This year's free agent class has been nothing but a snoozefest for the most part. Hopefully that will change, but given the pace of this offseason so far, there is absolutely no guarantee that will happen. With the slow pace and the potential for the price of some of the remaining free agents to drop, that will allow teams, that once looked like a farfetched possibility to make a big splash, to have the potential to do something big to excite their fan base.
Below are predictions about where: Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Eric Hosmer, J.D. Martinez, and Mike Moustakas could find themselves once all is said and done.
1. Yu Darvish: Brewers (Runner Up: Mariners) - Earlier this afternoon, I argued that the Seattle Mariners need to seriously consider and be in the running for Yu Darvish all the way until the end. While I think that, I ultimately believe that they will fall just short of what contract he ends up signing and that Darvish will land with the Brew Crew up in Milwaukee. The Brewers have made it known all winter long that they are looking at multiple different scenarios both in the trade and free agent markets and are ready to make a splash to help put the team over the top heading into next season. Add to that the fact that the team has money to spend and room in the payroll to make a significant addition and that makes it all the more likely. Darvish would be a fantastic addition to the Brewers rotation as he can slot into the top of it and give Brew Crew fans another icon to cheer for. Not only does Darvish benefit the Brewers on the field, he also gives them another marketing opportunity so who knows if the next brand of beer at Miller Park will be named after him?
2. Jake Arrieta: Phillies (Runner Up: Twins) - The market on Arrieta has been extremely slow to this point and very little has leaked out about which teams are potentially interested in the former Cy-Young Award winner. With that being said, we have heard that the Nationals expressed interest around the time of the Winter Meetings and the Phillies were connected to him somewhat prior to that. Besides those two teams, we know nothing, but ultimately it is hard to fathom the Phillies not making a pitching upgrade of some sort this winter and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them land Arrieta. The Twins have made it known that they are in the market for the top four starters on the market, Darvish, Arrieta, Cobb, and Lynn, as well, but ultimately the Phillies will likely be able to offer up more cash and will give Arrieta the type of contract he is looking for leaving Minnesota with the choice of signing Alex Cobb or Lance Lynn. Philadelphia still has a lot to prove in terms of showing that they can truly be competitive in the future, but Arrieta will be a huge help and someone that the City of Brotherly Love should welcome with open arms.
3. Eric Hosmer: Royals (Runner Up: Padres) - Eric Hosmer has been another one of those free agents that we've heard very little about to this point, but about a month ago, a report was released that the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals had offered him a contract. Those reports were later retracted somewhat in terms of the amount and years that were originally reported, the Padres were reported to have offered him a 7-year, $147 million dollar contract, while the Royals were rumored to have offered him a 7-year, $140 million dollar deal. Either way, you can't count out a mystery team or two entering the derby for Hosmer, but if he has his choice, he will stay in Kansas City where he feels comfortable. Why make the move out west to a new team, a new organization, and play somewhere where the team probably won't be relevant for another year or two? Of course, San Diego is up-and-coming, has a terrific farm system, and could shock us all as soon as this coming season, but Royals fans will be glad to hear that they won't lose their franchise icon anytime soon.
4. J.D. Martinez: Dbacks (Runner Up: Red Sox) - Very little noise has come out about JD Martinez as well besides a rumor that the Red Sox had offered him a 5-year deal worth around $120 million dollars. As with everything, there is no indication if that report was accurate or not, but if it was, it is something to monitor in the weeks ahead. With that being said, Arizona benefitted tremendously by having Martinez on their roster, he enjoyed playing for the organization, and he's expressed an interest in being an outfielder instead of a full-time DH so why not just stay with the Snakes? The one problem for Arizona, as has been talked about all winter, relates to their payroll and whether or not they will have enough money to give Martinez and beat the Red Sox offer. As they say, money always talks so only Martinez knows where he will ultimately end up, but when push comes to shove, the Dbacks will ultimately find a way to make it work and will pony up enough money to have him as their every rightfielder this coming season and beyond. Signing Martinez might mean that Arizona has to trade Patrick Corbin before the start of the season or find someway to get out of their contract with Yasmany Tomas, but Mike Hazen and his entire staff are creative people meaning they will find a way to make it work.
5. Mike Moustakas: Braves (Runner Up: Mets) - With how much pressure the Mets have faced from their fan base this winter, it would not be a surprise to see them heavily involved on adding another significant free agent, such as Moustakas, this winter. However, those efforts will end up falling short of what the Braves will ultimately offer Moustakas and he will find a new home in Atlanta for the next few seasons. You might be wondering: don't the Braves already have a promising young, third base prospect in Johan Camargo, who comes highly touted, that would be blocked if they signed Moustakas? The answer is yes. However, Alex Anthopoulos, current Braves General Manager who has long made a reputation of never shying away from big moves, has something else up his sleeve in regard to Camargo. After landing Moustakas, Anthopoulos will turn his attention towards making another upgrade this time in the outfield, contact the Marlins, and ship Camargo and Acuna to Miami in exchange of Christian Yelich. Yes, that is a VERY bold prediction, but one that I will fully support because I could see it happening. Even though Atlanta has said all winter long, that they have no payroll space for the coming season and are focused on next year's free agent class, I believe that is false and they will ultimately make these two big upgrades to their big league roster. Remember, prospects are prospects until proven otherwise and if you are Anthopoulos and have the opportunity to upgrade at third base with Moustakas, why not do it?
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