MLB’s hot stove is heating up as free agency begins. This is a market run by Shohei Ohtani and is very start-heavy in terms of starting pitching.
But what about our favorite subject, defense? Who are the best defensive players currently available in free agency?
Below is a list of the 5 free agents who recorded the most defensive points saved in 2023. We’ll go through them one by one and highlight a few other defensive highlights.
Most recorded defensive runs in 2023 – among current MLB free agents
| Player | Position | Recorded performances |
| Kevin Kiermaier | FC | 18 |
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | L.F. | 14 |
| Matt Chapman | 3B | 12 |
| Carlos Santana | 1B | 11 |
| Austin Hurdles | VS | 11 |
Three-time Fielding Bible Award winner, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier is at the top of the list. Kiermaier won the award last season. His 18 runs saved ranked tied for second behind Brenton Doyle for the MLB lead. The 2023 season was a showcase year for Kiermaier, who will turn 34 a few weeks after the start of the 2024 season. He’s an old man by center field standards, but in 2023 he posted his best WAR ( 3.9) over the last 6 years.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. finished 3rd in Fielding Bible Award voting last season and his 14 runs saved helped him post a career-high 3.0 WAR in helping the Diamondbacks reach the World Series. Gurriel is known for his arm that deters the advancement of baserunners. His 5 outside arm runs recorded ranked tied for 2nd among left fielders.
Matt Chapman won the AL Gold Glove Award at 3rd base and finished 3rd in voting for the Fielding Bible Award. His track record at third base as a hitter and fielder is solid and he figures to land a big contract this offseason in light of the market at his position.
Carlos Santana has significantly improved his defensive game at age 37, leading all 1st basemen with 11 runs saved in 2023. Santana isn’t just a DH option, even at his age. He ranked 2nd among those in this position in Good Fielding Plays and found himself on the highlight reels more often than you might think.
Austin Hurdles He might not get a big contract, but — at least for now, with robot umpires still at least a year away — he provides value as one of the best outfield throwers in the game .He is tied for the major league lead in our pitch framing statistic, Strike Zone Runs Saved, in 2023.
Besides these 5 players, prominent free agents with some degree of defensive excellence in their game include:
Michael A. Taylor leads all center fielders in runs saved over the last 3 seasons. He led the position with 19 in 2021 and 2022 with the Royals before totaling 5 runs saved in 2023 with the Twins.
Jason Heyward finished with 5 runs saved in right field in a part-time role with the Dodgers last season. He may not be the best candidate in center field anymore and he may not rack up points saved like he did in his youth, but he’s still a great defender. Heyward is the right field’s overall leader in defensive runs saved since their first tracking season, 2003.
Joey Wendle is another player in line with Hedges, who is limited in his offensive contributions but can still be useful on the court. From 2021 to 2023, Wendle played the equivalent of just over one MLB season at shortstop and totaled 18 runs saved. He has also proven to be of similar value when playing second base, where he has racked up 26 runs saved between 2018 and 2022.
And do not forget Jung-hoo Lee, who moves from the KBO to the MLB. Lee saved 9 points in an injury-shortened 2023, the most of any KBO center back. KBO players are judged based on a likelihood of an MLB release, so it stands to reason that Lee can hold his own in the majors.
One more name to mention and it is Cody Bellinger. Bellinger has totaled -4 runs saved in center field over the last 3 seasons. But he could be a standout right fielder, as he totaled 18 points saved while winning the Fielding Bible Award (as well as the multi-position award) in 2019. He also had 5 solid points saved in part-time duty at first goal. last season.
