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Ranking the Top 20 Free Agent Signings of 2014-15 MLB Offseason So Far

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Ranking the Top 20 Free Agent Signings of 2014-15 MLB Offseason

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This has been a wild and eventful MLB offseason with many players switching teams. Whether it be through trade or free agency, many teams have improved their chances of competing this upcoming season. For the sake of clarity, only players who switched teams in free agency are included in this list. Here are the 20 best free agent signings of this MLB offseason. All contract details are according to TheScore.com.

20. OF Michael Cuddyer - New York Mets

San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies
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20. OF Michael Cuddyer - New York Mets

San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies
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Former Team: Colorado Rockies
Contract Details: Two years, $ 21 million

Many people criticized this move by the Mets, but they actually got quite the steal. Cuddyer is near the end of his career, but if he can put forth two more good years, he will make the Mets' lineup much deeper than it has been in the past.

19. RHP A.J. Burnett - Pittsburgh Pirates

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
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19. RHP A.J. Burnett - Pittsburgh Pirates

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
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Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Contract Details: One year, $ 8.5 million

Burnett turned down more guaranteed money with the Phillies this offseason to return to the Pirates. Since they were able to retain Francisco Liriano, this Pittsburgh rotation is starting to look like a strong suit.

18. LHP Brett Anderson - Los Angeles Dodgers

Colorado Rockies v Miami Marlins
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18. LHP Brett Anderson - Los Angeles Dodgers

Colorado Rockies v Miami Marlins
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Former Team: Colorado Rockies
Contract Details: One year, $ 10 million

Anderson can never seem to stay healthy, but when he does play, he's remarkable. That's why the Dodgers took a chance on the left-hander. If all goes well, he will contribute in 2015 and want to sign a multi-year deal next offseason when Zack Greinke is eligible to opt out of his contract.

17. OF Nick Markakis - Atlanta Braves

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17. OF Nick Markakis - Atlanta Braves

ALCS - Kansas City Royals v Baltimore Orioles - Game Two
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Former Team: Baltimore Orioles
Contract Details: Four years, $ 44 million

The Braves have been purging themselves of their current outfield, but Markakis is someone they want in their outfield for the foreseeable future. He's someone who may be able to step into the leadoff role for them and will give them very good defense in the outfield.

16. RHP Luke Gregerson - Houston Astros

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16. RHP Luke Gregerson - Houston Astros

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Oakland Athletics
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Former Team: Oakland Athletics
Contract Details: Three years, $ 18.5 million

The Astros majorly bolstered their bullpen this offseason and potentially got a steal in Gregerson. As a setup man, he was one of the best in the league, and he may blossom into one of the better closers in baseball as well if given the chance.

15. RHP Edinson Volquez - Kansas City Royals

Wild Card Game - San Francisco Giants v Pittsburgh Pirates
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15. RHP Edinson Volquez - Kansas City Royals

Wild Card Game - San Francisco Giants v Pittsburgh Pirates
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Former Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Contract Details: Two years, $ 20 million

The Royals knew they were likely to lose ace James Shields this offseason, but that didn't stop them from adding a couple decent No. 2 and 3 starter options. Volquez should fill into the rotation well and make sure their production doesn't majorly drop off with the loss of Shields.

14. RHP Brandon McCarthy - Los Angeles Dodgers

Houston Astros v New York Yankees
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14. RHP Brandon McCarthy - Los Angeles Dodgers

Houston Astros v New York Yankees
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Former Team: New York Yankees
Contract Details: Four years, $ 48 million

McCarthy dazzled after arriving in New York last season and earned himself a multi-year contract. He got that with the Dodgers, and he makes their rotation one of the deepest in baseball.

13. RHP Jason Hammel - Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Photo Day
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13. RHP Jason Hammel - Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Photo Day
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Former Team: Oakland Athletics
Contract Details: Two years, $ 18 million

Hammel really enjoyed his time in Chicago last season before being sent to Oakland, so he decided to come back on a two-year deal. He now gives the Cubs' rotation some serious depth, which could make them competitive in 2015 and beyond.

12. OF Michael Morse - Miami Marlins

World Series - Kansas City Royals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
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12. OF Michael Morse - Miami Marlins

World Series - Kansas City Royals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
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Former Team: San Francisco Giants
Contract Details: Two years, $ 16 million

Morse has shown the ability to play like a superstar in spurts and has at the very least played like an above average outfielder. With some protection with Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup, Morse's production could improve in 2015.

11. RHP Ervin Santana - Minnesota Twins

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
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11. RHP Ervin Santana - Minnesota Twins

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
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Former Team: Atlanta Braves
Contract Details: Four years, $ 55 million

The Twins wanted to add depth to their rotation, and they paid handsomely to land Santana. Since they signed him to a multi-year deal, he should be there when Minnesota plans to be competitive in the next couple years.

10. SS/OF Hanley Ramirez - Boston Red Sox

NLCS Game Six: Los Angeles Dodgers v. St. Louis Cardinals
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10. SS/OF Hanley Ramirez - Boston Red Sox

NLCS Game Six: Los Angeles Dodgers v. St. Louis Cardinals
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Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Contract Details: Four years, $ 88 million

The Red Sox plan to use Ramirez in left field, which shouldn't matter if he continues to perform at the plate. As long as he stays healthy, he's going to make the Red Sox one of the better offenses in the American League.

9. RHP Justin Masterson - Boston Red Sox

Cleveland Indians v Oakland Athletics
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9. RHP Justin Masterson - Boston Red Sox

Cleveland Indians v Oakland Athletics
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Former Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Contract Details: One year, $ 9.5 million

This season will act as a one-year audition for both the Red Sox and Masterson. If he plays well, Masterson will earn a multi-year deal, and if he likes Boston enough, they may just have the inside track on signing him next offseason.

8. 3B Pablo Sandoval - Boston Red Sox

World Series - San Francisco Giants v Kansas City Royals - Game Seven
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8. 3B Pablo Sandoval - Boston Red Sox

World Series - San Francisco Giants v Kansas City Royals - Game Seven
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Former Team: San Francisco Giants
Contract Details: Five years, $ 95 million

Sandoval broke a lot of hearts in San Francisco this offseason, but he will make an immediate impact in the Boston lineup. As long as they get to the playoffs, Sandoval is going to dominate in October like he has his entire career to this point.

7. OF Melky Cabrera - Chicago White Sox

Toronto Blue Jays v Chicago White Sox
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7. OF Melky Cabrera - Chicago White Sox

Toronto Blue Jays v Chicago White Sox
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Former Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Contract Details: Three years, $ 42 million

The White Sox are one of the most improved teams this offseason after several bold moves and signing Cabrera was one of their best. Without breaking the bank, they gave Jose Abreu another big bopper in the lineup.

6. LHP Andrew Miller - New York Yankees

St Louis Cardinals v Baltimore Orioles
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6. LHP Andrew Miller - New York Yankees

St Louis Cardinals v Baltimore Orioles
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Former Team: Baltimore Orioles
Contract Details: Four years, $ 36 million

Miller established himself as one of the best relievers on the market after arriving in Baltimore last year. The Yankees should give Miller a chance to be their closer; if 2014 is any indication, he will be very successful in the role.

5. RHP David Robertson - Chicago White Sox

Cincinnati Reds v New York Yankees
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5. RHP David Robertson - Chicago White Sox

Cincinnati Reds v New York Yankees
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Former Team: New York Yankees
Contract Details: Four years, $ 46 million

The White Sox badly needed a dependable closer this offseason, and they got a shutdown one. With all the other moves the White Sox have made this offseason, it's a good bet Robertson will get plenty of save chances this year.

4. OF Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners

ALCS - Baltimore Orioles v Kansas City Royals - Game Four
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4. OF Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners

ALCS - Baltimore Orioles v Kansas City Royals - Game Four
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Former Team: Baltimore Orioles
Contract Details: Four years, $ 57 million

Cruz gives the Mariners the big outfield bat they've been searching for. While his power numbers are likely to drop off playing home games at Safeco Field, he will still provide a much-needed bat for an American League pennant contender.

3. C Russell Martin - Toronto Blue Jays

Pittsburgh Pirates v Atlanta Braves
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3. C Russell Martin - Toronto Blue Jays

Pittsburgh Pirates v Atlanta Braves
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Former Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Contract Details: Five years, $ 82 million

Toronto got their catcher of the future by signing Martin to his big deal, and he will really stretch out their lineup. With his bat and veteran experience joining power hitters Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, the Blue Jays may just be the favorites in the American League East.

2. OF Yasmany Tomas - Arizona Diamondbacks

2013 World Baseball Classic - Pool 1, Game 5: Team Netherlands vs. Team Cuba
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2. OF Yasmany Tomas - Arizona Diamondbacks

2013 World Baseball Classic - Pool 1, Game 5: Team Netherlands vs. Team Cuba
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Former Team: None (Cuban free agent)
Contract Details: Six years, $ 68.5 million

While the Diamondbacks are unlikely to compete in 2015, Tomas will help them compete in the near future. If the performance of past Cuban free agents is any indication, Arizona may have gotten a steal giving Tomas just over $ 11 million annually on average.

1. LHP Jon Lester - Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Introduce Jon Lester
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1. LHP Jon Lester - Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Introduce Jon Lester
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Former Team: Oakland Athletics
Contract Details: Six years, $ 155 million

Lester is the only bona fide ace to sign with anyone so far this offseason, and he gives the Cubs the ace they'd been promising to deliver. While he got the most total money of any contract in Cubs history, he will prove to be worth every penny if he can deliver the city an elusive World Series title.

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