MLB Free Agents 2014: Rumors and Predictions for Top Available Players

Have you recovered yet from the unbelievable past 48 hours of the winter meetings?

We've seen so much go down in the past two days that the entire outlook for many of MLB's teams has changed. Both Chicago teams now have promising futures. The Los Angeles Dodgers are wasting no time making roster adjustments. The Oakland Athletics are selling everybody, it seems.

The 2014 winter meetings conclude today with the Rule 5 draft, but the connections made over the last few days in San Diego will have a lasting effect on the remainder of the offseason. Unsuccessful trade talks initially discussed this week could be rekindled prior to spring training, making every single conversation had this week an important one.

Those rekindled talks will hinge mostly on the remaining free agents. Teams that miss out on the top available players will have no choice but to jump to the trade market. Which clubs will be successful in luring in top talent? Continue reading for a few predictions.

Sergio Romo

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Andrew Miller, David Robertson, Pat Neshek and Luke Gregerson have all found new homes for 2015. The relief market has taken shape quickly, and the big deals signed by each of the aforementioned hurlers should act as a precursor to the deal that closer Sergio Romo will ultimately sign.

Robertson got $46 million over four years (which represents the high point of the group), while Neshek got $12.5 million over two years (the low point). Expect Romo to earn something in the middle, maybe $30 million over three years.

Because so many relievers have already signed, the report tweeted by ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick makes sense:

It's interesting to see the New York Yankees involved having already inked Miller, while the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are not surprises. Both had problems in their bullpens in 2014.

Romo has been an extremely valuable reliever over the past seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants, though he didn't become a closer until the end of the 2012 season. He was dominant in 2013, saving 38 games and posting a 2.54 ERA (2.85 FIP).

The 31-year-old struggled in the middle of last season, however, eventually relinquishing the closer's role to Santiago Casilla. 

Romo still has value to teams, but his days as a full-time closer might be over. He brings value to a team lacking bullpen depth because of his experience closing games in high-leverage situations (he was on the mound for the last out of the 2012 World Series), but he's probably best suited for a job in late-inning relief.

The Dodgers desperately need someone to fill that role. Their relievers posted the ninth-worst ERA in all of baseball (3.80).

Prediction: Dodgers

Ervin Santana

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

The Minnesota Twins made two surprising splashes last season by signing Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco to help stabilize their rotation. With more holes to fill in the starting five, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Ervin Santana is their next target:

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweets that they've already extended an offer his way:

Santana, 32 on Friday, represents arguably the top pitcher in the second tier of free-agent arms this offseason. Jon Lester, the top prize, is off the market. Max Scherzer has now stepped into the spotlight, with James Shields waiting in the wings.

Teams that are already priced out of their markets could turn to Santana. He posted a strong campaign in 2014, tossing 196 innings and striking out 179—his highest total since the 2008 season. He posted a 3.95 ERA, though his 3.39 FIP suggests that he got a little unlucky.

Santana has been a horse since the 2010 season, starting at least 30 games and tallying at least 178 innings pitched every year. He hoped to get rewarded for those numbers last season but waited late into the offseason to sign a one-year, $14.1 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.

That likely won't happen this season. Aside from the Twins, Crasnick reports that the Giants have also shown interest:

Because multiple teams have shown interest, expect a small bidding war over the next week or so. The Twins have the more pressing need. Even though the Giants missed out on Lester, they still have Madison Bumgarner to turn to in big spots. Minnesota still lacks a true ace.

Santana wouldn't be the ace on most staffs, but he'd be the leader in Minny. The first step to re-establishing legitimacy is building a strong core of pitchers. Santana would help attain that goal.

Prediction: Twins

Jed Lowrie

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Jed Lowrie only produced an OPS of .676 last year, but he's just one season removed from a slash line of .290/.344/.446 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI. Teams value that type of production up the middle, so Lowrie shouldn't have a problem finding a job.

Throw in the fact that he can also play both second and third base, and the 30-year-old should find a new home soon. Marketing himself as a shortstop is best for his next contract, however.

He has already made his wish for the length of his next contract known, tweets Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:

The Houston Astros got the best power numbers of Lowrie's career from him in 2012. He belted 16 homers in just 97 games. A three-year deal would presumably work well for both clubs. Lowrie would have his demands met, and the Astros can give top prospect Carlos Correa the necessary time to develop into the future star the organization thinks he'll become.

Astros general manager Jeffrey Luhnow told reporters at the start of the meetings that he's open to upgrading either position on the left side of the infield, via Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle:  

"

We're looking at anybody we think can complement the guys that we have. We've got (Jonathan) Villar, (Marwin) Gonzalez, (Gregorio) Petit, we've got some depth ourselves (at shortstop), but I think when you combine players that are potentially available via trade and also in the free agent market, there's enough there for clubs to get excited I'm sure.

"

Because Lowrie can play both positions, he is a perfect fit. Plus, there's no telling how much more time Correa will need to hone his skills. If he's ready within two years, Lowrie can move off shortstop and play either third or second.

Houston will have to beat several teams in the Lowrie sweepstakes. MLB.com's Anthony DiComo tweets that the New York Mets also like him:

The Mets and Astros are in a similar position in terms of shortstop depth. They both have a handful of mostly ineffective players in line for big playing time in 2015, barring an acquisition. The team most desperate for offense will likely win out.

Because the Mets are closer to contention than the Astros, they could be willing to add more money into the conversation.

Prediction: Mets

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn