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Former Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman delivers a pitch in the eighth inning of Game 7 . ( Arturo Pardavila III via Wikimedia Commons )
“ ENCARNACION IS A PURE PULL HITTER WHICH
BODES WELL FOR
HIM AT FENWAY
PARK .”
SCOTT NEVILLE ‘ 17
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The Rangers ' Ian Desmond swings at a pitch . ( Arturo Pardavila III via Wikimedia Commons |
Scott Neville ‘ 17 Contributor
For Major League Baseball , the offseason is also free agent season . As of November 8 , free agents can begin signing with any team that tenders them an offer . They will be the highest paid players this off-season , and deservedly so . Below are my picks for the top free agents along with a prediction of the teams they will sign with .
Aroldis Chapman ( closer ) to the New York Yankees - Chapman was traded to the Yankees last off-season and posted an impressive 2.01 ERA in 31.1 IP before being traded to the Chicago Cubs at the deadline . He recorded 20 saves and struck out 44 opponents before being dealt to the Cubs for a slew of young players . This haul of prospects would make resigning Chapman an absolute steal for the Yankees . Why ? The Yankees are one of only a handful of teams able to pay up for a closer of his caliber and Chapman has indicated that he would be happy to come back .
Update - Chapman signed with the Yankees .
Yoenis Céspedes ( outfielder ) to the San Francisco Giants - Céspedes has an opt-out clause on the three year , $ 75 million contract he signed last January . The Mets will do what they can to retain the Cuban Slugger , but San Francisco seems like the perfect fit for him . The Giants are willing to pay for a power outfielder , and Céspedes won ’ t want to miss the chance to cash in on his best chance to sign a deal north of $ 100 million . Update - Cespedes signed with the Mets .
Edwin Encarnacion ( designated hitter ) to the Boston Red Sox - Encarnacion crushed 42 homeruns for the Toronto Blue Jays this season to tie his career high from 2012 . He also drove in 127 RBIs , which was tied for the most in the league . The other player to hit 127 RBI ' s this season was none
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other than David Ortiz , who Encarnacion could replace in the Red Sox line-up next season . He is projected to make over $ 20 million a year which puts most teams out of the running . Encarnacion is a pure pull hitter which bodes well for him at Fenway Park , which means he might sign a four year , $ 89 million contract with the Red Sox based on calculated market value provided by spotrac . com . However , Dave Dombroski ( Red Sox President of Baseball Operations ), might have second thoughts about signing a 33-yearold to the long term deal that Encarnacion wants .
Ian Desmond ( shortstop / outfielder ) stays with the Texas Rangers - Desmond is coming off a great year with the Rangers , and is expected to finally get a $ 100 million contract this winter . He turned down a seven-year , $ 107 million contract with the Washington Nationals in 2014 to enter free agency in 2015 . After making the switch from shortstop to outfield , Desmond looks to be a priority free agent . The Rangers have the money , and need to keep Desmond in Arlington . Spotrac . com projects that Desmond will sign a six-year , $ 103 million contract . Update - Desmond signed with the Colorado Rockies
Mark Trumbo ( outfield ) to the Los Angeles Angels - Mark Trumbo is the best free agent outfielder behind Céspedes and Desmond . He had a breakout year in 2016 , leading the MLB in homeruns with 47 . He signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles in a redemption year to bet on himself this off-season , and made his year count by driving in 108 runs while scoring 94 himself . Trumbo should make around $ 20 million a year . The Angels seem like the perfect fit with their deep pockets and need for increased production from their corner outfielders .
Justin Turner ( third base ) to the Los Angeles Dodgers -
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Turner is a team player who is loyal to the team he broke out with .
Wilson Ramos ( catcher ) to the New York Mets – The Nationals will low ball Wilson which will catapult him into free agency to find a team willing to take a bet on him . The Mets are a team with a lot of money that seem unwilling to spend it , but Ramos is the type of player they go after from season to season . Update - Ramos signed with Tampa Bay Rays .
Kenley Jansen ( closer ) to the Los Angeles Dodgers - Janson will make some dough this offseason as his projected salary is $ 13.2 million on a four-year deal per spotrac . com . Janson could end up going to another team like the Yankees if he goes to the highest bidder , but the Dodgers may be the only team qualified to outbid the Evil Empire .
Mark Melancon ( closer ) to the San Francisco Giants - The Giants are a good fit for Melancon because they have gone years without acquiring a quality closer , and they will need a stopper in the bullpen if they want another successful post-season run . Update - Melancon signed with the Houston Astros
Carlos Beltran ( outfield ) to the Baltimore Orioles - Beltran is already 39 , and will not be receiving a large contract , making the Orioles a good fit to continue his storied career . Baltimore will be losing Mark Trumbo and will need affordable replacement . Please note - This is a condensed version of Scott Neville ’ s original article . To fully experience his in depth analysis of the MLB Free Agent market , please visit us online at greenwavegazette . org
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