Max Scherzer- His stats the last two seasons speak for themselves. With a 39-8 record with a .302 ERA and over 400 strikeouts. He is obviously the most coveted free agent on the market. Detroit has said they are done with discussions with Max, but anything can happen. Max's agent is looking for a number that starts with 2, meaning 200 million dollars. There are not many teams that can pay that price tag. My prediction would be the team that usually spends the most money over the offseason, which is the New York Yankees. They have been awful quiet this year other than the signing of Chase Headley today. If not the Yankees I would be looking at the Boston Red Sox to make a deal with Scherzer.
James Shields- Last season Shields finished with a 14-8 record during the regular season and led the Kansas City team to the playoffs. Shields did have a below average post season for a guy that usually lives up to his nick name Big Game Shields. I wouldn't look to much into it, because this guy is a work horse and is a great guy to have at the front of your pitching rotation. I would have to say the Boston Red Sox are the front runner in signing Shields because they have already spent a lot of money this offseason and Scherzer would cost a little more than they want to spend. If not Boston the World Series Champions have some money to spend and need to strengthen that starting rotation.
Chase Headley- Chase is a guy that kind of confuses me with his price tag. In 2012 Chase had a career year where he finished 5th in the MVP voting. The last two seasons have been terrible since then, due to injury and being traded to the Yankees last season. He did produce in a short amount of time with the New York Yankees, which is why they have attempted to resign him today. I had him going to the Yankees due to the fact he had a high price tag that other teams might not have wanted to gamble on. The Yankees have enough money to gamble on anyone they want, which is why they offered him that contract today.
Hiroki Kuroda- This 40 year old has been a work horse for that New York Yankees starting rotation the last couple of years. Last year he finished with a 11-9 record with a 3.71 ERA and a few more walks than usual. He did have an injury last year that slowed him down from putting up his usually numbers. Being 40 and coming off an injury Kuroda has fallen down the ranking in your starting rotation from a 2 to probably the 4 or 5 spot in the rotation. Kuroda has said he doesn't want to pitch for anyone, but the Dodgers and Yankees. With that being said I don't see anyone signing him and he will probably return home to Japan and finish his career out.
Asdrubal Cabrera- Last season Cabrera hit 14 homeruns and 61 RBI'S with a .241 average. He has averaged 17 homeruns a season the last four years before this 14 homeruns this season for the Nationals. Cabrera brings that rare power from the short stop position and some solid defense to go a long with those offensive numbers. I see him making a perfect fit in one of the teams from New York. The Yankees need to find a replacement for the future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. Cabrera has the good defense and offensive numbers that would fit the style of the New York Yankees. The other team is the New York Mets, for they haven't had a solid short stop since Jose Reyes left for Toronto. I lean towards the Yankees for the fact they will pay the price he is asking and it's one of the greatest sports franchises to play for.
Jake Peavy- People forget that Peavy is only 33 years of age and still got some life left in his arm. Last year he was having a miserable start with the Boston Red Sox with a 1-9 record and a 4.72 ERA. When he was traded to the Giants later in the year he finished with a 6-4 record with a 2.17 ERA. With those numbers I expect him to stay in the National League this season. I don't see him returning to the Giants for they seem to want to make some bigger moves this offseason. I would say he will land in Miami, because they are looking to make moves with offseason to build around Giancarlo Stanton. It also makes sense he lands in Miami, because they have a young starting rotation that could use a veterans presence.
Colby Rasmus- Rasmus has been an interesting person to follow since he has left the St. Louis Cardinals. He has hit three straight 20 plus homerun seasons in Toronto, but he has also dealt with his fair share of injuries. I don't worry about that as much, because Toronto's turf field has held a new players down due to injuries, such as, Jose Reyes and Brett Lawrie. There are a few teams in discussions with Rasmus and I think two of those teams have a good shot at landing him. The Cubs are the team leading the charge I believe. They have made some moves this offseason and I think they have two more coming before the end of the off season. I think they will spend another big contract on a pitcher, which would leave enough money to get Rasmus. They need to add more power to that offense and they have seen what Rasmus can bring when they played against him when he was with the Cardinals. The other team is the Kansas City Royals. Having money to spend they are needing to add some power to that offense. Other than the playoffs this team has had no power the last couple of years.
Jed Lowrie- Jed finished with a modest 6 homeruns, 50 RBI's, and a .249 AVG. A down season from the past two years where he had a combined 31 homeruns, and 117 RBI's showing some rare power from the short stop position. He isn't the kind of guy that will led your team in anything, but he is a solid piece to a puzzle. I think the Yankees will land Asdrubal Cabrera, which will leave the Mets no choice, but to sign Jed. The short stop position has been the biggest issue for the Mets the last couple of years, and cannot wait another season to be addressed.
Norichika Aoki- This guy isn't going to hit the ball out of the ball park, but he does have a lot of good qualities. This man is consistent with his overall game, he has hit .288, .286, and .285 since he has been in the league. His on base percentages .355, .356, and .349, not only does he get on base, but he can steal with an average off 22 steals a season, since he has joined the league. I am confused why the Orioles have not resigned any of their outfielders (Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis) that were crucial to their teams success last year. That is why I think the Orioles will sign a Aoki to fill the loss of their outfield.
Edison Volquez- This is a guy that showed so much potential after his All-Star season in 2008 where he had 17-6, 3.21 ERA, and 206 strikeouts. Last season he showed a glimpse of his former self and the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping for a repeat performance. They really liked what they saw last year and you can tell all the player love playing in that city. I don't think the Pirates will give anyone a chance to get Volquez and will wrap up a deal with him in the near future.
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