Updating the Latest 2014-15 MLB Free-Agency Rumors, Speculation
In just over two weeks, the 2014 MLB regular season will be over, and in its stead, postseason baseball will be upon the land.
Magic in October.
Let’s not forget, however, that MLB free agency will be upon us shortly thereafter.
So what new rumors and speculation have there been in the past week? Who’s talking about some of the bigger names set to cash in on large paydays or switch teams?
As a usual note, we will not be covering all of the top targets set to hit free agency, nor will the main speculation come from ideas posited earlier in the season. Older rumors and speculation may be used as supporting information but will not be central to the premise.
The names presented here have all been discussed since last Friday by prominent writers from around the country. That way we can keep the conversation driven by credibility.
Here are some updates on the latest MLB free-agency rumors and speculation.
Is Victor Martinez Going to the New York Yankees?
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One thing is certain: Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is going to secure a substantial contract this offseason when he is granted free agency.
Where he lands is the question that must be answered.
The most recent speculation is courtesy of the New York Daily News' John Harper, who wrote that “the [New York] Yankees may have no choice but to swallow hard and outbid everyone for Martinez.”
That sounds nice—in theory.
As Harper correctly noted, there are many things to consider.
First and foremost is the payroll. See, the Yankees already have almost $169 million in committed salaries next season, per Cots Contracts. And that is before any of the nine players eligible for arbitration are considered.
And since Martinez (.333/.404/.568, 30 HR, 96 RBI) is coming off a four-year, $50 million deal with the Tigers, it has to be assumed that his asking price is going to be at least $15 million per season for a minimum of two or three years. That does not mesh from a fiscal perspective.
On its own, a contract that size would not be prohibitive for the Yankees, but general manager Brian Cashman still needs to address the hole at shortstop that will be created when Derek Jeter retires and has to add at least one starting pitcher via free agency. Now that could mean bringing Brandon McCarthy back or going after someone like Jon Lester.
And then there is the looming specter of Alex Rodriguez. Frankly, it is unlikely he will be able to play third base when he returns to the club next season, likely getting the lion’s share of at-bats at designated hitter. Where does that leave Martinez?
All told, this doesn’t seem like a fit for the Yankees. Not because Martinez isn’t worth it, of course. There are just too many things standing in the way.
Could Nelson Cruz End Up with the Texas Rangers?
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The Texas Rangers figure to have a rather impressive lineup next season.
As Jeff Wilson from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently explained, the top of the batting order will feature Leonys Martin, Elvis Andrus, Shin-Soo Choo, Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder.
Who is going to bat sixth, though?
Well, citing the fact that “the Rangers wouldn’t have to sacrifice their first-round pick because it will be protected,” Wilson suggested Nelson Cruz, who could serve as the right fielder should the club part ways with Alex Rios or as the designated hitter.
It’s a solid idea.
Cruz (.263/.331/.529, 39 HR, 101 RBI, 83 R) would immediately become the second-best hitter in the Rangers lineup based on OPS and lead the club in home runs, RBI and runs scored. Of course, he may end up batting higher than sixth in the order if he is acquired, but the larger point remains—Cruz would arguably give the 2015 Rangers the best batting order in MLB.
It must be noted that Cruz was in preliminary talks with the Baltimore Orioles regarding a contract extension at the end of August and “reiterated he wants to stay” where he is, per MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli.
So we shall see what happens, but if Cruz doesn’t sign an extension with the Orioles and makes it to free agency, a return to the Rangers could be an ideal fit for him.
Jon Lester and the Chicago Cubs?
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ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers is the latest scribe to posit that Jon Lester may end up signing with the Chicago Cubs this offseason.
While adding that the Cubs shouldn’t be harangued into making a deal for the wrong reasons, he wrote, “If there was any 30-year-old, free-agent pitcher who you could predict success for in a Cubs uniform—at potentially the right price—Lester might be it.”
His report comes on the heels of an article by CBS Chicago’s Bruce Levine that noted various reasons why Lester would want to join manager Rick Renteria’s staff.
Included in the conversation were the talented rookies and youngsters in minor leagues and “the fact that Lester was drafted and developed by Chicago executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer when they were with Boston.”
And the Cubs certainly have the funding to make a run at Lester.
As CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney noted, “Epstein’s baseball operations department already built a war chest with leftover money from a losing bid for [Masahiro] Tanaka (six years, $120 million)." Another thing he noted was that "the Alfonso Soriano megadeal finally falls off the books after this season.”
For his part, Lester continues to pitch well, putting up a 2.54 ERA and a 1.041 WHIP in eight starts since his trade to the Oakland A’s. “I just try to do my job,” Lester said, via Mooney.
Keep it up, Jon. A rather large payday awaits.
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Pablo Sandoval Would Be a Fit for the Boston Red Sox
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Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner sounds like he’s on a mission.
During an appearance on WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan Show (recap by Jerry Spar), he set a very aggressive agenda for the offseason. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money,” Werner said, “but we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team.”
That could mean signing Pablo Sandoval, who was mentioned in a recent article by John Tomase from the Boston Herald, to fill the hole at third base.
And while Sandoval figures to demand a substantial contract, there is value in what he brings to the table.
As Tomase noted, the lineup in Boston is heavily right-handed, and they struggle mightily against starters of the same variety, putting up a .243/.314/.362 slash line against them with only 75 home runs in over 3,400 at-bats, according to Baseball-Reference.com. There is simply no pop other than David Ortiz from the left side of the plate.
Sandoval can help fix that, as he owns a lifetime .840 OPS with 85 home runs and 140 doubles against right-handed starters, per splits at Baseball-Reference.com. And if we look solely at production from this season, his value becomes even greater.
Consider: Sandoval is slashing out at .317/.362/.505 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI, while the collection of third basemen in Boston has only managed a .209/.267/.304 slash with nine long balls and 50 RBI going into action Thursday.
Any way it’s looked at, Sandoval is a marked improvement over what Red Sox manager John Farrell currently has at his disposal. It’s on general manager Ben Cherington to make it happen.
Unless otherwise noted, all traditional, team and historical statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference and are accurate as of game time Thursday, Sept. 11. Transaction, injury and game information are courtesy of MLB.com. Contract info taken from Cots Contracts.
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