Full 2014-2015 MLB Offseason Preview, Predictions 1 Week Out
This just in: The 2014-2015 MLB offseason is just around the corner, and for the 28 teams not participating in the World Series, it won’t come soon enough.
So, with some front offices and coaching staffs across the league undergoing serious restructuring, what type of movement can we expect from a personnel standpoint?
That is what we will look at in the following slides.
But first, here are a couple of points before we get started.
Free agents will be split up into three groups: under-the-radar types, second-level guys and the top-tier targets. Each of those sections will be split based on their respective roles: starting pitchers, relief arms and position players.
To be clear, we won’t cover every single player set to hit the open market. After all, there are 158 potential free agents this offseason, who are listed in this post from Yahoo Sports. We will select three or four for each group and provide a list of potential suitors.
We will also look at trade targets by dividing them into the categories of pitchers and position players. Each player has been specifically mentioned by a prominent columnist at some point this season.
Finally, we'll highlight several franchises that are likely to be rather active this offseason. True, every franchise will make multiple moves in the coming months, but the four we will highlight should be quite aggressive for varying reasons.
Here is the full 2014-2015 MLB offseason preview with predictions, as free agency gets set to kick off.
Under-the-Radar Free Agents: Starting Pitchers
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Jason Hammel
Yes, Jason Hammel fell apart after his trade to the Oakland A’s, posting a 4.26 ERA with a 5.10 FIP and 1.286 WHIP over 13 appearances. With the right team, though, Hammel is a fine No. 4 starter.
That, however, is written with a caveat. See, Hammel is most effective in the National League, putting up an FIP below 3.70 in three out of his four seasons there. That's a stat line that carries some weight.
Potential Suitors: Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kyle Kendrick
Unlike Hammel, Kyle Kendrick never really had a season where he found success based on the peripherals. Sure, he amazingly won 10 games in six of his eight seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he only posted an FIP below 4.00 for one season (and that was when he only appeared in nine games).
What he can do is stay healthy and put in a workman-like effort every five days. To that end, during the last three seasons where he was used as a full-time starter, he made at least 30 starts and logged at least 180.2 innings.
Potential Suitors: Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks
Justin Masterson
From 2011 through 2013, Justin Masterson put up a 3.86 ERA, 3.60 FIP and struck out 7.5 batters every nine innings, per Baseball-Reference.
There was talk of an extension. He was seemingly in control.
But that was then, and after a mere 19 starts this past season, he was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the St. Louis Cardinals. Six starts after the trade, he was relegated to the bullpen.
The fall was precipitous. Now he enters free agency looking to rebuild what was once a solid resume. Look for him to sign a one-year deal with the intention of proving he still has the ability to be a front-line starter.
Potential Suitors: Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox
Under-the-Radar Free Agents: Relief Pitchers
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Matt Lindstrom
Matt Lindstrom can do some nice things on the mound. After all, he features a solid fastball and has a nice repertoire of off-speed stuff that can translate into getting outs. Unfortunately, he was limited by injuries and was largely inconsistent during his time with the Chicago White Sox over the past two seasons.
For his career, Lindstrom is 17-21 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.443 WHIP over eight seasons. Nothing electric, of course, but those numbers are sturdy, nonetheless.
Potential Suitors: Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves
Casey Janssen
In 2013, Casey Janssen converted on 34 of 36 save opportunities, posted a 2.56 ERA and finished with a 0.987 WHIP. Flat out, he was one of the premier closers in the American League.
Well, his performances this past season (3.94 ERA, 4.14 FIP) eliminated any chance that he would receive a qualifying offer or cash in on a multiyear contract that would make him one of the highest-paid relievers in the game.
Look for Janssen to sign on as a setup man with a contending club for one year with an option for more. After all, his goal is “to win a championship,” as noted by John Lott of the National Post. That won't happen if he clings to the idea that he is still a closer.
Potential Suitors: Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angles
Jason Grilli
From 2011 through 2013, Jason Grilli put up a 2.74 ERA, 2.62 FIP and a 1.125 WHIP over 146 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, per Baseball-Reference. He was particularly dominant in 2013, notching 33 saves and earning an All-Star nod.
Grilli got off to a rough start this past season, blowing four saves in 15 chances before getting dealt to the Los Angeles Angels, where he pitched a 2.15 FIP and a 1.158 WHIP over 40 appearances.
Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels
Under-the-Radar Free Agents: Position Players
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Nori Aoki
You might not think that Nori Aoki is under the radar. After all, he is the starting right fielder for the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. But he certainly isn’t one of the free agents who generates buzz as a franchise-changing hitter the way Nelson Cruz or Victor Martinez does.
What Aoki does provide, however, may have as much value. He gets on base at a career .353 clip, is stellar on defense and is savvy on the basepaths. So, what he lacks in power, he more than makes up for in other areas.
Potential Suitors: Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
Chris Denorfia
Chris Denorfia failed to take advantage of an ideal situation following his trade to the Seattle Mariners. The idea behind his acquisition was that manager Lloyd McClendon would be able to slide Denorfia into the lineup and get an immediate boost in on-base percentage and a little speed on the basepaths.
Well, Denorfia regressed following the move, backsliding in every metric imaginable. As a fourth outfielder, however, Denorfia represents an upgrade (from a depth perspective) for many clubs.
Potential Suitors: Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates
Emilio Bonifacio
Perhaps Emilio Bonifacio is best served in a reserve role, but he is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile players about to hit free agency. Perhaps that versatility is what has prevented him from finding a permanent home, but it is also what will make him an attractive option for many clubs this offseason.
Potential Suitors: Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland A’s, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Second-Level Free Agents: Starting Pitchers
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Jake Peavy
Based on his numbers with the San Francisco Giants, Jake Peavy is an All-Star pitcher in line for a massive contract this offseason. Unfortunately for him, the 2.17 ERA and 1.042 WHIP he put up after his trade from the Boston Red Sox was preceded by some uneven results.
Either way, Peavy is a solid right-hander who will eat innings when healthy. One thing to note is that his ERA in the National League is almost a run lower than it was in the American League. If his representation is smart, they will leverage that into a multiyear deal with an NL club.
Potential Suitors: San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals
Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano has enjoyed a career resurgence over the past two years. There is no other way to describe the 3.20 ERA, 3.26 FIP and 1.262 WHIP he’s posted since signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2013 season. Let’s not forget that he had an ERA over 5.00 and an FIP over 4.00 in 2011 and 2012.
Like Peavy, staying in the NL could be in order, but there is at least one club in the AL that may be interested.
Potential Suitors: Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers
Ervin Santana
Ervin Santana hedged his bets last offseason, signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves and hoping to prove that the success he found with the Kansas City Royals in 2013 was no fluke.
It was a wise decision, as his ERA went from 3.24 in 2013 to 3.95 this past season. His FIP, however, went the other way, falling from 3.93 to 3.39. What that tells us is that while the raw results weren’t what Santana may have wanted, he was a better pitcher in 2014.
There are two plays for the Braves. Either they extend a qualifying offer to recoup the draft pick they lost when they signed him away from the Royals, or they work out a deal to keep Santana in their uniform for the next three seasons.
Potential Suitors: Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates
Brandon McCarthy
The success Brandon McCarthy found with the New York Yankees (7-5, 2.89 ERA, 1.151 WHIP) shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Sure, he was 3-10 and had a 5.01 ERA at the time of his trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but those numbers belied how well he was actually pitching. All told, he had a 3.82 FIP and a fine 4.65 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 109.2 innings pitched with the Diamondbacks.
Either way, McCarthy’s stoic acclimation to the Yankees likely earned him a three-year deal for around $10 million per season.
Potential Suitors: New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates
Second-Level Free Agents: Relief Pitchers
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Luke Gregerson
Acquired in a straight-up trade for Seth Smith, Luke Gregerson lived up to expectations for the Oakland A’s, posting a 2.12 ERA with a 1.009 WHIP over 72 appearances for manager Bob Melvin. His production is nothing new. Since 2011, the left-hander has been averaging 71 appearances with a 2.47 ERA, 3.17 FIP and a 1.105 WHIP, per Baseball-Reference.
He has pitched his way into a multiyear contract.
Potential Suitors: Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays
Zach Duke
Zach Duke is another lefty who pitched his way into a little job security, posting a 2.45 ERA and a 1.125 WHIP over the course of 74 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was a revelation after signing a minor league contract with an invite to spring training back in January.
Unlike Gregerson, however, Duke doesn’t have six seasons of bullpen excellence to fall back on. That will likely result in a shorter contract than some of his peers.
Potential Suitors: Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
Burke Badenhop
After being traded in each of the last three years, Burke Badenhop is finally in charge of where he plays. And based on production, he will have his choice of destinations.
Over his seven-year career, Badenhop is pitching to a 3.71 ERA with a 3.56 FIP and a 1.303 WHIP. If we only look at his last four seasons, however, the numbers improve to 3.20, 3.29 and 1.263, respectively, per Baseball-Reference. In other words, Badenhop has grown into a consistent reliever with the ability to pitch in almost any situation.
Potential Suitors: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox
Second-Level Free Agents: Position Players
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Mike Morse
Over his 10-year career, San Francisco Giants outfielder/first baseman Mike Morse has put up a .281/.335/.473 slash line and a 121 OPS+. To be sure, those are solid numbers, but as the result of a series of injuries in 2013, he failed to land a multiyear contract in his first dance with free agency.
Unfortunately for Morse, he may not land a long-term deal this winter, either. Teams have to be concerned about the fact that he only hit five home runs after June 1 and only drove in 11 runs in the months of June and July.
His best chance could be signing with an American League club to serve as their primary designated hitter, while occasionally getting the nod at first and in left field.
Potential Suitors: Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals
Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera has played his way into a long-term contract after signing a two-year pact with the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the 2013 season. That’s what putting up a .293/.340/.421 slash line over the past two seasons will do.
One thing that could limit his value, though, is the fact that the Blue Jays are going to extend Cabrera a qualifying offer, as noted by CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. That means that not only will he be looking for a multiyear deal at a significant salary, but there will also be a draft pick associated with his signing. That is, of course, if he doesn’t stay with the Blue Jays.
Potential Suitors: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros
Asdrubal Cabrera
Once considered a perennial All-Star in the making, Asdrubal Cabrera’s stock has gone down over the past few seasons, culminating in his trade from the Cleveland Indians to the Washington Nationals this past season.
Now he's proved that he can play either middle-infield position this season, but the fact that his OPS has slipped from .792 in 2011 to .694 in 2014 doesn’t help his long-term prospects.
Potential Suitors: Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays
Chase Headley
Chase Headley’s stock went up considerably, following his acquisition by the New York Yankees. How much his .262/.371/.398 slash line and his revived defense will influence MLB general managers, however, is another story altogether.
He does have value and is the only other real option at third base behind Pablo Sandoval, so there will be a market for him. The only question is whether or not he is worth more than a one-year investment. Based on production, the answer could be yes, but his injury history is a cause for concern.
Potential Suitors: San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees
Adam LaRoche
When the Nationals decline their part of Adam LaRoche’s $15 million mutual option, which is the word coming from HardballTalk’s Bill Baer, he will instantly leap to the top of the board among available first basemen.
He is that good. True, LaRoche doesn’t hit for average, but he has a career .340 on-base percentage and is slugging .472 over his 11-year career. Expect to see a bidding war for his services. Another thing to keep in mind is that LaRoche could serve as a designated hitter in the AL.
Potential Suitors: San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners
Top-Tier Free Agents: Starting Pitchers
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James Shields
James Shields is a workhorse, starting at least 30 games and logging at least 200.0 innings in each of the past eight seasons.
Now, while that is an impressive accomplishment, it is also going to limit the type of contract he gets this offseason. Simply put, general managers around MLB will be leery of hedging their bets on a guy who has already thrown 1,910.0 innings during the regular season. He’ll still get paid handsomely, but it won’t be at $20 million per season.
Potential Suitors: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers
Jon Lester
Easily the best left-hander available this winter, Jon Lester is in line for a massive contract for two reasons.
First, he is a legitimate ace, compiling a 3.58 ERA with a 3.58 FIP and a 1.276 WHIP over his nine seasons (not to mention some exceptional postseason performances sprinkled about).
Second, since he was traded this season, he can’t be given a qualifying offer, meaning that whichever team signs him will not have to surrender a draft pick. That can be used as leverage in contract negotiations.
One thing to note is that money may not be the deciding factor for Lester. “I’m going to the place that makes me and my family happy,” he told the Boston Herald’s John Tomase (via CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa).
Potential Suitors: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is the only premier pitcher entering free agency that has a Cy Young award attached to his resume. He's also pitched the fewest innings (1,239.1) out of the bunch.
He will be extended a qualifying offer, of course, but the fact that he is still in his prime and doesn’t have an excessive amount of innings on his right arm bodes well for Scherzer, who has a 91-50 record to go with a 3.58 ERA and 1.219 WHIP over his seven-year career. Expect for him to have his pick of destinations.
Potential Suitors: St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs
Top-Tier Free Agents: Relief Pitchers
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David Robertson
When it comes to closers, the market is set by David Robertson, who compiled 39 saves this season for the New York Yankees.
True, he doesn’t have as many career saves as a guy like Jonathan Papelbon did when he hit the open market before the 2012 season, but he is no less effective. To that end, the right-hander has a 2.20 ERA, 2.40 FIP, 1.097 WHIP and is averaging 12.3 strikeouts every nine innings (K/9) over the past four seasons, per Baseball-Reference.
Potential Suitors: New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers
Andrew Miller
While he’s not a closer, Andrew Miller has as much value (if not more) than a guy like Robertson. He is simply dominant in almost every metric imaginable.
Look no further for proof than his 2.57 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 13.9 K/9 and 1.050 WHIP over the past three seasons, according to splits at Baseball-Reference. And he’s actually better against right-handed hitters, posting a .145/.245/.202 slash line against this past season.
Look for Miller to have his pick of destinations.
Potential Suitors: Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers
Koji Uehara
Koji Uehara may have had a series of less-than-exceptional outings toward the end of 2014, but he is undoubtedly a phenomenal pitcher.
In fact, he hasn’t posted a WHIP north of 1.000 or had a K/9 lower than 10.8 since his rookie season in 2009. Those metrics surely trump his late-season struggles with the Red Sox. He is still the guy who makes quick work of opposing hitters in the ninth inning.
One thing to keep in mind is that Uehara will be almost 40 when the 2015 season begins, limiting his value to only those clubs that are on the brink of putting together a World Series roster. And yes, that includes the Red Sox.
Potential Suitors: San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers
Top-Tier Free Agents: Position Players
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Pablo Sandoval
Even with the red flags associated with his fluctuating weight, Pablo Sandoval is going to cash in this offseason. According to Nick Cafardo from The Boston Globe, “most major league executives” who had been spoken to “believe Sandoval will wind up with a five-year deal worth about $100 million.”
That’s what happens, though, when you are the only third baseman on the market who has put up excellent numbers for six seasons in a row. For his career, Sandoval has a .294/.346/.465 slash line with 106 home runs and 462 RBI.
Potential Suitors: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox
Nelson Cruz
It is well known that after playing on a one-year, $8 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, Nelson Cruz is looking for a significant pay raise. Hitting 40 home runs and driving in 108 will cause a player to do that.
To be sure, the Orioles have made it clear they want Cruz back, but as Eduardo A. Encina from the Baltimore Sun recently posited, “he undoubtedly will be pursued in the offseason by other teams offering a multiyear deal after [the season he put up]."
This will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow this fall and winter.
Potential Suitors: Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners
Victor Martinez
Since signing with the Detroit Tigers in advance of the 2011 season, Victor Martinez has put together a .321/.381/.487 slash line with 109 doubles, 58 home runs and 289 RBI.
And no matter how it’s looked at, Martinez helped make Miguel Cabrera what he is by forcing other clubs to pitch to him. That is not to say that Cabrera isn’t a fine hitter in his own right, but he saw quite a few pitches he normally wouldn’t have because Martinez was standing in the on-deck circle
The battle for Martinez’s services will be intense.
Potential Suitors: Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees
Hanley Ramirez
No one knows what is going to happen with Hanley Ramirez.
He is a fine offensive ballplayer who is limited in what he can do defensively. He’s prone to injury and goes through extended slumps at the plate, but is capable of carrying an offense for long stretches.
This much is certain: Ramirez is going to try and maximize the return on any deal he signs. That could preclude the Los Angeles Dodgers from bringing him back. After all, they have Corey Seager a heartbeat away from being ready to take over at shortstop, and the likelihood that Ramirez signs a qualifying offer or accepts a one-year deal is slim.
Potential Suitors: Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees
Russell Martin
To be sure, the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to try to keep Russell Martin in their uniform for the next several seasons. But will they be able to outbid the competition?
Time will tell, of course, but the financial sky seems to be the limit for Martin, who finished the 2014 season with a .290/.402/.430 slash line. To that effect, Travis Sawchik from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review put the expected contract in line with the five-year, $75 million extension Yadier Molina signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
If that is an accurate assessment of Martin's worth, the field of potential destinations is pared considerably.
Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs
Top Trade Targets: Pitchers
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Mat Latos
Some time ago, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal opined that Mat Latos was the starter the Cincinnati Reds are most likely to trade this offseason.
Make no mistake, the Reds need to add offense (and they won’t have the money to add a big bat via free agency). That makes at least one of the starters expendable.
Now, Latos isn’t on the block because of any issues related to production. Sure, he regressed in several areas that Steve Adams from MLBTradeRumors.com points out, but Latos could be dealt because of the return the Reds would receive and because, frankly, Johnny Cueto is a better pitcher.
Speaking of returns, the Reds will target offense in any deal involving Latos, specifically at shortstop or in the outfield. And it goes without saying that his elbow has to check out in any deal.
Edwin Jackson
The mystery is not so much about if the Chicago Cubs are going to trade Edwin Jackson, but rather, to whom will they have to send the check that will cover the majority of his contract.
MLB.com’s Phil Rogers seems to think that the Cubs could swap bad contracts with the Chicago White Sox, taking John Danks off general manager Rick Hahn’s hands. Rogers also brought up the failed trade with the Atlanta Braves for B.J. Upton that was being discussed in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. In theory, both options could work.
Either way, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer has to find a club willing to give Jackson a chance at redemption. And from the sound of it, he is already trying to make things happen.
Ian Kennedy
One option for San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller as he enters his first offseason at the wheel is to find a way to unload Ian Kennedy.
As Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller recently noted, Kennedy is a free agent at the end of 2015, and with Scott Boras as his agent, there is almost no chance the Padres will be able to ante up enough money to keep him around.
Also, the last thing the Padres need is for Kennedy to get off to a slow start next season. Trades made during the season are already limited to those clubs that are contending, and if Kennedy doesn’t perform over the first two months, then the Padres will have even fewer potential trade partners.
Finally, the Padres aren’t going to compete for the NL West next season. Sure, they were an improved club this past season, but there is too much that needs to be done. Getting one or two prospects (as long as they are solid) will go a long way toward improving the club’s future.
Top Trade Targets: Position Players
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Evan Gattis
Granted, it’s a small sample size, but Evan Gattis destroys left-handed pitching. Not that he’s bad against righties, mind you, but he put up a .343/.356/.614 slash line with five home runs in only 70 at-bats against left-handed pitchers during the 2014 season, per Baseball-Reference.
Again, don’t take that the wrong way. All told, he ended up slashing out at .263/.317/.493 with 22 home runs and 52 RBI in only 369 at-bats this past season. It’s just that having a platoon split that dominant is actually quite valuable.
There is precedent for moving Gattis. As Jeff Todd from MLBTradeRumors.com pointed out, the return the Seattle Mariners indirectly got for John Jaso (an offense-first backstop who is best used in a platoon) was substantial. That has to be intriguing for the Atlanta Braves front office.
Chris Owings, Didi Gregorius or Nick Ahmed
As Nick Piecoro from the Arizona Republic (via AZCentral.com) noted, the Arizona Diamondbacks have “on their roster three young players, Chris Owings, Didi Gregorius and Nick Ahmed, whom rival scouts and executives believe have at least a chance to be everyday shortstops, and a fourth player, Cliff Pennington, who is at worst a serviceable fourth infielder.”
Moving one (or more) of them makes a lot of sense, given the dearth of shortstops set to hit free agency. Frankly, Asdrubal Cabrera is the best of the bunch, and for as good as he can be, that isn’t saying much.
Given the fact that new general manager Dave Stewart needs to improve the rotation and bullpen, it is reasonable to believe that he will trade from an area of strength to shore up a weakness.
Yoenis Cespedes
Acquired from the Oakland A’s as part of the deal that sent Jon Lester to the West Coast, Yoenis Cespedes may have played his last game for the Boston Red Sox.
That is according to Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe, at least. Cafardo cited several reasons, including a reluctance to talk about an extension as well as a “desire not to play right field or work on his defense” as evidence that the Red Sox “could make Cespedes available.”
Dayn Perry from CBS Sports adds another level to the conversation by pointing out that “the Red Sox may be thinking that his perceived value outstrips his actual value—hence their reported willingness to move Cespedes.”
All told, this could be a shrewd move for general manager Ben Cherington.
Predicting One Big Move
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Mookie Betts Gets Traded
As we just mentioned, Yoenis Cespedes’ name is being circulated in trade talks. Whether or not he will be traded is not the prediction we are making here.
Rather, Mookie Betts is the one who is going to find himself in another uniform next season. This isn’t an isolated thought either. From the Providence Journal’s Tim Britton:
"The Red Sox are going to look at the trade market this winter to rebound from their last-place finish in 2014. They need two starting pitchers. They need a left-handed bat in the lineup. They need a third baseman. They could use a power-hitting successor to David Ortiz.
…
And the easiest path to acquiring that type of high-end talent would be sacrificing Betts’ future for a win-now present. You can bet opposing general managers will greet any phone call from Ben Cherington with an inquiry about Betts’ potential availability.
"
It's a bold idea, but it also makes sense.
Getting a starting pitcher like, say, Cole Hamels, in return for a package centered on Betts would free up general manager Ben Cherington to fill other areas of need via free agency.
Heck, Cherington could trade Betts and Cespedes and then go out and sign a guy like Melky Cabrera to a contract to play left field, relying on Jackie Bradley Jr. to bounce back in center. Couple that move with the addition of Pablo Sandoval at third base, and the Red Sox are in business.
Either way, stranger things have happened. This one just might have some legs.
Clubs Primed for an Active Offseason
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Every year, MLB clubs are active in the offseason. The Minnesota Twins, for example, signed 10 players to contracts prior to the start of the 2014 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, meanwhile, signed a staggering 18 players to fresh deals, per Baseball-Reference.
And while this offseason doesn't figure to be any different, there are four teams we are going to highlight.
Chicago White Sox
To start, Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is on record saying that the club is “going to continue to aggressively pursue targeted moves that put us on that path that ideally puts us on that path to contend in ’15,” via CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes.
Hahn is also open-minded regarding free agents. “We may be in position,” said the GM via Daryl Van Schouwen from the Chicago Sun Times, “where shorter-term deals for veteran players might make sense."
Then there is the fact that the club only has about $49 million committed in payroll next season, per a separate article from Hayes. That is the type of financial freedom the franchise hasn’t had for some time.
Add it all up, and the White Sox seem poised to add several players this offseason.
Boston Red Sox
Not only has Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner flatly stated via WEEI’s Jerry Spar that “we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team,” but Boston also happen to be flush with tradable assets as well.
And if the Red Sox hope to go from last place in the AL East to the postseason, they are going to have to be very active this offseason.
There are holes in the rotation, bullpen and the infield. And let’s not forget that they have to have a plan in place to deal with the eventual retirement of David Ortiz. All of those issues can be dealt with this winter.
Chicago Cubs
After years of preaching that there was a plan in place to make the Chicago Cubs perennial contenders, it seems like president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer are ready to press the accelerator.
From CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney:
"The goal will be to win the NL Central. We’re going to be competing while we continue to develop young talent, so that’s never easy, but it is exciting. Very exciting. We’ve proved that we can be very competitive in this division.
When you have a chance to compete, you should set your sights high. And that means our goal is the NL Central title next year.
"
They have some of the pieces already in place in the form of Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler. It is on Hoyer to ratchet up the rotation and add depth across the diamond.
Expect the Cubs to make sweeping changes this offseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Not only is there a new sheriff in town, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have to do something to address the holes in the bullpen that prevented them from advancing in the postseason.
With so many players under contract for next season and a logjam in the outfield, it is on the new president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to make a series of bold moves to get his club to where it needs to be.
That could mean trading Andre Ethier or (gasp) Yasiel Puig. It could mean saying goodbye to Hanley Ramirez or Carl Crawford. Frankly, it could mean jettisoning any number of inflated contracts.
One thing is assured amidst the uncertainty: There is going to be quite a bit of excitement surrounding the Dodgers in the coming months.
Unless otherwise noted, all traditional, team and historical statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference. Transaction, injury and game information are courtesy of MLB.com.
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