Tier 4: Low-Cost Veterans4 of 6
UT Willi Castro, Colorado Rockies
Stats: 92 OPS+, .259/.330/.405, 26 XBH (11 HR), 7 SB, 0.5 WAR
Salary: $6.4 million in 2026 and 2027
The numbers don’t jump off the page, but the list of players capable of double-digit home runs, double-digit steals and double-digit starts at four or more positions is a pretty short one. The Rockies inked Castro to a two-year, $12.8 million deal during the offseason, so he will be on the books for 2027.
Landing Spots: Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers
1B Nathaniel Lowe, Cincinnati Reds
Stats: 118 OPS+, .255/.332/.472, 27 XBH (12 HR), 0 SB, 0.5 WAR
Salary: $1.75 million
In the five seasons prior to the 2026 campaign, Lowe had a 117 OPS+ and averaged 19 home runs, 77 RBI and 2.3 WAR while winning a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. The Reds have already squeezed more value out of him than most minor league free agent signings, and he should be an easy flip to anyone in need of a left-handed bat or some depth at first base.
Landing Spots: Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians
2B Jeff McNeil, Athletics
Stats: 76 OPS+, .248/.308/.332, 17 XBH (4 HR), 3 SB, 0.3 WAR
Salary: $10 million plus $2 million buyout on 2027 club option
McNeil is not having a good season, but he is quietly batting .400/.423/.600 over his last seven games with four multi-hit performances. If the Athletics are willing to pay down the bulk of his remaining salary, they might be able to unload a couple million and scoop up a flier prospect.
Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox
3B Eugenio Suárez, Cincinnati Reds
Stats: 80 OPS+, .202/.276/.390, 25 XBH (14 HR), 0 SB, -0.8 WAR
Contract: $15 million
One of the prizes of last year’s trade deadline when he slugged 36 home runs in 106 games with the Diamondbacks before joining the Mariners, Suárez has come nowhere near matching last year’s production. He is a buy-low target for a team that needs some power trying to catch lightning in a bottle, and the Reds will almost certainly have to eat the bulk of his remaining salary.
Landing Spots: Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates