The MLB Winter Meetings begun without much of a bang. After last week’s Monday to Tuesday explosion of signings and trades followed by a flurry of signings to end the week, big things were expected when all of the teams brain trusts were together in one area, but day one came and went quietly into the night. Don’t expect that to last long, though, because there are still top free agents to be had and you can be sure a big trade will go down.
While multiple top free agents signed with teams last week there are still five of the top ten free agents according to the eDraft 2014 MLB Offseason Tracker. While it is looking likely that Japan’s Masahiro Tanaka could likely be pulled off of the table because of posting issues, that still leaves four of the top ten, and they are all could be pieces that could take a team to the next level.
Shin-Soo Choo is coming off of a season where he flourished as a leadoff hitter for a playoff team. He hit 20 plus home runs and 30 plus doubles while walking over 100 times, if you add those numbers to any playoff contending team and it should help them reach the next level. It is no surprise then, that one of the major suitors for Choo are the Texas Rangers. The Rangers traded away the guy who has been their primary leadoff hitter for the past few seasons and after falling short of making the ALCS for two straight years they are ready to make a big move that can help them get back on top.
The other team linked to Choo are the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the latest rumor is that the Diamondbacks are close to completing a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for slugger Mark Trumbo. The Diamondbacks are looking for consistent hitter to protect Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup and they can’t go wrong with Choo. Choo will get on base in front of Goldy and take enough pitches to give him a good look at everything the opposing pitcher may have in his arsenal. While Choo may not be the belle of the ball that Robinson Cano was, he is going to help some team win, and with Scott Boras on his side he will do it while making a whole lot of money. Choo should have a new team before the winter meetings are over as rumors are that he could be signed any moment now.
The next pitcher after Tanaka is hothead Matt Garza. At the trade deadline Garza’s value was at an all-time high. He came back from injury and was pitching like his old self for Chicago, but a move to Texas near the trade deadline brought his value back to earth. While he is still a highly ranked free agent because of his age and possible upside, no one is in a rush to sign the injury prone Garza. It doesn’t help that teams are waiting to see what is going to happen with Tanaka before digging deep into free agent pitching. Right now it is believed that the best fit for Garza is with the New York Yankees or Baltimore Orioles, but that is all speculation. It is hard to imagine, though, Garza without his trademark facial hair while wearing pinstripes.
The only other bat left in the top ten free agents is former Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz. The Rangers are an obvious landing spot as they continue to look for a designated hitter, but they seem unwilling to give Cruz the third year he is looking for. Other possible landing spots are the Orioles and the Seattle Mariners. The O’s watched Nate McLouth walk away via free agency and to replace him in the lineup with Cruz would give them the boost they need in their lineup if they are going to keep up with the other teams in the AL East. The Mariners are looking for a bat to protect the recently signed Robinson Cano and Cruz could be just the guy to do it. In the past three seasons Cruz has hit just under 30 home runs, knocked in around 90 (only 76 last season because of the suspension), and has protected guys like Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton as they had MVP caliber seasons. The problems for the O’s and M’s, though, is that he will cost them a draft pick and is going to strike out over 100 times and walk less than 50. Cruz may wait it out until the right offer comes along, because he is set on at least three years and doesn’t appear ready to sign for anything less than that.
Ervin Santana had the true definition of a walk year with the Kansas City Royals in 2013 and could get a big payday because of it. He is in the same boat as Garza, though, where is stuck in limbo as teams wait to see what will happen with Tanaka before they go after other free agent starting pitching. Santana has been consistent for most of his career, but his 2012 season with an ERA over five may be scaring teams away. There are no real rumors for Santana right now, except for the fact that the Yankees are not in on him, which makes him about the only free agent that the Yankees are not in on.
While the top free agents are the ones to watch anything could happen at the winter meetings. The biggest news in a slow first day has been multiple trade rumors. The Trumbo to Arizona rumors have dominated the headlines with the Angels looking to acquire one of two starting pitchers, Trevor Cahill or Tyler Skaggs, in the trade. The other key trade topic is former Cy Young winner David Price. The Rays are in no hurry to trade away their best pitcher, but they are planning on trading him eventually. The Mariners have been the most linked team to Price, but they don’t seem to be willing to give the Rays the players they want for Price. The Rangers and Dodgers have also been linked to Price, but Rangers GM Jon Daniels has said he isn’t willing to give up big prospects in a trade right now and the Dodgers are linked to just about everyone.
Other Rumors and Notes: Speedy outfielder Rajai Davis signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. The Colorado Rockies are looking hard for bullpen help. The Cubs are listening to talks for starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija.