MLB Free Agents 2017: Rumors, Predictions for Eric Hosmer, Greg Holland and More

As the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers continue to battle it out in the 2017 World Series, the 28 other teams in Major League Baseball are focusing their energy on the start of free agency with the goal of playing for a championship next year. 

The top of this winter's free-agent class is hitter heavy, with players like Eric Hosmer, J.D. Martinez, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas looking to cash in. Justin Upton could join that group if he decides to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Angels. 

Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish are the cream of the pitching crop, with Masahiro Tanaka also a potential free agent with an opt-out clause of his own. 

Looking at the group of players poised to hit the market when free agency begins in November, here are the latest rumors and predictions for teams to upgrade their roster. 

Greg Holland, RP

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

By most measures, Greg Holland's 2017 comeback with the Colorado Rockies was a wild success. The 31-year-old closer tied for the National League lead with 41 saves, and he had a 3.61 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 40 hits allowed in 57.1 innings.

Holland is going to test the free-agent market coming off that strong season. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported the right-hander is opting out of his deal with the Rockies, and his agent, Scott Boras, "believes it’s time for an explosion of salaries for bullpen stars."

There are two connective problems Holland and Boras will have in their attempt to break the bank this winter. 

Holland missed the entire 2016 season after having Tommy John surgery. He came back out of the gate last season looking completely refreshed with a 1.62 ERA in 33.1 innings during the first half, making the NL All-Star team in the process. 

The second half showed cracks in Holland's foundation. He posted a 6.38 ERA with five home runs allowed in 24 innings. 

Despite those numbers, there is good news for Holland. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the St. Louis Cardinals, who won't have Trevor Rosenthal in 2018 after his own Tommy John surgery, intend to "pounce" on Holland.

There aren't a lot of contending teams that need to address their closing situation. Only the Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels really stand out as needing to find an arm for the back of their bullpen. 

Cubs closer Wade Davis is set to hit free agency. Angels closer Bud Norris, who is also hitting the market, fell off a cliff with a 7.01 ERA after the All-Star break. 

Because the Cardinals have already reportedly identified Holland as their man, they seem like the best bet as his landing spot in what should be an unpredictable market for closers. 

Prediction: Holland signs with the Cardinals

Eric Hosmer, 1B

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Hosmer has been synonymous with Kansas City Royals baseball since making his MLB debut in 2011. He helped the franchise reach back-to-back World Series in 2014 and 2015, including winning a championship in 2015. 

Now, with Hosmer coming off a career year, the Royals will have to open their wallets if they hope to retain the 28-year-old. 

Per Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, the Royals have made Hosmer "their top offseason priority" as they face a huge offseason that will determine their long-term future in the American League Central. 

Hosmer, Cain and Moustakas are all free agents. That trio combined for 166 extra-base hits and 228 RBI last season. 

It's not surprising the Royals have singled out Hosmer. He's the youngest player in that group and set career highs in batting average (.318), on-base percentage (.385) and tied his career high with 25 home runs last season. 

Boras is Hosmer's agent, and he won't settle for less than what he believes his client is worth. Mellinger reported one National League executive believes Boras will attempt to get Hosmer an eight-year, $200 million deal. 

If that's the case, the Royals would be better off trying to add multiple pieces to their lineup and starting rotation rather than tying up so much money in one player. 

The Royals are also in a bind because Hosmer has some leverage coming off a career year, but that also speaks to the risk involved with giving him a long-term deal. 

One year ago at this time, Hosmer had a below-replacement level season. He was worth minus-0.1 FanGraphs wins above replacement with a .266/.328/.433 slash line.

That player is barely worth a one-year qualifying offer, let alone one of the most expensive contracts in MLB history.  

The upside for Kansas City is there are a lot of first baseman available, including Hosmer, Carlos Santana, Mitch Moreland and Logan Morrison that could potentially drive prices down. 

A team like the Boston Red Sox does have a need at first base, assuming Hanley Ramirez takes over at DH full time, and they have significantly deeper pockets to pay for Hosmer if they want to get involved in the bidding. 

Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski is not shy about taking bold risks. He gave Miguel Cabrera an eight-year contract extension with the Detroit Tigers in 2014 when he still had two years left on his contract. That deal has turned into an albatross for the Tigers, but Dombrowski felt it necessary to hand out at the time.

Prediction: Hosmer signs with the Red Sox

Jonathan Lucroy, C

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

One year after leading all MLB catchers with 4.6 FanGraphs wins above replacement, Jonathan Lucroy picked a bad time to have a down season. 

The 31-year-old could have set himself up for a huge payday if he were hitting free agency last winter, but coming off a disappointing 2017 with a .265/.345/.371 slash line for the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies, his earning power seems up in the air. 

Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported Oct. 17 that the Rockies are hoping for a reunion with Lucroy. 

"Lucroy is headed for free agency, but the Rockies are expected to attempt to turn his 'them' into 'us,'" Harding wrote. 

That line is in reference to Lucroy saying after losing the wild-card game to the Arizona Diamondbacks that the experience is "going to make them better for next year, and for years after that."

Lucroy did take kindly to his surroundings in Colorado after being acquired in a trade on July 31, hitting .310/.429/.437 with more walks (27) than strikeouts (19) in 142 at-bats. 

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post speculated Lucroy could get a deal similar to Jason Castro's three-year, $24.5 million pact with the Minnesota Twins from last year.

One thing working in Lucroy's favor is he's represented by Boras, who has a knack for getting money for his clients even when it seems unlikely to be there. He convinced the Detroit Tigers to give Prince Fielder $214 million at the end of January in 2012.

A strong close to 2017 does give Lucroy some negotiating leverage, but his potential price tag keeps him in a comfortable range for a return to the Rockies. Colorado had a breakout season and should keep adding pieces to make a deep run to the postseason next year. 

Retaining Lucroy is the Rockies' best bet to achieve that goal. 

Prediction: Lucroy re-signs with Rockies