BASEBALL FREE AGENTS & POTENTIAL LANDING SPOTS:
With the likes of Justin Verlander, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Felix Hernandez, Matt Cain and almost every other stud free agent to be, the Mariners, Giants and other respective clubs signed their aces before they were able to hit the free agent market. While many of the top guys who would’ve been able to sign elsewhere decided to re-up before that could happen … as always there are plenty of big free agents who will have a huge impact on their respective pennant races next season. The biggest fish in the pond however is not a free agent. That fish is none other than ace lefty David Price, who will almost undoubtedly be dealt by the financially conservative Tampa Bay Rays. With that in mind, here are the top potential suitors for Price.
1 – Texas Rangers
While the rangers gave up highly touted prospect Mike Olt to land Matt Garza at the deadline this past season, their main top prospect – Jurickson Profar, is still there for the taking. While the Rangers are understandably extremely reluctant to deal Profar, (as he is a top 5 prospect in all the land) landing Price is exactly what the Rangers need to do to stay on top of the AL West. A one-two combo of Price and Yu Darvish is devastating, and with Texas already having locked up SS Elvis Andrus for over $100 mil., dealing Profar for the best pitcher on the market makes sense. While the Rangers could conceivably get Price without giving Profar, (by dealing the rest of their farm system) Tampa will demand Profar in exchange for Price with their logic being that they just traded James Shields for Wil Myers – who just so happened to win AL Rookie of the year, so getting a top prospect like Profar for Price is what the market calls for. Can’t blame em.
2 – St. Louis Cardinals
Pairing Price with Adam Wainwright, Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha is a dream come true for those that bleed Cardinal red. While the Cardinals have other pressing needs (SS), dealing for a top of the line starter might just be what the Dr. ordered for the 2013 NL Champions. Much like the Rangers, St. Louis has a centerpiece type prospect in place to get Price. It’s only a matter of whether they are willing to give up 5-tool outfield prospect, Oscar Taveres. Taveres for Profar rumors have been swirling around for over two seasons, and with each month that it doesn’t happen, it becomes less likely that it will. Both players are considered the very best prospects at their respective positions and its unclear who doesn’t want the deal – Texas or St. Louis. With that being said, a Taveres for Price swap would satisfy Tampa’s need of getting a top prospect while also giving St. Louis another top of the rotation arm to toy with.
3 – Everyone Else
While Texas and St. Louis are the front-runners to obtain Price based on what they could offer each offer, almost every team in the league will kick the tires around on a Price trade. The Dodgers make sense from a financial aspect, but they probably are lacking the prospects to reach a deal. Like the Dodgers, the same situation exists with the Mets and Angels. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a team like the Indians have the pieces to deal for Price (Francisco Lindor or Danny Salazar) but his next contract demands will probably scare The Tribe away, much like many other teams. Tampa could also very well stand pat and keep Price for this upcoming season knowing they will probably lose him next year, but that is not the Rays way of handling business and in most likelihood, the 2012 AL CY Young Winner will be pitching for a different squad this summer.
No matter whom he pitches for, Price will remain a top 10 starter in both fantasy and real life, as there are only a couple of pitchers in the entire game that can match his tenacity with his dominating repertoire of pitches from the left side of the mound.
FREE AGENTS:
Robinson Cano – 2B: New York Yankees
Represented by Mr. ‘H-to-the-Izzo’ Jay-Z, Cano has set himself up to get the largest contract ever given to a second baseman. While he is out of the price range for most of the leagues 30 teams, the scattered few that can afford him would love to add the multi-dimensional second baseman to the middle of their order. The number one team that would love to steal Cano from the hated Yankees is their cross-town rival, the New York Mets. While Queens cannot offer the baseball stage or history that the Bronx does, Cano has already played for the pinstripes and if is allowed the opportunity to stay in New York and the Mets decide to offer him a contract beyond what the Yanks will give him, don’t be surprised to see Cano wearing Orange and Blue next season. While the Mets present a realistic opportunity for Cano, so do the Atlanta Braves who desperately need an upgrade at 2B with the demise of one Dan Uggla. While expensive, pairing Cano in the middle of the order with Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman is a match made in heaven, and one that could lead the Braves to an NL East crown. Other teams in the market for Cano include the Los Angeles Dodgers (always), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and to a lesser degree the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. Our guess is that the Yankees view him as too valuable to let go, and the man represented by HOVA will stay in Yankee pinstripes.
Ubaldo Jimenez – SP: Cleveland Indians
Mr. Jimenez how a dominating half season can change things for you. After being dealt to Cleveland for a combination of prospects including Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, Jimenez became an enigma for the Tribe, who never knew which Baldo they would get on any given day. Well … fast forward to the second half of the 2013 season and Jimenez finally started to look like the first half ‘Ace’ he was while pitching for Colorado in 2010. Ubaldo could not have set himself up better for Free Agency and with almost every top of the line SP already locked into long term deals, the ever mysterious Jimenez has a chance to cash in. Already turning down the Indians one year qualifying offer of $14 million, Jimenez has made it clear he is looking for a long-term deal in the range of 3-4 seasons. A long list of suitors will be waiting for Jimenez – led by the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins. Our best guess is that Jimenez and the Tribe realize they need each other and end up working out a 3 or 4-year deal worth around $12 million per.
Shin-Soo Choo – OF: Cincinnati Reds
The multi-dimensional Choo, represented by none other than Scott Boras, is already clamoring for a deal upwards of $125 million. While this might seem extraordinary, Choo has been an on base percentage machine for the past few seasons while also being able to excel in any spot in the outfield. While the Reds will not give Choo this type of money, and his market is not enormous, once other pieces start signing and a needy team with a big payroll like the Mets, Yankees, Cardinals or Braves begin to think they need Choo, his contract demands won’t seem so outrageous … and here’s guessing that Choo signs with the Mets for close to … if not over $100 million.
Jacoby Ellsbury – CF: Boston Red Sox
The Grady Sizemore clone – only a tad healthier and faster with less power, Ellsbury is considered by many to be the prize of the market. Boston will do whatever it can to retain his services, but will not extend outside their means leaving a possibility of him signing elsewhere. Ellsbury’s contract demands along with his inability to stay 100% healthy, will hurt his chances of receiving a Carl Crawford ‘type’ deal, but with the available market he should have no problem landing a contract of $15 million plus for over 5 seasons. Teams that could be in the market for Ellsbury include the Mets, Cardinals, and to a lesser degree the Mariners. Our guess here is that Boston ponies up after a World Series title and gives Ellsbury the contract he desires.
Matt Garza – SP: Texas Rangers
Outside of Jimenez, Garza may be the most attractive starting pitcher on the market, having shown the ability to pitch in big games with Texas this season and Tampa Bay previously. While Garza was dealt to the Rangers in a mid-season deal highlighted by top 3B prospect Mike Olt, he left a lot to be desired in his one half season with the Rangers and many are skeptical of bringing him back. The lack of more talented starters, however, will almost force Texas to resign Garza unless they make a blockbuster move for a David Price or some other ace of his caliber. Aside from the Rangers, the Twins, Indians, Dodgers and Pirates all seem to be interested in acquiring the services of Garza, but in the end it is our belief he will stay in the heart of Texas.
Brian McCann – C: Atlanta Braves
A mainstay as a top 5 fantasy and overall catcher for the past half dozen seasons, McCann will have no shortage of suitors on the free agent market. Best suited for an American League team with the DH at this point in his career, demand for McCann’s services will be plentiful. Far and away the best catcher available, McCann will receive interest from a significant amount of teams starting with his current team: Atlanta. McCann is one of baseball’s top 5 overall catchers and will take a lot for the Braves to not resign him. With heavy interest from teams such as Texas, Toronto, The Yankees and Red Sox, the Braves better be prepared to put on their hard hats and do some work in resigning McCann. While in the end we believe his heart lies in Atlanta, we would not be shocked if another team like the Yanks or Rangers swept him off his feet with a very healthy contract offer. No matter his team, McCann will have top 10 catcher upside in fantasy, with that only increasing if he moves to the American League.
Next up we will focus on free agent closers and where they might be headed!