Updating the Hottest Questions of the 2015-16 MLB Offseason, Week 4

With David Price off the board, Zack Greinke can officially claim his place at the center of the baseball universe as Week 4 of the 2015-16 MLB offseason draws to a close.

While everyone patiently awaits Greinke's decision on where he'll be pitching in 2016, Aroldis Chapman is patiently waiting to find out just where he'll be traded.

There's no question about it—buzz surrounding prominent pitchers like Greinke and Chapman dominated the baseball week that was. And as if the market for arms wasn't loaded enough already, another high-upside starter has been added to the free-agent front following the non-tender deadline.

Hurlers headline the list that follows, but there's still room for talk about one position player who's proving to be the most popular free agent of all this winter.

Which Team Will Reel in Aroldis Chapman?

John Minchillo/Associated Press

With a 1.63 ERA and a 15.7 strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio in 2015, Aroldis Chapman is the definition of dominant.

And the electric closer is very much up for grabs. As C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported back in the middle of November, Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty is hoping to find a new home for the Cuban before the winter meetings kick off on Dec. 7.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams that have checked in on the Chapman front.

Considering that the Dodgers claimed the No. 1 spot in the most recent Bleacher Report farm system rankings, the National League West three-time defending champs clearly have the pieces to acquire Chapman. But the team also already has an All-Star closer in Kenley Jansen.

The Houston Astros also have the pieces, as the team landed in the second spot in those rankings. As it turns out, Astros owner Jim Crane is a "big Aroldis Chapman fan," as Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported. If the Astros find a way to bring Chapman to Minute Maid Park, the club could shift last year's closer Luke Gregerson to a more familiar eighth-inning role.

The Answer: Astros

Which Non-Tendered Player Will Make the Biggest Impact in 2016?

Joe Skipper/Associated Press

Some big names and former All-Stars hit the free-agent market following the non-tender deadline. Here's a sampling of the most prominent players, per MLBTradeRumors.com:

• Henderson Alvarez, SP
• Pedro Alvarez, 1B
• Chris Carter, 1B/DH
• Steve Cishek, RP
• Tyler Flowers, C
• Greg Holland, RP
• Yusmeiro Petit, RP/SP

Pedro Alvarez and Carter stand out in the above list, as both mashers offer plenty of pop, connecting on 27 and 24 home runs, respectively, in 2015. The problem is that both guys profile best as designated hitters, which limits their potential landing spots to American League cities.

The one player who just about every team in baseball should be checking in on is Henderson Alvarez. The problem with the right-hander is that he's not healthy—at least not yet.

According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the 25-year-old likely won't be ready to pitch until May or June thanks to a shoulder injury that wrecked his 2015 season (6.45 ERA in four starts).

When he is right, Alvarez has the stuff to pitch near the top of any rotation. Back in 2014, the starter earned an All-Star nod for the Miami Marlins by posting a 2.65 ERA in 30 outings. That's an outstanding stat line for a hurler who just got thrown onto the scrap heap.

The Answer: Henderson Alvarez

Is Ben Zobrist Really About to Land a $60 Million Payday?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

2015 has been kind to Ben Zobrist.

The Swiss army knife of baseball won a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals, and now he's about to become one really rich dude.

"Sources: Price on Ben Zobrist keeps going up. Sense among interested teams is that it stands at four years, $60 million and may go higher," tweeted Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

That's a lot of years to give to a 34-year-old—not to mention a lot of dollars.

But based on the way the market is developing, it's entirely realistic to think that Zobrist will hit that target. That's because the switch-hitter is the most popular free agent in the game. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, "as many as 20 teams [are] in the mix." With so many potential suitors in on the derby, an epic bidding war is sure to ensue.

The Answer: Yes

Are the Atlanta Braves Going to Cash in on Shelby Miller?

David Goldman/Associated Press

The Atlanta Braves are looking to sell high on Shelby Miller—really high.

Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks nixed a trade proposal that would have sent Miller to the desert and center fielder A.J. Pollock to Turner Field.

The unheralded Pollock is the best player in baseball whom nobody ever talks about. In 2015, the right-handed hitter finished eighth in the bigs in WAR (6.6)—just behind Yoenis Cespedes and just ahead of Lorenzo Cain—according to FanGraphs.

If that's the kind of asking price that the Braves have attached to Miller, the righty isn't going anywhere—especially when his splits from 2015 are taken into account.

Miller's 3.02 ERA looks awfully shiny, but it's revealing to dig into his numbers:

• First half: 2.38 ERA
• Second half: 3.83 ERA

Ultimately, the Braves will be just fine if the team holds onto the 25-year-old right-hander, as the NL East squad still has Miller under club control for three more seasons.

The Answer: No

Where Is Zack Greinke Going to End Up?

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

Zack Greinke is about to get paid.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, "outside executives" forecast that the 2015 ERA champ is on the verge of raking in a five-year deal worth roughly $165 million. As Sherman noted, those execs are "split" on whether Greinke will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers or join up with the San Francisco Giants.

If the 32-year-old were to head north to AT&T Park, the Giants would not only be stealing a star from their fiercest rivals, but would suddenly be sporting a nasty one-two punch of Greinke and Madison Bumgarner.

But such a splash would also create a strange dynamic in San Francisco, as Greinke's projected salary would be more than three times what MadBum will earn in 2016 ($9.75 million).

For the Dodgers, retaining Greinke will be absurdly expensive, but with David Price already off the market, the pitching-poor club doesn't have much of a choice but to pay up. Simply put, letting Greinke depart to the Giants would be a decision that would haunt the Dodgers for years to come.

The Answer: Dodgers

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.