1 Critical Mistake All 30 MLB Teams Must Avoid Making This Offseason
The MLB offseason is an exciting time to be a baseball fan. All 30 teams are hard at work tweaking their rosters for the upcoming season, and the rumor mill gives fans plenty to debate on a daily basis.
However, it's also a time when costly mistakes tend to be made.
From overpaying for a free agent to trading off a top prospect who becomes a future star, there are plenty of opportunities to make a franchise-altering decision in the offseason, both for the good and the bad.
So, with that in mind, here is a look at the one critical mistake all 30 MLB teams must avoid making this offseason.
Baltimore Orioles: Letting Nelson Cruz Get Away
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The Baltimore Orioles struck gold with the one-year, $8 million deal they gave Nelson Cruz last offseason, as he gave the offense a much-needed shot in the arm with his MLB-best 40 home runs.
He won't come nearly as cheap this time around, but given how the Orioles lineup potentially stacks up without him, it's a necessary cost if the team hopes to defend its AL East title.
Otherwise, the Orioles are left relying on a bounce-back season from Chris Davis, a repeat performance from journeyman Steve Pearce and a quick return to health for Manny Machado and Matt Wieters in an effort to make up for that lost production.
Boston Red Sox: Overpaying for James Shields
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Much of the talk surrounding the Boston Red Sox so far this offseason has been in regard to third baseman Pablo Sandoval, but the starting rotation remains their biggest area of need.
After gutting their staff at the trade deadline, only Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly return as proven starters.
For a team looking to rebound quickly and contend again in 2015, that's not going to cut it, and someone will need to be brought in to lead that staff.
Jon Lester and Max Scherzer are the top two arms on the market, and the Red Sox have already made a six-year offer to Lester in the $110 million-$120 million range, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.
If they miss out on landing one of those two top arms, their next target could be James Shields, who is a solid arm and someone capable of leading a staff. However, anything beyond a five-year deal in the $90 million range would be overpaying, and the Red Sox can't let desperation force them to do that.
New York Yankees: Trading for Elvis Andrus
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As the New York Yankees look for a long-term replacement for retired legend Derek Jeter, one name they could explore is Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.
With Jurickson Profar expected to return at some point in 2015, Rougned Odor putting up decent numbers as a rookie and Luis Sardinas also in the mix, the team has the middle infield depth to entertain the idea of moving Profar.
According to a tweet from Jim Bowden of ESPN, the team is willing to do just that—or at the very least it is willing to listen to offers.
Andrus hit .263/.314/.333 and posted a 1.0 WAR last season, and he has a massive eight-year, $120 million extension that is set to kick in this coming season, so moving him will be easier said than done.
Unless the Yankees can get the Rangers to eat a decent amount of that money or take nothing of significance in return, they'd be better off steering clear of the 26-year-old altogether.
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Tampa Bay Rays: Not Adding a Power Bat at Designated Hitter
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The small-market Tampa Bay Rays are never going to be major players on the free-agent market, but they have to do something to address their lack of power this offseason.
Outside of Evan Longoria (22 HR, 91 RBI), no one on the team had more than 12 home runs or 69 RBI on the year, and that has to change if the Rays are going to contend once again in the AL East.
Getting Wil Myers healthy will certainly help, as he was expected to be that second power bat this past season after taking home AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2013.
However, adding some pop at the DH position by signing a mid-level bat like Michael Morse or Mark Reynolds could help add some punch.
The team's designated hitters combined to bat .229/.315/.389 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI.
Toronto Blue Jays: Letting Melky Cabrera Get Away
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The Toronto Blue Jays have already made a splash this offseason, signing catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal. They are also said to be targeting starter Jon Lester, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, as they look to make a serious run at the AL East title this coming season.
However, the one guy the Blue Jays can't afford to let get away is left fielder Melky Cabrera, who is coming off a season in which he hit .301/.351/.458 with 35 doubles and 16 home runs.
The market for corner outfield bats is thin, and with Colby Rasmus also walking and set to turn things over to top prospect Dalton Pompey, the team would be wise to pony up whatever it costs over a four- or five-year deal to retain Cabrera.
Chicago White Sox: Refusing to Trade Alexei Ramirez
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The Chicago White Sox are a team on the rise.
However, one player who does not figure into the team's long-term plans is 33-year-old shortstop Alexei Ramirez, and if the right deal comes along, it should pull the trigger on trading him.
Ramirez hit .273/.305/.408 with 35 doubles and 15 home runs last season to win the second Silver Slugger of his career, and the team balked at the idea of trading him in July in the midst of his productive season.
As a veteran leader and a cheap option at $10 million for the next two years, it makes sense why the team would want to keep him around. At the same time, the White Sox are not expected to contend in the immediate future, so selling high and flipping him for a solid return also makes a lot of sense.
With questions about how long Hanley Ramirez can stick at shortstop, and an unimpressive crop of free-agent shortstops behind him, Ramirez's trade value may never be higher than it is right now.
Cleveland Indians: Not Adding a Proven No. 2 Starter
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Corey Kluber emerged as the bona fide ace of the Cleveland Indians staff last year, and one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, on his way to AL Cy Young honors.
He was not the only bright spot in the team's rotation, but it's fair to say he's the only sure thing heading into the 2015 season.
Carlos Carrasco (8-7, 2.55 ERA) and Danny Salazar (6-8, 4.25 ERA) both came on strong in the second half but have yet to prove themselves over a full season.
T.J. House (5-3, 3.35 ERA) and Trevor Bauer (5-8, 4.18 ERA) also showed flashes of being capable rotation options, but again, they are far from proven commodities heading into next season.
If the Indians hope to have a real shot at contending for the AL Central title, they will almost certainly need to bring in another reliable veteran starter to occupy the No. 2 spot in the rotation. Counting on the incumbent group to all pitch to their potential is a risky proposition, to say the least.
Detroit Tigers: Overpaying for Colby Rasmus
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The free-agent market for center fielders this offseason is essentially one man—Colby Rasmus.
The 28-year-old is coming off a rough all-around season in 2014. He hit .225/.287/.448 with 18 home runs and 40 RBI for a 0.9 WAR and found himself on the bench down the stretch.
However, this is the same player who hit .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs and 66 RBI on his way to a 4.6 WAR in 2013, so the potential for plus production is there.
The Detroit Tigers really only have one outfield spot set in stone right now, and that is J.D. Martinez manning one of the corners. Rajai Davis and Anthony Gose are the lead candidates to play left and center, respectively, with prospects Tyler Collins and Steven Moya in the mix for playing time as well.
That could make the Tigers a potential fit for Rasmus, but only if the team pays for production and not potential. Gambling on upside and signing Rasmus to a three- or four-year deal could leave the team with a B.J. Upton-type situation, and no one wants that.
Kansas City Royals: Not Adding a Corner Outfielder
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Potentially losing ace James Shields and the declined option of Billy Butler have been the Kansas City Royals' most talked-about free agency losses, but another key contributor will likely be playing elsewhere in right fielder Nori Aoki.
One option for filling that hole would be to simply slide Lorenzo Cain over from center field to right field and insert Jarrod Dyson into the everyday lineup in center.
However, for a team that is already bereft of power, relying on Dyson to be anything more than a fourth outfielder and pinch runner would not appear to be in the team's best interest. The speedster hit .269/.324/.327 with 36 steals in 260 at-bats last season, and while that is solid production for a fourth outfielder, he could be exposed over 500-plus at-bats.
Finding a right-handed bat with some pop to man right field and join left-handed hitters Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas in the middle of the lineup would be the preferred course of action.
Minnesota Twins: Not Addressing the Starting Rotation
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The Minnesota Twins made a handful of moves on the starting pitching front last offseason, and all those moves accomplished was a slight improvement in starters' ERA from 5.26 to 5.06—still the worst mark in all of baseball.
Phil Hughes was a great signing on a three-year, $24 million deal, as he finished the year 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA and record 11.63 K/BB ratio. However, the rest of the rotation was a disaster, and it will be more of the same if the Twins don't again try to address the situation.
Ricky Nolasco, Kyle Gibson, Tommy Milone and Mike Pelfrey are current penciled into the four rotation spots behind Hughes. All four guys are capable of being solid options, but the team would be wise to add another low-cost arm or two for when that doesn't wind up being the case.
Someone like Justin Masterson or Brett Anderson, a guy looking to rebuild some value on a one-year deal, would be the perfect target for the Twins.
Houston Astros: Giving Hanley Ramirez a Long-Term Contract
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Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports recently tweeted that the Houston Astros have checked in on free-agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez. It's a move that could make sense for the team in the short term, as both the shortstop (.258 BA, .699 OPS) and third base (.212 BA, .577 OPS) positions provided well-below-average production last year.
However, top prospects Carlos Correa and Colin Moran are expected to be the long-term answers at shortstop and third base, respectively.
Moran could be up as early as the middle of next season, while the 20-year-old Correa likely won't see the majors until late 2016 at the earliest.
If the market for Han-Ram fails to materialize and he's forced to agree to a shorter deal in the two- or three-year range, he could be a great addition for the Astros.
Anything longer would be a rash decision for a franchise that is still very much rebuilding.
Los Angeles Angels: Trading Howie Kendrick
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According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Los Angeles Angels are expected to move either Howie Kendrick or David Freese this offseason, as both players are headed for free agency after the 2015 season.
It's becoming harder and harder to find a quality second baseman, so unless someone is willing to give up a king's ransom for Kendrick, the team would be better off talking extension than trade.
Kendrick is a .292/.332/.424 career hitter in nine big league seasons, and his 27.6 WAR since the start of the 2006 season is the sixth-highest total among second basemen during that span.
He hit .293/.347/.397 with seven home runs and 75 RBI last year on his way to a career-best 5.4 WAR, and he ended up hitting in the cleanup spot down the stretch after Josh Hamilton was sidelined.
The Angels have some in-house options to replace Kendrick in Gordon Beckham and prospect Alex Yarbrough. However, for a team expected to once again contend for a division title, moving a known commodity and one of the most consistent players at his position could wind up being a huge mistake.
Oakland Athletics: Going with a Middle Infield of Eric Sogard and Andy Parrino
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Unless something is done to address the situation this offseason, the Oakland Athletics could be looking at the least productive middle infield the game has seen in a long time.
The second base position has provided a grand total of 10 home runs over the past three seasons combined, with light-hitting fan favorite Eric Sogard seeing the bulk of the playing time. He is again expected to be the starter as things stand right now.
At shortstop, Jed Lowrie took a big step backward in 2014 and is now set to depart in free agency, leaving Andy Parrino as the next in line to man the position among in-house options.
Parrino hit .274/.352/.384 over 427 at-bats in Triple-A last year, but he has struggled in limited action at the big league level. Over parts of four seasons, he has hit .179/.281/.250 with two home runs in 240 at-bats.
The A's couldn't possibly go into the season with a Sogard-Parrino double-play combination, could they?
Seattle Mariners: Not Finding a Right-Handed Run Producer
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The Seattle Mariners upped their win total by 16 this past season, falling just one game short in the AL wild-card race, but there is still work to be done if they hope to get over that hump.
The biggest hole that still needs to be addressed is the team's complete lack of right-handed hitting, as its righty hitters combined for a .604 OPS (30th in MLB) with 42 home runs (29th) and 180 RBI (30th) this past season.
In particular, the Mariners need a right-handed power bat to slot between All-Stars Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the middle of the lineup.
Corey Hart was signed to be that guy last season, after the team passed on Nelson Cruz, but he wound up hitting just .203/.271/.319 with six home runs and 21 RBI.
Whether it is another run at Cruz, a trade for someone like Justin Upton or something else altogether, the Mariners have to find that bat this offseason if they hope to be playing next October.
Texas Rangers: Not Signing a Solid No. 3 Starter
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The 2014 season was nothing short of a disaster for the Texas Rangers. They entered the season with legitimate expectations to contend, only to finish 67-95 and in last place in the AL West.
For as bad as things got last year, they are not in as bad of shape as some might think. It's all a matter of getting guys healthy and keeping them on the field, because the talent is there for them to turn things around.
One area that will need to be addressed, though, is the starting rotation.
Yu Darvish and Derek Holland give the team a solid one-two punch at the top, and guys like Nick Tepesch and Nick Martinez showed some potential last season when forced into action.
That said, adding another solid veteran to fill the No. 3 spot in the rotation looks like a must, as counting on three unproven arms to fill out the back of the staff could set the Rangers up for another revolving door situation.
Atlanta Braves: Trading Evan Gattis
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The Atlanta Braves already pulled the trigger on one big trade when they shipped Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals, and they might not be done.
"The #Braves are definitely not done moving some of their guys. J-Up and Gattis might both be traded at some point this winter," tweeted Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Shopping Justin Upton makes sense, given that he is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2015 season, but moving slugger Evan Gattis would be a mistake.
Gattis will likely be forced out from behind the plate this coming season by prospect Christian Bethancourt, but his bat plays anywhere.
The 28-year-old hit .263/.317/.493 with 22 home runs and 52 RBI in 369 at-bats last season. Perhaps more importantly, he's under team control through the 2018 season and not even arbitration-eligible until next winter.
Changes had to be made to this Braves team after its rough second half last year, but gutting the offense and moving a controllable piece like Gattis would be a mistake.
Miami Marlins: Extending Adeiny Hechavarria
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After locking up Giancarlo Stanton with a massive 13-year, $325 million extension, the Miami Marlins have now turned their attention to potential extensions for another trio of young players.
According to a tweet from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the team has opened talks with Christian Yelich, Jose Fernandez and Adeiny Hechavarria, though nothing is close at this time.
The first two make sense given their expected roles as franchise cornerstones, but the idea of extending Hechavarria is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Yes, shortstops are a commodity these days, and yes, he's still just 25 years old. But we're talking about a minus-1.0 WAR players over his first three big league seasons.
His best season at the plate came last year, when he hit .276/.308/.356 with 20 doubles and 10 triples, but that .664 was still only 15th among qualified shortstops.
His glove has by no means been a saving grace either, as he had minus-three defensive runs saved and a minus-8.8 UZR/150 last year, according to FanGraphs.
Nothing here says extension candidate.
New York Mets: Not Upgrading at Shortstop
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It's time for the New York Mets to decide once and for all whether either Ruben Tejada or Wilmer Flores are capable of handling the everyday shortstop duties. Unless their answer is a resounding yes, and nothing either player has done to this point suggests it should be, the position has to be addressed this offseason.
Tejada has the glove to play the position but not the bat to be an everyday player, while Flores has some solid offensive potential but is better suited playing third base and could really be exposed defensively as an everyday shortstop.
The shortstop position produced a .236/.317/.312 line with eight home runs and 57 RBI for the Mets last year, and for a team looking to make a big turnaround and legitimately contend in 2015, that just doesn't cut it.
Whether it is signing someone like Jed Lowrie or Asdrubal Cabrera, or using their enviable pitching depth to pull off a trade for more of a long-term solution, it's time for the Mets to finally figure out the shortstop position.
Philadelphia Phillies: Thinking They Can Contend in 2015
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The worst possible thing the Philadelphia Phillies could do this offseason is get it in their heads that they actually have a shot at contending in 2015.
We saw it last offseason, when they inexplicably found a way to get older with the additions of A.J. Burnett, Marlon Byrd and Roberto Hernandez, as well as their extension for catcher Carlos Ruiz, only to finish 73-89.
The team's interest in 24-year-old Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas makes sense, as it is in desperate need of some young impact talent, and he could be a legitimate piece to build around long term.
However, any other moves the Phillies make this offseason should be to ship veterans elsewhere, not to bring them aboard for another run at mediocrity. The window has closed—it's time to accept that and start looking to the future.
Washington Nationals: Trading Jordan Zimmermann
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Despite another disappointing early exit from the postseason, the Washington Nationals still look like one of the most complete teams in baseball, as they return essentially their entire roster.
At this point, second base is the only real hole that needs to be filled, but the team does have some big decisions to make regarding the starting rotation.
Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann are both set to hit free agency after the 2015 season, with Stephen Strasburg headed for the open market the following year. Shortstop Ian Desmond is also a free agent after the 2015 season and could be looking at a nine-figure deal of his own.
Trading one of its starters would make sense for the franchise long term, but it shouldn't be Zimmermann, who has emerged as one of the best in the game over the past few seasons.
The 28-year-old has gone 45-22 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.109 WHIP since the start of 2012, and he capped off what was the best season of his career this past year with a no-hitter in the regular-season finale and a gem in his lone postseason start.
At the very least, the team should hold on to all of its pieces for another run at the World Series in 2015 and perhaps reassess at the trade deadline.
Chicago Cubs: Selling the Farm for Cole Hamels
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The Chicago Cubs have perhaps the best group of young position-player talent in all of baseball right now, but they still need the pitching to back it up if they hope to make a sharp turn toward contention.
Jake Arrieta emerged as a front-line arm last year, and rookie Kyle Hendricks showed the upside to be a capable middle-of-the-rotation arm, but the team is still lacking a proven ace to front its staff.
Jon Lester and Max Scherzer certainly fit that description on the free-agent market, and the team is expected to do its due diligence on both. However, another option could be a run at Phillies ace Cole Hamels via trade.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Cubs are again interested in Hamels after claiming him on waivers last August and briefly discussing a trade before he was pulled back.
However, the Phillies reportedly want "at least three top prospects, two that can play right now" in return for Hamels, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. Add to that the fact that they are unlikely to pay any of the $96 million he is owed over the next four years, and that's a steep price to pay.
If they are still going to be on the hook for that much money, there is no reason the Cubs should even consider parting with any of their top prospects. They'd be better off overpaying for Lester or Scherzer and holding on to their young bats.
Cincinnati Reds: Trading Johnny Cueto
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With Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon all headed for free agency after the 2015 season, the Cincinnati Reds have some big decisions to make about the future of their starting rotation. Homer Bailey is locked up, and young arms Tony Cingrani and Robert Stephenson are both expected to occupy rotation spots long-term so there is a good chance only two of those guys are retained.
Cueto would no doubt fetch the biggest return, but for a team that has a lot of money invested in veteran talent and is very much in win-now mode, dealing him would be a mistake.
After an injury-plagued 2013 season, Cueto went 20-9 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.960 WHIP while leading the NL in innings pitched (243.2) and strikeouts (242) to finish second in Cy Young voting to Clayton Kershaw.
Since the start of the 2011 season, the 28-year-old has undoubtedly been one of the best in the game when healthy, going 53-25 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.066 WHIP.
It will no doubt take an extension north of $100 million to lock him up long term, but if he is open to the idea of staying in Cincinnati, the Reds should do everything in their power to keep him.
Milwaukee Brewers: Not Finding a Suitable Platoon Partner for Adam Lind
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The Milwaukee Brewers waited until the very end of the offseason last year to address their need at first base, signing Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay to minor league deals. The resulting platoon was good for a .207/.287/.356 line with 19 home runs and 61 RBI on the season, leaving the first base spot as an obvious area to upgrade once again this offseason.
This time around, the team moved quickly, acquiring Adam Lind from the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Marco Estrada as one of the first significant moves of the offseason.
While Lind looks to be a solid pickup at a good price, the team will still have to find a platoon partner for him in order to maximize his value.
For his career the 31-year-old has hit .293/.349/.510 against right-handed pitching, compared to just .212/.257/.331 against left-handed pitching. Those splits were even more drastic last season, when he hit .354/.409/.533 against righties and .061/.162/.061 with a grand total of two hits against lefties.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Not Signing Adam LaRoche
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Speaking of first base platoons, the Pittsburgh Pirates employed one of their own last year with Ike Davis and Gaby Sanchez. The position produced a .226/.314/.374 line with 17 home runs and 65 RBI as a result, and that certainly leaves the team with plenty of room to upgrade.
Charlie Wilmoth of MLB Trade Rumors highlighted both Davis and Sanchez as potential non-tender candidates this offseason. Davis is projected to earn $4.4 million and Sanchez $2.7 million, and that money might be better used toward an everyday option.
Those are few and far between on the free-agent market, outside of Adam LaRoche, who played for the Pirates for parts of three seasons from 2007-09. The 35-year-old hit .259/.362/.455 with 26 home runs and 92 RBI last season, and he has reportedly been offered a two-year, $20 million deal from the Marlins, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Adding production at first base could be one way for the Pirates to help offset the loss of Russell Martin, and LaRoche is by far the best option available. They would be wise to scoop him up before someone else does.
St. Louis Cardinals: Not Adding Bench Depth
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The St. Louis Cardinals don't have any glaring holes like they did at shortstop last offseason when they signed Jhonny Peralta, but that does not mean their roster does not need some tinkering as they look to stay on top in the NL Central.
They already pulled off a blockbuster deal to add Jason Heyward in right field, and moving Shelby Miller in that trade could put them in the market for a starting pitcher.
However, the Cardinals' most pressing area of need appears to be adding some depth to their bench, specifically in the form of a right-handed-hitting corner infielder with some pop.
Matt Adams enjoyed a solid first season as an everyday player, hitting .288/.321/.457 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI. He hit just .190/.231/.298 against left-handed pitching, though, and finding a righty bat to start in place of him against tough lefties would be nice.
Add to that the fact that guys like Tony Cruz, Daniel Descalso and Peter Bourjos provide next to nothing in the way of power, and someone like Mark Reynolds could be a nice fit as a pinch hitter in power spots and as a part-time first baseman.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Trading Chris Owings
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After wrapping up the 2014 season at 64-98, and with the team entering its first offseason under the new front office duo of Dave Stewart and Tony La Russa, plenty of change is expected for the Arizona Diamondbacks this winter.
They have already pulled off one trade, acquiring Jeremy Hellickson from the Tampa Bay Rays, and they may continue to be active on the trade market in the weeks and months to come.
With a glut of middle infielders that includes Aaron Hill, Didi Gregorius, Chris Owings, Cliff Pennington and Nick Ahmed, there is a good chance one or more of those guys is playing elsewhere when the 2015 season kicks off.
Gregorius and Owings would be the two most attractive trade chips as young, controllable shortstops, but at this point, the team should not even entertain the idea of moving Owings. The 23-year-old hit .261/.300/.406 with 27 extra-base hits in 310 at-bats as a rookie last year, and if his minor league track record is any indication, he may be only scratching the surface of his offensive potential.
That's the kind of player you build around.
Colorado Rockies: Not Making an Effort to Upgrade the Pitching Staff
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For as bad as the Colorado Rockies starting rotation looked on paper last season, ranking last in the National League with a 4.89 ERA, there is some reason for optimism moving forward. Jorge De La Rosa was re-signed to front the staff, and he is one of the few pitchers who has consistently found success at Coors Field, going 45-14 with a 3.98 ERA.
Behind him, the young duo of Jordan Lyles (7-4, 4.33 ERA) and Tyler Matzek (6-11, 4.05 ERA) showed some promise last season and could be ready to take a step forward this coming season.
Add in a potentially healthy Jhoulys Chacin and the prospect duo of Eddie Butler and Jon Gray, and there is a chance the Rockies field a passable rotation next season.
All of that said, the Rockies would be crazy not to continue to look for ways to improve their staff given the track record of failure the starting rotation has endured during their time as a franchise. Standing pat and hoping for the best simply won't cut it.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Trading Matt Kemp
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Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers worked around an outfield logjam that featured four capable starters, with Andre Ethier drawing the short straw and essentially relegated to the bench despite his $15.5 million salary.
Now that top prospect Joc Pederson has arrived and Scott Van Slyke (.910 OPS, 11 HR, 212 AB) showed he deserves more playing time, things have only gotten more complicated.
New general manager Andrew Friedman recognizes the situation at hand.
"I think it's most likely the best course of action to move one of those players," he told Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.
The team would no doubt prefer to dump Ethier and/or Crawford, but the most sought-after of the veteran group is undoubtedly Matt Kemp, even with $109 million and five years left on his contract.
After battling injuries in 2012 and 2013, Kemp bounced back nicely this past season to hit .287/.346/.506 with 25 home runs and 89 RBI. He was especially good in the second half, posting a .971 OPS with 17 home runs and 54 RBI.
With Hanley Ramirez likely headed elsewhere in free agency and Yasiel Puig struggling to find consistency, the team needs Kemp to protect Adrian Gonzalez in the middle of the lineup.
Kemp may bring the best return, but the team would be better off eating a good portion of the money still due to Ethier and Crawford before it even entertains the idea of dealing a rejuvenated Kemp.
San Diego Padres: Trading Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner
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According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the San Diego Padres are willing to listen to offers for their top three starting pitchers, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy, in an effort to improve their offense.
Given that the Padres ranked dead last in team batting average (.226), OPS (.634) and runs per game (3.30), it's hard to argue with the idea of shopping for offense, but moving Ross or Cashner is not the answer.
Ross, 27, enjoyed a breakout season in 2014 when he went 13-14 with a 2.81 ERA and made his first All-Star appearance. He is under team control through the 2017 season and first-time arbitration-eligible this winter.
Cashner, 28, was the Opening Day starter last year and was well on his way to a breakout season before arm problems cost him a total of 76 games. He finished the season 7-9 with a 2.55 ERA in 19 starts and is controllable through the 2016 season.
Those two would no doubt bring a nice return, but where does that leave the Padres?
They would simply be trading weaknesses, as an improved offense would be offset by the loss of their two best starting pitchers. The fact that both are under team control for at least the next two seasons should be enough to make them building blocks if the team is serious about contending anytime soon.
San Francisco Giants: Overpaying for Chase Headley
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It would appear that the Boston Red Sox have emerged as the favorites to sign Pablo Sandoval, and if he does end up signing with them, it would leave the San Francisco Giants with a big hole to fill at third base.
Chase Headley is the best of the remaining free agents behind Sandoval, and he may very well become the Giants' top target. The 30-year-old hit .243/.328/.372 with 20 doubles and 13 home runs last season while also leading all third basemen with a 28.0 UZR/150 and ranking third with 13 defensive runs saved, according to FanGraphs.
For the right price, Headley would be a fine consolation prize.
However, as the top remaining option at the position and with the Yankees among the other interested suitors, that price could climb beyond his actual value, and the Giants have to be careful not to overspend out of desperation.
If Headley becomes too expensive, a run at David Freese or Trevor Plouffe on the trade market could be a better option for the Giants.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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