For a number of players, the World Baseball Cla sic is as much a showcase as it is an international competition. A handful of free agents (major league and minor league) have made it to the 16 team rosters.Sporting News has identified the five best free agents competing in the 2017 World Baseball Cla sic. The group isn't stellar, but these guys are capable of helping teams:Top five free agents in World Baseball Cla sicAngel Pagan, OF, Puerto RicoPagan, 35, was hampered by a hamstring injury last season, but he managed to play in 129 games (.750 OPS, 12 home runs) and performed in the National League playoffs. There was surprisingly little interest in him during the offseason; now he'll get a chance to impre s teams (including the Nationals, who reportedly are looking at
Zack Greinke Cool Base Red/Black Jersey him) as he suits up for Puerto Rico.Justin Morneau, 1B/DH, CanadaMorneau had early succe s as a DH with the White Sox last season but hit only one home run in his final 27 games with Chicago. He finished with a .731 OPS and six home runs in 218 plate appearances. Now 36and well past his MVP days with the Twins, the left-handed slugger gets to hit against major league arms in a WBC group that includes the U.S., the Dominican Republic and Colombia.MORE: World Baseball Cla sic: Schedule, times, how to watchCraig Breslow, LHP, IsraelBreslow is three seasons removed from a career year with the Red Sox (1.81 ERA in 61 games for a World Series champion) and he's 36. But he's left-handed, and
Yasmany Tomás Jersey he's presumably healthy enough to pitch in the WBC. Those two reasons alone give him hope of securing at least a minor league contract if he looks halfway decent.Franklin Morales, LHP, VenezuelaMorales, 31, mi sed almost all of last season with the Blue Jays because of an injury to his pitching shoulder. He was a big part of the World Series champion Royals' bullpen in 2015 (3.18 ERA in 67 games), so he has a record of recent succe s if a team wants to take a chance on him.FOSTER:Why can't I get excited about the WBC?Mike Aviles, IF, Puerto RicoAviles, who will turn 36 on March 13, became a serviceable utility player late in his career, but his numbers
Jackie Robinson Jersey have been in steady decline. Last year with the Tigers, he slashed .210/.258/.269 in 68 games. He can play the infield and outfield, though, and he could be a candidate for a minor league deal if he hits in the WBC.
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