Orioles: Evaluating MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agent Predictions

Sep 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles first baseman

(19) reacts with catcher

(32) after he hits a home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

An annual early offseason feature for baseball lovers is the Top 50 Free Agent listing by MLB Trade Rumors (article here). The site lists the top 50 free agents by presumed ultimate contract value, with predictions as to what team will eventually sign that player and for how much. Though Orioles fans would love to get the #1 player — David Price — he might be a bit expensive at $217 million for seven years with the Cubs.

MLBTR also runs a contest for readers to make their own predictions and beat the experts. A total of 3,469 people entered last year, with the winner getting the destination of 15 players predicted correctly. The top writer on the site had selected 14. So it is a difficult science, and just like in baseball, the top guy is batting about .300!

The 2015-2016 free agent market is of greater interest to Orioles fans this year in light of their own six (likely former) players involved, and therefore the need to be involved themselves to address more than just a couple of holes in the roster.

So let’s look at it in three categories: Orioles free agents, free agents predicted to be signed by the Orioles, and free agents the site says the O’s will have interest in pursuing.

Next: The Orioles are all ranked higher than expected...