2015 MLB Free Agents: Rounding Up Rumors, Predictions on Top Targets

October means the push for the World Series, but it also signifies an ever-changing list of impending MLB free agents.

For those teams out of the hunt, the process to unearth gems on the market, retain their own and possibly break the bank on a major name has begun in earnest.

Those still alive in the postseason are pulling double duty, and in all likelihood, they are quite comfortable doing so after building a roster that qualifies for the playoffs in the first place.

The full list of 2015 MLB free agents will continue to evolve over the course of the next month. For now, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors has a comprehensive look at the lengthy list.

Of those names, a few already have rapidly developing stories surrounding them. Let's take a look.

J.J. Hardy, the Derek Jeter Replacement?

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Somebody has to be the guy to fill the historic cleats of Derek Jeter in New York, and while we are a long way off knowing who that will be, there seems to be an early favorite.

J.J. Hardy.

At least, according to a blip from George A. King III of the New York Post: "Because Jeter hit .256 instead of .300, the next shortstop won’t be smothered by pressure to hit .320. Defensively, the 40-year-old Jeter made the plays he was expected to make. The early favorite is Baltimore free agent J.J. Hardy but late-season back issues are a red flag."

It is probably a good thing that King points out that Jeter had a bit of a down season, as Hardy is both a bit unexpected for the job and struggled mightily himself this season.

After averaging better than 25 homers over the course of the past three seasons, Hardy, now no spring chicken himself at 32 years old, hit all of nine in 2014. September was the most concerning time of all, though, when in 17 games, he punched in a slash line of .164/.239/.197 while battling back issues.

But really, Hardy is an upgrade over Jeter at this stage of their careers. Even better, it is totally a Yankees move to invest in a veteran, not to mention one the front office can rip away from the American League East champs.

Prediction: Hardy lands with the Yankees.

Colby Lewis to Avoid a Trip to Market?

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By most accounts, Colby Lewis sticking with the Texas Rangers makes loads of sense for both parties.

Now 35 years old, Lewis was a journeyman before joining the Rangers back in 2010, so continuing to stay in one locale at his age for a decent price makes sense. For the team, keeping one of its most productive hurlers around is an obvious necessity.

According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, both sides have been in touch:

Really, though, this one could get tricky. If Lewis is on the hunt for a multiyear commitment, that is.

Lewis had a 3.93 ERA from 2010 through 2012 before hip surgery, but he struggled last year on the way to a 5.18 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 10-14 record.

To be fair, though, the fact Lewis' hip was even able to recover enough for him to be effective was a miracle in itself. As a season split shows, a rocky start to his comeback bid skewed the numbers:

By Day/Month	ERA	W	L	IP	AVG
Pre All-Star	6.54	6	6	84.0	.353
Post All-Star	3.86	4	8	86.1	.251

After a strong finish, expect the Rangers to take demands from Lewis seriously and get something ironed out.

Prediction: Lewis re-ups with the Rangers on a one-year deal.

James Shields and Boston

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The buzz surrounding James Shields is not going anywhere, folks.

As FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal pointed out recently, Boston is just one team to have shown an apparent interest in the Kansas City star:

Shields, who joined the Royals in 2013 after a trade with Tampa Bay, is one of the best inning-eaters in baseball as of late, as the numbers clearly show:

Year	Games Started	ERA	WHIP	IP
2011	33	2.82	1.04	249.1
2012	33	3.52	1.17	227.2
2013	34	3.15	1.24	228.2
2014	34	3.21	1.18	227

It should go without saying, then, that Shields can perform in Boston, or anywhere for that matter.

Kansas City pitching coach Dave Eiland concurs with this notion, as one can glean from his response when the media asked him if Shields could handle taking the mound for the Yankees, per Dan Martin of the New York Post:

"

He can, it’s just a matter of ‘Where is he going to want to pitch?’ That, I can’t answer. I’ve never had that conversation with him. I probably won’t. It’s none of my business. But he’s a guy that can pitch on any stage. Obviously, he’s going to have his choices, I would think.

"

The sharks are circling the water for Shields, who at the age of 32 is set to cash in on one last major deal. Kansas City is a smaller-market team that presumably does not have enough funds to compete on the open market, so it makes sense that ESPN.com's Jim Bowden suggests the front office has not even sent an offer his way:

In a bidding war for Shields' services, it is safe to presume Boston will go all-in to nab an ace. The Red Sox have been a mess the past few years, but a one-year turnaround—as opposed to a full-blown rebuild—is very much a possibility if the front office digs deep into its reserves.

Prediction: Shields signs with Boston.

Stats and info via Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise specified.