One Big Potential Offseason Move for All 30 MLB Teams

This offseason is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years, and while it may be jumping the gun a bit here in early September, it is never too early to look at what moves could be made by all 30 teams this winter.

The free-agent class is headed by superstar first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, but there is plenty of mid-level talent as well. Players who could push a team over the top, pieces-of-the-puzzle type guys.

So here is a look at the top potential offseason moves for each of the 30 MLB teams, the one deal that would be best for each club to make heading into the 2012 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Sign Bruce Chen

With the trio of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Josh Collmenter all 26 years old or younger, the Diamondbacks have a solid core at the top of their rotation. However, Joe Saunders could be non-tendered in his final year of arbitration, and beyond that, the team is lacking greatly in starting pitching.

The most likely move would be for the team to add a left-handed veteran starter at a low price to fill out the back of their rotation. Chen has gone a combined 22-13 the past two seasons with a respectable 4.14 ERA.

He is making $2 million this year and while he could get a raise, the 34-year-old will likely still be a bargain.

Atlanta Braves: Trade Derek Lowe

Lowe will be 39 years old next season and he is set to make $15 million in the final year of his contract. Despite that, there were a handful of teams who showed interest in acquiring the veteran right-hander last offseason and at the deadline.

With Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor and top prospects Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado the Braves have an over abundance of pitching.

If they can find a taker for Lowe, they would not only open up a rotation spot for one of the youngsters but also provide some payroll relief.

Baltimore Orioles: Sign Ryan Ludwick

The Orioles made a splash last off season when they acquired veteran hitters to bolster their offense in Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee, J.J. Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero. While that didn't quite work out according to plan with Lee traded and Guerrero ineffective, it is a step in the right direction.

Expect the Orioles to go after a left fielder this off season, with Luke Scott's future in question and Nolan Reimold struggling in an expanded role this year.

Both Ryan Ludwick and Josh Willingham would make sense, but I think the Athletics are going to bring Willingham back, so look for Ludwick to be heading to Baltimore this offseason.

Boston Red Sox: Sign Heath Bell

The Red Sox will be in the market for some starting pitching this offseason, and will likely be in the running for Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson among others.

However, with Jonathan Papelbon hitting the market and possibly on his way out in Boston, the Red Sox would be the odds-on favorites to land Heath Bell.

Arguably the most consistent closer in baseball right now, Bell will likely come cheaper than the younger Papelbon and would represent an upgrade.

Chicago Cubs: Hire Ben Cherington as GM

While the Cubs will no doubt be thrown into the rumor mill surrounding both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, the team needs another long-term big-money contract like they need a hole in the head and they would be better off adding a couple arms to their rotation and bringing back Aramis Ramirez.

The biggest decision of the winter, by far for the Cubs is who will take over the GM role vacated by the firing of Jim Hendry.

The Cubs have a payroll rivaled by few teams, and these next two years will go a long way towards dictating what direction the franchise is heading. This will be the biggest decision the Ricketts family makes in their tenure with the team.

Cherington is the VP of Player Personnel and Assistant GM of the Boston Red Sox and the 37-year-old was trained by Theo Epstein. He has a background in scouting and coming from a winning tradition in Boston certainly helps his case.

The Ricketts said they wanted to change the landscape of the team and landing Cherington is the way to do that.

Chicago White Sox: Re-Sign Mark Buehrle

While they have fallen short of expectations this year, the White Sox are more or less locked into the team they currently have for next season with starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Mark Buehrle hitting free agency but not much else coming off the books.

That said, the team would be wise to bring Buehrle back and likely will. He has spent all 12 seasons of his career with the White Sox, winning 159 games and proving to be as durable as they come.

Not only that, but he is in the middle of one of the best seasons of his career with an 11-6 record and a career-low 3.05 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds: Trade Bronson Arroyo

The Reds signed Bronson Arroyo to a three-year, $35 million extension this past offseason as he was coming off of a 17-win season. It was an understandable move, as the team was coming off of a surprising division title and Arroyo played a large part in their success.

However, he has been abysmal this year with a 5.13 ERA and 8-11 record over 27 starts. The team has depth in the rotation, so wasting a rotation spot on him because of his contract will only hurt the team moving forward.

Look for the Reds to try to cut their losses and deal Arroyo for whatever they can get.

Cleveland Indians: Sign Coco Crisp

The Grady Sizemore era in Cleveland will likely come to an end after this season as he is set to hit free agency and has done little to warrant the team re-signing him.

That said, the team will need to address center field this off season and a lead-off hitter with solid on-base skills should be among the team's top priorities this winter.

While Crisp is not the most glamorous option, he does have 39 steals this year, plays good defense in center field and with a .331 career on-base percentage he is more than capable of being a table setter.

Colorado Rockies: Sign Jason Marquis

The Rockies landed a pair of terrific starting pitching prospects in Alex White and Drew Pomeranz in the trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians, but it is unlikely that either of them will be a part of the rotation in 2012.

Throw in the fact that Aaron Cook's $11 million option will likely be declined and the team will no doubt be adding at least one starting pitcher this winter. Jason Marquis is a familiar face, as he won 15 games and made the All-Star team in 2009 as a member of the Rockies.

He has struggled in three starts with the Diamondbacks since coming over at the deadline, but he was solid in 20 starts with the Nationals, posting an 8-5 record and 3.95 ERA. Still just 32, a return to Colorado could be a good move for Marquis and the Rockies.

Detroit Tigers: Sign Carlos Beltran

The Tigers have been as active as anyone the past few winters signing Victor Martinez, Jose Valverde, Jhonny Peralta and Brad Penny, among others. They have a clear hole at third base and in right field, and while the impact options at those positions are few and far between, there are options.

If the Cubs decide not to pick up their option on third baseman Aramis Ramirez, the Tigers have to be the favorite to sign him, but I think he'll be staying in Chicago.

Instead, look for the Tigers to go after the top outfielder on the market in Carlos Beltran, who has enjoyed a career resurgence in this, his contract year.

Florida Marlins: Sign Livan Hernandez

It is hard to believe that it has been 14 years since the then 22-year-old Livan Hernandez burst onto the scene and helped lead the Marlins to a surprise World Series title back in 1997.

Now a seasoned veteran, Hernandez is still a workhorse and a solid pitcher as he has eight wins and a 4.29 ERA this year.

A return to where it all started would give the Marlins a useful innings eater in their rotation and allow Hernandez to close out his career where it started.

Houston Astros: Trade Brett Myers

The Astros plucked Brett Myers from the scrap heap prior to the 2010 season, signing him to a $3.1 million contract, and he rewarded them with a 14-win, 3.14 ERA season.

That earned him a two-year, $23 million extension heading into this season but he has struggled to a 3-13 record so far this season with a 4.81 ERA.

Considering the Astros will almost certainly not be in contention next year, the team may be best served trading Myers, acquiring some prospects and saving some of the $11 million he is owed next season.

Kansas City Royals: Sign Ramon Hernandez

The Royals made the most of their modest free agent signings last season, as Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Francis and Bruce Chen have all performed well. They are a team on the rise, with a plethora of young talent, so expect more of the same as they wait for their youngsters to develop.

With top catching prospect Wil Myers moving to the outfield, the team's catcher of the future appears to be Salvador Perez, and while he has performed well in 20 games so far this season, he is still just 21 years old and the young rotation could benefit from adding a veteran backstop.

Hernandez is likely out in Cincinnati despite strong numbers this season of .285 BA, 11 HR, 33 RBI in a platoon role. With top prospect Devin Mesoraco on his way and Ryan Hanigan still there, they have little reason to re-sign him.

Similar to the Jason Kendall signing a few years ago, Hernandez would bring a veteran presence to a young team.

Los Angeles Angels: Sign Edwin Jackson

The Angels have perhaps the best starting pitching trio in the American League in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, and that is a big part of why they are in contention despite an average-at-best offense.

More or less stuck with guys like Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu, there is not much the Angels can do offensively, although they will be major player for Aramis Ramirez if he hits the market.

Instead, look for the team to try to add a top-tier arm to their already fantastic rotation to help off set their lineup holes even better.

Edwin Jackson is a Scott Boras client, so he won't come cheap, but he has as much upside as any free agent starter on the market this year, and he would make an incredible fourth starter.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Trade James Loney

Dodgers' first baseman James Loney has never had prototypical power for his position, and he had the misfortune of breaking into the league the same time as star outfielders Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, so more was expected of him.

Now 27, he is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2012 season and while the trade rumors that surrounded him last off season never came to fruition, this could be the year he is moved as he is eligible for a raise over his $4.875 million contract in his final year of arbitration, and the team needs to save money.

Milwaukee Brewers: Sign Carlos Pena

While the Brewers likely do not have enough money to sign Prince Fielder to the mega deal he will be seeking this winter, in losing him, they will also have his $15 million coming off the books.

Much of that will go to the raise that Rickie Weeks is receiving after this season, but in the end the Brewers should have enough to sign Carlos Pena.

While he has been solid for the Cubs this year, he is still hitting just .228. Somewhere in the range of a two-year, $20 million deal seems reasonable and he would certainly help fill the void left by Fielder.

Minnesota Twins: Re-Sign Michael Cuddyer

Despite a less-than-impressive season, the Twins decided to hold onto free agents-to-be Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel at the deadline,as they were still technically in the AL Central race.

While the team will likely try to re-sign both players, with a small budget, they are likely to only retain one of them and it needs to be Cuddyer.

Despite being three years older than Kubel, Cuddyer is immensely valuable, thanks to his ability to play multiple positions and hit for average and power.

New York Mets: Sign Jonathan Broxton

The Mets held onto shortstop Jose Reyes at the trade deadline, despite the fact that the team is heading for a rebuild and he would have brought in a bevy of prospects.

While they did it in hopes of getting a jump start on re-signing him, in the end I think he will head for greener pastures.

That leaves the Mets with a number of holes, and with Wilmer Flores unready as the shortstop of the future, a stop-gap option like Alex Gonzalez could be a viable signing.

Look for their biggest name signing to be someone to stabilize the awful bullpen, and Jonathan Broxton could be a bargain in what should be a bounce-back season.

Meanwhile, the team will bide their time until next offseason when they can make a run at someone like Josh Hamilton, Matt Kemp or some other big-name free agent-to-be.

New York Yankees: Sign Chris Carpenter

Priority No. 1 for the Yankees this off season is retaining ace C.C. Sabathia, who can opt out of his contract this year and likely will in search of a raise and some extra years.

Once that is taken care of, the team will likely look to secure another starter to flank Sabathia as the group of Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes has more questions than answers.

Looking to re-sign superstar Albert Pujols, the Cardinals will likely be forced to decline Chris Carpenter's $15 million option, and if they do, he would become the top starting pitcher in what is an extremely thin free agent class.

Oakland Athletics: Sign Jason Kubel

The Athletics need offense, and they need it badly as they have quickly compiled one of the best young rotations in baseball but simply have no offensive threats.

Look for the team to first try to re-sign Josh Willingham, and then to turn their attention to another slugging outfielder. The 29-year-old Jason Kubel represents the best of the second tier of outfielders on the market and he should come fairly cheap.

With a promising young infield of Chris Carter, Jemile Weeks and Grant Green, it will likely be an outfielder that the team targets as they seem to be taking steps in the right direction towards competing.

Philadelphia Phillies: Re-Sign Jimmy Rollins

With all the talk of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder hitting the free-agent market, little has been made of the fact that Phillies longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins is also without a contract heading into the 2012 season.

He has spent all 12 years of his career with the Phillies and while he is no longer the player that won the 2007 NL MVP at the age of 32, he is still a valuable player evidenced by his 3.3 WAR this season and chances are the Phillies will do what it takes to retain his services.

Look for the Phillies to also vie for the services of one of the big-name closers on the market, but with the emergence of Ryan Madson, that is not as pressing a need as signing Rollins.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Sign Aaron Harang

The Pirates were the surprise team of the first half of the season, and while they have faltered down the stretch, there is a lot to like about what is going on in Pittsburgh right now, as they have a good young core of players.

However, their pitchers out performed all season and they would be wise to add a veteran arm to help a rotation that has no true ace.

The Padres signed Aaron Harang this past off season to a one-year, $4.3 million deal hoping he would bounce back after three straight poor seasons in Cincinnati, and he has done just that, going 12-5 with a 3.86 ERA.

The 33-year-old could front a talented young rotation and help the team take that next step.

San Diego Padres: Sign Kosuke Fukudome

Fukudome was a flop during his four years with the Cubs, but that is more a result of the four-year, $48 million contract he signed than it was because of his performance.

He did not live up to the lofty expectations the team had for him, but there is certainly a market for a above-average defensive outfielder with a .366 career on-base percentage.

He could be a good No. 2 hitter for the Padres and should come far cheaper than his current salary.

San Francisco Giants: Sign Jose Reyes

The Giants were unable to land Jose Reyes at the deadline as many thought they would, with the Mets choosing instead to hold onto him in an attempt to get a jump on re-signing him this off season or at the very least getting draft picks in return for his departure.

While the Mets will no doubt try hard to keep him, the Giants have the money to spend on him and a clear need at shortstop. It is a perfect fit for both sides, as the Giants get a shortstop and a table setter and Reyes immediately makes the Giants favorites in the NL West.

Seattle Mariners: Trade Chone Figgins

The Mariners signed Chone Figgins with the intent of pairing him with Ichiro and wreaking havoc on the bases. Instead he was among the worst everyday players in all of baseball with a .188 average.

To put it simply, the Mariners can't afford to hand at bats to a 33-year-old when they have a talented young core of players who should be on the field.

Look for them to move him, whatever the cost, as he is due $17 million over the next two years with a vesting option in 2014.

St. Louis Cardinals: Re-Sign Albert Pujols

After shutting down negotiations when an extension wasn't reached during spring training, the Cardinals now have to contend with the other 29 teams to retain the services of the game's top slugger in Albert Pujols.

Some have put the Pujols contract in the neighborhood of $30 million per year, and if that is the case look for the Cardinals to pay the $1 million to buyout the last year of Chris Carpenter's contract.

The 37-year-old is set to make $15 million next season, and while he is still solid, he has not been his usual dominant self this year.

Tampa Bay Rays: Sign Raul Ibanez

The Rays proved willing to take a chance on a veteran hitter for cheap last off season when they inked Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez to one-year deals and they could do the same this year with Raul Ibanez.

Likely on his way out in Philadelphia, the 40-year-old Ibanez bounced back from a terrible first couple months this year and he still has some pop in his bat.

He would be a low-cost DH option who is still a capable outfielder should the team let Johnny Damon walk, which seems likely.

Texas Rangers: Re-Sign C.J. Wilson

Last season, the Rangers' watched as the pitcher who got them to the World Series, Cliff Lee departed in free agency to join the Phillies.

While C.J. Wilson is not quite in the same class as Lee, he has been great since joining the Rangers rotation last season, going 29-14 with a 3.32 ERA in that span.

With the free agent market slim, the team would be wise to do what it takes to retain the 30-year-old Wilson as he is just coming into his own

The five years he spent as a reliever mean he doesn't have quite the wear on the tires most 30-year-old starters do.

Toronto Blue Jays: Sign Prince Fielder

While Albert Pujols is the top name on the market this winter, Prince Fielder may be the most intriguing option, thanks in part to the fact that he has virtually no chance of returning to the Brewers.

Making things even more interesting is the fact that the Red Sox and Yankees will likely not be in the running for his services. While contenders like the Giants and Rangers will be in the running, teams like the Orioles, Nationals, Blue Jays and Mariners will also vie for his services.

Of that group, the Blue Jays likely have the most money to spend and pairing Jose Bautista and Fielder together would give the Blue Jays one heck of an offense.

Washington Nationals: Acquire B.J. Upton

The Nationals tried to make a splash last season when they made a run at Cliff Lee, and they settled on giving Jayson Werth more money than he deserved. However, in doing that, the team proved they were serious contenders for the league's top free agents.

In the case of this offseason, however, their most beneficial move would be picking up their center fielder of the future.

Upton has seemingly been on the outs in Tampa Bay for years now, and while he has never quite lived up to expectations he is still a multi-talented player and is only 26.

The Nationals have the organizational talent to pull off the deal, and bringing in Upton would be just one more step towards a contending team in our nation's capital.