Perfect MLB Free-Agent Matches Teams Cannot Afford to Miss out on
As the MLB Hot Stove continues to heat up, players and teams will continue to be connected. In many of those cases, there is a perfect match out there for the top players on the market based on needs that a team has.
In some cases, it will be a new team that is an outstanding fit for a free agent, while in other cases, it will make sense for a player to return to the team that he was with last season.
While these are all ideal matches, it is very possible that they do not come together for one reason or another this winter.
Jacoby Ellsbury and the Seattle Mariners
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It appears as if the Seattle Mariners are going to make a big push to sign one of the top outfielders on the market this year. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has indicated that the team has a strong interest in Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo. Buster Olney of ESPN (Insider required) has also confirmed that the team would like to make a splash by signing Ellsbury.
The Mariners struggled to get production out of their center fielders this season, and they also lacked a table setter at the top of their lineup. Ellsbury would solve both of these problems.
His .298 batting average and American League-leading 52 steals were much higher than the .257 batting average and 13 steals that Mariners center fielders managed collectively last season according to MLB.com.
There will be a high cost for Ellsbury, likely exceeding $100 million, but if the Mariners are going to turn their franchise around, he might be the right player to build around.
Carlos Beltran and the New York Yankees
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After missing out on the postseason in 2013, the New York Yankees will likely turn to the free-agent market to bring in at least one impact bat and a starter. While re-signing Robinson Cano will be their first priority, they will be also focusing on ways to improve their lineup.
Given Carlos Beltran's age, declining defensive abilities, his injury history and his desire for a multi-year contract, it makes much more sense for an American League team to sign him so that he could split time between the outfield and DH.
Additionally, Beltran enjoyed the time he spent in New York with the Mets. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News quoted one of Beltran's good friends as mentioning that the slugger would have interest in returning to the city.
Beltran would immediately make a huge impact on the Yankees lineup, and his power would provide them with another weapon. As a switch-hitter, Beltran would also be able to take advantage of the short porch at Yankee stadium.
Based on all of this, it should come as no surprise that Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has reported that there has been mutual interest between the two sides.
Jhonny Peralta and the New York Mets
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After getting caught up in the Biogenesis scandal this season, Jhonny Peralta likely cost himself some money as a free agent as the result of his 50-game suspension. A talented player who could be had at a discount is the type of signing that New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson could certainly be looking to make this winter.
Ken Davidoff of the New York Post has connected the two and sees the Mets as a great landing spot for Peralta.
Mets shortstops were just plain bad last season and as Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out, they had an MLB-low with just three home runs and were also last in the National League with a .561 OPS.
Peralta is an immediate upgrade over the performances that the Mets received from Ruben Tejada and Omar Quintanilla last year. Despite the fact that he only played in 107 games, Peralta hit 11 home runs, drove in 55 and had an .815 OPS.
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Brian McCann and the Texas Rangers
4 of 5Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has identified four teams—the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers—that will all be competing for McCann.
Even though the Rangers have re-signed Geovany Soto, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com has mentioned that McCann's agent has indicated that he has a number of reasons to like Texas.
The Rangers would make a lot of sense for McCann as he would be able to split time between catcher, first base and DH there. Since McCann is in line for a long-term deal, the ability to play at these other positions, which would allow him to stay on the field more as he ages, could impact his decision.
Adding McCann's 20-home run power to the Rangers lineup would also be very helpful if Nelson Cruz does not return to the team. Texas may need to make some improvements to their offense if they are going to reach the World Series in 2014, and McCann would be a big step in that direction.
Mike Napoli and the Boston Red Sox
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When the Boston Red Sox were trying to sign Mike Napoli last winter, they had a three-year, $39 million deal in place with him that fell apart as a result of a preexisting hip injury. Consequently, Boston signed Napoli to a one-year deal that was worth only $5 million before incentives (h/t Sporting News).
Napoli was both a big presence in the Boston Red Sox lineup, as he drove in 92 runs, as well as a leader on and off the field. He played an integral role in the Red Sox run to the World Series title.
The first baseman proved that he could stay healthy all season and that he is worth at least the $13 million a year that he was going to sign for last winter.
Napoli returning to the Red Sox is definitely one of the offseason MLB rumors that should come true this winter.
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