MLBTR Originals

Recapping the past week’s worth of original content from the MLB Trade Rumors writing team…

• MLBTR’s annual Offseason Outlook series is underway, as we deliver a team-by-team analysis of what moves could be on the horizon this winter.  Tim Dierkes got things started with a preview of the Cubs’ offseason, and Mark Polishuk contributed outlooks on the Rays and Diamondbacks.
• Jeff Todd and Steve Adams continued the Market Snapshot series, previewing the potential free agent and trade options available at every position (and the teams who could be interested) this winter.  This week, Steve looked at corner outfielders, while Jeff broke down center fielders, third basemen, and left-handed relievers.
• There are a number of intriguing players who could be in line for long-term extensions this winter, including Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman and Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks.  In MLBTR’s latest Extension Candidate entries, Jeff Todd looks at what a multi-year deal could look like between Chapman and the A’s, while Connor Byrne explores what it might take to keep Hicks in the Bronx.
• Taking a look at two notable Statcast metrics, Connor broke down the top five free agent hitters at every position, ranked by expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) and average exit velocity on fly balls and line drives.
• Paul Goldschmidt could potentially be one of the biggest trade chips available this offseason, though would the Diamondbacks really deal their longtime star?  Connor posed the question to the MLBTR readership in a poll, with 55.76% of respondents voting that Goldschmidt would indeed be switching teams before Opening Day.
• Another NL West team was featured in another MLBTR poll this week, as Jeff asked if the Rockies should issue a qualifying offer to pending free agent DJ LeMahieu.  60.03% of readers polled arguing against LeMahieu receiving the one-year, $17.9MM contract.
• Finally, Connor asked readers the question on the mind of the entire baseball world this week — who’s going to win the World Series?  A strong 69.39% majority of readers polled predict that the Red Sox will be triumphant over the Dodgers in this year’s Fall Classic.