Even though the 2014 MLB season is still in it's early stages, it's always fun to look towards the future and see which players are positioning themselves for a very nice pay day. Barring any mid-season contract extensions, here is a list of my top five free-agents to be during the 2014-2015 Baseball Winter Meetings.
1. Hanley Ramirez - SS/3B
Current team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Current Agent: Adam Katz
Injury prone or not, there's no question that when Hanley 'the Han-Ram' Ramirez is in the lineup, he's one of the best hitting short stops of this era. Ramirez, who will turn 31 years old this winter, posted an insane slash line of .345/.402/.638 in the second half of last season. Though he's said to be in extension negotiations with the Dodgers, it's been relatively quiet out in Southern California. Big spenders with a dire need of a SS and or 3B for the future include the Yankees, Mets, Angels, and obviously the Dodgers. Depending on player development and injuries, you can make the argument that the Red Sox and Tigers will have mutual interest as well.
2. Max Scherzer - RHP
Current Team: Detroit Tigers
Current Agent: Scott Boras - uh oh.
You can thank the recent insane 10-year contract extension that the Tigers gave Miguel Cabrera, and Scherzer's bold rejection of the $144MM six-year extension offered to him at the onset of the 2014 season, but when all is said and done, he will be the best pitcher on the market come December. Fresh of his 2013 AL Cy Young Award in which he posted an herculean record of 21-3 with a 2.70 ERA and a career best 0.970 WHIP, the soon to be 30 year old has set himself to potentially set the bar for starting pitchers on the market. Potential suitors? Anyone with an open bank book in need of an ace and willing to put up with Scott Boras' demands.
3. James Shields - RHP
Current Team: Kansas City Royals
Current Agent: PSI Sports Management
Let's cut right to the chase - 'Big Game' James has been the most consistent starting pitcher of the free-agent crop. Though some may argue that he's played for two of the best defending teams in two pitcher friendly ball parks behind the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals, his talent can't be overlooked. Shields, 33, is among the best right handed pitchers in the game, posting a career WAR of 23.2 and 7.1 WAA to date - Down right nasty.
4. John Lester - LHP
Current Team: Boston Red Sox
Current Agent: ACES (John Yates)
Some would rank John Lester above James Shields simply because he's a full two years younger and has spent his entire career running through the AL East, but Lester's shaky 2012 season still looms in the back of the minds of many baseball analysts'. Though many expected Lester to sign a contract extension during Spring Training when he was quoted saying he 'wanted to remain a Red Sox until the jersey was ripped off his back', GM Ben Cherington may have his team moving in a different direction... time will tell.
5. Chase Headley - 3B/LF
Curent Team: San Diego Padres
Current Agent: Hendricks Sports
When you post a 6.3 WAR in 2012 and follow that up with a 3.8 WAR in 2013 despite missing the entire month of April in what most considered a 'down year', you know your in some pretty good shape, right? Absolutely, which is the case for Chase Headley who saw his monstrous slash line of .286/.376/.498 in 2012 drop to a still respectable .250/.347/.400 in 2013, mind you this was in PetCo Park! Interested suitors will look at Headley and salivate over his potential numbers in a hitter friendly ball park, knowing that without significant improvement he can still provide them with them an above average bat who handles his own on defense as well. Chase Headley's potential numbers in Yankee stadium... dare to dream?
Other notable free agents include;
Justin Masterson - RHP
Pablo Sandoval -3B
Ervin Santana -RHP
Notable Players who's contracts contain player options include;
Yovani Gallardo - RHP
Ben Zobrist - 2B/SS/RF
Alex Rios - RF
No comments:
Post a Comment