it's still a position the front office must address for the future, either through the draft or with the signing of international prospects.

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New York Yankees

Sanchez returning to New York may be an unexpected turn of events since it seemed best for the sides to go their separate ways last offseason, but it does make sense on paper as the Yanks look to add some offensive depth for the middle of the order.

He can split time with the defensively strong Jose Trevino, pinch-hit in games Trevino starts and draw an occasional start at designated hitter to spell Giancarlo Stanton. It's a way to maximize the impact of his bat without asking him to carry the load like he did in points during his first stint with the club.

The Yanks have other things higher on their offseason to-do list, starting with making sure superstar outfielder Aaron Judge returns to the Bronx. So a Sanchez reunion is something that would probably come together late in the winter.

If he's still on the open market as the rest of roster becomes settled, however, it's an idea the New York front office could consider for a little more pop.

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Cleveland Guardians

Signing Sanchez would represent an intriguing bet for the Guardians. At his best, he can be one of the league's top offensive catchers while providing steady play behind the dish. His mediocre play in recent years makes it unclear whether he can get back to that high level.

If signed, pencil him in as Cleveland's starter behind the dish to open 2023, but he'll have competition from prospects Bo Naylor and Bryan Lavastida in spring training.

Bringing in an established veteran would take the pressure off that tandem to make a significant impact next season, but the Guardians aren't likely to block either of them if they show promise during the exhibition slate.

So it's possible Sanchez would slide into more of a timeshare situation, but adding his power upside to an offense that ranked a modest 15th in runs scored last season would be a worthwhile investment.

Former MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen is flying under the radar on the MLB free-agent market, but he could provide a depth boost for just about any team heading into the 2023 season.

McCutchen captured the NL MVP award in 2013 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he also earned five All-Star selections across his first nine MLB seasons.

He's since made stops with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and, most recently, the Milwaukee Brewers.

The 36-year-old Florida native is coming off a 2022 campaign with the Brew Crew when he compiled a .237/.316/.384 slash line with 17 home runs and eight stolen bases in 134 games. His .700 OPS was a career-low mark.

While McCutchen has mostly played corner outfield or designated hitter in recent years, he has expressed confidence in his ability to still play center field, his longtime position with the Pirates where he won a Gold Glove in 2012.

"It's definitely a position I know I can still play," McCutchen said in July. "The outfield is the outfield, but it's something I've done for a lot of my career, so of course I'm the most comfortable out there at that position."

The continued positional versatility combined with a bat that still has some pop gives him value as he enters what's likely the twilight of his terrific career.

Here's a look at a few potential landing spots for the four-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

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Brewers

Sticking with the Brewers would give the club a little flexibility as it awaits the full-time arrival of their top outfield prospects, including Garrett Mitchell, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer. It's a talented group, but re-signing McCutchen would remove some of the pressure on them to potentially make a high-end impact in 2023.

In terms of veterans, Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe are likely locked into starting jobs barring an offseason trade. It leaves center field as the one open spot in the club's outfield.

If a few of those aforementioned rising stars make Milwaukee's final roster, it would likely mean more sporadic playing time for McCutchen, who could see his most consistent work at DH. If the prospects start in the minors, the veteran will be more involved.

It's unclear whether the Brewers are interested in a reunion given his modest production last season, though.

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Pirates

Heading back to the Pirates may signal McCutchen's career is winding down. A veteran of his caliber typically joins a contender to chase a World Series ring. The Buccos aren't in that category right now, but he obviously has a long history in the Steel City.

The club legend would probably see a majority of his starts at designated hitter, but he could still garner some playing time in the outfield when Bryan Reynolds, Cal Mitchell or Jack Suwinski needs a day off.

Signing with Pittsburgh is something that may wait until later in the offseason to see whether McCutchen can attract interest from a club closer to contention.

He'd surely be welcomed back with open arms if the Pirates are his ultimate destination.

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Astros

McCutchen isn't the offensive force he was during his peak years with the Pirates, but he's a worthwhile depth addition for the reigning champion Astros. He can bring veteran leadership to the clubhouse even if he's not in the lineup every night.

Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick are likely locked into starting jobs in the corner outfield spots for Houston. Jake Meyers is penciled in for center field, but there could be playing time available if he starts slowly in 2023.

McCutchen could back up all three outfield spots and also draw the occasional start at DH when Yordan Alvarez needs a breather.

Perhaps most importantly, it would represent a golden opportunity for him to add a World Series ring to an otherwise terrific career résumé.

Free-agent pitcher Corey Kluber indicated his interest in signing with the Boston Red Sox this offseason after already having some contact with the team, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

"I think they're well aware of how I feel," Kluber told Speier (via Chris Cotillo of MassLive).

The 36-year-old lives in Winchester, Mass. during the offseason and could enjoy remaining close to home during the regular season.

Boston also showed interest in each of the last two offseasons, although the pitcher ended up with AL East rivals New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

Kluber, who was limited to eight starts between 2019 and 2020 because of injuries, showed signs of a rebound during the early stages of the 2021 season with the Yankees. The highlight was a no-hitter he threw against the Texas Rangers last May.

The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner finished his first year in New York with a 3.83 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 80 innings.

Kluber signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Rays last year and came through with a 4.34 ERA in 164 innings. The durability was the most important factor, with 31 starts being his most since 2018.

It could make him a valuable part of the rotation for the Red Sox if he signs this offseason.

Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, will host the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

The Midsummer Classic is coming back to Arlington!@GlobeLifeField will host the 2024 @MLB All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/SJBkV1WB0i

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 17, 2022

This will be just the second time the Rangers have hosted the Midsummer Classic. The National League earned a 3-2 win over the American League in Arlington in 1995.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Rangers and Arlington "presented a robust bid for All-Star Week."

"The Rangers stepped up under difficult circumstances and Globe Life Field served as terrific host for the 2020 Postseason, including the World Series," he said. "We are excited to once again feature Baseball's newest ballpark on a global stage next summer."

This was inevitable once Globe Life Field opened in 2020. MLB wouldn't wait too long before taking the All-Star Game to North Texas, and Manfred said as much in 2019.

Beyond being the newest MLB stadium on the block, Globe Life Field's retractable roof makes it much easier to stage major events in the heart of summer. Unlike in 1995, the heat won't be a factor in the 2024 All-Star Game and its accompanying showcases.

To some degree, Thursday's announcement adds a little more pressure for Rangers general manager Chris Young, who's running the front office following the August firing of Jon Daniels.

Texas made a big splash last offseason by signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.

Despite that signal of intent, the Rangers ultimately finished 68-94. The organization will obviously want to see more success by 2024, and the number of ASG representatives it has in its home ballpark will be one barometer for whether that goal is met.

Anthony Rizzo is hopeful of Aaron Judge returning to the New York Yankees for more reasons than one.

Fresh off re-signing with the Bronx Bombers, Rizzo would obviously love to continue playing alongside one of MLB's best players. In his mind, Judge's fate carries a larger importance, too.

"I hope Judge stays just for the sake of the game," he told reporters. "Because you see a lot of franchise icons not getting what they deserve for the team that they have done so much for."

As perhaps the most prestigious MLB franchise in the country's biggest sports market, there typically isn't much concern about one of the Yankees' top stars flying the coop.

And while team chairman Hal Steinbrenner isn't quite as free-spending as his father, signing Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract in 2020 showed ownership is still willing to go above and beyond for elite talent.

Judge could be an exception, though.

The Yankees made a final offer of seven years and $213.5 million to the four-time All-Star before the season got underway. He proceeded to hit an American League record 62 home runs and finish with a 1.111 OPS.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projected Judge to get a nine-year, $324 million deal this winter.

Despite how much his value has skyrocketed, you still assume New York to be his likeliest landing spot.

The Yankees can't afford to lose him, with their American League Championship Series exit exposing how dependent upon the 6'7" slugger they had become. They're also one of the few teams that can give him the money he wants.

It would be ironic if Judge weren't in pinstripes in 2023.

To Rizzo's point, the Yankees are usually the ones benefiting when a team doesn't properly value a homegrown star.

The MLB Players Association reportedly requested a league investigation to determine whether there was "improper communication" between the New York Yankees and New York Mets regarding the potential free-agent pursuit of outfielder Aaron Judge.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Wednesday the union referenced a Nov. 3 article by SNY's Andy Martino, which said the Mets wouldn't engage in a "high-profile bidding war" with the Yankees because of a "mutually respectful relationship" between team owners Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner.

"The only way people involved can see the Mets changing course and pursuing Judge would be if the Yankees somehow declared themselves out of the bidding," Martino wrote.

If the Players Association can prove the Mets' reluctance to bid directly against the Yanks damaged Judge's free-agent market, it would be a violation of MLB's collective bargaining agreement, per Rosenthal.

The Mets have emerged as one of the league's biggest spenders since Cohen purchased majority control of the franchise in November 2020. Their current projected payroll for 2023 ($184.7 million) is the highest figure in MLB by more than $20 million, per Spotrac.

So it's important for top-tier free agents like Judge to at least have the threat of a Mets bid as part of the process to maximize their leverage. If the New York teams aren't willing to battle each other, it limits the upside of the slugger's likely nine-figure contract.

Judge, who set the new American League record with 62 home runs in 2022, hasn't shed much light on his free-agent foray throughout the year.

"That's all going to run through my agent," Judge told reporters in October after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs. "I haven't even thought about the next step yet. But like I said, we've got time to figure it out. I've never been in this spot before."

Along with the Yankees and Mets, Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox as the other potential suitors, saying it's hard to see any of the other 25 teams having a "legitimate chance" in the sweepstakes.

If there's only five clubs seriously involved, taking the Mets out of the equation represents a 20 percent drop in interest for Judge's representatives to work with on the market.

Should a formal grievance be filed by the Players Association, an arbitrator would hear the case, and Judge could be awarded "triple damages" if collusion is proved, per Rosenthal.

The Judge situation will likely make or break the Yankees' offseason. He carried the team's offense for extended stretches during the 2022 campaign, and there's no option, internal or external, who can replace his production barring a massive blockbuster trade.

So there's a strong chance Steinbrenner's club was likely to match any offer given to the 30-year-old four-time All-Star regardless of the surrounding circumstances, but more limited competition could prove quite valuable in terms the final contract cost.

It makes the collusion case an interesting subplot to what's already one of the winter's top stories.

Shohei Ohtani is coming home.

The Los Angeles Angels star revealed Thursday that he plans to represent Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which is being held partially in Tokyo next March.

"I have officially informed Team Japan Manager Mr. Kuriyama that I would like to participate in next year's WBC," Ohtani said in a statement posted on Instagram. "Looking forward for the opportunity to face the best players around the world and to be able to play in front of the Japanese fans for the first time in over 5 years!!"

Ohtani was born and raised in Japan and played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels before the 2018 season. He was previously on the roster for Japan's 2017 World Baseball Classic team but missed the event with an ankle injury.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the WBC scheduled for March 2021. Ohtani was unable to compete for the gold medal-winning Japanese team at the 2020 Summer Olympics (which were held in the summer of 2021) because of the MLB season.

It's unclear whether Ohtani will play both ways in the WBC. From a financial perspective, it's hard to justify him potentially risking injury in what amounts to an exhibition tournament. Ohtani will make $30 million next season in the final year before he hits unrestricted free agency, at which time he will have one of the more curious contract negotiations in MLB history.

The 28-year-old is one of baseball's best power pitchers and power hitters, a once-in-a-century talent who has finished top-two in AL MVP voting for two successive seasons. He has also dealt with significant injuries over the course of his career, including Tommy John surgery in 2018.

While there is always a risk any time a player takes the field, the additional toll of the WBC should be a factor players who are nearing free agency consider before deciding to play. Ohtani has apparently made that calculation for himself and decided representing his country is worth the risk.