2014 MLB Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions on Hottest Available Talent
There is no such thing as a dormant winter in Major League Baseball.
Sure, the actual competition is done away with, but the front offices around the league engage in bidding wars, high-profile talks and budget balancing in order to bring in the players that can improve their prospects when the snow melts, the rain stops and spring has sprung.
There have already been a number of notable moves this offseason, but the conversation around the remaining big-time talent will only intensify as teams work to snatch up the remaining free agents.
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Let's take a look at the latest talk surrounding three big players still out on the open market, with predictions on where these baseball-diamond studs will end up.
Jon Lester, SP
Jon Lester is one of the best pitchers out on the free-agent market, and a number of teams are determined to acquire his services. ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted out on Dec. 1 that the San Francisco Giants were due to meet with Lester:
Snatching up Lester would be a smart bit of business for the Giants. He can slot in behind Madison Bumgarner in the rotation and no team is ever short on lefty hurlers—especially ones who went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA last season with two different franchises.
However, Lester can go in any number of directions. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman gives a rundown of the other reported offers that teams may have for the 30-year-old:
"Sources suggest the Cubs have bid $138 million over six years for Lester, and the Red Sox suggested at least a willingness to go to $130 million for six years, while word is the Braves, Lester's current hometown team, bid somewhat lower than that. It's possible also that Chicago and Boston will go up from there, if they haven't already.
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The Cubs, considering their dubious recent history, might be a tough sell for Lester, although there is a front-office connection with Theo Epstein stemming from their Red Sox days.
Of course, one can't forget Lester's comments from back in July regarding a potential return to Fenway Park in 2015, via MassLive.com's Jason Mastrodonato:
"I mean, (Boston) is what I know, this is what I love. Like I’ve said plenty of times, this is where I want to be. And if they trade me I completely understand. No hard feelings. I know what they have to do for their organization and if that involves me, so be it. If it doesn’t I’ll keep running out there every five days and pitching.
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As Heyman notes, Lester lives in Atlanta, so the Braves do offer comfort, but if the offers from the Cubs and Red Sox are indeed higher then Atlanta might not have a chance.
It would be quite the coup if the Red Sox snagged Lester to go along with their other free-agent prize, third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
However, the Giants offer Lester solid help throughout the rotation and the lure of potential World Series contention due to their illustrious track record over the last half-decade. It would work out quite well for the team as Matt Cain is something of a question mark coming off elbow surgery.
Prediction: Giants
Nick Markakis, OF
Nick Markakis may never again mash the ball quite like he did at the beginning of his career, but the 31-year-old Gold Glove outfielder still swings a solid lefty bat and is a hot commodity on the free-agent market.
He's played his entire nine-year MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, but that could finally change considering the love he's getting from teams. The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly reported that Markakis recently met with members of the Atlanta Braves organization:
MLB.com's Mark Bowman think the Braves' interest in Markakis means they are gearing up to move B.J. Upton or Evan Gattis:
Heyman has reported that the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays are also interested in Markakis, who posted a .276/.342/.386 slash line in the 2014 season.
The Blue Jays could really stack their lineup by adding Markakis and moving Jose Bautista to DH. With the recently acquired Josh Donaldson in the fold, Toronto could possibly improve upon the 723 runs they scored last year with a jam-packed lineup. However, it's a move that doesn't feel quite necessary, and other suitors may prove to be more interested.
The Braves have an opening in right field now that Jason Heyward is a St. Louis Cardinal and could certainly use some new blood in the outfield.
There is still the possibility that Markakis stays with the only team he's ever known, but the Braves need some semblance of offense after posting just 573 runs last season. Markakis isn't a panacea for what ails the Braves, but the situation won't deteriorate with him in the fold.
Prediction: Braves
Andrew Miller, RP
It feels like half the league is pursuing lefty reliever Andrew Miller, and for good reason. The 29-year-old enjoyed a career renaissance when he switched from a starting role to the bullpen in the 2012 season. Last year was the best of his entire pro career, as he posted a 2.02 ERA and .802 WHIP in 62.1 innings pitched last season with the Red Sox and Orioles, per Baseball-Reference.com.
According to The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Boston Red Sox are still in the running for Miller, along with a host of other teams with deep pockets: "As I reported Sunday, the Yankees were moving toward Miller and away from closer Dave Robertson, but up to 10 teams are still in the hunt. Among them are the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Tigers."
Suffice it to say, any one of these teams could use a player of Miller's caliber, even if, as ESPN.com's David Schoenfield has noted, he's not a sure bet to reach the stratospheric level of play he showed in 2014 again:
"As mentioned above, Miller did throw more fastballs in the zone -- 55 percent in 2014 compared to 51.3 percent the previous two seasons -- which allowed him to get ahead in the count more and throw the slider. But it's a fine line here. Miller threw 565 fastballs in 2014; the difference between 55 percent and 51.3 percent is 21 pitches out of 565.
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The Yankees and Dodgers have the deepest pockets and are probably the best bets to land Miller should a bidding war commence—if it hasn't already.
The Dodgers should be highly motivated to pick up quality relievers. Clayton Kershaw's playoff debacle and an over-reliance on closer Kenley Jansen showed how a strong team can become undone when one unit just can't be trusted. The sting of recent failures should propel Los Angeles to make a big push for Miller.
Prediction: Dodgers
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