As Major League Baseball teams start welcoming players to spring training this week, a number of big names are still at home waiting for the phone to ring.
MLB used to be known for high-flying transactions all throughout the winter. Now Hot Stove Season is more like Electric Kettle Week with many free agents jobless until spring training heats up.
It’s really not as big of a deal as it sounds. Spring training was much more important a few decades ago, before players could dedicate their entire offseason to working out and improving their mechanics. But both fans, players and agents would like to see the signings start to pick up.
Here’s a look at the biggest names still available in no particular order.
Cody Bellinger - 1B/OF/DH
Age: 28
Last Team: Chicago Cubs
2023 Stats: .307/.356/.525, 26 HR 20 SB, 97 RBI, 40 BB, 87 K
Matt Chapman - 3B
Age: 30
Last Team: Toronto Blue Jays
2023 Stats: .240/.331/.424, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 62 BB, 165 K
J.D. Martinez - DH
Age: 36
Last Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
2023 Stats: .271/.321/.572, 33 HR, 103 RBI, 34 BB, 149 K
Blake Snell - SP
Age: 31
Last Team: San Diego Padres
2023 Stats: 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 180 IP, 234 K, 99 BB
Tim Anderson - SS
Age: 30
Last Team: Chicago White Sox
2023 Stats: .245/.286/.296, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 13 SB, 122 K, 26 BB
Jordan Montgomery - SP
Age: 31
Last Team: Texas Rangers
2023 Stats: 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 188.7 IP, 166 K, 48 BB
Tommy Pham - OF/DH
Age: 35
Last Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
2023 Stats: .256/.329/.446, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 22 SB, 47 BB, 106 K
