2014-15 MLB Free Agents: Buzz and Predictions for Top Options Left on Market

The amount of high-end talent left on the MLB free-agent market is beginning to dwindle. What started out as a pretty strong class overall has seen most of those big names land new deals. So teams looking for a marquee addition need to act quickly.

Another one of those stars came off the board early Wednesday, as Jon Lester reached an agreement with the Chicago Cubs, as noted by ESPN Chicago. It wouldn't be a surprise if the other chips started falling relatively quickly with that deal now in place.

Let's check out the top players left on the market following the Lester signing. After examining some of the latest buzz, a prediction will be made for where each of the coveted targets will land.

Max Scherzer (SP)

Scherzer hit the open market at exactly the right time. He's coming off the two best seasons of his career and still has a reasonable amount of innings under his belt for a 30-year-old starter (1,239.1). Add in his improved command to go along with the always electric stuff and you have a true ace.

The right-hander turned down an extension offer from the Detroit Tigers before the season. He instead opted to bet on himself, and soon we'll find out if it was the right decision. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports he's certainly shooting for the moon:

It's a number that quickly eliminates a lot of teams from contention. Whichever team does end up shelling out that type of money—or something in the neighborhood—is betting on elite production for three or four seasons, because it's unlikely he'll be able to maintain that value for the entire duration.

The New York Yankees are a logical option, and the Tigers would love to keep him in the mix. Yet the reigning champion San Francisco Giants could use another cornerstone piece after losing Pablo Sandoval and may be willing to go all-in to create a Scherzer-Madison Bumgarner one-two punch.

Prediction: Giants

James Shields (SP)

They call him "Big Game James" despite a 5.46 career postseason ERA. In reality, his value comes from his consistency rather than rising to the occasion in certain moments. He's made at least 31 starts in eight straight seasons. That durability remains an underrated trait in today's game.

Although the buzz around Shields has been comparatively limited so far, it should begin to pick up now that Lester is off the market. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Los Angeles Angels are one team that could pick up their pursuit by moving C.J. Wilson to clear space:

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Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson is available in trade, rival GMs say, causing some to wonder whether they might be trying to set things up for a big run at a bigger pitcher, either via free agency (Max Scherzer, James Shields) or trade.

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The only problem for the Angels would be selling low on Wilson. He struggled with his control last season, leading to a down year (4.51 ERA). He was a much better pitcher over the previous four years. Shields would represent an upgrade, but they would need to get an impact piece for Wilson first.

Other teams that are logical links include the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and any teams that fall out of the Scherzer sweepstakes. The Angels are the pick because it seems like they are gearing up to make a run at a big name, but the Shields market could change rapidly over the next few weeks.

Prediction: Angels

Melky Cabrera (OF)

Cabrera has played for five different teams over the past six seasons. Aside from a mostly disastrous 2010 campaign with the Atlanta Braves, he's provided rock-solid production with a high average, a good on-base percentage and some pop.

That's enough to make him the top hitter left on a market that's dominated by starting pitchers. While that could eventually increase his options as teams who fall out of other bidding wars look for an impact piece, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports states one team is ahead of the pack:

Seattle's pitching staff is already good enough to make a playoff push. Making the lineup deeper was a necessity coming into the offseason, though. The effort started by adding Nelson Cruz and could take another step forward with Cabrera.

The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox are other teams that could use an upgrade in the corner outfield spots. Chicago has already been active during the offseason as well. But it sounds like teams would really have to step up to beat out Seattle at this point.

Prediction: Mariners