Early MLB free agency rankings: Ohtani and rest of top 10 - ESPN

With the MLB trade deadline behind us, now is a good time to look ahead to what this offseason's free agent class has to offer. Spoiler alert: It's mostly pitching, highlighted by one ace — who also happens to lead the major leagues in home runs.

There has been a lot of ink spilled (some by me, with the help of 26 industry insiders) about the upcoming free agency of Shohei Ohtani. I think he is the most important free agent in North American sports since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, so it's warranted.

While Ohtani is the name everyone will be watching, he's not the only free agent who is likely to command a nine-figure contract this offseason. Here are the top 10 upcoming free agents as of right now, along with another group of players who have a chance to play themselves into hefty paydays over the final two months of the regular season.

1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Los Angeles Angels (2024 Opening Day age: 29)

Will he get $600 million? Are the Dodgers the team to beat? MLB insiders predict Shohei Ohtani's free agency

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Three months ago, Ohtani's potential contract from baseball insiders came in at 11 years and $524 million.

Since then, Ohtani has led the league in position player WAR by a good margin despite not playing in the field at all. He's been positively underwhelming on the mound, with 10.7 K/9, an ERA in the 3s and over six innings per start. I haven't canvassed the industry again, but my expectation for the best position player and arguably the best pitcher in free agency with unprecedented marketing upside is $600 million.

You could rank basically anyone in this tier in almost any order as there are a lot of similar pitchers in this class who should do well in free agency, with