MLB Free Agents 2014: Rumors and Predictions for Top Names on the Market

With the 2014 World Series winding down, the focus of Major League Baseball is soon to be on an interesting crop of free agents that are already being discussed across the MLB.

Whether it be shutdown pitchers to fortify a top-tier rotation or power hitting to fill a much-needed lineup hole, championship-caliber organizations will be tossing the cash around soon after the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants wrap up the Fall Classic. The postseason isn't over just yet, but the rumors are already swirling.

Let's take a closer look at some of the top names being talked about and give a way-too-early prediction as to where they'll land.

Victor Martinez

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Victor Martinez hits the free-agent market as a 35-year-old, but he is coming off one of his best-ever seasons that should have him landing a sizable deal.

He's going to have a qualifying offer from the Detroit Tigers, who are certainly hoping to retain his services. But he's set to decline it in the hopes of inking another four-year contract, per CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

The Tigers will have a tough time letting one of the best designated hitters in baseball go after seeing how he performed during his recent four-year, $52 million contract. He notched at least 178 hits in each of his three seasons with the Tigers, and exploded for 32 homers and a .335 batting average in 2014.

Detroit faces endless questions entering the offseason after yet another early playoff disappearing act, but the solution to those problems isn't letting go of an offensive leader. Martinez is the anchor of the Tigers lineup, leading the AL this season in on-base percentage and OPS.

A four-year deal might not be an ideal scenario for Detroit, but the organization will fulfill his wishes to retain the DH. If the Tigers' future outlook changes in the coming seasons, Martinez would have plenty of suitors in the trade market anyway.

Prediction: Martinez re-signs with Tigers

James Shields

Elsa/Associated Press

Kansas City Royals pitcher James Shields' sparkling 2014 campaign might be ending with a sour pair of World Series results, but his stock is still sky-high entering what should be a lucrative offseason.

A club traditionally not content with big-money deals, the Royals look likely to lose their 32-year-old ace in the offseason, per Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough:

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Kansas City is expected to at least attempt to retain him, even after Shields rejects a one-year, $15 million qualifying offer, but the competition in the market should be fierce. Boston has emerged as the early favorite for his services, but plenty of other clubs should be in the mix.

Rival executives expect him to fetch a five-year deal worth somewhere between $80 million and $110 million. The largest contract in Royals franchise history was their $55-million pact with Gil Meche. The team did not attempt to engage in contract negotiations with Shields before this season began, and have made contingency plans for his potential departure.

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Shields hasn't been at his best in the postseason despite the Royals' improbable run to the Fall Classic, with a 6.12 playoff ERA entering Sunday's start. But after allowing five runs in three innings in Game 1, he rebounded in Game 5 to allow just two runs in six innings despite losing another decision.

The Red Sox are the early favorites according to McCullough, but they should be only one of many teams interested in adding Shields on a big-money deal to head up a rotation.

However, with the immense turnover of starting pitchers in Boston and deep pockets to put together another playoff contender, the Red Sox look like an ideal landing spot. It's very early, though.

Prediction: Shields signs with Red Sox

Yasmany Tomas

Toru Takahashi/Associated Press

The next great Cuban prospect to follow in the footsteps of Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu might just be Yasmany Tomas, and clubs are jockeying for position to obtain the youngster's services.

The 23-year-old emerged for Cuba's national team during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, and in July, Baseball America's Ben Badler reported his intentions to defect from Cuba and join the MLB. Ever since, teams have been chasing the promising prospect.

Six clubs—one of which is in the World Series—remain very much in the mix for Tomas, but one is standing out, per New York Daily News' Andy Martino:

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Tomas has been linked to - with varying degrees of seriousness - the Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, Twins, Rangers, Giants and Tigers.

To that, we can add this: People involved in the process now identify the Phillies as strong contenders for Tomas, and the Padres and Dodgers as far less likely. “And don’t count out the Tigers,” one source said.

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The risk is inevitably there in courting a guy sure to command a big contract who hasn't played at this level, but the reward far outweighs it. Cuba has been a hotbed for young talent over the last few years, and Tomas looks like the next big thing.

He'll be wooed by a number of teams with better chances of immediate success, but his best landing spot is Philadelphia. The Phillies own a relatively weak farm system and need more pop on offense after ranking 23rd or worst in the MLB in runs, batting average and slugging percentage in 2014.

Prediction: Tomas signs with Phillies