10 Under-the-Radar MLB Storylines Heading into the Offseason

By now we all know all the big-name, high-profile free agents that will make and dominate the headlines this coming baseball offseason: Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes and C.J. Wilson are available; there are managerial openings on three of baseball's highest-profile franchises; and the Marlins have a new logo, new stadium and new uniforms. 

Every offseason, there are numerous little moves and decisions made on every team. The loyal fans that follow the team know plenty about those (and every other decision) smaller moves. Loyal fans tend to follow their teams at a very intimate level. 

The rest of the baseball community may or may not know about these smaller moves though. Where and what are the moves that may or may not happen this offseason that could end up having big impacts next season? Here are a few to keep an eye on. 

The Minnesota Twins Closer Position

At the conclusion of the 2009 regular season, Joe Nathan would have rightfully been on any short list of top five closers in all of baseball. 

Six seasons of 30 or more saves, four with earned run averages of under two—Joe Nathan was dominant. Then he had a nightmarish postseason against the Yankees in the 2009 playoffs. That was followed by a rocky spring training in 2010 and then, just as the 2010 regular season was poised to begin, Nathan found out he would miss the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Nathan returned in 2011. Some pitchers seem to be nearly identical in their performance and results when they return from Tommy John surgery. Nathan was not. 

He had an earned run average of over four—he wasn't "lights-out." He reclaimed his closer job, then lost it and then reclaimed it again. Along the way, there were flashes of his previous dominance as well as signs that perhaps he wouldn't ever be the same pitcher that was nearly automatic out of the bullpen from 2004 through 2009. 

Nathan had an option on his contract at the conclusion of the 2011 season. It was pricey ($12.5 million) and the Twins declined it. 

Now the Twins are in the market for a closer. They may offer the job to Nathan—but it will be done at a lower price. Nathan, of course, wants to close. If he returns to Minnesota then the story will be "Can Joe Nathan return to his previous dominance?" If not, then the story becomes "Who will be the closer In Minnesota?" 

Fellow closer Matt Capps is also a free agent. Could Glen Perkins, who had a few saves down the stretch, get the job? Could the Twins bring back Nathan? Could a pitcher such as Jose Mijares step in and claim the job?

It's worth watching. 

Who Will Be the Catcher for the Dodgers?

About an hour before the July 31st trade deadline this past summer, the Red Sox acquired left-handed starter Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners. It was a three-team trade and the Los Angeles Dodgers were part of it as well. The Dodgers shipped outfield prospect Trayvon Robinson to the Red Sox for three minor leaguers, Robinson was then paired with Red Sox prospect Chih-Hsien Chiang and sent to Seattle in exchange for Bedard. 

Bedard was, of course, solid in a few starts for the Red Sox and then got injured and was rarely seen down the stretch. Trayvon Robinson made some productive appearances for the Mariners in the outfield and former Red Sox catching prospect Tim Federowicz made a few appearances for the Dodgers down the stretch behind the plate. 

With veteran Rod Barajas a free agent and the pool of free-agent catchers mostly a collection of past-their-prime veterans, the Dodgers may in fact open 2012 with a 24-year-old rookie catcher behind the plate. 

The expectations for Tim Federowicz will be modest. The Dodgers aren't expecting Joe Mauer to emerge here. They'd merely want him to field the position effectively (something most people expect him to be able to do) and hit big league pitching serviceably (something that remains to be seen). If the Dodgers can get that out him though, it would be a story. 

Buried in the Red Sox system behind top hitting prospect Ryan Lavarnway, Federowicz wasn't expected to see big league time in Boston anytime in the near future. The path in Los Angeles is clear though, and he may be poised to take full advantage of that.  

Will Middlebrooks

When you're a top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, you're never really "under the radar" in Boston. For those outside the reach of the Red Sox Nation though, the name Will Middlebrooks may or may not be one you're familiar with. 

You're going to be. It might be because he becomes a big-time star at the major league level, it might be because he doesn't or perhaps he could be part of a high-profile trade in the coming offseason or even during the 2012 regular season. 

One way or another, he's going to have an impact. Middlebrooks isn't the next Mike Schmidt but he's still got plenty of big league potential. He's young (23), he's got a good glove and while playing at three different minor league levels last season, he managed to put together a very solid season—a .285 batting average with 23 home runs and 94 runs batted in in just 116 games.

He lacks plate discipline, which is a quality the Red Sox have traditionally placed a very high premium on. That could impede his path to becoming an everyday big league player. It might not though. 

When the Red Sox traded for and then subsequently signed first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to a long-term contract last season, that meant that Kevin Youkilis would have to move back to his original third base position. His first season there was one Youkilis would prefer to forget. Lackluster fielding, a string of nagging injuries and a subpar season at the plate coupled with the team's own terrible finish have all led to Youkilis possibly becoming trade bait. 

Youkilis is be a player other teams would have interest in. He could also become the Red Sox designated hitter if David Ortiz leaves via free agency. Either scenario would open up the Boston starting third base position. 

Could Will MIddlebrooks be poised to become the Red Sox starting third baseman? A thumb injury has sidetracked his offseason development but David Ortiz doesn't care about that. If he leaves, then there's a real chance that Youkilis becomes the designated hitter. That would leave the third base spot open for a battle between Middlebrooks and Jed Lowrie.

Regardless of how all of these scenarios play out, one thing seems certain: Will Middlebrooks is worth keeping an eye on this offseason. 

Michael Morse

Quiz time: Who were the top three first baseman in the National League in the category of OPS last season? Easy, right? Fielder, Votto and Pujols. 

Not so fast. Fielder and Votto were first and second. Pujols was fourth—that's because Washington Nationals first baseman Michael Morse was third. 

Morse had a tremendous season last year. So why are the Washington Nationals being linked to names like Prince Fielder? Simple: They have the money to spend and the desire to get him.

In addition, the Nationals feel like Morse could move back to the outfield where he played 55 games last season. That way they could retain his bat and still add another slugger in Fielder.

Could it happen? Sure it could—the Nats have plenty of money to spend. Then again, maybe Morse feels better at first base. They'd be silly to tinker with Morse too much after the season he had last year. He probably won't be able to repeat his performance but it seems likely that he could be a very productive first baseman in DC for the next few years, and at his current rate of just over $1 million a year, he's a pretty big bargain.

With Adam LaRoche signed through the end of the 2012 season, he could be dealt to another team fairly easily. That would open up an outfield spot for Morse. Either way, Morse's performance last season has made him a factor in a number of key decisions for the Nationals this offseason.  

Where Does Jesus Montero Fit on the 2012 Yankees?

Jesus Montero is one of the brightest young offensive prospects to come through the Yankees organization in a long time. 

He's been one of those guys the Yankees have been begged to include in the myriad of trade offers the Yankees have received over the past few years. He arrives in New York with a projected higher ceiling than current Yankee stars Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner did. How good can Montero be? 

That's a great question and there's only one way to find out: Play him. 

The Yankees intend to do just that in 2012 and now the big question is where? And not just where in 2012, but where does he play down the road as well? 

In 2012, it's beginning to look like Montero will spend time at a combination of catcher and designated hitter. That could change if Nick Swisher is dealt but since that hasn't happened yet, for now, that's where Montero's 2012 will be played out. 

It's early though. There's a long offseason in front of us. The Yankees have Montero and Russell Martin on the roster; they're both right-handed hitters. Alex Rodriguez appears to be declining physically. Can he bounce back next season or will he need to move from his perch at third base to the designated hitter slot? 

New York picked up Nick Swisher's option but that doesn't mean he can't be traded. An open right field slot would enable the Yanks to get Montero into the outfield something many observers have long thought the Yanks would eventually do. That's because the Yankees have two more top catching prospects in their system. 

Austin Romine is already considered a better fielder than Montero; his bat is not even close to being as lethal. Nonetheless, Romine will eventually be a major league catcher. It might not be on the Yankees but as of now, he's coming soon. 

Then there's Gary Sanchez, who is currently in the lower levels of the Yankees minor league system. Sanchez may be the best combination of both hitting and fielding that the Yankees have in their system at the catching position. He's not big league-ready yet but his presence will have an influence on the decisions they make regarding Montero and Romine.

This situation could impact a ton of players and is worth monitoring through spring training and beyond. 

The Young Angels

There were a few years when the Los Angeles Angels had some big-name prospects arrive in the majors and not pan out. Names like Dallas McPherson and Brandon Wood leap to mind. 

Those days appear to be fading into the rearview mirror. Last season saw players such as Peter Bourjos, Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo and Jordan Walden have major impacts on the Angels and this season should also feature extended playing time for mega-prospect Mike Trout. 

These five players will see their roles and responsibilities expand in the 2012 season. Trout in particular will enter the season with lofty expectations. 

There have been rumblings that the Angels will look to move Bourjos since both he and Trout are speedy outfielders and the team has Vernon Wells, his bloated contract and Torii Hunter on the team already. Wells might not be going anywhere but Hunter is a free agent following this season. That should clear the way for one of baseball's youngest and fastest outfield duos in 2013. 

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how great of an impact the other three players have. 

Walden was one of baseball's best young closers last season. He's likely to either win or finish very high in the 2011 American League Rookie of the Year voting. He did stumble a bit down the stretch but he'll enter the 2012 season with the job as Angels closer as his to lose. 

Conger spent the 2011 season backing up starter Jeff Mathis. Mathis at 28 years of age managed to hit just .174 last year. That may help clear a path for Conger who, like Mathis, is considered very strong defensively, but unlike Mathis, is only 23 years old and could further develop offensively with added opportunities. 

Finally, Mark Trumbo may be the guy that beats out teammate Jordan Walden for AL Rookie of the Year. Trumbo, who won the starting first base job in spring training, was one of the American League's top power hitters last season. At 29 home runs and 87 runs batted in, his numbers are impressive and although he only hit .254, the power seems quite real.

Trumbo could start 2012 at first base in Los Angeles or he could possibly be dealt if the team signs a high-profile free agent such as Prince Fielder. 

When one thinks of the Angels, the first names that leap to mind are generally guys like Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Torii Hunter. That's poised to change. It started to last season and next season it may be become even more apparent. 

Who Is Going To Hit on the Padres?

That's Ryan Ludwick in the picture above. He led the San Diego Padres in home runs with 11 and runs batted in with 64. He also didn't play for the Padres after being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31st. 

When your team leader in the power categories puts up anemic numbers and isn't even on your team for the final two months of the season, you've got some serious problems. 

Someone is going to produce some form of offense for the Padres in 2012, won't they? One person that will definitely get a chance is prospect Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo was one of the centerpieces of the trade that sent All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. He was called up last season and struggled, hitting just .141 in 128 at-bats. 

In spite of those struggles, he'll be given every opportunity to win the first base job in spring training. Then again, the guy who could beat him out for that job, Jesus Guzman, may end up being fairly productive as well. 

Guzman, who doesn't possess the power potential of Rizzo is guy that always seems to hit .300. Last season was no exception. He hit .312 in 247 at-bats in the big leagues and .332 in 286 at-bats in AAA-ball.

One way or another, someone will bat in the middle of that lineup and drive in some runs. Who that is will be an interesting storyline to follow.  

Ichiro Is in Right but Who Else Is in the Seattle Outfield?

For the past 11 years, Ichiro Suzuki has been a fixture in right field for the Seattle Mariners. The other two outfield spots? Not so much. 

Next season will be real mystery for Mariner fans. Can Franklin Gutierrez return from injury? Can Casper Wells, Trayvon Robinson, Mike Carp or Michael Saunders become a consistent everyday player ? If Gutierrez can't return to form, then can two of those guys become solid everyday contributors?

Maybe the Mariners will sign a free-agent outfielder to add more experience to the position. They might not though. All four of the players listed do have potential.

As of now, the odds seem to be that Gutierrez comes back and reclaims his center field position. He's a Gold Glove winner and should perform at an elite level with regards to his glove.

Left field appears to be in the hands of Trayvon Robinson. Robinson was the top prospect in the Dodgers organization and then arrived in Seattle in the Eric Bedard deal on July 31st, 2011. He's got both speed and power as well as a good glove. Carp can easily move to the DH position. Robinson may have the inside track as of now, but a lot can change between now and Opening Day.

Trades...free agency...what if Casper Wells has a monstrous spring training while Robinson labors through a slump? Lots of questions with concrete answers still pending.  

Red Sox Right Field Position Is Open...or Is It?

This much we know. JD Drew's time as the starting right fielder in Boston is over. The free agent won't be re-signed by the Red Sox and may be heading toward retirement. 

Who's next? That's a little murky. The bulk of attention is already being focused on potential free-agent replacements for Drew. Carlos Beltran, Grady Sizemore—either could be signed by the Red Sox. 

There are also two lesser-known (by those outside the Red Sox Nation) outfield prospects. One is Josh Reddick, who spent considerable time in right field last season.

Reddick has been back and forth between Boston and Triple-A Pawtucket for the past three seasons. He has had mixed results. Last season was a lot more good than bad for Reddick. Yes, Reddick experienced a September slump much like nearly his entire team did. That doesn't change the fact that he also had a very solid summer playing right field while JD Drew recovered from yet another injury. 

Ryan Kalish didn't play at all last season. He had shoulder surgery just after the conclusion of spring training last year and would end up playing only 24 games in the minors. 

Things were different in 2010 though. In 2010, Kalish arrived in the midst of a spate of serious injuries to the Red Sox. He stepped into the center field position and played quite well. He displayed power, speed and a good glove. His lost 2011 season may have caused those skills to fade from people's memories but they likely still exist. 

If the Red Sox do sign a free agent, that would likely open up the possibility that one or even both of these players could be packaged in a trade. If the Sox don't dip into the free-agent market, then these two young players will enter spring training fighting for a starting right field job in Boston. 

Lorenzo Cain Arrives in Kanas City.

Lorenzo Cain only played six games in the majors in 201, but apparently that was enough...enough for the Royals to ship last year's starting center fielder Melky Cabrera off to San Francisco to attain starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez...enough for them to hand the job to 25-year-old prospect Lorenzo Cain in 2012. 

It could change, but that Cabrera trade seems to imply it won't. Cabrera wasn't a high-priced player and he was coming off a career year. The only reason to deal him would be to clear space for the young and dynamic Cain. 

Cain has speed, power and is yet another in a seemingly endless string of highly touted Royals prospects. The team seems to finally be reaping some of the rewards of the high draft picks they accumulated through years of miserable seasons. 

Last season, Eric Hosmer burst onto the scene and will contend for the Rookie of the Year award in the American League. Mike Moustakas assumed the third base job and struggled at times but also flashed some of his All-Star potential. This coming season could be the coming-out party for Lorenzo Cain. 

Cain was a key part of the deal that the Royals made last December which sent Cy Young winner Zack Greinke to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals may have lost a Cy Young-caliber pitcher in that deal but they're hoping they got an All-Star center fielder in return. Next season they'll start to find out.