MLB Free Agents Who Definitely Won't Return to Their 2013 Team
It is a simple yet complex question that in song form is a hit by The Clash: "Should I Stay or Should I Go"?
That is the question facing some of the top free agents in Major League Baseball this offseason.
The likes of Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo will have a chance to dip their feet into the free-agent market, and could go all in with a different ballclub in 2014.
Continue reading to find out which seven free agents will switch cities this offseason.
Brian McCann
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Brian McCann is in for a major payday this offseason, but it will not come from the Atlanta Braves.
McCann has spent his entire career in Hotlanta, but due to plenty of depth at the position in the organization, the 29-year-old could depart the city for good.
There are plenty of potential suitors for the left-handed hitting catcher, including the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox.
ESPN's Buster Olney points out in this tweet that McCann could be a good fit in Boston. The fact that former Brave David Ross could be used as a recruiting tool doesn't hurt, either.
In a report from MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, it is mentioned that there is interest in the veteran catcher joining the Rangers as well.
Jacoby Ellsbury
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Despite winning two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury's natural home region of the United States is the Pacific Northwest.
The Oregon native and former Oregon State outfielder looks to be headed to Seattle, judging by what Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal had to say on the Dennis and Callahan show last month.
The Mariners need to rebuild. To do so, they must spend a bit of money under new manager Lloyd McClendon.
Seattle has been searching for a star to partner alongside Felix Hernandez ever since Ichiro Suzuki departed the town. A hometown hero of sorts in Ellsbury could be the perfect answer to put a few extra fans in the stands.
Shin-Soo Choo
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The time has finally come for Shin-Soo Choo to leave Ohio for good.
The former Cleveland Indians outfielder, who spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds, is expected to be pursued by some big-name franchises this offseason.
Among potential suitors for Choo are the New York Yankees, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
Heyman also notes that teams like the Rangers, Cubs, Phillies, and maybe even the Astros, could enter the race for the Korean outfielder.
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Joe Nathan
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With all of the talk surrounding the Rangers as a potential buyer, it's important to note they will be losing some integral parts of their 2013 squad this offseason as well.
Closer Joe Nathan is not expected to return to Arlington, with interest peaking from the Detroit Tigers, according to Olney.
The Tigers are desperate for an experienced closer that is actually consistent compared to the always unpredictable cast of characters that they employed at the back end of the bullpen over the last two seasons.
Nathan is not the only closer on the market, with Grant Balfour and Chris Perez also out there, but he is a safe and conservative choice that would suit the Tigers well.
Nelson Cruz
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Despite having his name tarnished by the Biogenesis scandal, Nelson Cruz is still a wanted man in baseball circles.
Cruz was extended a qualifying offer by the Rangers, but that seems like a mere formality with the interest surrounding the power-hitting outfielder.
In his free-agent profile on MLBTradeRumors.com, the outfielder's name is mentioned with teams like the Phillies, Royals, Rockies, Yankees and Mets, among others.
While he will not receive Hunter Pence-like money because of his age and baggage, Cruz would be a great option for any team looking to shore up their outfield in the offseason.
Carlos Beltran
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The postseason legend of Carlos Beltran grew a bit more this October, but whether the outfielder will get a chance to deliver in clutch situations for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 remains to be seen.
Beltran was issued a qualifying offer of $14.1 million earlier this week, but that would not stop the two parties from severing ties.
The Cardinals are very frugal with their money and they could fill the void left by Beltran in the outfield with either Allen Craig or players from their farm system.
As Stan McNeal of Fox Sports Midwest points out, the Rangers, Yankees and Orioles could all be in the market for the 36-year-old.
All three of those teams present the option of Beltran being used as a designated hitter as his body begins to catch up to him.
That proposition may draw Beltran away from the National League and back into the American League, where he started his career with the Royals.
Ubaldo Jimenez
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You may not believe it when you read this, but Ubaldo Jimenez could be a coveted free-agent target during the offseason because of the lack of starting pitchers available.
Jimenez will surely leave Cleveland for more money, but where exactly will he go?
B/R's Jason Martinez believes a perfect fit for Jimenez could be his former employer, the Colorado Rockies.
There are plenty of other teams that have starting pitching needs, including the Phillies and Yankees, but something tells me Jimenez may seek out a comfort zone in Denver to reclaim his All-Star pitching form.
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