All 30 MLB Teams' Updated To-Do List Entering the 2014 Winter Meetings
From Jon Lester to Melky Cabrera, there are still some prominent pitchers and impact bats up for grabs as the 2014 MLB winter meetings kick off.
While not every team will be looking to land big-time contributors like the lefty ace or the switch-hitting outfielder, every team descends upon San Diego with its own to-do list.
Each team has its own list, but a lot of the same bullet points just keep popping up:
- Find a shortstop
- Bolster the rotation
- Acquire more power
The winter meetings promise to bring an array of rumors and some actual signings and trades. For clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, there could even be a blockbuster deal in the near future.
Houston Astros
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The To-Do List
Bring In A Big-Time Reliever
The bullpen has been a major weak spot for the Houston Astros in recent seasons. As a result, bolstering the relief corp is a top priority for the American League West Club this offseason. With Andrew Miller off the market, some of the biggest names left are David Robertson, Sergio Romo and Francisco Rodriguez.
Shop A Couple of Veteran Bats
According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, two of the most likely Astros to be dealt before Opening Day are Dexter Fowler and Chris Carter. As McTaggart notes, Fowler is set to make around $9 million in 2015, which would make him the second-highest paid player on the roster.
Carter is a prime sell-high candidate, as the the right-handed hitter clubbed 37 home runs last season. That kind of pop is extremely difficult to find on the trade and free-agent blocks.
Los Angeles Angels
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The To-Do List
Decide What to Do with Howie Kendrick
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angles Times, the Los Angeles Angels were getting lots of calls earlier in the offseason about Howie Kendrick, but the club has now cooled on the idea of shipping out the second baseman.
The Angels certainly don't have to trade the veteran, who has one more season left on his deal. Then again, moving the 31-year-old would bring back an impressive return, as the free-agent market is devoid of quality second basemen.
Add a Utility Infielder and a Left-Handed Power Bat
The Angels' bench could use some work. The team needs to add a player who is capable of shuttling around the infield and backing up shortstop Erick Aybar in particular. Bringing in a left-handed hitter who is capable of hitting for some power would also help to round out the end of the bench.
Oakland Athletics
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The To-Do List
Figure out Who's Playing Shortstop and Second Base
The Oakland Athletics need a lot of help in the middle of the infield.
Right now, the most accomplished players on the roster at those positions are Nick Punto, Eric Sogard and Andy Parrino. The club could just solve this problem by checking the next item off its to-do list.
Ship Out A Veteran Or Two
General manager Billy Beane has already jettisoned Josh Donaldson, and more big names could be on the way out.
Jeff Samardzija is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and has already drawn interest from "numerous teams," per Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. Cafardo mentions the Boston Red Sox as one of the clubs that have checked in on the right-handed starter.
The team also finalized a trade involving veteran first baseman Brandon Moss, according to Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area, sending him to the Cleveland Indians for infield prospect Joe Wendle.
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Seattle Mariners
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The To-Do List
Add One More Bat
Even with Nelson Cruz already in the fold, the Seattle Mariners would like to add one more bat.
"It'd be nice to add offense, that's the best way to say it," explained GM Jack Zduriencik, via Greg Johns of MLB.com.
Melky Cabrera would definitely fit that description. The club is already "talking" with the switch-hitter, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Consider Moving the Team's "Biggest Trade Piece"
The M's could make a deal to help strengthen the offense. As Johns writes, the team's "biggest trade piece" is right-handed starter Taijuan Walker. Shortstop Brad Miller is yet another chip that the team could consider dealing.
Texas Rangers
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The To-Do List
Add a Starting Pitcher
The Texas Rangers' brain trust has a lot of work to do, but right at the top of the list is bringing in a starter. One way to do so would be to swing a trade.
If the Rangers follows such a path, trading from the team's surplus of middle infielders would make a lot of sense. Elvis Andrus and Luis Sardinas are the the two most likely candidates to be moved, per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
Consider Making a Deal for Matt Kemp
Adding another corner outfielder—especially one who can hit for power—would also be a shrewd addition for the Rangers. According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, Texas has reached out to the Los Angeles Dodgers about the availability of Matt Kemp. Prying the outfielder away from the Dodgers won't be easy after Kemp posted a .971 OPS in the second half of the 2014 season.
Chicago White Sox
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The To-Do List
Find a Right-Handed Starter
With Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and John Danks already slated for the rotation, the Chicago White Sox could definitely use a righty to help balance out the staff.
Some pitchers that the AL Central club should kick the tires on are James Shields, Ervin Santana, Jeff Samardzija and even Max Scherzer, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. A one-two punch of Sale and Scherzer could be exactly what the White Sox need to catapult into contention.
Decide Whether to Sell High on Alexei Ramirez
As Scott Merkin of MLB.com explains, Alexei Ramirez "certainly isn't being shopped." If the White Sox did part with the veteran, the team would rake in a major return as quality shortstops are one of the most difficult kinds of players to find.
Cleveland Indians
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The To-Do List
Get Rid of Nick Swisher's Contract
This won't be easy to do.
Swisher is still owed $30 million over the next two seasons and underwent surgeries on both of his knees last summer.
The simplest way for the Cleveland Indians to deal away Swisher would be to take on another unfavorable contract. According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the Tribe "has reportedly gauged interest in Swisher already this offseason."
Add a Veteran Bat to The Lineup
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Cleveland has been linked to free-agent outfielder Alex Rios. The 33-year-old has always had the ability to hit for a high average, but it's concerning that he connected on just four home runs in 2014.
Detroit Tigers
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The To-Do List
Consider Parting with Either David Price or Rick Porcello
David Price and Rick Porcello are "drawing strong interest" on the trade block, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. For the Detroit Tigers, the primary motivation behind dealing either starter is that both become free agents at the end of the 2015.
Revamp the Underwhelming Bullpen
The Tigers' bullpen was a train wreck in 2014.
However, general manager Dave Dombrowski doesn't seem overly concerned about the relief corp at the moment.
"I guess we talked all along that we'll continue to look at bullpen, but I'm not expecting we'll run out there and get somebody," Dombrowski said via Jason Beck of MLB.com.
The way the pen crumbled in the postseason, Detroit's front office is going to have to reconsider that stance.
Kansas City Royals
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The To-Do List
Add a Starting Pitcher
If James Shields departs this winter, the Kansas City Royals will have to bring in a new starter to eat up all of those innings.
It won't be easy to find another starting pitcher quite like Shields, but there are plenty of options to consider. Some of the most intriguing names on the market are Francisco Liriano, Ervin Santana and Edinson Volquez.
Bolster the Lineup
With Nori Aoki a free agent and Billy Butler having already signed a new deal with the Oakland Athletics, the Royals have a spot or two to fill in the club's lineup. The market for free-agent bats has all but dried up, but Melky Cabrera still hasn't found a new employer. Doug Miller of MLB.com lists the switch-hitter as an option for Kansas City "if the price is right."
Minnesota Twins
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The To-Do List
Sign a Starting Pitcher
With the highest ERA in baseball, the Minnesota Twins' starting staff was an absolute mess in 2014.
The team is casting a wide net to help fix that problem. According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, the Twins have checked in on Francisco Liriano, Edinson Volquez, Justin Masterson and Brett Anderson.
Liriano is by far the best pitcher in that group, but he's also the only one who would cost Minnesota a draft pick after he rejected a qualifying offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Look into Trading Trevor Plouffe
Outside of Chase Headley, the free-agent class of starting third baseman is nonexistent. As a result, Trevor Plouffe would be a valuable chip on the trade market. With super prospect Miguel Sano still working his way through the minor leagues, there's no rush to deal away Plouffe. Still, it's an option worth exploring.
Baltimore Orioles
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The To-Do List
Ship out a Starting Pitcher
With six starting pitchers angling for a spot in the 2015 Opening Day rotation, the Baltimore Orioles are in a prime position to trade away a starter.
According to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, lefty Wei-Yin Chen has drawn the most trade interest of any player on the club's 25-man roster. However, as Connolly points out, the arm that the O's would prefer to deal is Ubaldo Jimenez. The right-hander pitched his way out of the rotation in 2014 and is still owed $38.75 million over the next three seasons.
Revamp the Lineup by Trading for Matt Kemp
With Nelson Cruz leaving for the Seattle Mariners and Nick Markakis joining up with the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore's lineup has been depleted this offseason.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Orioles have talked to the Los Angeles Dodgers about acquiring Matt Kemp. Bringing in the two-time All-Star would provide a much-needed boost to the reigning AL East champs' lineup.
Boston Red Sox
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The To-Do List
Bring Back Jon Lester
David Ortiz definitely wants Jon Lester to rejoin to the Boston Red Sox.
"Now is the time to step up," Ortiz told Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston when asked if he'd like the lefty to return to Fenway Park.
ESPN's Buster Olney told WEEI that he expects the winning bid for Lester to surpass the $150 million plateau. According to Rob Bradford and Alex Speier of WEEI, principal owner John Henry flew to Atlanta to meet with the lefty.
Explore the Trade Market for Yoenis Cepsedes
The Red Sox have an abundance of outfielders, and Yoenis Cespedes is the "obvious odd man out,' per Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. The winter meetings will provide the team with plenty of opportunities to see just what kind of value the Cuban outfielder has.
New York Yankees
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The To-Do List
Bring Back Brandon McCarthy
The New York Yankees don't need to sign Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields. What the club needs to do is re-sign Brandon McCarthy. After landing in the Bronx following a midseason trade, the right-hander reeled off a 7-5 record and a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts.
Look into Building a Super Bullpen
With Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances already in the mix, the Yankees already have two of the most dominant relievers in the AL. If the team re-signs closer David Robertson, New York would have a bullpen that would effectively turn every game into a six-inning contest.
The opportunity to do just that should be enough to convince the club to hand Robertson the four-year deal he's seeking, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Tampa Bay Rays
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The To-Do List
Find a Taker for Matt Joyce
The Tampa Bay Rays are willing to deal Matt Joyce, according to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports. The left-handed hitter offers decent power but is set to earn a raise via arbitration after making $3.7 million in 2014.
Add Another Bullpen Arm
The Rays could be looking to bring in another late-inning reliever, per Bill Chastain of MLB.com. Chastain notes that Tampa Bay likely won't target a prominent reliever, but rather shop for a buy-low candidate who was either injured or underwhelmed in 2014.
Toronto Blue Jays
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The To-Do List
Find a Way to Add a Top-of-the-Rotation Starter
Having already landed Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson, the Toronto Blue Jays have made some big-time moves this offseason. Even with those additions, there's still one fundamental piece the team is lacking: an ace.
According to Greg Chisholm of MLB.com, the Blue Jays aren't "expected to be a major player" in the races for Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields. With those starters out of the picture, the next-best option would be to pursue a trade.
Add a Setup Man and a Closer
With an ERA just north of four, the Blue Jays had one of the least effective bullpens in the AL in 2014. The first goal will be to replace free-agent closer Casey Janssen. Aside from finding a new reliever to lock up the ninth inning, the Blue Jays will also have to seek out a reliable right-handed setup man.
Arizona Diamondbacks
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The To-Do List
Find a Front-Line Starter
The Arizona Diamondbacks are yet another team that needs to improve its rotation. Last year, the starting staff posted the second-worst ERA in the National League.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports cites "major-league sources" who say that James Shields is one name that the D-backs' brain trust is considering. According to Rosenthal, Arizona would have to shed payroll to make such a signing happen. Shipping out veteran catcher Miguel Montero would be one way to clear up some funds.
Land a Left-Handed Power Hitter
According to Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona, GM Dave Stewart is on the lookout for a power-hitting left-handed bat. If Stewart is going to find that player, he'll have to acquire the hitter via a trade because there just aren't any left-handed sluggers left on the free-agent front.
Colorado Rockies
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The To-Do List
Fix the Rotation
The Colorado Rockies rotation, which racked up a 4.89 ERA last season, is a nightmare.
A bounce-back season from Jhoulys Chacin would be a nice start, but there's no avoiding the fact that the Rockies need to add one or possibly two starters before Opening Day.
Trade Away Wilin Rosario
As a result of his defensive struggles, the Rockies are looking to ship out Wilin Rosario, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. While his glove work behind the plate is a question mark, Rosario has the bat to help out a number of different clubs. In parts of four big league seasons, the 25-year-old has posted a .791 OPS.
Los Angeles Dodgers
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The To-Do List
Make a Late Run for Jon Lester
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have entered the bidding for Jon Lester. A rotation headlined by Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Lester would be unreal. Then again, the club can't forget that it still needs to rebuild the bullpen.
Figure Out Who's Playing Shortstop
The Dodgers have yet to decide on a replacement for Hanley Ramirez at shortstop. The good news is that whoever the team settles on will be a defensive upgrade over Ramirez. The bad news is that it just won't be possible to find another shortstop who can hit like the Dominican.
Trade Away an Outfielder
The Dodgers have too many outfielders. Now, the question is who the team will trade away to clear up the crowd. While Matt Kemp has been mentioned in an array of rumors, one executive told Jayson Stark of ESPN that Andre Ethier is still the outfielder that the team would prefer to ship out.
San Diego Padres
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The To-Do List
Upgrade the Offense
The San Diego Padres just couldn't score any runs in 2014, as the team ranked last in baseball in that department. San Diego was particularly weak at the infield corners, but upgrades are needed all over the diamond.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Padres have checked in with the Los Angeles Dodgers about the possibility of acquiring Matt Kemp. Rosenthal also reports that San Diego has talked with the Boston Red Sox about acquiring Yoenis Cespedes.
Trade Away a Starting Pitcher
The Padres have what just about every team in baseball needs: quality starting pitchers.
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that Ian Kennedy, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, would likely top the list of trade chips. However, he also mentions Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner as starters who could potentially be moved.
San Francisco Giants
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The To-Do List
Find a Replacement for Pablo Sandoval
When it comes to the free-agent market, there aren't a lot of third basemen to chose from. In fact, the only starting-caliber player at that spot is Chase Headley. The lack of quality third basemen means that Headley is a prime candidate to get overpaid this winter.
Consider Bringing Back Melky Cabrera
The Giants have "expressed interest" in signing Melky Cabrera, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The outfielder previously played for the NL West club in 2012, but his season came to a crashing halt when he was handed a 50-game ban for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Despite his unceremonious exit, one Giants "veteran" told Rosenthal that there would be no problem with bringing Cabrera back.
“I don’t think anybody in the clubhouse cares. He’d be a great addition.”
Chicago Cubs
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The To-Do List
Sign Jon Lester
The Chicago Cubs have been making a major pitch to sign Jon Lester. Before Thanksgiving, the team gave the lefty a "significant offer" worth more than $135 million, according to David Kaplan of CSN Chicago (h/t CSN's Tony Andracki).
The starter remains unsigned, but the Cubs have since enlisted Ryan Dempster, a former teammate of Lester's and now a special assistant to president of baseball operations Theo Espstein, to help recruit the 30-year-old, per Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
Bring in a Veteran Catcher
After missing out on Russell Martin, the Cubs are still trying to find a veteran backstop, according to Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago. Mooney suggests that the team could check in on the availability of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero. Another option would be to sign a veteran free agent like David Ross who could take on a part-time role with the club.
Get Rid of Edwin Jackson's Salary
Edwin Jackson is making a ton of money for a pitcher who reeled off a 6-15 record and a 6.33 ERA in 2014. Over the next two seasons, the right-hander is owed $26 million. For that reason, Muskat identifies Jackson as a prime candidate to get traded this offseason. Of course, to get rid of Jackson the Cubs would likely have to take on another albatross contract.
Cincinnati Reds
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The To-Do List
Explore Trading for Justin Upton
The Cincinnati Reds need to add a bat in the outfield. As Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, it wouldn't be easy to reach a deal with the Atlanta Braves for Justin Upton, but the right-handed hitter would be a "great fit." It would be an expensive fit too. Upton, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, will make $14.5 million in 2015.
Decide Which Starter to Trade
There's about to be some serious turnover in the Reds rotation. Mat Latos, Mike Leake, Alfredo Simon and Johnny Cueto all hit the open market next winter. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com dubs Cueto the "least likely" to be traded. Then again, he'd also bring back a monster return.
Milwaukee Brewers
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The To-Do List
Add a Left-Handed Reliever
With Zach Duke joining up with the Chicago White Sox on a three-year, $15 million deal, the Milwaukee Brewers have an opening in the bullpen for another left-handed reliever. While finding another lefty should be one of the team's top priorities, the Brewers don't need to acquire a big-name reliever because Will Smith is already in the fold.
Look into Trading for Allen Craig
According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, the Brewers are one of the teams that "have been interested" in Allen Craig. The right-handed hitter, who is rebounding from an injury-riddled 2014 season, would be an excellent buy-low addition.
Pittsburgh Pirates
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The To-Do List
Re-Sign Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano is one of the Pittsburgh Pirates' "top targets," according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. That makes a ton of sense considering that Liriano is the best left-handed starter on the market not named Jon Lester.
Consider Trading Pedro Alvarez
With both Ike Davis and Gaby Sanchez axed from the roster, one option for the Pirates would be to plug Pedro Alvarez in at first base.
As Tom Singer of MLB.com explains, another option would be to ship out Alvarez, as well. The 27-year-old endured a disappointing 2014 season, but Singer argues that his power would still make him a valuable asset on the trade market.
St. Louis Cardinals
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The To-Do List
Find a Right-Handed Hitter
According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, the "primary target" for the St. Louis Cardinals entering the winter meetings is to acquire a right-handed hitting first baseman. Adding just such a bat would help balance out a lineup which is stacked with left-handed hitters.
Decide Whether to Make A Push for Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is from the St. Louis area, but that doesn't mean the right-handed ace has any interest in taking a "hometown discount," as Langosch reports.
So far this winter, the market for Scherzer has been remarkably quiet. While the Cardinals can't be ruled out of the bidding for the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner, Langosch writes that it's more likely that St. Louis would go for a "middle-tier" starter.
Atlanta Braves
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The To-Do List
Find the Best Return for Justin Upton
Justin Upton has drawn trade interest from at least five different teams, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. With the powerful right-handed hitter slated to become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, now is the time for the Atlanta Braves to deal Upton to the highest bidder.
Bring in Another Starting Pitcher
Acquiring another starting pitcher should be right near the top of the Braves' offseason to-do list. As it currently stands, the big league staff consists of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Mike Minor and Shelby Miller. Considering the relative youth of all of those arms, adding an established veteran starter would be a shrewd move.
Miami Marlins
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The To-Do List
Sign Jose Fernandez to a Contract Extension
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Miami Marlins have offered Jose Fernandez a six-year contract extension worth approximately $40 million. GM Dan Jennings remains optimistic that the sides will reach an agreement, telling Heyman: "We'll get it done." It's possible that Jennings is right, but it's going to take a lot more than $40 million to make a deal happen.
Find a Power Bat
Like so many other teams, the Marlins are looking to add some pop to the lineup this offseason. Ideally, the Fish would add a left-handed hitting impact bat. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that Chris Davis is a player who the club could look into acquiring via trade.
New York Mets
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The To-Do List
Find a Taker for One of the Club's Veteran Starters
With a surplus of options for the club's starting rotation, the New York Mets are looking to ship out either Bartolo Colon, Jonathon Niese or Dillon Gee, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. While trading away one of the veterans would offer the club some financial flexibility, it won't help the team land what it really needs: a shortstop of the future.
Figure out Who's Playing Shortstop
Right now, Wilmer Flores is on track to be the team's starting shortstop on Opening Day 2015.
Finding an upgrade at that spot will be a major challenge, as there simply aren't that many quality players to be had on the free-agent and trade fronts. At the least, New York's front office can use the winter meetings to lay the groundwork for a potential deal later in the offseason.
Philadelphia Phillies
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The To-Do List
Get Rid of Ryan Howard's Contract
The Philadelphia Phillies "continue to shop" Ryan Howard, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. The NL East team will have to eat a ton of cash to make any deal happen. The 35-year-old hit .223 in 2014 and is still owed $60 million.
Explore the Trade Market for Carlos Ruiz
The Phillies need to get younger, and trading away Carlos Ruiz would definitely help the club in that department.
There wouldn't appear to be much of a market for a 35-year-old catcher who's under contract for the next two seasons. However, the Phillies might just be able to make something happen thanks to the dearth of quality backstops to be had on the trade and free-agent markets.
Washington Nationals
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The To-Do List
Figure out What to Do with Jordan Zimmermann
The Washington Nationals are in the process of trying to sign Jordan Zimmermann to a contract extension, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. As Rosenthal notes, the NL East champs have made "multiple attempts" to ink the right-handed ace to a multiyear deal.
If no agreement can be reached, dealing Zimmermann, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, makes all sorts of sense.
Find a Second Baseman
It remains to be seen just who will be playing second base for the Nats in 2015.
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, "there is a good chance" the team won't bring back Asdrubal Cabrera to play that position. Ladson points to Jed Lowrie as the top free-agent candidate for the job, while speculating that Howie Kendrick could be a trade target for Washington.
Note: All stats courtesy of MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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