The big ticket free agents aren’t always the most important offseason additions, writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Using the Steamer projection system, Cassavell takes a look at the six players he thinks will most affect their respective divisions. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Cubs center fielder Jason Heyward are obvious picks. Surprisingly, Cassavell finds Mike Napoli to be the big name in the AL Central while Wade Miley’s move to Seattle could be sneaky important.
Here are a few more notes from around the league:
- Cuban veterans Alexei Bell and Yordanis Linares will hold workouts on February 15 and 16 in Baja California, tweets Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Bell, 32, was reported to have left Cuba on January 13 and could fit as a right fielder. Linares’ defection was reported last summer. The 26-year-old doesn’t have enough professional experience in the Serie Nacional to avoid international spending restrictions. Bell, however, can be signed by any team.
- The White Sox should target Yasiel Puig, opines Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Chicago has shown curiosity about the Dodgers outfield depth and could obviously stand to improve in the outfield. Rumors have tied them to veteran lefty Andre Ethier who could provide a useful platoon bat. However, Puig represents a more definitive upgrade with a star ceiling. Unfortunately, young talent comes with a price. Merkin lists pitchers Carson Fulmer, Spencer Adams, and shortstop Tim Anderson as possible targets for the Dodgers. Trading any of that trio would be a bitter pill to swallow.
- The Indians could be a fit for free agent outfielder Austin Jackson, suggest Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Center field depth would be useful considering that Michael Brantley will start the season on the disabled list. Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis, and Abraham Almonte figure to form the Opening Day outfield, and it’s not hard to see a way to improve upon that trio. At the very least, additional depth in case of injury would be valuable.
- The Rays should consider three more offseason moves, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The bullpen could use additional depth – perhaps Tyler Clippard or Tommy Hunter. Either Desmond Jennings or Brandon Guyer can be traded. The team is deepest with them on the roster, but they may be expendable. Jennings’ health may make a trade difficult. Lastly, Ian Desmond looks more and more attractive as a buy low option. The Rays have to be willing to discard their 13th overall selection in the draft if they’re to sign Desmond.
Dodgers have already come forward and said that “Puig Is Not Available”…..and the White Sox have already inquired about him (which predicated the release of that statement by the Dodgers). White Sox need to find another player to target if they don’t want Ethier. Besides, if the object is for the Sox to add “a power lefty bat”, Puig doesn’t fit the bill. They should have traded for Dickerson in Colorado (maybe they could still get him from Tampa…?)
Heyward replaces Fowler, Chapman replaces Wilson. Not much of a WAR upgrade based on 2015 results, which is not to say neither is not a much better player talent wise than the guy they replace. Price and Kimbrel are much bigger game changers in the AL east division IMO, Castro could be too if he regains his AS form.
I think the 4 guys who had to sign with their former team at discounted rates will have a pretty big impact,, and they are Cespedes, Kendrick, Davis and Gordon. Trumbo and Pearce could be significant as well.
You just can’t predict baseball though. So much Y2Y variation, injuries, etc
Chapman for Wilson, not a WAR upgrade?i see the comparison on paper but WAR isn’t the end all stat to stick to. Kimbrel has been on the decline, price is a great pickup but they paid top top dollar with no SP cast to back him up. Price will be an impact pickup more so than chapman bc he’s a starter, but one starter and declining closer who hopes to return to his all star status isn’t looking bright in Boston these days
Heyward is a big WAR upgrade over Fowler. Fowler had a 2.2 in 2015 and Heyward had a 6.5
high defense in RF he won’t be as high playing in CF
Yes, but Jason Heyward’s offense plays better in CF which could go a long way in nullifying his defensive loss in RF.
Btw-There is still a chance the Cubs may yet re-sign Dexter Fowler, so this argument may be moot.
If you read the original post I responded too, you would see I was rebutting his claim about 2015 and not making a prediction about his 2016 production from his past. Additionally, I think we need to wait and see how Heyward performs before we make any assumptions on his CF value
High defense in RF playrd factor to that; he won’t be as high playing in CF
That’s the second time you’ve said that. I already responded to it.
Discounted rates?
Yeah, I’m not seeing how $27.5 million and $161 million are discounts.
Yeah it seems weird to think it’s obvious that an elite reliever (Chapman) will have a bigger impact than an elite starter (Price.)
It’s based on who is projected to have the biggest impact on a pennant race, Since Steamer projects Boston to run away with the A.L East and the Yanks to only sneak out the Wild Card, Chapman’s presence is considered more important. Rather convoluted way to judge anything, but yeah.
A better question is how Steamer has the Red Sox dominating the A.L East just by adding Price and Kimbrel. I hardly think that’s enough to make a 20-game jump in the standings. They must also be predicting big bouncebacks for Panda and HanRam, otherwise I don’t see it at all. Jays and Yanks still look better on paper imo, assuming everyone stays healthy on all three teams..
I wouldn’t count the rays out either, they have the best rotation in the division. Also have Snell waiting in the wings.
Steamers has the Red Sox winning by 7 games. While I will be surprised if the gap is THAT large, I think you’re over stating it when you say steamers has them dominating the AL East and running away with it.
The Tigers get Upton and Zimmermann. The White Sox get Todd Frazier. Heck, the Royals got Ian Kennedy. How could anyone in their right mind say that Mike Napoli will have the biggest impact on the AL Central?
The Tigers replaced Cespedes and Price, the Sox still have 1 quality outfielder, and Royals massively overpaid for someone whose barely their #3 starter.
The Tribe needed hitters, thats what they added.
For a first baseman, Napoli wasn’t much of a hitter last year.
Looks like the sportswriters have the Dodgers selling low again.
Uhhh on who?
Last week it was Ethier who should be given up for next to nothing, this week it’s Puig.
Ya I have to agree. Don’t know why the Dodgers would prefer prospects at this point, but even if they did you would expect they would get a package built around at least two top 50 kind of guys.
You are not going to get much for Ethier. He was bad in 2015. Good in 2015, but he is expensive (18/18/17.5 million) the next 3 years. He is a platoon guy ,29 woba against lefties. Maybe if they pay it down the can get decent, not top tier, prospect.
Ethier’s line was .294/.366/.486/.852 last year. Granted this was mostly against righties, but that isn’t “bad” on any planet where baseball is played. But the point is, every time someone suggests a deal involving a Dodgers outfielder (and it seems like a daily event), it’s treated like the Dodgers are holding fire sale.
whaa??
Lose the 13th pick by signing Desmond. Trade Jennings or Guyer for… You aren’t getting much in return. Sign a FA RP and hope you can trade him at the deadline. Sounds like a gray rebuilding plan.
Yes, I take Miller, the 13th pick and the money saved over signing Desmond. The Rays could be a surprise team this year and should save their money for a mid-season acquisition. What’s the chance that Snell makes it to the big club this year? Do they hold him back 2 months to avoid Super 2?
From what I’ve heard about Snell is they are willing to use him if need be. But they want to keep him down for a bit and have him in the bullpen for a bit.
If only Scott Merkin read MLBTR he would know that the White Sox’ initial inquiry to the Dodgers was about Puig, but they were rebuffed. The Dodgers then brought up Ethier. Kudos for suggesting something that already happened.
Best to keep in mind that most everything that happens on this site and others is speculation and not fact. After all, we are commenting on MLB Trade Rumors, are we not?
I can’t remember where I read it (was it on here?), but supposedly when the White Sox called up the Dodgers looking to trade it WAS originally for Puig. But the Dodgers just directed the talks to Ethier. But they couldn’t come to an agreement on Ethier either so talks stalled out.