Freese's chances for increased playing time early in 2017 increase with each day starting third baseman Jung Ho Kang misses from spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Serving as Pittsburgh's starter at third, Freese slashed .291/.376/.388 in 117 plate appearances last April while Kang recovered from a broken leg. The 33-year-old is already set to receive a lesser number of at-bats as a platoon partner with Josh Bell in 2017, but he would likely become an everyday player if Kang can't go. Freese finished 2016 with a tepid .247/.331/.333, but for a short while he could cover for teams lacking a third base option.