15 Updated Predictions for MLB's Offseason Hitting Market
The MLB rumor mill keeps on changing with every major move on the market, as we are in the midst of the first wave of free-agent signings this offseason.
Tim Hudson, who signed with the San Francisco Giants, and Josh Johnson, who joined the San Diego Padres, are two of the top pitchers to sign deals with new teams this year, while Carlos Ruiz's three-year, $26 million extension to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies sets the tone for other catchers and hitters out there on the open market.
The MLB offseason is evolving, so let's take an updated look at possible destinations for 15 of the top hitters available.
2B Robinson Cano: New York Yankees
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The camp representing this year's top free agent looked a bit desperate after setting up a meeting with the New York Mets earlier this week.
Rapper-turned-agent Jay Z helped orchestrate the dinner on Monday, with Mets general manager Sandy Alderson telling ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin that the meeting may have been a bit unnecessary.
"It was a well-prepared presentation designed to sell us and presumably other teams on Cano's value," Alderson said. "We certainly have a high regard for Robinson Cano as a player. So in that sense, the presentation was a little bit overdone."
From the outside, this looks like a clear publicity ploy on Cano's behalf to try and get the Yankees nervous. The Bronx Bombers are still one of the favorites to sign Cano, with general manager Brian Cashman telling Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News that his team's stance on Cano hasn't changed.
While the potential of Cano helping create a super-infield along with Prince Fielder, Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre with the Texas Rangers has been brought up as a possibility, I think Cano will stick around in the Bronx.
He has the rare opportunity to have his number retired in Monument Park as one of the franchise's all-time greats, and the Yankees have the financial wherewithal to retain him. It might not be the 10 years and $300 million he's asking for, but Cano would be paid handsomely if he elects to stay in pinstripes.
C Brian McCann: Texas Rangers
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The 29-year-old catcher is widely viewed as the top backstop available after posting a slash line of .277/.350/.477 with yearly averages of 21 home runs and 80 RBI over the past eight seasons.
The Rangers have long been viewed as the favorites to lure McCann out of Atlanta and into the American League, where he can also serve as a designated hitter. Even with the addition of slugging first baseman Prince Fielder and $76 million more in contract commitments, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels is expected to stay aggressive this offseason.
With last year's starter in A.J. Pierzynski also a free agent, McCann would be a younger upgrade at the position and add to a potentially robust lineup. Like Fielder, McCann is a left-handed hitter who could hit a lot of home runs with the jet stream to the short porch in right field in Arlington.
Money doesn't sound like it's an issue for the Rangers right now, and bringing in Fielder makes this lineup much more attractive for McCann to consider joining.
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury: Seattle Mariners
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After agreeing to a $2 billion TV deal in April, the Seattle Mariners have a lot of money to spend this offseason. With Scott Boras as Jacoby Ellsbury's agent, it will likely take a big commitment to sign the 30-year-old.
Seattle is in desperate need of some hitting help now that two of the team's top sluggers from last year, Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez, are both free agents this winter. Ellsbury might not fit the power profile like those other two, but the Oregon native would be a nice fit with the Mariners and provide a spark atop their lineup while roaming center field.
Seattle's pitching already has the potential to be great with ace Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, who finished No. 3 in the AL Cy Young voting this year. But the lineup needs a makeover, and Ellsbury could be the man who changes
Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo: Detroit Tigers
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The Detroit Tigers shed some payroll by trading away Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler earlier this week, with an eye toward a long-term contract for AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, who is due for a new contract following the 2014 season.
But it could also help them for this offseason, as the Tigers have emerged as a suitor for Shin-Soo Choo, per Buster Olney of ESPN. In order to free up even more space, Detroit has reportedly had discussions about moving outfielder Austin Jackson, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Choo would be a great leadoff hitter for a Detroit lineup that still features sluggers like Miguel Cabrera, Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez and Kinsler. The Tigers remain a premier destination on the market, as Kinsler recently told reporters he thinks his new team has a great chance at winning the World Series.
Outfielder Carlos Beltran: Boston Red Sox
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With Jacoby Ellsbury set to have a big payday this offseason, the Boston Red Sox could be looking to find another option in the outfield.
Shin-Soo Choo would be a great fit here, but he's also represented by super-agent Scott Boras and will command a significant long-term commitment. Since taking over as Boston's general manager, Ben Cherington has traded away big contracts like those belonging to Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford while making shrewd signings for veterans like Jonny Gomes and Mike Napoli to short-term deals.
Carlos Beltran could be the next in line for a short-term contract, with Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reporting that the Red Sox have engaged in a "serious dialogue" with Beltran. However, Lauber also reported that the two teams are far apart. Boston might not be interested in offering a three-year deal like Beltran wants, but the 37-year-old can still make major contributions at the plate and play in the field, and he would be a cheaper alternative than Ellsbury or Choo.
1B Mike Napoli: Detroit Tigers
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The Detroit Tigers have an opening at first base with Prince Fielder gone to Texas, and Mike Napoli would be a solid option to help fill the big void.
There has already been talk of moving Miguel Cabrera from third base to first base to help take care of the MVP’s body, which showed signs of wear and tear by the end of last season, but Napoli is another choice. Napoli (.259/.360/.482, 23 HR, 92 RBI) put up similar power numbers to Fielder in 2013 (.279/.362/.457, 25 HR, 106 RBI), but he would come at a discount compared to the contract Fielder was owed.
Napoli will still command a big deal on the open market and might be too expensive to consider if the Tigers want to re-sign Max Scherzer, but he would be a good fit.
Outfielder Nelson Cruz: Texas Rangers
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Nelson Cruz turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer in hopes of securing a longer deal in free agency. That doesn’t mean he can’t return to Arlington, where he’s enjoyed great success the past five seasons, hitting .272/.331/.511 with yearly averages of 27 homers and 81 RBI.
Texas’ lineup received a major boost with the addition of Prince Fielder via trade, and it would make sense for Cruz to return there to join a potent lineup. While his initial asking price of five years, $75 million may have scared off some teams, Cruz should be able to sign a healthy three-year deal at the age of 33.
It would make sense for him to return to a place where he knows he can produce and would serve as a less pricey option than Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo.
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Boston Red Sox
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The Boston Red Sox are among the teams on the market for a catcher with Jarrod Saltalamacchia testing free agency.
The team reportedly offered a two-year deal to keep Saltalamacchia around after the catcher enjoyed success at the plate in 2013 and helped the team win the World Series, but he turned it down to explore other options. It's still a strong possibility these two could work a deal to keep him Boston.
Saltalamacchia batted .273/.338/.466 with 14 homers and 65 RBI while serving as a popular figure in the clubhouse. He's six years younger than Carlos Ruiz, who signed a three-year, $26 million deal with Philadelphia, so Saltalamacchia figures to be in for a bigger contract than that.
He has become a fan favorite for Boston and would bring continuity to the position, even though there are other intriguing options like Brian McCann.
Outfielder Curtis Granderson: New York Yankees
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According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, the New York Yankees are trying to make three big signings this winter. Two out of the three could be keeping Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson in pinstripes.
Granderson was hindered by two different hit-by-pitches that hurt him in 2013, but he put together back-to-back 40-homer seasons for the Yankees in 2011-12. On Wednesday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told George A. King of the New York Post that the team is still focused on bringing Granderson back.
“He is a serious part," Cashman told King. “We remain interested. He is not a [fall-back] option.’’
Those sound like strong words from Cashman about Granderson, who possesses one of the few power bats available on the free-agent market this year. He strikes out alot, but Granderson's power stroke to the short fence in right field at Yankee Stadium makes him an attractive option.
SS Stephen Drew: St. Louis Cardinals
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The St. Louis Cardinals need an upgrade over Pete Kozma, who had a dismal year at shortstop in 2013 by batting .217/.275/.273 with one homer and 35 RBI in 143 games.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Drew remains the team's top option this winter via trade or free agency. Having turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer this winter and with agent Scott Boras in his corner, Drew will have a decent price tag.
But Drew would fill a big need for the Cardinals and figures to be an everyday shortstop for at least the next three years. He batted .253/.333/.443 with 13 HR and 67 RBI this past season in 124 games for the Boston Red Sox, but it sounds like he's on his way out of Beantown.
Outfielder Corey Hart: Boston Red Sox
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Corey Hart missed the entire 2013 season due to knee problems, but he recently told Sirius XM MLB Network Radio that he has received interest from the Boston Red Sox, among other teams.
Hart would fit right in line with the recent signings of general manager Ben Cherington, who helped turn around the fortunes of the franchise by making smart, low-cost veteran signings last year. Hart told Jim Bowden that he won't be cleared until Dec. 3, but he figures to be a solid backup plan if Mike Napoli signs elsewhere or could step in as a contributor in the outfield.
From 2007-12, Hart batted .277/.335/.495 with yearly averages of 24 homers and 78 RBI, numbers that make him worth a flier at the age of 31.
1B/DH Kendrys Morales: New York Yankees
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Kendrys Morales remains a solid middle-of-the-order presence even though he doesn't possess the same pop that he did before his career-changing leg injury in 2010.
The Yankees have expressed interest in Morales, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Morales turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer, so he clearly thinks he can get a bigger deal on the open market. The past two years he batted a combined .275/.329/.457 with an average of 22 homers and 76 RBI for the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners.
New York could use some insurance behind Mark Teixeira at first base, while Morales could also play designated hitter and provide some pop at a palatable rate for the Yankees.
3B Juan Uribe: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Juan Uribe remains unsigned as one of the top third baseman available on the free-agent market. Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Dodgers still had interest in re-signing the veteran who has played in Chavez Ravine the past three years.
Uribe is 33 but had a decent year in 2013, batting .278/.331/.438 with 12 homers and 50 RBI. While there not be many options for third basemen, the Dodgers figure to offer a deal as competitive as any. It makes sense for Uribe to stay where he's comfortable and try to play for a contender heading into the homestretch of his career.
SS Jhonny Peralta: New York Mets
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Jhonny Peralta joins Stephen Drew as one of the top shortstop options available this winter.
The 31-year-old has reportedly drawn heavy interest from teams, with Peter Gammons reporting that Peralta had multiple offers of four years, $52 million. Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently tweeted that the Mets and Yankees are interested.
The Yankees have already signed Brendan Ryan as insurance for Derek Jeter, so adding Peralta might not make much sense, but the Mets have an opening at the position following low production from Omar Quintanilla and Ruben Tejada in 2013. This seems like a good match for both sides if Peralta can lower his contract demands.
2B Omar Infante: Baltimore Orioles
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When addressing the state of his team following the Prince Fielder-Ian Kinsler trade recently, Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski hinted that Omar Infante won't be coming back to the team.
Infante is a versatile infielder who spent the entire 2013 season with the Tigers at second base, batting .318/.345/.450 with 10 homers and 51 RBI. The Orioles are in the market for a new second baseman with Brian Roberts becoming a free agent, and Infante would be a good fit as an everyday contributor to hit near the top of the lineup in front of Chris Davis and Adam Jones.
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