2025 Fangraphs leaderboard (top 20) for OFs ranked by wRC+ against LHPs(minimum 100 ABs against LHP)
-I don’t use AI for posts although it is fine if you do. This was all done manually. Since we can’t screenshot photos. Slow day at work as I get ready for my IU Hoosiers CFB team (alum-class of 2007) to hopefully win tonight to advance to the National Championship Game. So just wanting to throw something out there. If curious-my other die hard sports teams are the Memphis Grizzlies (live in Memphis) and the NY Giants (born and raised in Manhattan).
Assuming Jasson would be the primary LF against RHPs (116 wRC+ warrants that potentially) who can be his tag team partner assuming we go that route?
Note-I ideally would want someone who could also backup Grisham in CF (use Jones as a trade piece or don’t rush him from AAA) as Dominguez can’t play CF and Judge shouldn’t play CF.
-Sorry for formatting issues-
Rankings:
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A. Judge-RH (NYY)- 225 wRC+ (already have on roster and thank goodness to everything holy that that is the case )
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C. Bellinger-LH (NYY-FA)-180 wRC+ (theoretically moving on from in this scenario).
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B. Buxton-RH (MIN)-178 wRC+ (my personal #1 dream target over Belli and Tucker as he can play CF and only has an AAV of $15M for the next 3 years, but a report came out earlier thar MIN doesn’t want to trade him, Lopez or Ryan and he does have a lengthy injury history and he loves MIN and has a no trade clause).
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J. Chourio-RH (MKE)-168 wRC+ (haha-yeah nope-MKE’s locked up long term stud-not an option).
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J. Jones-RH (DET)-167 wRC+ (reunion option? Can’t play CF though and DET has him under cheap control for the next 3+ years and won’t give him up).
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R. Refsnyder -RH (SEA-FA signed)-159 wRC+ (could have been another reunion, but alas he just signed with SEA a few weeks ago for $6.5M).
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*A. Hays-RH (CIN-FA)-155 wRC+ (first realistic option thus far other than capitulating to Boras and Belli’s ridiculous contract demands. He can’t play CF, but would only require cash -probably under $10M- and to be fair his corner OF defense according to statcast is in the above average 55th percentile).
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*J. Adell-RH (LAA)-154 wRC+ (interesting idea as he has team control under $5M AAV and has technically played CF , but is a horrible defender at all OF spots-1% on statcast and also another guy with a mid 20% SO rate. Finally the Angels traded Taylor Ward this offseason already and am not sure if they trade another OF).
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T. Ward-RH (BAL)-149 wRC+ (speaking of Ward haha-he was just traded to BAL so he is going nowhere).
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R. Laureano-RH (SDP)-139 wRC+ (only $6M for this year -expiring, but can’t CF and SD is in a win now mode and he is cheap so why would they give him up? Also had PED issues in past if anyone cares).
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R. Acuna-RH (ATL)-138 wRC+ (yeah another “hometown” superstar who is under a dirt cheap contract for a deep playoff run contender. Braves version of Judge except with more injury issues. Not a chance in hell).
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W. Langford-RH (TEX)-137 wRC+ (Rangers wouldn’t consider trading unless Schlittler and/or Rice were in the deal as just a part of it which doesn’t make sense for either side I think. 4+ years of cheap control and had a true breakout year in 2025. Is a true 5 tool player. Not happening).
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K. Tucker-LH (CHC-FA)-134 wRC+ (the #1 FA of this year’s market that for some reason we reportedly haven’t engaged with at all. Can’t play CF, but is a true superstar and the best possible Robin to Judge’s batman).
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*W. Perez-SH (DET)-133 wRC+ (another option I really like. Top 5 target for me. Isn’t a “sexy” name, but he plays excellent defense and is pre-arb for another year. DET is weak in the OF though and would only do this is they get an upgrade or trade Skubal and start to rebuild).
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G. Springer-RH (TOR)-132 wRC+ (former Astro and current Blue Jay rival. Not a chance in hell in any capacity nor should it be).
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S. Suzuki-RH (CHC)-130 wRC+ (interesting option as the man can flat out hit and costs less than $20M AAV in his FA walk year, but Cubs are in “win now” mode and just traded O. Cassie so would be reluctant to trade another OF. Also his defense isn’t great).
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* L. Robert-RH (CWS)-130 wRC+ (has regressed since his 2023 breakout year and had very concerning plate discipline, injuries and strikezone awareness and overall consistency , but can still play a great defense and has all the tools. $20M price tag is scary, but it is only for 1 year. He is a top pick for me).
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C. Smith-RH (HOU)-130 wRC+ (plays for a heated rival. Not a chance in hell as he still has 5 years of cheap control and was also a/the main piece of the K. Tucker trade. HOU would want a king’s ransom and also Smith doesn’t really play CF).
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J. Caballero-RH (NYY)-129 wRC+ (already have and much more likely to play in IF then OF at least to start year when Volpe returns).
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James Wood-LH (WSH)-126 wRC+ (see Langford-a cheap pre-arb, homegrown star just starting his career. No chance in hell).
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J. Rodriguez-RH (SEA)-123 wRC+ (see Acuna and others. A top 15-20 overall player in the sport (including pitchers) locked up long term. No chance in hell. )
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A. Martinez-SH (CLE)-123 wRC+ (Initially was interested in as he still pre-arb and can play all IF and OF positions, but his fielding isn’t great-26% on statcast fielding- and he doesn’t offer much power or plate discipline-under 5% BB rate. Would also be a bit superfluous w/O. Cabrera and J. Caballero).
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J. Soto-LH (NYM)-123 wRC+ (moving on haha-not to re-litigate last offseason).
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C. Mullins-LH (TBR-FA-signed)-121 wRC+ (just signed w/Tampa. Not an option anymore and hasn’t been great defensively the last few years amd struggled in the NY market last year post trade deadline).
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C. Carroll-LH (ARI)-120 wRC+ (see Acuna, J-Rod, Chuorio-no use to even think about).
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J. Altuve-RH (HOU)-120 wRC+ (haha-yeah nope-moving on).
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*B. Doyle-RH (COL)-119 wRC+ (probably a top 3 option for me as he is an elite multi-time gold glove defender in CF and under team control for 3 years with this year at only a $3.5M AAV. Like R. McMahon though you do worry about the Coors effect and the high SO rate).
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D. Myers-RH (CIN)-119 wRC+ (I loved him as an option as he defensive and plate discipline metrics also checked out , but unfortunately he was already traded to CIN from MIA this offseason and is no longer available).
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L. Gurriel-RH (ARI)-119 wRC+ (ho hum defensively in the corner outfield -31% statcast- can’t play CF-and while only on a 1 year expiring deal he does cost $14M AAV also he will be out for pretty much all of 2026 w/ a torn ACL-so nope).
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H. Hernandez-RH (MIA)-118 wRC+ (honestly never even heard of this guy, but seems like a solid player as his corner OF defensive was also strong. Last year was a rookie and because of that and his control and because MIA needs OFers he wouldn’t be available likely).
Other bandied about guys not listed who I would expore pursuing (Tatis isn’t listed because the Padres won’t trade him):
—W. Castro-SH (CHC-FA-ranked 40th)-109 wRC+ (not a great defender according to statcast and can’t play CF, but does offer nice versatility playing around the IF and would only cost money and offers more experience unlike A. Martinez who is a similar player).
-H. Bader-RH (PHI-FA-ranked 53rd)-92 wRC+ (if he was willing to do a 1 or at most 2 year deal with a high AAV which I don’t think he will I would be all over it despite his wRC+ vs. LHP not being great in 2025. His career has a 106 wRC+ vs. lefties. Also we know he can defend and can play in NY).
Interesting exercise for me to do. If you get to this point (I know it was long-it was a lot of work for me too) let me know your thoughts.
My top 5 options (in order)with trade acquisition or FA cost estimates:
-L. Robert (add $20M to payroll-team option for 2027)
*traded to White Sox – RH SP Ben Hess, RH OF Dillon Lewis, LH SP Kyle Carr
*traded to NYY-RH OF Robert, RH RP Jordan Leasure-4 years of control-pre-arb-K % statcast value of 30% (90th percentile)
-B. Doyle (add $3.5M to payroll-3 years of control)
*traded to Rockies-Hess, Lewis, Carr & RH SP Thatcher Hurd
*traded to NYY-RH OF Doyle, RH RP Victor Vodnik (97th percentile in FB velocity-3 years of control-$1M AAV)
-A. Hays signed to a 1 year/$8.5M contract (if Grisham gets injured then S. Jones gets called up for CF).
-H. Bader signed to a 2 year/$38M contract ($19M AAV) or a 1 year/$25M contract (his choice)
-W. Perez (5 years of control)
*To DET Hess & Lewis
*To NYY Perez
5 comments
Top 30 not top 20 for fangraphs
Robert is a borderline negative asset at this point, I doubt it would that much to get him. I kind of like the idea of Doyle, but our fan base would hate him because he can’t really hit. I can’t imagine we pony up that kind of dough for Bader to be a platoon OF. Interesting list though, appreciate the effort that went into it.
Not in the camp of keeping Dominguez so this whole post is my own personal nightmare.
At this point, I say let’s give Bellinger a best and final offer in the 5/125 range. If Boras says no, go get Tucker and call it a day.
I ran this thru an AI detection algorithm. It gave me the following response:
>90–95% chance human-written
>If this were AI-assisted, it would almost certainly be:
>- Heavily edited by a human
>-Or used only for data lookup, not prose generation
>But based on voice, messiness, and opinion density, this reads like:
>###A bored, smart Yankees fan killing time at work and going way too deep — in the best way.