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Money is the name of the game in Major League Baseball free agency, which often results in the rich only getting richer by plucking the game’s top free agents.

And for every highly coveted free-agent superstar who signs elsewhere and flourishes, there’s also a big name who never comes close to living up to the gaudy price tag that he showed up with. 

Here are a couple of gems in this year’s class that will pay dividends for the owners and general managers who pony up the funds.

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF

Jacoby Ellsbury has been nothing short of a superstar every year that he was able to remain healthy.

One of few key pieces to make it through the 2012 housecleaning, Ellsbury raked in 53 RBI at the leadoff position with 172 hits in just 134 games.

He’s never looked better on the basepaths—he led the AL with 52 stolen bases—and surpassed the half-century mark in the category for the first time since 2009. 

We know from his stellar 2011 season—he finished first among position players in AL MVP voting—that he can be a deadly hitter as well. He got 212 hits, jacked 32 homers and knocked in 105 runs and 46 doubles. Oh, and he also won the Gold Glove that year. 

Very few, if any, players boast the all-around efficiency Ellsbury does. If he stays healthy, he’s guaranteed to produce gaudy numbers. It’s no surprise that agent Scott Boras told the Boston Globe‘s Peter Abraham that Ellsbury is being courted by the Rangers, Yankees and Cubs along with Boston. 

Brian McCann, C

Brian McCann is undoubtedly the top catcher available at a position that features many formidable free agents this offseason.

After the Braves announced McCann turned down their qualifying offer, it became obvious that the 6’3″, 230-pound catcher is in for a big payday.

Despite playing 102 games—his fewest since his rookie year in 2005—McCann still produced as the power hitter he is. He hit a home run nearly six percent of the time he stepped up to the plate, amassing 20 on the season. 

Hitting at least 70 RBI each season from 2006 to 2011, McCann has proven to be reliable at a position where long-term health is an undeniable issue. 

Whoever comes up with this prized free agent will see an immediate boost at the position.

Carlos Beltran, OF

After the late part of his Mets career was marred by injury, questions surrounded Beltran’s ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a season.

And despite being 36 years of age, Beltran only missed 27 games through two regular seasons with St. Louis. Before that, 2008 was the last time his games played reached triple digits. 

Beltran led the hot-hitting Cardinals with 24 homers this season, also racking up 84 RBI—two numbers he actually bested in 2012. He improved his batting average tremendously between the seasons, from .269 to .296. 

As an aging veteran, teams won’t be throwing long-term deals at Beltran. But you can bet that his recent numbers prove to teams that he can be an elite bat for a couple of seasons down the road. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Major League Baseball free-agent market isn’t ripe with young, ascending players that are guaranteed to give their next employer great production for the duration of a contract. Instead, the list of 2014 MLB free agents is littered with question marks. 

Cost concerns surround the best and most dominant stars. Durability clouds the future of past greats. Age and longevity factor in when signing a veteran to a free-agent deal. Despite all the positive scouting reports or medical records done by front office members around baseball, no free agent comes without reservation.

Yet, some are less risky than others. When assessing this particular class of game-changing players, six standout as no-brainers. In relation to their free-agent peers, the following players should provide a level of comfort to the general manager that affords them a chunk of the franchise’s budget. That’s not to say that injury or a slip in performance won’t occur, but it’s not as big of a concern with these players as some of the others on the market.

Without further ado, the six players that are the biggest no-brainers on the free-agent market.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.

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Expect the New York Yankees to be at the epicenter of everything free agency this offseason.

Not only are they the franchise with the most money to spend. They also have extremely large holes to fill.

The Yankees will be a possible landing spot for what seems like just about every top free agent available on the market.

Plucking the right guys in free agency from other teams will be crucial to the success of the Yankees’ turnaround.

Just as important as signing the right free agents from other teams is making the right decisions on which of their own free agents to re-sign.

The Yankees have a slew of free agents and money coming off the books. Some will go, some will stay.

We know Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte are gone because they both are retiring.

The rest of the list is up for grabs, with the very good possibility that none of the following 10 names return to the roster next season.

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Jarrod Saltalamacchia is your value item of the 2013 free-agent catcher market.

Any team prone to clipping coupons or value hunting would do well to take a gander at the Red Sox backstop.

MLB Contributor Gabe Zaldivar breaks down one of the premier catchers on the open market at the moment, and at 28, he is clearly one of the rare players at the position with looming upside.

Here is our quick look at all the particulars regarding the catcher who is coming off a career year. While he has his issues on defense and with the bat, it’s clear that talent at this position is at a premium.

Saltalamacchia is one player who has proved his ability to get better on both sides of the plate, all while producing home run power.

The offseason is just getting started, and there will be a wealth of teams bandied about in the interim. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on a captivating catching market.

Follow Gabe at: @gabezal

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The 2014 offseason will be an exciting one for MLB. There are many intriguing and desirable names that fans want their team to land. With big names such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Robinson Cano and Shin-Soo Choo headlining the free agency market, the rest of the free agents should not be overlooked.

Every team is looking for next year’s Mike Napoli or next season’s Marlon Byrd—a player a team signs and out of nowhere has a big year. Here’s a look at a few underrated players who could make a big and important impact, for a new team in 2014.

Rajai Davis

If a team is in need of a player who can fly around the bases, Rajai Davis is the guy. Davis has had more than 40 stolen bases four out of the last five years, including 45 last year. The 33-year-old also hit .260, with an OBP of .312 for the Toronto Blue Jays.

With many teams in need of outfield depth, expect Davis to sign somewhere that he can flourish in a platoon-type role. The San Francisco Giants are a team that would make sense for Davis. He has played there in the past and would be a good fit for a Giants team that could use his skill set.

Although Davis returning to the Bay Area would not be a surprise, the Detroit Tigers are a better fit. The Tigers, who had fewer stolen bases than Davis last year, could definitely use some speed on the base paths. Davis should be a player the Tigers grab.

Prediction: Detroit Tigers

Kendrys Morales

After a freak injury forced Kendrys Morales to miss most of the 2010 season and all of the 2011 campaign, he has proven he’s fully back after two very good seasons in 2012 and 2013.

Morales finished the 2013 season batting .277, with 23 homers and 80 RBI for the Seattle Mariners. After that year, expect many teams to go after the 30-year-old. There are many places Morales could land, but an AL contender should be the one to ultimately snag Kendrys.

With the Texas Rangers losing multiple solid bats to free agency, they are a team that will make a run at Morales and want him to be their DH. Morales would be a great fit for a Rangers lineup that already includes Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler and Alex Rios.

Prediction: Texas Rangers

Joaquin Benoit

Joaquin Benoit is a player who could be of much value to many teams. As seen with the Red Sox and Cardinals, a reliable bullpen is extremely important to make it to the World Series. There are many teams in need of late-inning relievers, and Benoit could fit perfectly for some.

Coming off one of the best years of his career, in which he had a 2.01 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP, Benoit should not be overlooked. Although there are bigger names out there such as Joe Nathan, Grant Balfour and Brian Wilson, Benoit deserves to be considered among them all.

Teams like the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets and New York Yankees could all use Benoit’s arm. Ultimately though, it will be the Yankees who sign Benoit. They will need a guy late in the game whom they can rely on after losing some key relief help. Benoit could end up being a steal if the Yanks get him at a good value.

Prediction: New York Yankees

Some other underrated free agents who I think will make an impact in 2014 are Juan Uribe, Dan Haren and Corey Hart. There are tons of players to choose from and after this year, who knows what can happen.

Who do you think will be this year’s most underrated free agent signing? Leave in the comment section below whom you think this year’s break-out free agent will be!

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

MLB free agency is about a week old now and there still hasn’t been much action. But expect that to heat up with 13 players declining their respective qualifying offers on Tuesday, per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, cementing the dynamics of the offseason market.

Big free agent names like Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury and Japanese righty Masahiro Tanaka will likely garner the most media attention this winter, but keep your ear to the ground for low-profile signings that could have big impacts in 2014.

When the Red Sox signed Jonny Gomes to a two-year deal last November, it hardly made blip on the MLB free agency radar. Eleven months later, it proved to be one of the best signings by Boston general manager Ben Cherington, as Gomes played a major role in reshaping the culture of the clubhouse and delivered in the clutch, helping the Sox win their third World Series title in 10 seasons.

Before the flurry of MLB free agency takes hold, let’s take a look at some of the hidden gems on the market this winter.

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While it’s the big-name free agents signing multi-year, $100 million-plus contracts that steal the offseason headlines, the value moves teams make to fill out their roster and save payroll space are just as important to building a championship team.

Whether it’s a player primed for a bounce-back season, a veteran looking to prove he still has something left in the tank or simply a second-tier option that will cost less than the marquee name at the position, there are plenty of value plays to be made each winter.

Taking into account likely areas of focus this offseason, here is a look at one value option each team could consider for filling their biggest offseason need.

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The San Francisco Giants, for the first time in a long time, are going to make splashy moves in the offseason.

San Francisco already dished out lofty amounts of money to retain Hunter Pence and Tim Lincecum, but    there is still more to do. Left field needs to be upgraded, the pitching staff needs to be filled out and the bench needs improvement.

What should the Giants do this offseason?

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There’s no doubt that there are some supremely talented hitters available on the MLB free-agent market this winter. 

As general managers scour the market for that impact bat, which will likely cost an exorbitant sum, they will have to dig deep inside the numbers. There are plenty of red flags to consider. Has a player been linked to PEDs in the past? What are his platoon splits? And finally, what kind of a health record does he have?

With these factors in mind, here’s the ranking of the top 15 impact bats on the 2014 MLB free-agent market. This list begins with No. 15 and counts down to the most dangerous bat of all:

15. Mike Morse

2013 Stats: .215/.270/.381, 13 doubles, 13 home runs, .651 OPS, 84 OPS+, 27 home runs, .167 ISO

The numbers were not good for Mike Morse in 2013, but his past success leaves room for optimism.

There simply aren’t that many players on the market with Morse’s 30-home run potential. That raw power also comes with ridiculously high strikeout numbers, as he punched out 25.8 percent of the time in 2013. Plus, Morse has a poor health record, as he has played in 100 games or more just twice in his career.

14. Raul Ibanez

2013 Stats: .242/.306/.487, 20 doubles, 29 home runs, 65 RBI, .793 OPS, 123 OPS+, .244 ISO

In 2013, Raul Ibanez hit 29 home runs, which tied Ted Williams for the most ever by a player aged 41 or older in a single season, as Greg Johns of MLB.com noted. However, 24 of those long balls came before the All-Star Break and just five after it.

Just which version of Ibanez a team would be signing is unclear. With pop like that, though, Ibanez is a low-risk, high-reward investment worth making.

13. Stephen Drew

2013 Stats: .253/.333/.443, 29 doubles, 8 triples, 13 home runs, .777 OPS, 111 OPS+, .190 ISO

Most of Stephen Drew’s value is tied to his glove, but his bat isn’t bad either. Drew’s .777 OPS ranked fourth best among all shortstops in baseball in 2013.

The price will be steep, but whichever team lands Drew will have a premier player at one of the most challenging spots to fill on the diamond.

12. Jhonny Peralta

2013 Stats: .303/.358/.457, 30 doubles, 11 home runs, 55 RBI, .815 OPS, 119 OPS+, .154 ISO

Jhonny Peralta made a major impact on the Detroit Tigers lineup when he was on the field last season. The problem was that Peralta had to sit out a large portion of the second half while he served a 50-game suspension for PED usage.

GM Dave Dombrowski told James Schmehl of Mlive.com that it’s “unlikely” Peralta will be back in 2014. A shortstop who has clubbed at least 30 doubles in four of the last five seasons, though, will get plenty of offers.

11. Marlon Byrd

2013 Stats: .291/.336/.511, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 88 RBI, .847 OPS, 138 OPS+, .220 ISO

Based solely on his 2013 stats, Marlon Byrd is one of the most productive hitters on the market and should be in line for a major payday. Based on his spotty track record—like his .488 OPS in 2012—he’s much more likely to receive a one-year deal. 

10. Jarrod Saltalamacchia

2013 Stats: .273/.338/.466, 40 doubles, 14 home runs, 65 RBI, .804 OPS, 118 OPS+, .193 ISO

While the Red Sox are busy pursuing Brian McCann, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe pointed out that their catcher from 2013 was actually pretty solid:

There is, however, one giant hole in Saltalamacchia’s game: He can’t hit left-handers. In 2013, the catcher hit .294 off righties but just .218 against lefties. For that reason, Saltalamacchia remains stationed in the No. 10 spot on the list.

9. Kendrys Morales

2013 Stats: .277/.336/.449, 34 doubles, 23 home runs, 80 RBI, .785 OPS, 123 OPS+, .171 ISO

The numbers for Kendrys Morales are not overwhelming, but then again, neither is the market for first basemen this winter.

There are legitimate questions about Morales’ defensive prowess—he’s played just 59 games in the field over the past two seasons. However, even if he’s limited to being a designated hitter, Morales still offers a steady stream of power. With 25-home run potential and a .280 career-average, Morales represents an intriguing option on the free-agent market.

8. Carlos Beltran

2013 Stats: .296/.339/.491, 30 doubles, 24 home runs, 84 RBI, .830 OPS, 128 OPS+, .195 ISO

While there are concerns about Carlos Beltran’s glove moving forward, there are no such issues regarding his bat.

The veteran appears a perfect match for an AL club where he would split time between right field and the DH role. Based on his recent numbers, the eight-time All-Star is a safe bet to total 30 doubles and 20 home runs while posting a .500 SLG in 2014.

7. Curtis Granderson

2013 Stats: .229/.317/.409, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 15 RBI, .723 OPS, 97 OPS+, .178 ISO

Curtis Granderson is the undisputed sleeper of the winter market.

The outfielder’s injury-ravaged 2013 season was dreadful. His track record, however, is impeccable. In 2012, Granderson clubbed 43 home runs for the New York Yankees, and the year before he tagged 41 long balls.

The three time All-Star also possess a rare combination of power and speed, as you can see below:

In 2011, Granderson tallied 26 doubles, 10 triples and 41 home runs for a total of 77 extra-base hits. Ellsbury can’t do that. Choo can’t do that. Nobody else on the free-agent market can do that. Now, the only question is if Granderson can stay healthy enough to do that.

6. Jacoby Ellsbury

2013 Stats: .298/.355/.426, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 9 home runs, .781 OPS, 114 OPS+, .128 ISO

Jacoby Ellsbury’s game is about far more than his bat. He plays a Gold Glove-caliber center field and last season he swiped 52 bags. Those skills, paired with his impressive offensive stats, mean he’s going to get paid big-time.

Ellsbury’s agent, Scott Boras, thinks that the center fielder is worth more than the seven-year, $142 million deal that Carl Crawford scored, according to a report from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. 

Is Ellsbury really worth that much? Check out Ellsbury’s stats compared to a mystery center fielder (Ellsbury’s stats are listed first):

• .298/.355/.426, .781 OPS, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 9 home runs
• .261/.335/.441, .779 OPS, 22 doubles, 3 triples, 22 home runs

Ellsbury holds the obvious edge in average and OBP, but the mystery center fielder has him beat on SLG and home runs. So, who is the mystery player, and how much is he worth?

He’s Coco Crisp of the Oakland A’s, whose club option the team has already picked up for $7.5 million. There’s no denying the dynamic presence that Ellsbury will bring to whoever signs him.

Close to a $150 million for a player with a career .741 OPS, though, is an enormous reach.

5. Shin-Soo Choo

2013 Stats: .285/.423/.462, 34 doubles, 21 home runs, 54 RBI, .885 OPS, 143 OPS+, .178 ISO

Shin-Soo Choo’s contract year went exactly as planned.

Choo hits for power and average and reaches base at a remarkable clip. His .423 OPS in 2013, though, was bolstered by an MLB-leading 26 hit-by-pitches.

The 31-year-old’s only issue is that he struggles mightily against left-handed pitching. In 2013, Choo had posted a 1.012 OPS against righties as a opposed to a .612 OPS against lefties. The outfielder also collected all 21 of his home runs of right-handers.

It’s numbers like those that led ESPN’s Keith Law (insider access required) to suggest that Choo is a “strong candidate for a platoon.” That’s a harsh assessment for a player trying to snag a $100 million deal.

His overall numbers will earn Choo plenty of offers, but his inability to hit lefties stops him from climbing any higher on the list.

4. Nelson Cruz

2013 Stats: .266/.327/.506, 18 doubles, 27 home runs, 76 RBI, .833 OPS, 123 OPS+, .240 ISO

Nelson Cruz swatted 27 long balls in 2013 even though he only made it into 109 games. Sure, the right fielder didn’t play in more games due to his 50-game ban for using PEDs, but Cruz possesses a proven record of success.

The right-handed hitter has been a lock for at least 20 home runs for five straight seasons, and there simply aren’t that many players who can change a game with a single swing like Cruz can.

Heading down the stretch, the Texas Rangers went in the tank for a variety of reasons. The impact of the loss of Cruz in that equation cannot be understated. His checkered past makes him a minor gamble, but wherever he lands, Cruz will offer an explosive bat.

3. Brian McCann

2013 Stats: .256/.336/.461, 13 doubles, 20 home runs, 57 RBI, .796 OPS, 115 OPS+, .205 ISO

Brian McCann has a stellar track record, which actually might count against him.

The left-handed hitter has topped 20 home runs in seven of the last eight seasons and owns a career .493 SLG. The problem is that the catcher will be 30 years old by Opening Day, and there are some serious concerns as for what kind of production to expect moving forward.

As Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer explained above, McCann posted a .910 OPS in the first half of the season before putting up a .680 OPS in the second half. One way to stop that slide would be to have McCann begin spending time at first base, or the DH spot if he ends up in the AL.

While McCann’s production is superb for a catcher, those numbers are not so noteworthy for a first baseman or DH. However, less time behind the plate would allow McCann to spend more time in the lineup. 

2. Mike Napoli

2013 Stats: .259/.360/.482, 38 doubles, 23 home runs, 92 RBI, .842 OPS, 129 OPS+, .223 ISO

Mike Napoli provides an extremely powerful bat. In 2013, the first baseman crushed 23 home runs, which means he’s hit at least 20 in six straight seasons. None of those shots was more explosive than his 460-foot bomb that gave the Boston Red Sox the lead in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Tigers.

Napoli also racked up a career-high 38 doubles last season with the Red Sox. There’s no doubt that total was inflated by the dimensions of the Green Monster, but Napoli’s power will play in any ballpark. The slugger won’t land the most lucrative deal, but his bat will have a big impact on the market. 

1. Robinson Cano

2013 Stats: .314/.383/.516, 41 doubles, 27 home runs, 107 RBI, .899 OPS, 145 OPS+, .202 ISO

Robinson Cano has been an offensive beast ever since he entered the league.

The five-time Silver Slugger has never once had a down year, and he’s also incredibly durable. According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, he’s missed just 14 games over the past seven seasons.

In a big league campaign, the six-time All-Star has never hit fewer than 34 doubles. In each of the last five seasons, Cano has swatted at least 25 home runs. The second baseman is in the market for a 10-year, $305 million deal, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Even with his impressive numbers and knack for staying healthy, it’s hard to see Cano securing such an outlandish deal. 

Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.com.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Injuries always negatively affect a player’s earning potential heading into MLB free agency, but they don’t necessarily make him any less popular among needy teams.

The following veterans all have track records of success that practically ensure that they’ll receive major league deals this winter.

Most of these former All-Stars stumbled onto the open market following significant surgeries and haven’t had the opportunity to prove that they’ve regained their previous forms. Regardless, we expect them to receive ample attention as low-risk, high-reward options.

Read on for the latest developments in their rehabs and for the specific suitors who have been linked to them thus far.

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