Baseball's free-agent market opens two weeks from today, but that doesn't mean the best talent will be available from Day One. With several teams poised to non-tender some young players, this year's free-agent pool could arrive in waves and change the look of what otherwise is a steep drop from the top-tier to a wider range of mid-level players. After Matt Holliday, here are five of the most appealing players set to be free agents:

Jason Bay, OF (Boston) — A near twin to Holliday, who is slightly older, Bay has proved effective in baseball's cauldron, the AL East, where he hit 36 homers and drove in 119 runs for Boston this year.

John Lackey, RHP (LA Angels) — The strapping, 6-foot-6 Texan would make a superb No. 2 for a title contender, but with seven consecutive seasons of 10 wins, a run of 30-start seasons and a career 3.81 ERA he's going to get No. 1 money.

Chone Figgins, 3B (LA Angels) — Doesn't have the name recognition of fellow Angels' free agent Vladimir Guerrero, but then Guerrero no longer has his MVP legs under him. Figgins is the super-utility All-Star speedster who could play at many positions and will have a market of many teams.

Aroldis Chapman, LHP (Cuba) — The Cardinals have talked with the lefty's agents, but the price is expected to soar for the 21-year-old defector and his 100-plus-mph fastball. He has met with teams like the Yankees and Red Sox in tour of suitors.

Jason Marquis, RHP (Colorado) — Sure, he doesn't have the wattage or résumé of other free agents, but check the teams that woo him for a spot at the back of their rotation. He has made the postseason 10 consecutive seasons — every year he has been in the majors — and in his role could be a barometer for the next playoff club.

— Derrick Goold