7 World Series Players We're Watching

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 22, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

The 2nd & 3rd highest luxury tax payrolls in MLB will take the biggest stage this weekend for a chance to secure the 2024 World Series title. The Dodgers (who yes, benefited greatly from Shohei Ohtani’s $68M cash savings, & $24M tax savings) pumped over $1.2B of guaranteed contracts into their organization last winter, but had to piecemeal together a starting rotation for the better part of the last few months to keep themselves on the train tracks. The Yankees, who acquired their big fish Juan Soto via trade, put together a postseason run that went about as according to plan as possible: timely pitching and a bevy of home runs.

We dive into 7 players of note set to play out the final series of the year, including two of baseball’s highest-paid, a player vying to be next in line for that label, and a few pending free agents who can further their financials over the next two weeks.

Shohei Ohtani (DH, Dodgers)

Obviously. The most exciting player in the game finally earns a trip to its biggest stage, though only as a hitter (maybe?). Ohtani posted a 9.22 WAR in the regular season (3rd overall), and is coming off of an NLCS where he went 8-22 with 9 walks at the top of the Dodgers lineup. His 10 year $700M contract runs through the 2033 season (though the deferred payments cover 2034-2043 respectively), giving the Dodgers a decade-long reason to keep their foot on the gas pedal.

Juan Soto (RF, Yankees)

Also obviously. Soto already has a World Series ring (as a 19-year-old in Washington), and now has a chance to snag another on the cusp of free agency. With that said, the Yankees can get mercy-rule swept with Soto posting an 0-The Series at the plate, and a dozen teams will still have a $500M+ offer sheet ready to hit the fax machine. He’s about to turn 26-years-old. He holds a 36.4 combined WAR in just 7 seasons (Trea Turner has the same WAR across 10 years). He’s both disciplined and a killer at the plate altogether, and when put in seemingly the most perfect of settings for 2024 (in front of Aaron Judge, at Yankee Stadium), he somehow exceeded expectations. The bidding war will be one for the ages, and the Yankees would be fools to lose it.

Aaron Judge (CF, Yankees)

Almost everything about Aaron Judge’s 2024 season comes with a “career-best” next to it, including his first trip to the World Series this week. The 32-year-old presumptive AL MVP led the league in HR, RBI, BB, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, TB, & WAR. He just completed Year 2 of his 9 year, $360M deal with NY that contains no opt-outs,options, or deferred payments.

Gleyber Torres (2B, Yankees)

The ultimate example of “smelling free agency”, Torres was a player that at more than a few points over his 6 years in NY was being booed out of Yankee Stadium for one reason or another. But his production & effort both at the plate and in the infield has been a spark plug for the Yankees down the stretch in 2024. The pending free agent has bolstered his overall value, especially now that he’s a proven leadoff hitter in big moments. His arbitration compensation suggests a contract in the $16M-$18M range, though at just shy of 28-years-old, don’t be surprised to see a team or two push higher here.

Teoscar Hernandez (OF,  Dodgers)

Hernandez turned $30M over 3 years of arbitration into a 1 year, $23.5M free agent contract to join the Dodgers. 32 doubles, 33 homers, 99 RBIs, and a career-high 4.29 WAR later, Hernandez will hit the open market this winter as one of the best available power hitters. The 32-year-old will be limited from a length standpoint, but it’s not inconceivable that a 4 year, $100M guarantee comes his way soon.

Jack Flaherty (SP, Dodgers)

Arguably the biggest pitcher to move at the deadline (via Detroit), Flaherty posted consistently good numbers down the stretch for the Dodgers. In the postseason, 2 out of his 3 starts were sloppy (to say the least), but his NLCS Game 1 start against NY was the stuff of legends. The pending UFA entered 2024 with a $23.3M valuation (4 years, $95M), and can really hit the market on a high note with another memorable moment on the mound this week.

Luke Weaver (RP, Yankees)

Weaver signed a 1 year, $2M contract with the Yankees last winter after posting a 6.40 ERA across 25 starts with the Reds, Mariners & Yankees in 2023. It was an afterthought signing for the Yankees who were simply hoping to find a role for him (likely not as a starter). But an offseason of change (new delivery, new mindset as a reliever, increased velocity) completely transformed the 31-year-old’s career path. The catch? NY added a $2.5M club option to his deal, locking him in for 2025 as a veritable steal if he can remain his good standing as their 9th-inning man.


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