2014 MLB Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions on Available Players

The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals are busy entertaining baseball fans across the country with a thrilling World Series, but the rest of the hardball world has its eyes turned toward the offseason.

If the rapid emergence of the Royals proved anything, it’s that the fortunes of a team can turn around quickly. While Kansas City did much of its work through developing its farm system, a timely free-agent signing or trade can swing the pendulum of a division race. 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest rumors and predictions for free agents who could be available this offseason.

Pablo Sandoval

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Baseball writer Peter Gammons passed along an interesting quote and update from front-office members around the league regarding Pablo Sandoval’s future:

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General managers from other teams don’t think the Giants will let Pablo Sandoval go, but Sunday one member of their ownership group said there is a swelling thinking that the Red Sox will end up signing The Panda. 'The bigger the stage, the better he plays,' says one Giant official. 'He would love Boston.' Of course, the Giants sell out every game, the debt service on the ballpark is paid off in 2017 and it is one of the most valuable franchises in the game.

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Boston is certainly an intriguing option, especially since the Red Sox could truly use an upgrade at third base and a left-handed bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup. Interestingly, Sandoval already turned down a three-year, $40 million extension from the Giants earlier in the season, and the big-market Red Sox could offer a large chunk of cash.

While Boston could certainly drive Sandoval’s price tag up, it is difficult to envision the Giants letting such a major part of their core walk, especially after a potential World Series championship.

What’s more, San Francisco doesn’t have an obvious replacement in the system for third base if it did lose Sandoval.

Sandoval will be the ultimate winner here with a hefty deal, but he will still be in San Francisco as a member of the defending National League (and possible World Series) champion Giants next season. 

Prediction: Sandoval stays with the Giants.

Nick Markakis

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Roch Kubatko of masnsports.com passed along some rumors on the Baltimore Orioles and a possible pursuit of Nick Markakis:

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The Orioles have engaged in talks with Nick Markakis' agent regarding a new contract and more conversations will take place this week, according to sources. Both sides want to get a deal done, but it's not as though Markakis will settle for whatever is put on the table. A hometown discount has its limits.

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The assumption here is that the Orioles will decline Markakis’ $17.5 million option, which will make him a free agent after the World Series.

Simply put, that is just way too much money for someone who hit .276 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI this season. He also only had four stolen bases and is on the wrong side of his 30th birthday.

It is worth noting that Jon Heyman of CBS Sports pointed out that Markakis is a favorite of owner Peter Angelos and is beloved by the Orioles team.

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Baltimore had an impressive season, won the American League East and likely wants to keep the core intact. However, it will need a serious discount given Markakis’ lack of consistent production this season.

The Orioles will get just that because there will not be an overwhelming market for a 30-year-old outfielder with declining numbers.

Prediction: Markakis stays with the Orioles but for a much cheaper deal.

Victor Martinez

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Heyman of CBS Sports provided an update on Victor Martinez’s pending free agency:

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Tigers star designated hitter Victor Martinez will try to capitalize on a monster season with a four-year deal as a free agent, according to sources.

The Tigers will extend the qualifying offer to the switch-hitting Martinez, according to people familiar with their plans, but he will decline and try to repeat the term he received four years ago from Detroit.

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Martinez undoubtedly gave the Tigers impressive return on their four-year, $52 million deal, but signing him to another four-year deal could be problematic because he is 35 years old. What’s more, Martinez is not someone who plays the field very often and will likely be a full-time designated hitter moving forward the rest of his career.

Still, he was one of the most productive hitters in all of baseball this season with a .335 batting average, 32 home runs and 103 RBI. He also led the American League with a .409 on-base percentage and posted a head-turning .974 OPS.

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Tigers aren’t going to like paying that much over the course of four years to a 35-year-old designated hitter, but Martinez’s production will ultimately force their hand. He is just too good of a hitter to let walk away, regardless of his age.

If nothing else, becoming a full-time designated hitter (which he basically was for much of this year) will help him focus on his craft and possibly lead to even better numbers next year.

Prediction: Martinez signs that four-year deal with the Tigers.

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