{"id":39349,"date":"2015-11-06T15:51:16","date_gmt":"2015-11-06T21:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/?p=39349"},"modified":"2015-11-06T15:59:26","modified_gmt":"2015-11-06T21:59:26","slug":"major-league-baseball-free-agency-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/2015\/11\/06\/major-league-baseball-free-agency-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Major League Baseball: Free-agency predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Derek Johnson and Shane Jackson<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Zack Greinke \u2013 SP (2016 Opening Day age: 32)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: 19-3, 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 8.1 K\/9, 2.76 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: 142-93, 3.35 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.1 K\/9, 3.31 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Wavy, blonde hair and a relaxed demeanor. Does anyone fit the southern California mold more than Zack Greinke? The only way I envision Greinke leaving is for more money, and that\u2019s not likely with Los Angeles essentially being able to hand over a blank check. Let\u2019s not forget that the Dodgers pledged over $50 million more than any other team by opening day of this past season according to Deadspin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shane: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I think I should try crystal meth, then I think eh better not\u201d \u2013 Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect. There are two things I love in this world more than anything: baseball and Pitch Perfect.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s combine the two during this free agency preview. Greinke may THINK he needs to go somewhere else, but he\u2019s not going to get a better setting than being with the Dodgers. Get that cash bro, but stay in a rotation with Clayton Kershaw and continue to be one of the most lethal starting staffs in baseball.<\/p>\n

David Price \u2013 SP (2016 Opening Day age: 30):<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: 18-5, 2.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 9.2 K\/9, 2.78 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: 104-56, 3.09 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 8.6 K\/9, 3.19 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: New York Yankees<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Yankees need a front-line starter. Masahiro Tanaka is a good pitcher, but a 3.51 ERA isn\u2019t good enough to carry the rest of the starters. Price would immediately be the Yankees ace and help a team that ranked 17th<\/sup> in the MLB in ERA<\/a>. And don\u2019t forget, it\u2019s the Yankees. So yes, they do have the money.<\/p>\n

Shane: Chicago Cubs<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine how scary good the Cubs could be next year if they landed this ace. It\u2019s very possible too. The Cubs are an incredibly young team but still won over 90 games last season. They saw what a dominating rotation like the Mets have could do in October, so don\u2019t be surprised if they shell out some cash for Price to join the likes of Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. Then again, maybe I\u2019m just rooting for the Cubs to end the drought like the Bellas ended the U.S\u2019 drought in the World Championship in Pitch Perfect 2.<\/p>\n

Yoenis Cespedes \u2013 OF (2016 Opening Day age: 30)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .291 AVG, .328 OBP, 35 HR, 105 RBI, .870 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .271 AVG, .319 OBP, 106 HR, 367 RBI, .805 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Los Angeles Angels<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

David Murphy, Shane Victorino, Matt Joyce, Daniel Robertson, Collin Cowgill and David DeJesus. These are names of players who started in left field throughout the season for the Angels. Cespedes would add another bat (although the Angels may want to add a lefty hitter more) to a team that has shown the willingness to throw money at star players.<\/p>\n

Oh, and check out this throw he made at Angels stadium in 2014.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/m.mlb.com\/video\/topic\/70087564\/v33614681\/oaklaa-cespedes-throws-out-kendrick-at-the-plate<\/a><\/p>\n

Shane: Detroit Tigers<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Come on, tell me this doesn\u2019t make the most sense? The Tigers already miss not playing October baseball and have the money to shell out $20 million to Cespedes over the next 4-5 years. Detroit can revamp its lineup and try to get back in the AL Central race with the Kansas City Royals by making a few offseason deals.<\/p>\n

Jason Heyward \u2013 OF (2016 Opening Day age: 27)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .293 AVG, .359 OBP, 13 HR, 60 RBI, .797 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .268 AVG, .353 OBP, 97 HR, 352 RBI, .784 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: St. Louis Cardinals<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Heyward had one of his best seasons in a Cardinals uniform this year, and although the Cardinals rarely spend large amounts of money on free agents, Heyward not only brings a good glove and bat, but also youth. The Cardinals should be more willing to spend money after giving up Shelby Miller in a trade to acquire Jason Heyward in the first place.<\/p>\n

Shane: New York Yankees<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s very rare that a player as good as Heyward and as young as he is hits the free agent market. That\u2019s why there is a real possibility Heyward could get close to a $200 million contract. Once you start talking about that much cash, only a handful teams can hang. I expect the Yankees to outbid for Heyward because that\u2019s the Yankee way. Go ahead and join the dark side Heyward, you aca-animal.<\/p>\n

Alex Gordon \u2013 OF (2016 Opening Day age: 32)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .271 AVG, .377 OBP, 13 HR, 48 RBI, .809 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .269 AVG, .348 OBP, 134 HR, 523 RBI, .783 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Kansas City Royals<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Gordon\u2019s been through the good and the bad with the Royals, and following a World Series championship, Kansas City should have some extra money to keep Gordon around for years to come.<\/p>\n

Shane: Los Angeles Angels<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Royals not having Alex Gordon in left field would be like Pitch Perfect not having Anna Kendrick. But come next year, I don\u2019t foresee my beloved Gordo wearing a Royals uniform.<\/p>\n

Kansas City just doesn\u2019t pay a whole lot of money to older stars, plus<\/em> if they choose to make him the highest paid player in franchise history, it would handicap them when their young core players are due for free agency in a few years. Gordon can play for a team that needs to shore up its outfield defense around Mike Trout.<\/p>\n

Jordan Zimmerman \u2013 SP (2016 Opening Day age: 29)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: 13-10, 3.66 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 7.3 K\/9, 3.75 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: 70-50, 3.32 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 7.4 K\/9, 3.40 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Chicago Cubs<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Cubs were close to making it to the World Series, but fell short to the New York David Murphy\u2019s. Zimmerman could push the team over the edge. Chicago has the money to bring in another pitcher, and Zimmerman, a native of Wisconsin, could find his way back to the Midwest.<\/p>\n

Shane: Boston Red Sox<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s safe to say we don\u2019t expect Boston to go quietly this offseason and pitching is the Red Sox first priority. Greinke isn\u2019t going anywhere, and I don\u2019t see them landing Price, but Zimmerman would be a very nice acquisition. It may seem like Boston is \u201csettling\u201d but Zimmerman isn\u2019t some ugly girlfriend either. He\u2019s a power pitcher with some really good stuff and can be a focal point in that rotation for the next few years.<\/p>\n

Johnny Cueto \u2013 SP (2016 Opening Day age: 30)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: 11-13, 3.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 7.5 K\/9, 3.53 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: 96-70, 3.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.4 K\/9, 3.82 FIP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Boston Red Sox<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Boston needs starting pitching and Johnny Cueto could frontline the Red Sox rotation. The amount of money that Boston\u2019s new GM Mike Hazen will spend is up for debate, but in a big market like Boston, they should be ready to pay nine-figures for Cueto\u2019s services.<\/p>\n

Shane: San Francisco Giants<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t see Cueto going to an American League team after seeing some of his struggles in Kansas City, granted some of that was a bit overblown. I expect Cueto to go back to his comfort zone in the National League. The Giants could use someone like Cueto to beef up that rotation so the Giants don\u2019t fall too far behind the NL powers. I\u2019ll say it — the former Royal turned Giant – aca-awkward<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Justin Upton \u2013 OF (2016 Opening Day age: 28)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .251 AVG, .336 OBP, 26 HR, 81 RBI, .790 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .271 AVG, .352 OBP, 190 HR, 616 RBI, .825 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Houston Astros<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Upton could go to a lot of different teams and many would make sense. Houston has a lot of young talent, and after competing earlier than expected, a big free agent signing could bring the Astros over the edge, especially with Colby Rasmus a free agent this season. The Astros have more money than you think too. In 2013 they became the most profitable team in baseball history according to a report by Forbes<\/a>. And the team\u2019s been saving that money for a moment like this.<\/p>\n

Shane: Texas Rangers<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A decade ago Upton was the first pick in the draft and he has been a power hitter in the bigs ever since. He is going to be a prized free agent with many teams wanting to add another big bat to their lineup. The Rangers are in a win now mindset and could use an offensive force to make them one of the American League favorites come next year.<\/p>\n

Chris Davis \u2013 1B\/DH (2016 Opening Day age: 30)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .262 AVG, .361 OBP, 47 HR, 117 RBI, .923 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .255 AVG, .330 OBP, 203 HR, 549 RBI, .835 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n


\n<\/strong>Derek: Baltimore Orioles<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

After losing Nelson Cruz last year, it would be tough for the Orioles to swallow losing another big bat. Also, according to MLB Trade Rumors<\/a>, the Orioles are making a push to re-sign the home run slugger.<\/p>\n

Shane: Baltimore Orioles<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Death, taxes, my Pitch Perfect references, and Crush Davis hitting dongers in Baltimore. Seriously though, I can\u2019t imagine the Orioles letting the power hitter walk as he is an anchor in that lineup and it\u2019s hard to fathom Davis leaving. Where else could he go that would be easier than hitting home runs at Camden Yards. That was a rhetorical question; I really don\u2019t care for your answer.<\/p>\n

Ben Zobrist \u2013 IF\/OF (2016 Opening Day age: 34)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

2015: .276 AVG, .359 OBP, 13 HR, 56 RBI, .809 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

CAREER: .265 AVG, .355 OBP, 127 HR, 567 RBI, .786 OPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Derek: Chicago Cubs<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Maddon loves his utility players, and Ben Zobrist fit that billing perfectly when both manager and player were in Tampa Bay. Zobrist could help fill a hole in the outfield while also providing depth and veteran leadership.<\/p>\n

Shane: Kansas City Royals<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Ah, little Alex. Kansas City loves you. It doesn\u2019t seem likely the Royals would shell out 80 million to Alex Gordon, so they might settle for a bargain with a mid-30s utility player in Zobrist who does a lot of the same things Gordon does. Zobrist can play in the outfield if Omar Infante comes back healthy and he can also play second base if Infante is struggling. Zobrist seems like the smart play for the Royals, but if his market is too high don\u2019t expect the Royals to try and outbid anyone for Alex 2.0. Stay in Kansas City forever Zorilla, we love you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Derek Johnson and Shane Jackson Zack Greinke \u2013 SP (2016 Opening Day age: 32) 2015: 19-3, 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 8.1 K\/9, 2.76 FIP CAREER: 142-93, 3.35 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.1 K\/9, 3.31 FIP Derek: Los Angeles Dodgers Wavy, blonde hair and a relaxed demeanor. Does anyone fit the southern California mold more than Zack Greinke? The only way I envision Greinke leaving is for more money, and that\u2019s not likely with Los Angeles essentially being able to hand […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4332,"featured_media":39352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3262,610],"tags":[3922,609,3923,3028,3921,3920,186,3924,3912,3688,3925,3926],"class_list":["post-39349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","category-sports-articles","tag-agency","tag-baseball","tag-contracts","tag-free","tag-league","tag-major","tag-mlb","tag-money","tag-pro","tag-professional","tag-salaries","tag-salary"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/PI-MLB-Royals-Johnny-Cueto-073015.vresize.1200.675.high_.97.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4332"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kjhk.org\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}