The Hottest Questions of the 2015-2016 MLB Offseason, Week 1
It's only Week 1 of the 2015-2016 MLB offseason, but the trade market is already buzzing.
Per Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Angels have landed Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves, and there's plenty of speculation swirling around other prominent players.
When it comes to tackling the biggest questions of the week, trade rumors involving All-Stars like Aroldis Chapman and Brett Gardner dominate the conversation. However, there's also room on the list for a look at which former big league outfielder could be set to replace Don Mattingly for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Can Jason Heyward Crack the $200 Million Plateau?
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It's not just his outstanding glove and his sneaky good bat (33 doubles and a .797 OPS in 2015) that make Jason Heyward such an intriguing free-agent target.
It's also his age. At 26, the right fielder is awfully young to be hitting the open market.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the three-time Gold Glove winner could be on track to rake in a 10-year deal, which could "approach, if not exceed $200 million."
As Rosenthal noted, it's worth remembering that Heyward is represented by Casey Close, the agent who got opt-out clauses for aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Heyward has the look of a guy who would be an ideal candidate for such a clause.
For Heyward, the ideal outcome this offseason will be to ink a 10-year megadeal that allows him the freedom to opt out after the first four years of the contract when he'll still be just 29 years old.
The Answer: Yes, but there's a chance he could opt out before making all that money.
Who Will Aroldis Chapman Be Pitching for in 2016?
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According to Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com, it's only a matter of time before the Cincinnati Reds ship out Aroldis Chapman.
"That's four people insisting this morning that Aroldys Chapman will be moved by the end of the weekend," Gammons tweeted on Thursday.
With a 1.63 ERA and a 15.7 strikeout-per-nine ratio in 2015, there should be no shortage of teams checking in on the electric closer.
ESPN's Jim Bowden argued that the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox "fit best" as potential trade partners, thanks to their loaded minor league systems and "pressing need" in the ninth inning.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports also pegged the Red Sox as a club that could make a move for the lefty: "As expected, #RedSox aggressive on multiple fronts. Chapman believed to be one."
If Boston were to reel in Chapman, the squad could push the 40-year-old Koji Uehara into a setup role to form an imposing combination for the eighth and ninth innings.
The Answer: Red Sox
Will the Colorado Rockies Finally Trade Carlos Gonzalez?
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After Carlos Gonzalez mashed 27 home runs and clocked in with a .975 OPS in the second half, this offseason would seem like the ideal moment for the Colorado Rockies to sell high on the vet.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Rockies are once again shopping the 30-year-old. One of CarGo's friends even told Heyman that the outfielder would be "thrilled" if Colorado could find him a new home.
One complication for the Rockies in any potential trade is that the free-agent market is stocked with comparable outfielders like Yoenis Cespedes, Jason Heyward, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton.
While acquiring Gonzalez would cost an interested club both prospects and money (he makes $37 million over the next two seasons), all of those free agents would simply cost cash. For that reason, Colorado's best shot at jettisoning Gonzalez won't come until late in the winter when the free-agent market dries up.
The Answer: No
Are the New York Yankees Going to Deal Brett Gardner?
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It looks like the clock is ticking on Brett Gardner's eight-year stay in the Bronx.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman alluded to that possibility after the American League East club traded for Aaron Hicks in a swap with the Minnesota Twins.
"At the very least, [Hicks will] be taking Chris Young's spot," Cashman told Billy Witz of the New York Times. "We'll see how the rest of the winter transpires."
As Witz argued, a deal involving Gardner could be the next step for Cashman. A first-time All-Star in 2015 after clubbing 16 bombs and recording 20 steals, the 32-year-old would be a valuable chip on the trade market.
Gardner's contract situation also makes him a compelling trade piece. Here's a breakdown of his deal:
- 2016: $13.5 million
- 2017: $12.5 million
- 2018: $11.5 million
- 2019: $12.5 team option, $2 million buyout
Thanks to his rare combination of speed and power—and his team-friendly contract—the Yankees should be getting plenty of phones calls about Gardner, even with the free-agent market stacked with outfielders. Now, the big question is if New York will make the veteran available.
The Answer: Yes
Who's Going to Be the Next Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers?
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Suffice it to say that the Los Angeles Dodgers have cast a wide net in the process of searching out a replacement for former manager Don Mattingly.
Here's a look at the list of candidates for the job, as compiled by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- Bud Black
- Darin Erstad
- Bob Geren
- Kirk Gibson
- Gabe Kapler
- Dave Martinez
- Dave Roberts
- Ron Roenicke
- Tim Wallach
According to Bleacher Report's Scott Miller, Kapler, Martinez and Roberts are near the top of the short list as the club gets ready for a second round of interviews.
Out of that trio, Roberts, who was a World Series winner with the Boston Red Sox, looks like he could be the perfect successor for Mattingly. Roberts has five years of experience as a major league coach, including the last two as the bench coach with the San Diego Padres.
As Nick Carfardo of the Boston Globe noted, Roberts also has the right personality and mindset to thrive at Chavez Ravine: "His upbeat nature and embracing of analytics are certainly positives as the Dodgers try to replace Don Mattingly."
The Answer: Roberts
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
