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Aaron 19
So the White Sox sign nobody this offseason… interesting
martinfv2
This is where I make my usual point that there are solid players outside of the top 50, and also…trades. Plus, the Sox did already make a big move on one of the better SPs out there.
Cory
No outfielder for the Tigers? No way that happens. They aren’t going into the season with Quintin Berry/Avisail Garcia/Andy Dirks as their LF/RF combo.
Walter Partlo
There will be an OF signing/trade. Hunter makes a lot of sense. His son just committed to Notre Dame, otherwise he doesn’t leave the west coast.
EightMileCats
Hunter makes a ton of sense on a short deal…
Kevin Pearson
Initial wonderment, too, but Tigers could just as easily trade for one instead of acquire this offseason.
Patrick OKennedy
Not quite “just as easily”. You need to find a match and pay the price in terms of talent to get a player already under contract. The trade route is always there, but it’s not as cut and dried as signing a free agent. Several of the outfield candidates will be over paid, as is the nature of the baseball business. Players are paid below market value for the early years of “club control”, then make up for it if they make good later on.
Patrick OKennedy
I agree. Dirks likely holds down one corner OF spot, at least against RHP, and they’ll go outside the organization to add a second OF. If they’re able to keep Sanchez, they could trade Porcello or Smyly in a package for another OF. Among the free agents, I see more of a speedy, defensively strong corner guy to bat second rather than another power bat.
Think Pagan, Upton, or Victorino, rather than Hamilton, Hunter, or Swisher, IMO.
101andcounting
You think the Cubs make a DeJesus-for-Smyly deal?
Patrick OKennedy
Sure, but the Tigers wouldn’t. Smyly has much more value and is more difficult to replace.
Joshua Ebbs
As a Braves fan, no thanks on Victorino… I think they trade for a CF. I’m surprised Swisher, Ross, Hunter were not mentioned for LF..
CT
Agree. I just don’t think Victorino will be a Brave.
rundmc1981
I think he will…and I like it. If Bourn is priced out of our range, then so will BJ Upton. Pagan will go back to SF with open arms (and $10M per). Hamilton will definitely be too expensive and he’s not our CF of the future. We have some money to play with, but we still need to address either 3B/LF. Victorino wants to start, is from the NL East, is a competitor, and could be had for less in years/money than the others, while provide us enough time and finances to find our CF of the future. He could also be a solid glove and leadoff hitter, providing speed on the basepaths.
Frankly, I like it. I hated playing against the guy when he was in PHI and based on the scouting reports of all of our CFs coming up through the ranks, I think Victorino and a 3-year deal could work out for both sides.
rundmc1981
BOS will overpay Ross and he’s already spurned us (ATL) once in his career. I like Hunter. Could be one of those deals to be had, possibly. Hunter is one of those rare incredible baseball ambassadors and he could lead the young Braves while doing something great in the community and providing good offense/defense. Victorino and Hunter would be 2 older choices, but could be a good OF.
Swisher will be too expensive and frankly, I don’t think he’d be an upgrade, especially for his money. I think he’ll get $85 million+, and not from ATL.
Aaron Haker
Keppinger isnt going anywhere, he wants to stay a Ray and is willing to play 1st base.
LazerTown
If he wants to make money he will be gone, some team will probably offer him a starting gig.
jigsawkane
I’d far rather LAD trade for Shields than sign Lohse.
Patrick Corcoran
agreed yet trading with the rays you never really win. Will have to give up a lot of good prospects to get sheilds in the rotation come spring training
jigsawkane
I’d hope Pederson + Reed gets it done, but I have my doubts.
grabarkewitz
Gotta think the bidding starts with Zach Lee and I hope Colletti walks away at that point. I just hope that Lohse is not Plan B. Would rather see us lose the draft pick for signing Kuroda instead of signing Lohse. I would not put it past Colletti to make another run at Dempster, too.
LazerTown
Shields has turned himself into a solid #2/#3. he had 2 bad looking seasons in 2009/2010 but his xFIP was fine both years. I think fairly to acquire him it deserves good prospects. Dodgers won’t acquire him for just a few scraps. To get quality you need to pay.
jigsawkane
I think over the last two years Shields has qualified himself as a very good #2.
Fishman27
Gordon and lee for sheilds tb should offer that
sarcasm_robot
and a million dollars just CUZ
Steve Svendsen
I don’t understand the Chapman move to the rotation. He broke down in relief stints this year and required a rest.
Gunner65
You just answered your own question. Pitching once every 5 days vs. 2-3 days in a row could be better for his style of pitching. Take 4-5 mph off his fastball and he still has upper tier velocity
go_jays_go
As a closer, Chapman has 60 – 70 IP max.
As a starter, Chapman is expected to go 200 IP
Even after reducing his velocity he still won’t have the endurance.
slasher016 2
He used to be a starter on the Cuban national team. There’s no reason to believe he couldn’t start for the Reds.
Jose Borrero
I think if he can start they should start him it would preserve his arm
Gunner65
Has nothing to do with number of innings pitched. Starting and relieving puts two different kinds of stress on a pitcher. As a starter he has 4 days to recover before his next start where as a reliever he could be forced to pitch 3 days in a row with no rest while pitching at max effort.
jay-2
Lol, so I guess White Sox aren’t getting anyone this year.
jwsox
Just not the top 50 free agents
sarcasm_robot
when do the white sox really sign top free agents? most of their squads year to year are made up of trades, waiver claims, international free agents. adam dunn 2 years ago but none others really come to mind. jermaine dye, jessie craine, aj?
durf81
Youk and AJ are still options for the Sox…Napoli and Keppinger would be matches but will probably be overpaid.
They’ll have to pick up someone at Third, that is for sure!
daveineg
I could see them kicking the tires on Russell Martin. Martin won’t bust anyone’s budget.
wsox2624
They already resigned Peavy (before the ranking list came out)…he would have been a top 10 free agent in my opinion.
大迫 勇也 #21
no Iwakuma ?
Jake Guerin
it’s called an extension
padresgm 2
I wouldn’t be surprised with Haren, Marcum, Adams, Hunter, and Valverde all considered by San Diego.
Danny Kirkland
I know these are just predictions but come on. You don’t think the Mariners will spend money on a single one of the top 50 free agents this winter? with almost 35 million dollars in team salary space to match last year?
rundmc1981
Personally, I was thinking they’d finally go after a bat. I don’t know if Swisher would be a match, but I could see them (over)paying him for a bat like his. Not sure if I’ve heard that anywhere else though.
llasasso93
Yeah I actually could see Swisher signing with the Mariners.
giordan b
I hope they go after Laroche. I would rather have a solid 1b th wait for a guy who still has potential but in all likelihood a bust below average 1b
Korflock
I think Smoak could get it done, his defense is there. He just needs to adjust his swing and patience. No doubt he has power and we need that. He did hit 19 HR last year which isn’t bad, but he needs to atleast be upwards of 25+ HRs with .250+ BA.
Machaut
Lol, batting average. Here’s your real devil: Justin Smoak’s 2012 OBP:.290, SLG: .364. Who gives a crap about his BA if he can’t take a walk or an extra base?
Micah Reed
I think the Tigers take a look at Tori Hunter. By the way in the game you have Jhonny Peralta (Club optioned picked up by the Tigers) listed at 38 instead of Joel Peralta.
The Real D Guar
My primitive mind can’t imagine the Red Sox inviting NEW controversy by bringing in Melky. That is just not where they will go with their PR in a fragile state already. I think that is kind of obvious.
Tony DiQuattro
There will always be controversy in NY and Boston about one thing or another for how much media scrutiny there is. Like bringing Melky in will make a difference…
melonis_rex
there will always be PR drama in boston. making moves to impress the media is how you end up with john lackey and carl crawford.
signing melky is a smart baseball move for any team that needs an outfielder and fenway is a good park for melky to rebuild his value.
safari_punch
They brought in ‘Mr. Accountability’ John Farrell. So why wouldn’t they bring in Melky too?
jaysfan1994
Your assessment of the Yankees acquiring any high priced outfielder makes no sense when they got Brett Gardiner positioned to start in left field next year and them wanting to lower their payroll from that insane 190 million.
LazerTown
They are peeling quite a bit of salary this season and next, and they will need to fill RF.
jaysfan1994
I wouldn’t be surprised if they resigned Raul Ibanez and slapped him into left field like they did for most of 2012. Gardiner is assured a starting spot in the outfield and with Granderson back that leaves no room for anything other than bench players.
DerekJeterDan
No way Hamilton returns to Texas in my opinion. List aint half bad this year!
Kevin Treaccar
If the Rangers make the moves above, I’ll consider it a very disappointing off-season. All they’d have done is become older, slower and more expensive.
Kyle
What do you want them to do?
LazerTown
They have a pretty good farm system, They will either bring a few guys up, or make a few trades.
Kyle
Well obviously Profar will see the Majors again this year. I can see anyone else in the farm being dealt.
If we lose Hamilton, the ideal situation would be to sign Greinke and trade for one of David Price or Justin Upton…keep in mind I said ideal.
Branden Prentice
Yanks are more than likely going to go after Ichiro. That is a very strong outfield. Ichiro could prioritize playing for a contender over making money by coming back to the Yankees
DerekJeterDan
If the Miami Marlins are willing to pay money for an outfielder than Nick Swisher would be the perfect fit for them. He’s the only player with a personality colorful enough to match Miami’s uniform scheme and ballpark. He brings 110% energy day in and day out.
Michael Kenny Jr.
And he won’t be managed by Ozzie! Lord knows how well that turned out.
richardb21
Had to do a double take on predicting Napoli to Houston since we already have Castro, then I remembered we need a DH now… This will take some getting used to.
msg333
Keep in mind that Napoli bats 0.400 against the Angels. Even if the Rangers don’t want to keep him, the ‘stros might be able to get Nolan Ryan to chip in some cash to spoil the Halo situation for them.
ERS
I think the Rangers keep him, because they are done with Hamilton. He’s too expensive for the ‘Stros anyway; I think (sorry Houston) Delmon Young is a better fit for a rebuilding team that just needs a DH on the cheap.
Hal_Jordan77
I’d love it if the Astros signed Napoli, but I seriously doubt that will happen. Delmon Young or Luke Scott are more likely.
LazerTown
Napoli isn’t much of a catcher anyways. Usually doesn’t catch more than 50-60 games a year. He is more of a 1B.
Hal_Jordan77
If he can catch 50-60 games that would make him a good backup for Castro. In addition to being their primary DH and sometimes 1B. Castro has yet to catch 100 games in a season.
LazerTown
Definetely, it’s just not right to view him ever as your primary catcher, and he is too expensive to not have playing everyday.
rundmc1981
Personally, if Ortiz doesn’t re-sign with BOS (which it looks like he’s hitting the open market according to reports), I see BOS signing Napoli who could be a decent bat to replace Ortiz while still filling the DH position and platoon at C/1B, if necessary.
Natsfan89
“The problem with the Bourn-plus-LaRoche scenario for the Nats is that it requires a trade of Mike Morse.”
Should I assume the problem in that scenario is the Nats getting lowballed on trade offers for Morse because they’d have no place to play him? Because with Harper, Zimmerman, LaRoche, Desmond, Espinosa, and Werth (hopefully) they aren’t exactly lacking for power.
BradyAndersonsSideburns
send Morse to Baltimore, please
Hector Cortes
I’d take Morse in a heartbeat on the Mets……
Wha????
Really, Jeremy Affeldt at number 50 with 3 of his last 4 years being so good? At least put him ahead of Chavez…
David Lurie
Agreed. Unfortunately he’s probably wrong about the Giants re-signing him too. Affeldt’s going to chase the $$$
gmenfan 2
He made it known during the parade today that he was aware of the League deal. In response, he said that if this was the end of his time in SF, then he’d cherish the memories. He got how two rings but now its time to get paid.
Thanks, Jeremy. Wouldn’t be here without you.
martinfv2
Those comments don’t make the re-signing any less likely, for me. He’d have a pretty bad agent or internet connection to not notice the League deal.
gmenfan 2
I definitely hope you are right. I feel like until the Giants know what they have in Wilson moving forward though, It may be hard to justify giving a potential 7th inning guy a 3/$21 deal no matter how solid he is.
LazerTown
and chavez was very good in 300 PA (so both players play part time)
Rankings are subjective. All comes down to who views a player as more valuable. Same as prospect list rankings, what is important though that someone at 30 is higher value than someone at 40. deciding between 50 and 49 really isn’t all that important, just the general ranking that Affeldt is near the bottom of the top 50.
daveineg
There’s a lot of guys I’d have in the top 50 that aren’t listed. The list in general is short on relievers who will be in high demand by a lot of teams.
basemonkey
No way Swisher becomes an Oriole. He’s the one Yankee that is the least likely. There’s a lot of personal bad blood with him particularly. And, he’s just too openly confident which appears very disrespectful and cocky, particularly in incidents with the Os. Not Showalter’s style of player. He’s perfect as a Yankee.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
This has to be one of the most outrageous statements I have ever read on here.
What Bad Blood? Why? Is it because Swisher has hit a lot of game winning home runs against the O’s. Swisher also loves to hit in Camden Yards. Sure he is a bit cocky, some would even say it’s swagger. As far as I am concerned the Orioles need someone like him!
I totally disagree with what you typed. I probable have watched as many O’s games as you have these past couple of seasons, and I have no reason to dislike Swish and yet you do.
As for Showalter’s style of player, Show hasn’t re-upped yet to be here after the 2013 so who knows what his future holds.
The Orioles need to sign players that will help them win and it’s my opinion that Swisher can do that!
Matthew Gerard Knauer
Exactly. I haven’t seen a single O’s fan thrilled by the idea. He’s that guy you just can’t root for after disliking him on another team. The kind of player “anonymous sources in the clubhouse” complain about.
gemmatmorrow
Swisher has the kind of big personality that obviously isn’t going to work with everyone who has to deal with him, but for the most part, comes across well with the team he’s playing FOR. Fans of teams he’s playing against might understandably see it differently. Once he’s getting big hits and acting happy about it while wearing your team’s colors, he may not seem so bad.
That said, there’s very little chance he remains a Yankee and I for some reason see him ending up in Texas, LA or Philly.
rundmc1981
I’m going out on a limb and saying Hamilton signs with BAL. Don’t exactly know about the BAL finances, but this could be what P.A. has been talking about for years after seeing what Showalter can do with a decent squad. This would be the kind of signing that could reshape a vastly-changing AL East.
Rabbitov
I agree he’s not coming here but for two different reasons:
He isn’t a great fielder and the Os won’t spend that type of money on Nick Swisher.
Howard
My question is..where is the Dodgers finding all this money to be rumored to sign Greinke let alone any other top free agent?
jigsawkane
Their ownership group controls $235 billion in assets.
Howard
Talk about unfair….
UnknownPoster
we had McCourt for 7 years. We deserve something
arbfuldodger-2
they will be starting a new TV deal soon probably worth at least 3.0 to 4.5 billion
sarcasm_robot
gee, I don’t know man. good question.
dc21892
I would be pleased with those moves for the Red Sox. Not a bad list, but I don’t really like Liriano. He flashes some great stuff and then falls back to the same old inconsistent pitcher.
LazerTown
at this point, Liriano is really only a backend starter. He was never really the same, sad since his rookie campaign was brilliant.
Shane McMahon
Problem with the Orioles signing Saunders is that they already have 8-10 starting pitching types. Also with Jones and Markakis locked up they have 3-4 left fielders. I really hope they package something together for a #1 ace pitcher. They have enough 3-5 type pitchers…..which is what Saunders is.
Raymond Robert Koenig
Nice to see the Cubs going all out in ’13.
NYBravosFan10
I’m always sad to see the lack of Braves love on these lists but then I remember how good of a trader Frank Wren is. The trades don’t always work out in the long run but at the time of the trade he tends to make teams look just flat unintelligent. I would love to have Victorino. His speed and fielding ability would work out nicely in the cavern the Braves call a ballpark. BJ Upton wouldn’t be half bad either and I’d love to have Bourn back.
Yorick Walburgh
I look forward to winning this again 🙂
Sean Swinney
The chance that Hamilton resigns with the Rangers is close to zero. As a Rangers fan, I really get the feeling that the team is fed up with all of the crap that comes along with having Hamilton on the team: the nagging injuries, the relapses, the terrible plate discipline, the lack of intensity.
Don’t get me wrong. Hamilton is an immensely talented player that any team would be happy to have. But at the price it will take to resign him, I really think that the Rangers are ready to move on, and I have to say I’m ready to move on too. Thanks for the memories, Josh.
rundmc1981
I don’t see him re-signing with TEX, unless he comes crawling back to them after getting spurned by other teams — and that won’t happen with a bat like his. I’m taking the risky road and saying that BAL will sign him.
Michael Kenny Jr.
I think the White Sox are going to seriously overpay Youk if they have to. Otherwise, there is absolutely no one to play third base. Brent Morel? He gone.
sarcasm_robot
if they were going to overpay on him, wouldn’t they have just picked up his option?
Michael Kenny Jr.
No, I think they can get under $13M but I still think $8-9M AAV is overpaying.
LazerTown
You will be in for a rude awakening then. I think he should be able to get that much, he was still decent last year, and 3B market is very barren. You can go with the fragile chavez, youk, or Keppinger.
Ausome7
You got O-Dog, what more could you ask for
sarcasm_robot
hmm, a broomstick with a sox cap on might be just as effective
Jay Miller
Hamilton to the Rays! Perfect fit, hit in front of Longo (lefty, righty) doesn’t have to fight the Texas sun in the Trop. The Rays are a star hitter away from winning the AL East every year. I love the Ichiro option to the Rays as well!
Kyle
Well considering they may possibly move Shields/Price for monetary reasons I just can’t see that happening.
northsfbay
That was pretty funny. Any other good jokes?
rundmc1981
TB stuck with Hamilton through all of his early-career personal mess, and didn’t reap any of the benefits. If Hamilton has a relapse, that could financially cripple the squad, considering the burden they presumably would have to take on the make a nice offer, even if Hamilton did want to waive some.
the rotten robster
Kudos for saying Melky would sign with the Red Sox- I think this is a deal made in heaven since the Sox need protection if Kalish fails or they fall out of contention and decide to trade Ellsbury. I could also see them in the market for Napoli, if this is the year of the pillow contract for Boston as they sort things out, though I think they may be strong suitors for Laroche . Stephen Drew, though? Don’t think they’re taking a chance on J.D.’s malingering Rounger sibling! I’d kind of like to see them go after Brandon McCarthy as a young risk/reward candidate, though I could also see them going for Haren.
towney007
Melky Cabrera – considering the PR nightmare of the last season – would probably be the last move that team would make at this point. I’ll eat my shirt if he ends up there. I’d probably cancel my seasons tickets, too.
Sky14
The shot at the Dodgers under Hamilton was pretty funny, and I really hope the prediction for Blanton is wrong. Beggars can be choosers.
Cutty_6
Not happy Cardinals aren’t projected to do much.
BlueCatuli
Don’t need much.
WeDontNeedToFinPracticeRANDY
What do you want them to do? Basically all everyday jobs are anchored down and the rotation has the “problem” of choosing between about 6 different worthy candidates for one or two spots. A bench bat could be possible, but with Adams expected to make a much longer appearance next year and M-Carp’s promising year, there’s no real dire want there. The pen is the only blatantly obvious need. I think Scrabble gets it together this (next) year, but one lefty isn’t going to cut it.
cougs4bcs
LOL mariners just don’t sign anybody this offseason
Adenhart
Knowing Theo Epstein, I’m pretty sure damn sure he’s going to take a shot at Hamilton or Grienke. If he puts too much, he might just win.
LazerTown
Don’t see either. Cubs are still in a pretty big mess and it will be a few more years before the farm system is rebuilt. Cubs aren’t in the position to compete as is, and there is no point spending, since when you sign a free agent it’s best years are at the front end of the deal, and by time player declining that is when they would start competing.
Adenhart
I’m completely sure that one of the top 10 free agents in this list will land with the Cubs. Or at least trading for a big name or something. But I doubt that Cubs will stay silent this offseason.
Adenhart
Anibal Sanchez also looks like another kind of guy with room for improvement, yet good enough to win 15 games a year. Look for the Orioles to sign him.
drjayphd
So the Red Sox are projected to only resign their own guys or reclamation projects on short-term deals. I’m… uh, kind of okay with that. Spending recklessly helped get them in the hole they’re in at this stage of the game, and they’ve got the young talent in the system to push forward. They just need to patch a bunch of holes until the long-term fixes are ready to come to Fenway, and I don’t see anyone on this list who’ll block their best prospects. The key is to keep them on short contracts at good value.
Jonny Dollar
If this list turns out to be true……..that means the Cubs will only get Shaun Marcum. Yikes.
samurai_bonjour
i could see dodgers getting back kuroda instead of lohse. i would really want is dodgers upgrading their prospects……. they have what? zach lee that is it. i wont trust van slyke or federowicz but give some opportunity in majors, but that would be it.
Hector Cortes
The Mets really could use guys like Peralta and Burnett for the bullpen. Hell I think all bullpen arms the Mets should be looking at period to be honest as they need a lefty and righty for sure.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
@Basemonkey, in case my one comment doesn’t get released. I just want to make it clear that I totally disagree with what you typed about Nick Swisher!
Frank 16
Astros Mike Napoli C Delmon Young DH
carpengui
Oh, that’s right… I can’t play the game since I won’t do Facebook. Silly me.
Frank 16
Keppinger is a perfect fit with Royals at 2nd
Frank 16
Nats keep Laroche then sign Bourn.. end up trading Morse to the Red Soxs
Frank 16
I have a feeling Hamilton will go somewhere else my pick is the Brewers
Kent Kimes
Well, you’ve missed one so far – No way the Flyin’ Hawaiian will have a tomahawk on his chest.
daveineg
I don’t think Doug Melvin is dumb enough to focus on 2 “buy high” guys in their mid 30’s. Dempster had 4 good months with no pressure in Chicago, then failed in Texas. Brewers have been down that road with Suppan and Wolf, but then they didn’t have the arms in their system that they do now. Brewers would like a one or two year guy. Haren makes sense for them. Another guy who does is Liriano. Melvin should also be wary of Grilli coming off a career year at 35, especially considering the failures of his pen last year. I think he’ll grab a “safer” rubber arm type like a Rauch, and a quality lefty like Burnett or Howell and fill the rest of the pen with young guys.
Bob Bunker
I see the red sox signing sanchez to a 5 or even 6 year deal to be honest and Im ok with that. A 5 year deal would give them his 29-33 year old seasons and he doesn’t require compesnation. They need solid pitching and have the money. Plus he was once a red sox prospect. can’t be an ace but a solid number 2 or 3 at 200 IP of ERA below 4.
gwells
Sorry, the nats aren’t going to sign *BOTH* LaRoche and Bourne. That leaves them with four starting OFs or two starting 1Bs. If they sign LaRoche, Morse is staying in the OF (along with Harper/Werth). If they sign Bourne, then Morse has to move to 1B. And Morse’s trade value is limited because he’s only signed through 2013.
It’s fine to consider individual FAs in a vacuum, but your predictions need to work together in a valid way to be able to come true.
martinfv2
This winter I’ve moved more toward vaccum than trying to paint one big picture where everything can happen. I’ve always leaned toward one big picture, and I think it steers you in a bad direction because one flimsy prediction leads to more. I think the text of the post noted the Morse situation fairly clearly, ditto the Yankees with two closers.
Matt Q.
You really see the Yankees spending more than $14 Million on Soriano?
EmDash
I can’t see the Nationals going after Bourn – Harper’s turning out to be pretty strong in center field, and Bourn’s profile of a speedy singles-hitter just isn’t the kind of player Johnson and Rizzo seem to favor. They tend to favor power hitters over anything else, and they’ve got a good outfield for that now, with bench players that can both hit for power (Moore) and singles+speed (Bernadina and Lombardozzi).
Really, assuming they can resign LaRoche (which I hope they can), the only move I’d expect them to make is for a starting pitcher and maybe a few bullpen guys.
Ricky Martin 2
These predictions are terrible
Rabbitov
Do a better job. Right here right now.
dmattingly23
Ichrio will stay with the Yankees. It benefits both sides both with Ichrio’s desire to play with players his own age, and the Yankees expanding their global market within Japan.
MetsEventually
What a terrible FA class. I could see Hamilton on the Phillies, rather Upton.
wsox2624
This top 50 list came out after Jake Peavy was resigned by the Chi-Sox…where would he had been ranked had he not signed yet? Top 10?
Frank 16
I see Nats signing Bourn and resign LaRoche then trading Morse (a lot of teams would gave heavy interest = big return)
Sean Feeney 2
does anyone else see the Angels as possible contenders for Chavez?
pinson_343
The Reds would be much more interested in Broxton and Madson than Valverde. There’s a bias here – you have the Tigers picking up a quality closer who was on the Reds roster in 2012, and the Reds settling for their diminished castoff.
jhawk90
Joe Blanton – Twins ace. Whee!!! Hope the season ticket phones are well-manned.
Jeff Headley
personaly i disagree with torii signing with anyone but the angels. not many players like him can give the experience and expertise in the OF to the Halos’ young star trout and bourjos. not only that he had a fantastic year after being put in the 2 spot, and he also stated earlier in the year he would accept less money to stay put
MLB_in_the_Know
Can’t wait to see my name at the top of the Predictions Leaderboard.
Mike Smith 2
Why would the Nationals sign Bourn? They will have Werth, Harper, and Morse in the outfield. I would say move Morse to first, but according to this, they will re-sign Laroche.
Jonathan Haley Patton Poole
The Nationals would sign Bourn because they need a leadoff hitter. They’ve given Bernadina and others a chance to get it done, but no one has taken on the job. Signing Bourn allows you to drop Werth into Morse’s spot and trade Morse. Morse isn’t good enough defensively if your ultimate goal is to make a run at the Series. I think an OF of Harper/Bourn/Werth with LaRoche at 1st and one more back end starter would be a pretty incredible team.
Andy_B
Sean Burnett will set the cards bullpen up very nicely. Now if we could only work a trade for Elvis Andrus, this team will be set.
Jacob Behlke
I honestly think the Brewers make a run at mike adams due to a shake bullpen along with dempster with they’re sub-par rotation
Ben Nissen
its fun to read, but you guys only predicted 7 correct last year, and 5 of them returned to the team they previously played for
evelandsrule
If Ichiro ended up on the Rays I could die a happy man. Getting to see my favorite baseball player on a semi-daily basis would be amazing.
Henry Limpet
Weakest free agent pool in decades. I see no reason to sign any of these guys to a big contract.
Nosferatu Zodd
Playoffs sure make a difference last year the top free agents wouldnt even come to Baltimore.
Shaun Molotiv
Ichiro to the Rays? No way!
Shaun Molotiv
giants don’t want pagan
Machaut
I guess it doesn’t matter how many times the NL wins the all-star game or the world series. The “real test” of pitching is surviving the gauntlet of AL lineups like Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Cleveland and Seattle. Baseball journalism ftw.
Shaun Molotiv
Mike Napoli is an amazing hitter. He can hit mostly everywhere. He loves to hit in Texas but I think Ron Washington has different things to focus on. The Astros sucked this year so they definitly need players so I think there is a possibility that Napoli will go to the Astros.
Brandon Cherry
Rangers have to sign Grienke. They are the clear World Series favorites if they do so. Their management is smart and knows it takes pitching , pitching , pitching. Trade harrison, holland, and olt for David Price as well. Grienke, Price, Darvish, as your top 3 starters I like our chances!!!
Bob Bunker
to get price the rangers would have to give up a lot more. id imagine the rays would want profar
Kc Morse
Rangers should do away with Hamilton & free up some $ for Greinke and Michael Bourn. Cut ties with Napoli and pick up a steal in AJ Pierzynski. Dude can hit for avg and has a nice pop in the bat. Broxton would be a solid CP. I would also try to make a deal with the Giants by trying to acquire Tim Lincecum or Madison Bumgarner for $ and Holland or Ogando
phillies1102
Can someone tell me why Joe Blanton is way ahead of guys like Madson, Rivera, and McCarthy? I would take any one of those guys over joe and I would have to pay more. Blanton can barely pitch at an MLB level, yet he’s more valuable then the greatest closer of all time.
Chris 48
Valverde to the Reds? No thanks!
Jefe
Tigers winning only one of the top 50 FA? Not going to happen. They will get 2-4 because if Illich’s desire to win… NOW.
matthew07
I’m not sure where Adam LaRoche will sign, but I don’t see him getting a fat contract, or even 3 years…not at 10 MIL per year. The Nationals could make a lower offer. Or, just not sign him and keep Mike Morse at 1st base full time and, if they sign Bourn, so be it.
TheHitman23
Napoli to the Astros makes no sense to me whatsoever given the direction that they are going in. Can def see him on the RedSox or even the O’s.
Katie
They left Jacoby Ellsbury off this list. His gonna be looking for $$$.
Pete Rose
Would have been more accurate just to write every player to the Red Sox