As MLB teams are looking to fill their roster for next season, there are a number of big name free agents available.
However, while some of these are known for their production on the field, there are also a handful of underrated names.
Here is a look at the two that are the most underrated, and why they’ll be big pickups for teams this offseason.
2. Carlos Rodón
After consecutive standout seasons, Carlos Rodon has cemented himself as the ace of an MLB staff.
While he struggled with injuries in 2021, he was able to post 178 innings with a 2.88 ERA.
Carlos Rodón gets out of a jam with a strikeout and loses his mind pic.twitter.com/ZHdbF3mqLk
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 7, 2021
Now, he enters the free agent market with a number of teams reportedly interested in him.
This hasn’t just been a lucky stretch either, as his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) has been towards the top of the league each season.
That stat measures what his projected ERA would be excluding the quality of the defense behind him, suggesting that his numbers underrepresent how well he pitched.
Since the San Francisco Giants weren’t the best team this year, his performance went overlooked many times.
This makes him one of the most underrated names on the market right now.
1. Willson Contreras
It is extremely difficult for teams to find a premier catcher.
Willson Contreras fits that description exactly, as he is one of the best catchers in the sport.
WILLSON CONTRERAS SHOULD BE A CUB FOR LIFE pic.twitter.com/QraIC3v3v9
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) October 4, 2022
Because of this, he is such an important pickup for a team this offseason.
He also goes overlooked much of the time, as his addition could be a difference maker for whoever signs him.
Take the Houston Astros for example, who won the World Series with a well below-average offensive catcher.
A bat like Contreras could help make their lineup incredibly deep.
Another team like the St. Louis Cardinals could use Contreras to replace the likely Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, and his addition could push them over the hump.
As such, people seem to be overlooking its importance.
