2024 MLB Free Agents: Top 5 stars on expiring contracts headlined by Shohei Ohtani

If you thought that the 2022-23 MLB offseason saw its fair share of blockbuster free agent signings, you would be correct.

However, all fingers are pointing to next offseason being even bigger by both the number of eligible free agents and the amount of money that is on the table.

We have seen contract size records get smashed in each of the past two seasons, and MLB teams are showing no signs of slowing down their rabid spending after the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Let's take a look at the top five players with contracts expiring after the 2023 season.

Top 5 MLB Free Agents ahead of the 2024 season

5. Nestor Cortes

Nestor Cortes of the New York Yankees was one of the best starters his team had last season. 2022 was the first time that the Cuban was used exclusively as a starter. In 28 appearances, Cortes struck out 163 batters, amassing an ERA of 2.44 and tossing a complete game shutout.

"Nestor Cortes, Pretty Drop Down 70mph Breaking Ball" - Rob Friedman

Nestor Cortes only made $727,500 last season. Although the 28-year-old inked a $3.2 million extension with the Yankees this offseason, chances are he will be looking for more next season.

4. Teoscar Hernandez

When Teoscar Hernandez was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners last December, Seattle fans thought they would have the outfielder for a long time.

"Teoscar Hernandez's homer had a 112 mph exit velocity. Distance: Stil hasn't landed yet." - Ryan Divish

However, Hernandez and the Mariners were not able to reach an agreement, and the Mariners hastily inked a one-year deal worth $14 million with him. In his past two seasons with the Blue Jays, Hernandez has begun to be viewed as a keystone player. He has hit .282/.331/.508 with 58 home runs and 194 RBIs in the past two seasons. He also has a pair of Silver Sluggers over the course of his career.

3. Joc Pederson

After a couple of years of obscurity, Joc Pederson of the San Francisco Giants once again proved to be an asset in 2022. Pederson hit .274/.353./.521 with 70 RBIs and 23 home runs, the most on the Giants roster.

Pederson's one-year deal is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season. He will only be 33, and is likely to draw some hefty offers from MLB teams.

2. Julio Urias

The Los Angeles Dodgers had the lowest starting ERA of any team in the MLB in 2022, and Julio Urias had a lot to do with it. The Sinaloan left-hander posted an ERA of 2.16, the lowest number in the National League, and finished third in Cy Young voting. Urias' $14.25 million contract is up at the end of the season.

1 Shohei Ohtani

As if this was any surprise, Shohei Ohtani tops off this list. As soon as the two-way phenomenon made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, everyone in the MLB knew that he was a special player.

"MLB executives and agents believe Shohei Ohtani may be baseball's first $500M+ man when he enters free agency, per @Alden_Gonzalez" - B/R Walk-off

Many believe his days in Los Angeles are numbered. The team has notoriously failed to lock him down on long-term deals. Experts expect Ohtani to draw offers in excess of $500 million next fall, setting an MLB record.