Surprise Potential Suitors for the Top 2016-17 MLB Offseason Names

Offseason rumors tend to look like a stock car race.

There are early front-runners, of course. And those teams linked to players in the early stages of the offseason do, quite frequently, end up acquiring said player.

But like any great stock car race, there’s jostling for position. Teams one-up each other, whether in the trade or free-agent markets. Trailing teams often make a last-minute effort and land a player, which nets baseball its share of offseason surprises.

So here are some of this offseason’s biggest names and possible suitors that may shock the collective baseball world. Some are based on speculation, while others have been linked to a specific player. But in all cases, such an acquisition would make sense based on the team’s needs.

Yoenis Cespedes, Philadelphia Phillies

G Fiume/Getty Images

New York Mets corner outfielder Jay Bruce has been in several trade rumors, including one involving the Toronto Blue Jays that ESPN.com's Jim Bowden revealed on MLB Network Radio. The Bruce rumors suggest the Mets think they have a strong chance to bring outfielder Yoenis Cespedes back.

The left fielder opted out of a three-year deal with the Mets so he could enter free agency this offseason.

If the Mets, who were offensively challenged in 2016, thought it was unlikely that they were going to re-sign Cespedes, rumors of a Bruce trade wouldn’t be as rampant. As such, New York should be considered the favorite to land him, making the Philadelphia Phillies an underdog.

With lots of money to spend, the Phillies could be a contender for Cespedes, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. 

Such a signing would be a coup for New York’s NL East rival. But it seems Philadelphia, which was amid a rebuild in 2016, is a year or two away from contending for a division championship.

If the Phillies signed Cespedes, it would be an indication the club is looking to contend in 2017. But the two-time All-Star wouldn’t be the only piece necessary to contending, and the Phillies would need to add more either via free agency or in a trade.

Edwin Encarnacion, Texas Rangers

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Though the Texas Rangers have not been linked to designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion in the early stages of free agency, they could provide him with a potential landing spot.

Texas acquired Carlos Beltran from the New York Yankees to fill its designated hitter spot that was vacated when Prince Fielder retired in the middle of last season. It appears that Beltran, now a free agent, wants to return to the AL East.

Both the Boston Red Sox and Yankees appear to be front-runners for Beltran. Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reported that a source named Beltran a “top priority” for the Red Sox.

The Rangers will need to fill the designated hitter spot in their lineup.

The team could do so with prospect Joey Gallo, a third baseman blocked by Adrian Beltre. But given Gallo’s poor performance in Triple-A in the latter half of the 2016 season, the organization may look elsewhere to fill the spot in the lineup.

The right-handed Encarnacion, 33, could add power to an already potent lineup that includes second baseman Rougned Odor, catcher Jonathan Lucroy and right fielder Nomar Mazara.

Encarnacion has the ability to lead MLB in home runs and would be protected by capable hitters around him in the Texas lineup.

Justin Turner, San Francisco Giants

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Though their top priority should unquestionably be addressing the bullpen issues, the San Francisco Giants could make a play for third baseman Justin Turner, who would add pop to a lineup that ranked 19th in runs scored last season.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that San Francisco is “open-minded” about the possibility of signing Turner, who hit .275/.339/.493 with 27 homers and 90 RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Should Turner sign with San Francisco, it would be an obvious win for the Giants, as they would do double the damage in the offseason NL West race.

There’s no indication that Turner prefers to go to San Francisco, or that he wants to leave Los Angeles, where he has played the last three seasons—the best of his eight-year career.

But the Giants would be a fit should they come up with a superior offer.

Aroldis Chapman, Chicago Cubs

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When the New York Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs in July, the left-handed closer didn’t hide his feelings about his former team.

While such splits are often associated with resentment, Chapman had nothing but praise for the organization with which he only spent half a season. The Yankees acquired Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds in a trade last offseason.

Chapman made clear he and his 105 mph fastball would consider a return to New York. The Yankees have reciprocated, making it known that they, too, would like Chapman to return to their bullpen.

That’s given reason to doubt he would re-sign with Chicago, where he recently won his first World Series title.

The relationship was beneficial throughout the regular season, but Chapman had a rocky postseason with the Cubs. He most notably allowed the Cleveland Indians to send Game 7 of the World Series to extra innings by giving up two runs with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Chapman struggled in the NLCS as well.

It all proved Chapman is ineffective when asked to pitch in any inning other than the ninth. Cubs manager Joe Maddon made it clear throughout the playoffs that he prefers to utilize his closer earlier than the final inning.

But even though Chapman and the Cubs may be neither party’s top choice, circumstances could force a surprising reunion between the two.

Currently, the Cubs have no closer and a shaky group of middle relievers. Should other top closers Mark Melancon and Kenley Jansen sign elsewhere, Chicago might be forced to make a play for Chapman.

And for Chapman himself, this is his opportunity to make big money. If the Cubs put together an offer greater than any other, he may be persuaded to return to the team for financial reasons.

Kenley Jansen, Washington Nationals

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Closer Kenley Jansen might be the biggest prize of this winter’s free agency. He led all relievers with a 3.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs, but proved his value with the Dodgers this past postseason.

Jansen pitched in seven games over the course of the NLDS and NLCS, throwing 11.2 innings. He was particularly brilliant in the NLCS, allowing only one hit and striking out 10 in 6.1 innings of work.

Los Angeles should work to re-sign him. And if the money is the same, Jansen should want to return to the Dodgers. Only Minute Maid Park in Houston was friendlier to pitchers than Dodger Stadium, according to ESPN’s Park Factors.

Nonetheless, the Nationals are without a closer. Mark Melancon was the team's closer in 2016 after Washington acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline.

But Melancon is also a free agent.

Though Melancon was good, Jansen would be an upgrade if the Nationals decided to pursue the latter right-hander.

Of course, given Jansen’s success, almost every contending team will look to make him an offer. So his signing, no matter where, won’t qualify as an overwhelming surprise.

But given that the Nationals have not been reported among Jansen’s early suitors, it would be a signing that would come as a shock to some, albeit one that makes sense for Washington.

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays appeared to be heading for a split long before the team’s playoff run ended with a loss to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS.

Bautista, 36, made it known to all who would listen in spring training that he would not be giving Toronto, where he has spent the last nine seasons, a hometown discount.

That’s understandable, as this free-agency period is Bautista’s last chance at making significant money. However, teams are constantly trying to get younger, and Bautista cannot offer long-term security in right field.

Bautista's age, combined with a 2016 season in which he struggled with injuries, could reduce the market for his services. It should be noted, though, that Bautista hit 40 home runs in 2015.

Should unfavorable offers be made to Bautista, Toronto could take advantage of the situation and bring him back at a bargain. He would help make them a contender in the AL East, which should be baseball’s most competitive division in 2017.

Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale has been the subject of more rumors than any other free agent this offseason.

He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and would improve any rotation, making any organization with a load of talented prospects a viable trade partner with Chicago.

The Red Sox fall into that category, but they may be less willing to part with their young talent than other teams. The Red Sox will rely heavily on their young major leaguers to win in 2017. The Nationals, Dodgers and even the Yankees can more easily afford to part with their young talent.

But Boston searched for capable starting pitching all last season and traded for Drew Pomeranz in July. It was an unsuccessful attempt at bolstering its rotation.

Then the Red Sox were swept out of the playoffs by the Indians, who made it to the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series because of their outstanding pitching.

It's possible the Red Sox could pivot and decide to part with a group of talented young players in an attempt to acquire Sale.