5 MLB Teams That Need Full Offseason Makeovers to Contend in 2015
The World Series is over and so is the 2014 Major League Baseball season. But don't fret, don't dare be upset! The end of games merely means there are weeks and months of endless rumors and speculation about signings, trades and transactions to look forward to, as well as, you know, actual signings, trades and transactions.
Since teams make these moves in hopes of reaching the playoffs the following fall, let's figure out how a handful of clubs that spent this year as non-contenders could turn things around and get there next season.
To be considered, teams must have not only finished 2014 with a losing record (i.e., out of contention) but also have some legitimate hopes for making a playoff push in 2015.
While other squads—like the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros in the American League, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League—need to be active and get work done this winter, they're too far away to reach contender status between now and next year.
These five, however, just might.
Chicago White Sox
1 of 5
2014 Record: 73-89
Positions to Upgrade: 3B, DH, RP, SP, OF, 2B, C
Targets Via Free Agency: 3B Pablo Sandoval, 3B Chase Headley, 1B/DH Victor Martinez, 1B/DH Adam LaRoche, OF/DH Nelson Cruz, 1B/OF/DH Mike Morse, 1B/DH Mike Carp, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Casey Janssen, RHP Pat Neshek, RHP Ervin Santana, RHP Jason Hammel, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Justin Masterson, RHP Roberto Hernandez, OF Yasmany Tomas, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Nick Markakis, 2B Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jed Lowrie, 2B Rickie Weeks, C Russell Martin
Trade Chips: SS Alexei Ramirez, OF Dayan Viciedo, LHP John Danks, RHP Erik Johnson, 3B Matt Davidson
For a team that has been down and out the past two years and still has plenty of areas to improve, the Chicago White Sox are positioned to be better in 2015.
The club has locked up its three best players, first baseman Jose Abreu and lefties Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, to team-friendly, long-term deals. That provides plenty of financial flexibility to pursue upgrades at multiple spots, including a lefty bat, bullpen help and a right-handed starter, as Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The open market might be general manager Rick Hahn's best option, because he'll have some money to spend, but also because the White Sox don't have a ton to trade without giving up key big leaguers or valuable prospects who are too important to the future of the franchise.
In other words, don't be surprised if this team is surprisingly active in free agency. While most of the shopping will be in the bargain bin, Hahn could go after one or two bigger names like Pablo Sandoval, Victor Martinez, Nelson Cruz or Russell Martin among position players, as well as relievers like Andrew Miller, Rafael Soriano or Sergio Romo and second-tier starters like Ervin Santana, Jason Hammel and former White Sox Brandon McCarthy.
While outside help will be key in making Chicago better, there also needs to be improvement from within. For that, the focus will be on outfielders Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia and Dayan Viciedo, third baseman Conor Gillaspie and second base options Marcus Semien and Carlos Sanchez, all of whom are still in the early stages of their careers.
And pretty soon, No. 3 overall pick Carlos Rodon, the high-upside, nearly big league-ready left-hander out of N.C. State, should be ready to team with Sale and Quintana to form a trio of dynamite southpaws.
"It's very important to continue to be aggressive this offseason," Hahn said via Merkin, "and knock as many things as we can off [our] list and put ourselves in a position to contend as quickly as possible."
And, no, 2015 isn't out of the question.
Texas Rangers
2 of 5
2014 Record: 67-95
Positions to Upgrade: SP, C, OF, RP
Targets Via Free Agency: RHP James Shields, RHP Kenta Maeda (Japan), RHP Ervin Santana, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Jason Hammel, RHP Brandon McCarthy, C Russell Martin, OF Yasmany Tomas, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Nick Markakis, OF/DH Nelson Cruz, OF Colby Rasmus, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Luke Gregerson
Trade Chips: SS Elvis Andrus, INF Luis Sardinas, LHP Robbie Ross, 1B Mitch Moreland, RHP Alexi Ogando, OF Lewis Brinson, INF Travis Demeritte, OF Nomar Mazara
After a big offseason last year in which they traded for Prince Fielder and signed Shin-Soo Choo, the Texas Rangers entered 2014 expecting to contend for the AL West crown. Alas, that plan was derailed quickly when injuries piled up to the point where it went from challenging to laughable to downright maddening with each passing trip to the disabled list.
That's why the Rangers' easiest path to returning to relevance following a 2014 in which they had the worst record in the AL is simply to get—and stay—healthy. That goes for everyone from stars like ace Yu Darvish, Fielder and Choo to mid-rotation left-handers Martin Perez and Matt Harrison to former top prospect Jurickson Profar.
That doesn't mean GM Jon Daniels won't be active in his search for outside help, though. His primary focus? That'd be starting pitching, whether via trade or free agency, as T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes:
"The Rangers are talking to other clubs about starting pitching. The Padres could be willing to talk about Andrew Cashner or Ian Kennedy, although the Rangers like Tyson Ross. The Mets could have extra pitching with Dillon Gee or Jon Niese.
If the Rangers dive into the free-agent market, it probably won't be for one of the big three starting pitchers available: Max Scherzer, Jon Lester or James Shields. The next tier is a group that includes Ervin Santana, Jason Hammel, Brandon McCarthy, Hiroki Kuroda, Jake Peavy, Justin Masterson, Ryan Vogelsong, Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez.
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Beyond arms, this club really could use some stability behind the plate, too, which would make veteran Russell Martin, easily the top catcher on the market, a good get, if the price fits. Same goes for outfield after the Rangers declined their option on Alex Rios.
Texas often is in the mix for international free agents, so it wouldn't be shocking to see Daniels make a run at either Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas or Japanese righty Kenta Maeda, if he's posted.
With a little work and a lot of rest and recovery, the Rangers could be back in the playoff picture next year.
New York Mets
3 of 5
2014 Record: 79-83
Positions to Upgrade: OF, SS, RP
Targets Via Free Agency: OF Yasmany Tomas, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Nick Markakis, OF Nelson Cruz, OF Michael Cuddyer, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, SS Jed Lowrie, SS Stephen Drew, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Casey Janssen
Trade Chips: 2B Daniel Murphy, LHP Jon Niese, RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Dillon Gee, RHP Noah Syndergaard, C Kevin Plawecki, RHP Rafael Montero, LHP Steve Matz
The New York Mets haven't done better than last year's 79-83 mark since 2008. So, yeah, it's been a while for this organization.
That said, GM Sandy Alderson, who just signed a three-year extension, has this club on the verge of contending. Especially in what has become a wide-open NL East, as the Washington Nationals were the only team to finish .500 or better in 2014.
It's no secret that the Mets' strength is pitching. In fact, there's an absolute glut of arms here, what with ace Matt Harvey returning from Tommy John surgery to lead a group that includes fellow right-handers Zack Wheeler, Bartolo Colon, Dillon Gee and NL Rookie of the Year candidate Jacob deGrom.
That's already a full five-man rotation, and lefty Jon Niese hasn't been mentioned, nor have prospects Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero and Steve Matz, each of whom is just about ready for a shot to wedge into the rotation. Of course, some of these likely will spill over into the bullpen to help shore up the late innings organically.
That provides Alderson with plenty of ammunition on the trade front, should he choose to move one or more of the starters for help elsewhere. And frankly, the Mets could use some on offense and particularly at shortstop or in left field, positions that are being "held down" by youngsters Wilmer Flores and Matt den Dekker/Kirk Nieuwenhuis, respectively.
Given the lack of options at short, the Mets could choose to focus their attention on the outfield, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com:
"Already, Michael Cuddyer's name has surfaced frequently in rumors. Fresh off an injury-shortened season at age 35, Wright's buddy would come cheaper than higher-profile free agents Nelson Cruz and Melky Cabrera, making him a classic Alderson target.
Of even more intrigue is Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas, a 23-year-old who would force the Mets to drift outside their financial comfort zone. But spending for Tomas could give the Mets the long-term middle-of-the-order bat that they crave.
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Really, if Alderson and his cohorts believe in Tomas, who could be the latest in a long line of big-time players to come over from Cuba, New York should try to pony up for the soon-to-be 24-year-old, if at all possible. Otherwise, Cabrera would be a better target than Cuddyer and Nelson Cruz, both of whom are aging and subpar defenders.
That would give the Mets some more balance in a lineup that needs some depth around franchise face David Wright, who needs to be healthy in 2015 to provide enough offense for what could be a devastating pitching staff.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 5
2014 Record: 71-91
Positions to Upgrade: SP, 3B, RP
Targets Via Free Agency: LHP Jon Lester, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP James Shields, RHP Kenta Maeda (Japan), RHP Ervin Santana, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Jason Hammel, RHP Justin Masterson, 3B/SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Pablo Sandoval, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Pat Neshek, RHP, Burke Badenhop
Trade Chips: OF Yoenis Cespedes, 1B/OF Allen Craig, OF Shane Victorino, 3B Will Middlebrooks, OF Jackie Bradley, RHP Brandon Workman, RHP Allen Webster, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, OF Daniel Nava, LHP Henry Owens, C Blake Swihart, LHP Brian Johnson, RHP Anthony Ranaudo, RHP Matt Barnes, 3B/OF Garin Cecchini
Having gone from worst to World Series and back to worst in the AL East in 2014, the Boston Red Sox are aiming for a little more consistency going forward. For that to happen, though, there's going to be quite a bit of moving and shaking first.
GM Ben Cherington, who was so busy at the trade deadline, already got the offseason started by inking closer Koji Uehara to a two-year, $18 million pact on Thursday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com.
And that's just the beginning, given that the club has a surplus in the outfield and young pitchers but a big-time need at the front of a rotation. After all, the most experienced arm after enigmatic veteran Clay Buchholz is the recently acquired Joe Kelly, who has just 48 big league starts on his resume.
That's why the possibility remains that the Sox will look to bring back former ace Jon Lester, the lefty who they traded to the Oakland Athletics midseason.
"We know [Lester] well and hope we get a chance to talk to him," Cherington said, per Browne. "I'm sure he'll talk to others and I'm sure we'll talk to others."
Indeed, regardless of whether Lester lands back in Boston, the team needs to check in with right-handers Max Scherzer and James Shields, among others.
Putting pitching to the side for a moment, the Miami Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton has long been mentioned as a big bat the Red Sox covet. Sure, it would mean bringing in another outfielder, but the organization has enough young, cost-controlled talent to at least make a run, should that be part of the plan.
And Browne suggests that October might have presented the Red Sox with another position player to target:
"It had to be enticing for the Red Sox to watch third baseman Pablo Sandoval go to work for the Giants in the postseason. The switch-hitter has the kind of proven bat Boston could use. And he plays a position (third base) the Red Sox haven't had much production at the last two seasons.
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Because the roster is overloaded in some areas and light in others, Cherington should find himself being nearly as busy this winter as he was over the summer. He has options, which can be both good and bad.
But if he chooses wisely in landing a top-notch starter (or two), as well as a capable bat to take some pressure off youngsters like Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts and allow them to develop, Boston could be back on top of the division. Again.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 5
2014 Record: 73-89
Positions to Upgrade: SP, C, OF, RP
Targets Via Free Agency: LHP Jon Lester, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP James Shields, RHP Kenta Maeda (Japan), RHP Ervin Santana, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Justin Masterson, C Russell Martin, OF Yasmany Tomas, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Nick Markakis, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Casey Janssen
Trade Chips: SS Starlin Castro, INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara, 3B Luis Valbuena, RHP Hector Rondon, OF Chris Coghlan, LHP Travis Wood, 1B Dan Vogelbach, 3B Jeimer Candelario
This past season marked the fifth consecutive time the Chicago Cubs finished under .500 and in fifth place in the NL Central, but 2015 could well be the season to put an end to said streak.
The offseason already is starting well for the Cubs, as they've hired one of the very best managers in the game in Joe Maddon, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. His success in nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, a franchise he helped turn from laughingstock to perennial contender, could be repeated in Chicago.
With building blocks like first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Starlin Castro and righty Jake Arrieta in place, the 25-man roster is about to be infused with all kinds of position player talent. Between those already up (Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantara) and those who soon will be (Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Albert Almora), the organization is lining up a promising core all at once.
That will allow the Cubs to make some sort of major move, likely to obtain pitching, at some point soon—perhaps now.
"We're prioritizing building a group of talented young players and letting them grow up together and form a core," team president Theo Epstein said, via Muskat. "I think we're inching into a different phase now and looking at the roster as a whole, and will add veteran players who complement what we have."
Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer could target top-of-the-line starters like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields, much the same way the Kansas City Royals did with Shields back in December 2012. At that point, the Royals were coming off a 72-90 season—their ninth straight losing year—so the transaction surprised many, but it proved to be a preemptive strike toward turning things around in conjunction with a loaded farm system and young big leaguers.
Sound familiar?
Aside from the available arms, Chicago also might consider bringing aboard Russell Martin, who not only will provide a major upgrade behind the plate but also leadership that would go a long way for a team that is looking to get from the final stages of its rebuild to postseason contender.
Might 2015 be a year early for the Cubs to get to the postseason for the first time since 2008? Maybe, but that doesn't mean they can't at least contend again. And if the talent already in place is augmented with a key free-agent signing or trade, who knows?
Statistics are accurate through the 2014 season and courtesy of MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.
To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11.
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