Here are my predictions for MLB Free Agency for this winters top 25 players available with reasoning of why I think these twenty five players will sign with the teams I picked for them.
Max Scherzer, Yankees: The Yankees need another top flight starting pitcher to go with Masahiro Tanaka. CC Sabathia is declining and Ivan Nova is coming off Tommy John surgery and might not be back until the summer. I don't buy this report that the Yankees have no intention to sign big names. Don't rule out the Rex Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, and Dodgers.
Jon Lester, Cubs: The Cubs are the obvious choice here because general manager Theo Epstein and Lester were together in Boston. Lester would give the Cubs the true ace they clearly lacked the last couple years. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers.
James Shields, Red Sox: Boston traded Lester in July and now they clearly lack an ace. I believe they sign Shields and make a trade for another starting pitcher that can be potentially available whether it's Philadelphia's Cole Hamels or Cincinnati's Mat Latos. Don't rule out the Yankees, Royals, Tigers, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, Cubs, Dodgers, and Giants.
Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers: The Dodgers need Ramirez back in the short term. Expect the Dodgers to overpay for Ramirez's services for a few more years. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Astros, Mariners, Athletics, and Mets.
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: San Francisco needs to bring back their offensive World Series hero and I believe they will. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, White Sox, Tigers, Angels, Marlins, Brewers, and Diamondbacks.
Victor Martinez, Tigers: Detroit needs their cleanup hitter back to protect Miguel Cabrera. I believe Detroit overpays him after his career year. Don't rule out the Yankees, Orioles, White Sox, Mariners, Angels, and Rangers.
Melky Cabrera, Blue Jays: Toronto needs to bring back Cabrera. I don't feel good about this prediction, but my gut says Toronto brings him back. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers, White Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Mets, and Cubs.
Russell Martin, Dodgers: The Dodgers need an upgrade over AJ Ellis and I believe they will get Martin and overpay him big time. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Astros, Cubs, Pirates, and Rockies.
Nelson Cruz, Orioles: Baltimore got Cruz on a bargain last offseason. Baltimore wants to resign Cruz and I believe they will at a fair price. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Tigers, White Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Mets, and Cubs.
Yasmani Tomas, Phillies: This pick is my safest bet. Philadelphia is the favorite to sign Thomas and I believe they'll get him so the can rebuild the team around Tomas. Don't rule out the Orioles, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Mets, Cubs, Padres, Giants, and Dodgers.
Ervin Santana, Rangers: Texas needs a mid-level starter to bolster their rotation and I believe they get Santana on a fair price. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Astros, Angels, Braves, Cubs, Pirates, Brewers, Giants, Padres, Rockies, and Diamondbacks.
Kenta Maeda, Cubs: Maeda is an intriguing Japanese prospect that is probably going to be posted. The Cubs were in the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes, so expect them to be in on Maeda. Don't rule out the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Giants.
David Robertson, Yankees: Robertson had a great year last year after replacing Mariano Rivera. If Robertson leaves, at least the Yankees have AL rookie of the year finalist Dellin Betances waiting in the wings. The Rays, Blue Jays, Tigers, White Sox, Astros, Angels, Nationals, Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, Giants, and Dodgers are possible suitors.
Brandon McCarthy, Tigers: Detroit in all likelihood will lose Scherzer. They need a mid-level starter behind David Price, Justin Verlander, and Anibal Sanchez. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals, White Sox, Twins, Rangers, Astros, Braves, Cubs, Pirates, Giants, and Padres.
Francisco Liriano, Pirates: Pittsburgh should bring back Liriano a fair price after two seasons with them. The Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals, Astros, Rangers, Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Padres, and Giants can't be counted out.
Chase Headley, Yankees: The Yankees want to bring back Headley and I believe they do at a reasonable price. Other fits are the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Astros, Angels, Diamondbacks, and Giants (if they don't bring Sandoval back).
Andrew Miller, Red Sox: Boston traded Miller to Baltimore last summer and I think they bring him back at a fair price. Don't rule out the Orioles, Yankees, White Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Athletics, Nationals, Mets, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Giants.
Justin Masterson, Twins: Minnesota needs a solid pitcher to pair with Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. Target Field is nice for Masterson too. Don't count out the Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals, White Sox, Rangers, Astros, Braves, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals, Giants, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
Colby Rasmus, Mets: The Mets need an upgrade in their outfield and like with Curtis Granderson last winter, the Mets overpay for Rasmus. Other possible suitors are the Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, White Sox, Tigers, Twins, Astros, Rangers, Cubs, Reds, and Giants.
Jed Lowrie, Reds: Cincinnati needs an upgrade at shortstop and I believe they land Lowrie at a fair price. Don't rule out the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Indians, Mets, Nationals, and Dodgers.
Jason Hammel, Rangers: Texas is the team that I feel signs him at a fair price and can use him as a fourth or fifth starter. Other suitors are the Orioles, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Royals, White Sox, Twins, Astros, Angels, Mariners, Nationals, Braves, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Giants, and Padres.
Asdurbal Cabrera, Athletics: This would be a move general manager Billy Beane would make to upgrade the middle infield. The Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Braves, Reds, and Dodgers cannot be counted out.
Nick Markakis, Orioles: Markakis is more valuable to Baltimore than he would be to any other team, especially with his defense and his lead off hitting ability. He will return at a fair price. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Rays, Yankees, Blue Jays, Indians, Tigers, Royals, White Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Mets, Cubs, Reds, Padres, and Giants.
Adam LaRoche, Pirates: Pittsburgh would be wise to find an upgrade at first base and LaRoche can be the answer. Washington would be wise to let LaRoche walk so they can put Ryan Zimmerman at first base. Don't rule out the Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Royals, Mariners, Angels, Marlins, and Padres.
Jake Peavy, Braves: Atlanta makes a lot of sense for Peavy. Above avarage/mid-level starters like Peavy would succeed with Atlanta. Many teams cannot be counted out such as the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Tigers, Royals, White Sox, Twins, Indians, Rangers, Angels, Astros, Cubs, Cardinals, Padres, Diamondbacks and Giants.
Free Agents who missed the Top 25 with predictions
Mike Morse- Giants
Michael Cuddyer- Mariners
Alex Rios- Tigers
Edinson Volquez- Royals
Luke Gregerson- Cardinals
Torii Hunter- Tigers
Sergio Romo- Giants
Francisco Rodriguez- Brewers
Rafael Soriano- Tigers
Ryan Vogelsong- Padres
Aaron Harang- Diamondbacks
Nori Aoki- Rangers
Billy Butler- White Sox
Stephen Drew- Mets
Emilio Bonafacio- Nationals
Casey Janssen- Blue Jays
Pat Neshek- Cardinals
Brandon Morrow- Indians
Jason Grilli- Tigers
Brett Anderson- Astros
Josh Johnson- Cubs
Jung-ho Kang- Yankees
Kendrys Morales- Mariners
Joba Chamberlin- Mets
Rickie Weeks- Blue Jays
Chris Capuano- Giants
Gavin Floyd- Braves
Roberto Hernandez- Dodgers
Chris Young (pitcher)- Mariners
Chris Young (outfielder)- Signed a one-year contract with the Yankees.
Neal Cotts- Rangers
Burke Badenhop- Athletics
Zach Duke- Yankees
Chad Billingsley- Dodgers
Luke Hochevar- Rays
Geovany Soto- Red Sox
A.J. Pierzynski- Retires
AJ Burnett- Retires
Hiroki Kuroda- Retires
