One Risky Move All 30 MLB Teams Should Make This Offseason
The 2015 season may be in the books, but that doesn't mean the baseball headlines are going to fade. There's not a more exciting offseason in sports than MLB's, mainly because you never what to expect.
It's those risky, unexpected moves that happen during the winter that end up defining the next season. Teams take chances in the offseason, with the hope that those moves pay off in a playoff appearance come October. Over the next few slides, we'll identify a risky move that all 30 MLB teams should consider.
Teams make risky moves for a variety of different reasons because every organization is different.
Some squads may overpay in free agency if they think a certain player can get them over the hump or help them maintain their current spot. Teams like the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays need offense to become legitimate contenders, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals can't let Jason Heyward or Alex Gordon leave if they want to remain atop their respective divisions.
Other squads are faced with tough decisions regarding top players entering the final year of their contracts. Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman, Mitch Moreland, Neil Walker and others are useful players, but could, and arguably should, be wearing a different jersey before the start of 2016.
We'll touch on those scenarios and try to identify an area where each MLB team should take a chance this winter. These ideas will be controversial, so let us know what you think in the comment section below. What's a risky move you could see your team making over the coming months?
"Fortune favors the bold" as they say. Let's see how your team can benefit from taking a chance this offseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Risky Move: Sign Zack Greinke
The Arizona Diamondbacks finished sixth in MLB in position player WAR last season. With Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock, David Peralta, Ender Inciarte and Jake Lamb, the Diamondbacks have a solid young nucleus to build around.
Arizona's problem in 2015 was in its starting rotation, which ranked 23rd in ERA. Patrick Corbin and Robby Ray both posted a sub-4.00 ERA, but a staff filled with inexperienced arms could use an ace.
Enter Zack Grienke. He'll break the bank, but he may be willing to stay out West if Arizona meets his contractual demands. The Diamondbacks may not be a front-runner for his services, but Greinke could catapult them into playoff contention.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Risky Move: Trade for a front-line starter
The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of a monster reclamation project. Atlanta stripped its roster down over the course of last season, preparing for a move to a brand new stadium in 2017.
The Braves were tough to watch in the second half last season, but their rotation isn't as far away as the rest of the club. Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran are quality No. 2 and No. 3 starters, while a host of young arms will battle for the final two spots on the staff.
Atlanta won't spend big on Zack Greinke or David Price, but there are intriguing options available via trade. If the Braves could extend the likes of Chris Sale or Tyson Ross after trading for them, giving up a package of prospects from a deep system would be well worth it.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Risky Move: Trade for Ryan Howard
Obviously, Ryan Howard isn't very good. In 2015, the 35-year-old struck out over 27 percent of the time and recorded a career-low walk rate.
But of all the teams that might consider a trade for Howard, the Baltimore Orioles make the most sense. The O's offense will take a huge hit this winter if Chris Davis departs in free agency. Davis mashed 47 homeruns and drove in 117 runs, taking advantage of the short porch at Camden Yards.
Howard, while not as dangerous as Davis, could reap similar benefits by playing in such a hitter-friendly park. He pulled the ball nearly 50 percent of the time last season and has a career fly-ball rate near 50 percent. He's not the threat he once was, but his pop plays in Camden Yards.
If the Philadelphia Phillies are willing to take on the majority of Howard's remaining salary, Howard makes plenty of sense as a stopgap for the O's. It won't be a popular move, but Howard's ability to drive the baseball is something the Orioles will need without Davis in the middle of the order.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Risky Move: Acquire two front-line starters by splurging in free agency and trading prospects
No team will have more of a say on the market this winter than the Boston Red Sox. Blessed with deep pockets and an even deeper prospect pool, the Red Sox won't enter 2016 without a revamped rotation.
Inconsistent starting pitching doomed a talented Boston team in 2015. Red Sox starters ranked 24th in ERA this past season. Boston used a whopping 12 starters, with only Clay Buchholz posting a WAR greater than 3.0.
Boston figures to be in the running for David Price or Zack Greinke over the coming weeks, which indicates the Red Sox are willing to spend. If the Red Sox can add one of those two hurlers, or even someone like Jordan Zimmermann or Johnny Cueto, that would give the organization a real boost.
But President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski shouldn't stop there. The Red Sox should delve into their elite prospect pool and trade for another front-line arm. Those upgrades would improve Boston substantially and allow the Red Sox to return to the upper echelon of AL teams.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Starlin Castro
Trading a productive young player under team control for the foreseeable future doesn't sound like the brightest of ideas.
But for the Chicago Cubs, parting ways with infielder Starlin Castro makes all the sense in the world.
That doesn't mean dealing Castro is without risk. The 25-year-old has a career slash line of .281/.321/.404 and has reached double digits in homers in each of the last five seasons. Castro struggled in 2015, but ended the season on a high note with a .369 average in September.
The Cubs can still get plenty back in a trade for Castro, but his value diminished over the last year. With Addison Russell and Javier Baez ready to take over as Chicago's middle infield tandem, trading Castro in order to upgrade the ballclub in another area seems like a no-brainer.
Castro could blossom into a perennial All-Star, but the Cubs can't worry about what he may become. If trading the enigmatic infielder can help the club reach the World Series, a deal has to get done.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Chris Sale
The Chicago White Sox won't get better in the short term by trading Chris Sale, but it's a move that makes sense on multiple levels.
Sale is signed through 2017 with team options for 2018 and 2019. With Sale, Carlos Rodon and Jose Quintana, the White Sox are left-handed heavy in the rotation.
Sale is the most likely left-hander to be on the move. He has ace stuff, but his inability to stay healthy isn't ideal for a front-line starter. His contract is extremely cost-effective though, which will push teams in need of an elite starter to approach the White Sox with a compelling package.
A trade must at least be considered if Chicago is offered a king's ransom for Sale from say, the prospect-rich Red Sox. It may not go over well initially, but it's a move that's in the best interest of the White Sox moving forward.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Aroldis Chapman
Of all the risky moves on this list, trading Aroldis Chapman makes the most sense.
Chapman will enter the final year of his contract next season. After making roughly $8 million in arbitration in 2015, he'll likely see a raise closer to the $12 million range next season. When Chapman finally reaches the open market, those figures will be chump change compared to what he'll command as a free agent.
That's because Chapman is arguably the best reliever in baseball. Since his debut in 2011, Chapman ranks second among relievers in WAR and leads MLB in strikeouts per nine innings. He's also a must-see attraction, and it's hard to put a dollar figure on what that means to an organization.
Unfortunately for the Reds, trotting a closer like Chapman out of the bullpen in the ninth inning is a luxury they can't afford. Cincinnati needs to cash in on Chapman's talent this offseason to get the best possible return for a player that's all but gone after 2016.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Risky Move: Spend on two offensive upgrades
The Cleveland Indians will field a playoff-ready team regardless of what moves are made this offseason, but adding multiple free-agent hitters would make the Tribe legitimate threats in the AL Central.
Cleveland's starting pitching is already among MLB's best. Indians starters ranked first in K/9 last season, with Carlos Carrasco (fifth), Corey Kluber (sixth), Danny Salazar (12th) and Trevor Bauer (23rd) all in the top 25 in MLB in that category.
The Indians have pieces offensively, too. Jason Kipnis (5.2 WAR), Michael Brantley (3.2 WAR) and the emergence of rookie Francisco Lindor (4.6 WAR) give Cleveland a solid foundation to build around.The Tribe could use some pop around Carlos Santana in the middle of the lineup, as they ranked 22nd in MLB in homers and 19th in isolated power.
Cleveland isn't overflowing with cash to spend, but Terry Francona's club can be special if they add a tandem like Colby Rasmus and Marlon Byrd this winter.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Carlos Gonzalez for starting pitching
The Colorado Rockies shocked the baseball world by trading Troy Tulowitzki last summer. With Tulo gone, Colorado should continue its build by shipping Carlos Gonzalez out of Denver next.
Gonzalez hit a career-high 40 homers and drove in 97 runs for the Rockies this season. More importantly, the 30-year-old played in 153 games. That's the first time Gonzalez has accomplished that feat in his career.
As good of a hitter as Gonzalez is, Colorado has never had issues developing offensive talent. Unfortunately, the Rockies haven't had the pitching in recent years to compete in the NL West. Colorado doesn't need a great staff, but a 5.04 ERA isn't going to lead to a playoff berth.
By trading Gonzalez with two years left on his contract, the Rockies will get maximum value out of their best hitter. 2016 may not be a banner year for the organization with Tulowitzki and Gonzalez on other clubs, but adding additional arms is the way to build a winner at Coors Field.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Risky Move: Trade for a closer
The Detroit Tigers went through many changes last season, but one thing remained the same: a poor bullpen.
Detroit ranked 28th in bullpen WAR and 27th in bullpen ERA. Closer Joakim Soria posted a sub-3.00 ERA and saved 23 games before being traded to Pittsburgh in July. But the right-hander was actually the worst late-inning option the Tigers used all season.
It's time for Detroit and new general manager Al Avila to finally plug that long-lasting hole that seems like its haunted the organization for years. There's not a shortage of available closers, either. Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller should all be trade targets on Avila's radar.
The Tigers still have enough to contend in the AL Central. Solidifying the club's chances to win in the final innings would go a long way in reviving the proud franchise.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Carlos Gomez
The Houston Astros payed dearly for Carlos Gomez at the trade deadline. In Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired two good-looking prospects with high ceilings.
Because of what Houston gave up, it doesn't seem like it would make sense to turn around and flip Gomez. Yet, the Astros have three quality outfielders in George Springer, Jake Marisnick and Preston Tucker. Gomez will also be a free agent after 2016, so the Astros could try to recoup some of what they lost by trading the polarizing Gomez.
And that's exactly what Gomez is: polarizing. He's coming off of a subpar season plagued with injuries, and he's known to rub opponents the wrong way. He's a true five-tool outfielder when healthy, but is he worth the headaches? Would the Astros be better-suited scanning the deep free-agent outfield pool instead?
It's an interesting situation for general manager Jeff Luhnow to be in. Still, trading Gomez while he still has value makes sense for an Astros team just starting to scratch the surface of their potential.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Risky Move: Overpay to keep Alex Gordon
The Kansas City Royals finished 2015 on top of the baseball world. To stay there in 2016, re-signing Alex Gordon must be a priority this winter.
Gordon epitomizes what the Royals are all about. He gets on base at a high clip, plays outstanding defense and runs the bases well. He's been at the forefront of Kansas City's turnaround over the last few seasons, which is something that can't be overstated.
It's not like the Royals to shell out contracts exceeding $100 million, which is what Gordon figures to make this winter. But in this scenario, it makes sense to bring Gordon back into the fold, knowing what he means to the organization.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Risky Move: Trade an established starter for a bat
The Los Angeles Angels missed the postseason in 2015 because of an inconsistent offense.
That lineup is even more worrying when you consider that the Halos pencil in Mike Trout most days. But outside of Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun, L.A. received very little production from the rest of the lineup.
On the flip side, the Angels have enviable organizational depth when it comes to starting pitching. Garrett Richards (3.65 ERA) and Andrew Heaney (3.49 ERA) give the Halos rotational building blocks, while C.J. Wilson, Nick Tropeano, Matt Shoemaker, Jered Weaver and Hector Santiago provide general manager Billy Eppler with depth and tradable pieces.
While the old adage "you can never have too much pitching" is true, L.A.'s need for a bat trumps the desire to keep multiple starters. It's always risky to trade young starting pitching, but the Angels can't afford to break from spring training with the same offense it fielded this past season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Risky Move: Let Zack Greinke walk; sign two starting pitchers
Zack Greinke will likely win the NL Cy Young Award next week. The right-hander just capped off an outstanding season that saw him record one of the lowest ERAs (1.66) in recent memory.
Greinke's excellence can't be denied, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are better served to let him walk this winter. With Clayton Kershaw already atop the rotation, L.A. should take Greinke's money and use it to bolster the entire rotation by signing two free-agent pitchers this winter.
Obviously, letting a pitcher like Grienke leave town is a huge risk.
But L.A. hasn't been able to crack through in the postseason with its two-headed pitching monster anyway. Instead of getting into bed with Greinke for a huge amount of money, pursuing the likes of a Jordan Zimmermann and a Johnny Cueto would be a better use of L.A.'s enviable resources.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Risky Move: Sign Jeff Samardzija
Jeff Samardzija failed to impress in his second stint in the Windy City and cost himself plenty of money in the process. The Miami Marlins, a team that needs starting pitching, should capitalize on Samardjiza's diminished value this winter.
Samardzija's troubles aren't difficult to understand—he stopped striking hitters out and inducing ground-ball contact. The 30-year-old saw his strikeout percentage drop from 23 to 17.3 percent and his ground-ball rate plummet from 50 to 39 percent.
In his last two starts, Samardzija did show signs of his old self, allowing two earned runs and fanning nine in 16 innings. There was no dip in velocity this season, which indicates that Samardzija's problems are mechanical and thus fixable.
The Marlins ranked 18th in starters ERA last season. Losing Jose Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez didn't help matters, but adding to a depleted rotation needs to be a priority this winter. In Samardzija, Miami has a chance to snag a front-line starter for a bargain price if he can return to his previous form in 2016.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Jonathan Lucroy
The Milwaukee Brewers have developed Jonathan Lucroy into one of the top catchers in MLB. But since the club is in the process of rebuilding, dealing the 29-year-old backstop is in the best interest of the team.
Parting with Lucroy would be a brutal short-term blow for the Brewers. Since 2012, he ranks fourth in MLB in WAR among catchers, fifth in on-base percentage and fourth in slugging percentage and wRC+. From 2012 to 2014, Lucroy also ranked in the top five each season in extra strikes.
Lucroy is the total catching package. But he's 30, and has one year left on his contract barring a $5.25 team option for 2017. He's cheap and productive, which obviously translates to interest from teams around the league.
The Brewers are a few years away from competing in a loaded NL Central. Trading Lucroy can expedite that process, even though he'd be Milwaukee's most important player over the next two seasons.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Risky Move: Package top prospects for a controllable front-line starter
Every team wants to hold onto its prospects, but it's time for the Minnesota Twins to delve into its deep pool of talent to improve the major league product.
The Twins have six players in MLB.com's top 100 prospect list, which doesn't even include potential AL Rookie of the Year Miguel Sano, former top 100 prospects Alex Meyer and Kohl Stewart, 30-homer outfielder Brett Walker or the 2.01 ERA of Stephen Gonsalves.
Minnesota's talent in the developmental levels has been a source of pride for most Twins fans over the last few seasons, but the major league squad is finally ready to take the next step. The Twins exceeded expectations in 2015, finishing just three games shy of a playoff berth.
For that to happen, Minnesota must see improvements in its starting rotation. The Twins ranked in the bottom half of MLB with a 4.14 starters ERA this past season.
Over the next few months, Minnesota will have the opportunity to package a few of its top prospects in order to acquire a front-line starter that will stick around for a few seasons. If Minnesota can upgrade its rotation, it can be MLB's next Cinderella story as early as 2016.
But to do so, the Twins will have to pull the trigger on trades involving prospects they'd probably like to keep.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Risky Move: Re-sign Yoenis Cespedes
After taking the baseball world by storm in the second half, Yoenis Cespedes is in line for a huge payday this winter.
But while Cespedes has that impact bat teams covet, he's got holes in his game, too. Since his debut, he's never walked at a high clip which has resulted in poor on-base percentages. Because of that dependency on the long ball, Cespedes was considered just above a replacement-level outfielder before this season, according to his wRC+.
When he's hot, Cespedes can carry a lineup for extended periods of time. But he's susceptible to slumps (like in the 2015 World Series), which makes him one of the premier risk/reward players in the game.
With all that in mind, the New York Mets should still try to find a way to bring him back to Queens. New York's offense ranked 28th in runs pre-Cespedes and third after his arrival. He would also provide star power, which the Mets desperately need playing in New York.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Risky Move: Trade for Craig Kimbrel
Why did the New York Yankees covet San Diego Padres closer Craig Kimbrel last summer? After all, the Yankees arguably had two elite closers already on the roster in Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.
Although the move doesn't make sense on paper, trading for Kimbrel could be what puts the Yankees over the top in the AL East. As the Kansas City Royals have proven over the last two seasons, dominating innings 7-9 is just as valuable as excelling in the first six frames.
With Kimbrel on board, the Yankees would shorten games substantially. Both Betances and Miller ranked in the top six in MLB in reliever WAR last season, while Kimbrel leads baseball in that category since taking over ninth-inning duties in 2011.
Kimbrel won't come cheap and the Yankees still would have needs in the rotation. But the move would allow the club to strengthen its roster without splurging on a big-name starter. If New York can add a second-tier hurler to pair with Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino and Michael Pineda with a trio of fireballers looming in the final innings, the Yankees would suddenly have one of the best staffs in baseball top to bottom.
Oakland A's
20 of 30
Risky Move: Sign Marco Estrada
The Oakland A's are used to shopping at the clearance rack, which is what general manager Billy Beane will have to do again this winter.
Ironically, Beane and the A's build winners by not making risky moves like the ones we're suggesting in this slideshow. Yet, signing Marco Estrada to a multiyear deal based off a career year in 2015 is the type of chance that Beane is normally willing to take.
Estrada has never pitched better than he did this past season. He posted a 3.13 ERA and logged over 180 innings. The right-hander also excelled under the bright October lights, recording a 2.33 ERA in three starts.
Still, Estrada is a 32-year-old hurler with a career ERA near 4.00. His ERA was fantastic in 2015, but his FIP, strikeout rate and ground-ball rate cast doubt on if he'll be able to replicate his standout campaign in 2016.
But while other teams will be enamored with the big-name starters on the market, Beane will be targeting the likes of Estrada and other pitchers that can provide value. He's not perfect, but Estrada would fit in nicely behind Sonny Gray in the Oakland rotation.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Risky Move: Overpay for a starter that will lead the rotation when the team is ready to compete
After years of tormenting the Philadelphia Phillies fan base, former general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. left the organization in the best state its been in for a few seasons. By trading Cole Hamels, the Phillies are loaded with young talent for the years ahead.
While Philadelphia's prospects won't all hit the big leagues for a few seasons, the club shouldn't be quiet this winter. This free-agent class is exceptionally deep with starting pitchers, which is an area the Phillies could use an upgrade.
After Stephen Strasburg, the 2017 class of free-agent hurlers leaves little to be desired. That's why Philadelphia should pursue the likes of a Jordan Zimmermann or a Wei-Yin Chen, who can help develop young pitchers and lead the rotation down the road when the Phillies are ready to compete.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Neil Walker
The Pittsburgh Pirates were arguably the best team in baseball last season. Unfortunately, the Buccos couldn't get past the NL Wild Card Game for the second straight year.
Despite ending another season in disappointment, the Pirates will be back among the NL's best in 2016. The team doesn't really need to be tinkered with too much, but trading away veteran second baseman Neil Walker is a move Neal Huntington could explore.
It will surprise most people outside of Pittsburgh to know that Walker has hit 12 or more homers in six straight seasons. Walker was among the game's best at his position in 2014, slashing .271/.342/.467 with 23 long balls.
Walker's steadiness seems like a perfect fit in an explosive Pirates lineup, but he will be a free agent after the season. Pittsburgh already has three reliable infielders—Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Jung-ho Kang—and MLB.com's 66th-rated prospect Alen Hanson waiting in the wings.
Trading away a Pittsburgh-bred player like Walker is risky, but he's unlikely to re-sign with the club after the season. The Pirates can get by with a combination of Harrison, Mercer, Kang and Hanson and potentially improve the roster elsewhere by dealing their longtime second baseman.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Craig Kimbrel
Much like Aroldis Chapman and the Cincinnati Reds, keeping Craig Kimbrel on the roster is a luxury the San Diego Padres can't afford.
The Padres sent an impressive package to the Atlanta Braves for the 27-year-old closer last winter that included pitching prospect Matt Wisler and the 41st pick in last year's draft. (Caveat: the best part of the deal for ATL was shedding Melvin Upton's albatross of a contract.)
But San Diego failed to make the postseason last season and now faces plenty of questions this winter. The Padres don't have a legitimate everyday shortstop or center fielder and fielded too right-handed heavy of a lineup in 2015.
Having Kimbrel for the ninth inning didn't matter for San Diego last season, and he'll likely be wasted again in 2016. Trading him will feel like a white flag for general manager A.J. Preller considering what he gave up for Kimbrel last winter, but it's the right move for the future of the club.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Risky Move: Sign Zack Greinke
As expected, Zack Greinke's name can be found on multiple slides. That's because the right-hander figures to be on several teams' radars this winter.
One of the more intriguing landing spots for Greinke would be in San Francisco. The Giants need another hurler to pair with Madison Bumgarner atop the rotation, and Greinke would get to remain out West on a team with a winning pedigree.
More importantly, Greinke's move from Hollywood to the Bay Area would alter the landscape of the NL West. The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the division in each of the last three seasons, but that could change if the Giants were able to land Greinke's 1.66 ERA.
Greinke may not exceed $200 million—he's 32—but he's likely to earn somewhere in the $170 million to $180 million range. That's a lot of money for any team to shell out, but no organization has more to gain by signing Greinke than the Giants.
If they can somehow wrestle Greinke away from their division rivals, it could be another eventful year for the Giants.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Risky Move: Sign John Jaso to platoon with Mike Zunino
The Seattle Mariners can improve in many ways this winter, but adding an offensive-minded catcher to pair with Mike Zunino should be a priority.
Zunino was one of the worst hitters in baseball in 2015. Out of players with at least 350 at-bats, the 24-year-old finished second to last in wRC+. Zunino sports a career slash line of .193/.252/.353 and has struck out over 32 percent of the time.
But at 24, the Mariners probably aren't ready to give up on the former No. 3 overall pick. He's valuable defensively, and he's flashed the power teams look for in their backstops. Instead, Seattle should focus on finding a complement for him for the 2016 season.
That's where John Jaso comes in. The left-handed hitting catcher has a career slash line of .263/.361/.406 and crushes right-handed pitching. Jaso would allow Seattle to improve its catching situation without fully giving up on Zunino's potential.
It's risky entering the season with a murky situation at catcher, but a short-term fix best suits the Mariners in 2016.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Risky Move: Re-sign Jason Heyward
How much money is Jason Heyward really worth? It depends on who you ask.
The 26-year-old free-agent outfielder is the darling of advanced statistics. He's posted a WAR of 4.0 or greater in four of his six MLB seasons, and is one of the top defensive outfielders in the game according to the defensive runs saved metric.
On the other hand, Heyward has yet to blossom into the 30-homer slugger that many projected he would become in his younger years. He's hit over 20 home runs just once in his big league career and has also proven to be susceptible to left-handed pitching.
With that being said, the St. Louis Cardinals should still do what they can to bring Heyward back next season. He's coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and the Red Birds, while pitching-rich, aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut.
St. Louis traded away two valuable arms in Shelby Miller and emerging prospect Tyrell Jenkins to bring Heyward to town last winter. Because of that and Heyward's endless potential, the Cardinals can't afford to watch him blossom into a superstar for another team, regardless of the price tag.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Risky Move: Spend on two free-agent bats
The Tampa Bay Rays may not get much publicity, but the club isn't that far away from October baseball.
That's because Tampa Bay has one of the game's top young rotations. With the likes of Chris Archer (3.23 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (3.35 ERA) and the returns of Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Matt Moore, the Rays have the necessary pitching to compete for an AL East title next year.
But that's contingent on the club upgrading one of MLB's worst offenses from a season ago. Tampa Bay ranked 25th in MLB in runs scored and posted a .314 on-base percentage as a team.
It would be uncharacteristic, but it would be nice to see the Rays sign multiple hitters this offseason. If Tampa Bay can add some pop around Evan Longoria in the middle of the lineup, the Rays can be players again in the American League.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland has been a staple of the Texas Rangers since the club won back-to-back AL championships in 2010 and 2011. But it's time for the club and the veteran first baseman to part ways.
Moreland is entering the final year of his current contract after arguably his best season as a pro. The 30-year-old hit 23 homers and drove in 85 runs, while posting career highs in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The left-hander crushed right-handed pitching this season, making him an interesting trade chip for teams in need of left-handed pop.
Texas' middle of the lineup was overly left-handed in 2015, with Moreland, Prince Fielder and Josh Hamilton all hitting from that side of the plate. With Joey Gallo ready for the big leagues, Texas could use a right-handed bat. That's why Mike Napoli is a target for Texas this winter.
Moreland is a nice player, but he'll be 31 when he hits the market next season. The Rangers can cover for him when he leaves, and he'll interest plenty of teams in need of a left-handed thumper.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Risky Move: Splurge on David Price
The Toronto Blue Jays rode a wave of momentum all the way to the ALCS after acquiring David Price at the trade deadline last summer. As Price prepares to break the bank in free agency, the Blue Jays need to seriously consider being the team that pays him.
Price is an elite starter and a true ace. The left-hander has already won over 100 games in his career, while sporting a healthy 3.09 career ERA. Price is also throwing the ball better than he ever has at this stage in his career, recording a career-best 2.45 ERA in 2015.
More importantly, Price gave the Blue Jays the one component they desperately needed last season. His presence at the front of the rotation made Toronto's staff, a unit that struggled mightily before his arrival, that much deeper.
If Price does flirt with a $200 million deal, Toronto won't love shelling out that much cash for a 30-year-old hurler. But the Blue Jays can't waste a championship-caliber offense in 2016. Why not overpay for a top-tier hurler that's already proven he's a perfect fit for your club?
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Risky Move: Trade Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg's enigmatic major league career is about to become even more complicated over the next year. The free-agent-to-be will be linked to trade rumors throughout the offseason and could be involved in a blockbuster deal before the start of spring training.
On paper, the Washington Nationals would be crazy to part ways with the former No. 1 overall pick. Strasburg has flashed some of the best raw stuff in MLB, recording a career ERA of 3.09 and striking out over 28 percent of the batters he's faced since debuting in 2010.
Yet, Strasburg's injury past has kept him from reaching his full potential. Considering his career numbers, it's scary to think of how dominant he can eventually become.
It's just unlikely to happen in Washington. Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, seems to always lead his clients to enormous paydays, and that's where the 27-year-old Strasburg is heading next winter.
With $210 million already tied up in Max Scherzer and top pitching prize Lucas Giolito on the way, the time is now for Washington to cash in on Strasburg's potential. It's much more prudent to get a treasure trove of prospects for him now than it is to let him walk for nothing but a compensation pick next offseason.
All stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of Nov. 11.
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