As we stand five days into the new year, the majority of Major League Baseball’s best free agents are still out there, negotiating with teams and looking for the right deal. There have been lots of rumors and speculation, but still no definitive word on where the likes of Trevor Bauer, George Springer or J.T. Realmuto will end up. However, this is as good of a time as any to dive deep into the rumors and see which teams are still interested and which are likely out of the race.
10. Liam Hendricks
Liam Hendricks was lights out for the A’s in 2020 striking out 37 batters in just 25 innings with an ERA of 1.78 and that was coming off of a 2019 season with an ERA 1.8 through 75 games. This man is clearly an elite reliever and absolutely the best free agent relief pitcher available. Reports indicate that he just visited the Toronto Blue Jays training complex in Florida, indicating talks are pretty serious with his former team. Previous reports had him linked to the White Sox, Mets and Dodgers as well as the Houston Astros, who were reportedly “all over him,” which makes sense after the Astros’ bullpen was hit hard with the injury bug in 2020. Hendricks is seeking a 4-year deal and I believe there is going to be a huge battle between these teams to land Hendricks but I am definitely fearful that the Dodgers are going to swoop in and end up offering more than any one else can. This is based on some of Andrew Friedman’s comments on needing to add an impact arm to that bullpen. So, with that in mind, I am updating my prediction and saying that Liam Hendricks ends up in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.
UPDATE: The Dodgers signed Blake Treinen as I was writing this article. Hence, they are less likely to sign Hendricks. I am changing my pick to the Toronto Blue Jays.
My Pick: Toronto Blue Jays
9. Justin Turner
Speaking of the Dodgers, Justin Turner is now a free agent after establishing himself as an All-Star caliber every-day player in Los Angeles. He just turned 36 so no one is going to give him a massive contract, but Turner hasn’t slowed down too much – he hit .307 in 2020 with a .400 on base percentage and then hit .320 in the World Series with 2 home runs. His defense is still top notch as well. Still, teams will avoid the 4-year contract that he is reportedly seeking, and it is much more likely that he signs a 2 year deal perhaps with a team option for an extra year. It has already been reported that the Dodgers are unwilling to go more than 2 years for Turner. The Blue Jays were connected to the Turner earlier in the offseason – but then again they are connected to pretty much every big free agent. Other than that, the rumors are quiet for Turner. For now, I am sticking to my original prediction that Justin Turner makes a surprise signing late in the offseason with the Texas Rangers.
My Pick: Texas Rangers
8. Michael Brantley
Next up is four time All Star Michael Brantley, who has hit at least .299 every season for the past 7 years with the exception of 2016 when he only played in 11 games due to a shoulder injury. He also excelled in the playoffs for Houston, who did not give Brantley the qualifying offer meaning teams are free to sign him without fear of losing draft picks. Teams that have been connected include the Blue Jays, the Yankees, the Astros themselves and the White Sox, who have been on and off as far as interest goes. More recently, the Minnesota Twins have checked in on Brantley as an alternative to Nelson Cruz should Cruz sign elsewhere. All that said, according to Ken Rosenthal, there is mutual interest between the Astros and Brantley and reports indicate he is increasingly likely to return. I originally had Brantley going to the Yankees despite not being a perfect fit, because the Yankees could use a strong left handed bat and because they’re the Yankees – they stockpile talent whether they need it or not. LeMahieu is obviously their main priority though and a lot depends on what happens there. I’ll say this – if the Yankees resign LeMahieu, I got Brantley staying in Houston. If LeMahieu signs elsewhere, I think the Yankees will use that extra money to sign Brantley.
My Pick: Houston Astros or New York Yankees
7. Didi Gregorious
The next free agent to discuss is Didi Gregorious, who bet on himself with a one year deal for 2020 and proceeded to hit .284 with a .339 on base and 10 home runs in just 60 games – which was the entire season, so he didn’t miss a game. Didi himself confirmed that the Cincinnati Reds are one of the teams that he has been in contact with. The Reds would be a perfect fit as Jose Garcia likely needs more time in the Minor Leagues and other than Garcia, Kyle Farmer is the remaining option at shortstop. Farmer is more of a versatile backup type who has experience at various positions including catcher. Other teams that have appeard in the rumor mill include the Yankees, Blue Jays and of course the Phillies. I originally predicted the Angels, but that is not happening because they traded for Jose Iglesias from the Orioles. Therefore, I do think the Reds seem like the most logical landing spot for Didi and I will predict that he ends up with his original team, the Cincinnati Reds.
My Pick: Cincinnati Reds
6. Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien comes up next and he was definitely certified as an absolute superstar after the 2019 season where ended up 3rd in the MVP voting after playing in all 162 games and crushing 33 home runs with a .369 on base percentage. Unfortunately, he didn’t repeat that success in the shortened 2020 season. Semien hit just .223 with .305 on-base and 7 home runs in 53 games in 2020. Still, some team is going to give him a decent contract hoping that the 2019 Semien is the more authentic version. Reportedly, the Red Sox have shown some interest although their open position is second base while Semien has played exclusively shortstop over the past 6 seasons. The Dodgers have reportedly shown mild interest with Cory Seager becoming a free agent after 2021 and Justin Turner possibly not re-signing. The Phillies and Reds are also in need of a shortstop as will the Yankees be if they don’t resign LeMahieu. All that said, I still feel like the most likely scenario is Semien staying put and resigning with Oakland.
My Pick: Oakland A’s
5. Marcell Ozuna
If one player re-established himself as an absolute superstar in 2020, it was Marcell Ozuna. After a couple so-so seasons with the Cardinals, Ozuna signed a one-year deal with the Braves and went on a tear hitting .338 with 58 RBI and 18 home runs in just 60 games. Amazingly, one of the early teams reportedly in talks with Ozuna was the San Francisco Giants, who, despite having a very nice offensive season in 2020, have been in need of a bona fide power hitter since Barry Bonds. However, this signing is contingent on whether the DH will return to the National League and as of now, there is not supposed to be a DH in the National League in 2020. Other teams rumored to be interested are the Blue Jays, the Mets, the Astros, the White Sox, and most recently the Seattle Mariners. I previously thought The Reds might be interested in landing Ozuna, but reports have since surfaced that he turned down a 3 year 50 million dollar offer from Cincinnati during the 2019-20 offseason. Based on that fact and the fact that the Reds are already paying hefty salaries to Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas, this is an unlikely fit. All things considered, I think Ozuna will land either with the Braves or an American League Team – assuming the DH stays out of the NL for 2021. The Blue Jays are a team that could make room for him by sharing the DH role with Vlad Jr. and Rowdy Tellez – or just having Vlad play third base and Tellez play first. Based on the aggressive style the Jays are taking this offseason, I’ll say they are the team that end up landing Ozuna.
My Pick: Toronto Blue Jays
4. DJ LeMahieu
Next is DJ LeMahieu who continues to prove himself to be one of the best hitters in the game. In 2020, LeMahieu hit a ridiculous .364 with a league leading .421 on-base percentage. He turned down the qualifying offer from the Yankees and will therefore be tied to draft-pick compensation should he sign elsewhere. The Dodgers, assuming they don’t resign Justin Turner, are one team that has shown great interest in LeMahieu. This signing would make the Dodgers resemble an All Star Team even more so than in 2020. The Blue Jays, Nationals and Mets are also showing interest. According to a report in December, LeMahieu is seeking $125 million over 5 years. The Yankees don’t want to sign him for anything over four years and their strategy – reportedly – is to wait out the offseason assuming no other team is going to meet that offer. It’s a risky strategy but I believe in the end it will work out for the Yankees and DJ will indeed resign there… but it’s far from a guarantee. If he doesn’t sign with the Yankees, it will most likely be the Dodgers or the Mets. So, since I got LeMahieu staying in New York, I am going to say that Michael Brantley stays in Houston.
My Pick: New York Yankees
3. George Springer
George Springer is one of the biggest free agents out there and the Toronto Blue Jays are the team that seems to be making the most aggressive pursuit. Toronto has been amazingly active in going after any and everybody who might be able to help them. Reports indicate that the Blue Jays just made a 5-year offer to George Springer but it was not in the 150 million dollar range that Springer is looking for. However, it is obvious that the best fit and the team that is most likely to blow Springer away with an offer he can’t refuse is the New York Mets. Reports from the New York Daily News have indicated that the Mets and Jays are the “final clubs” still trying to land Springer. So, unless a new team comes in to surprisingly swoop Springer at the last minute, he is likely going to Toronto or New York and due to the fact that I have Ozuna going to the Toronto, you can guess where I think Springer is going to land. I originally thought there would be other teams willing to pay big for him such as the Cardinals, Nationals or even the Giants (one can dream), but at this point, I think it’s clear he’s going to Toronto or New York, and I have George Springer signing with the New York Mets.
My Pick: New York Mets
2. J.T. Realmuto
Coming up next is the elite catcher J.T. Realmuto, who reportedly has a fondness for Philadelphia and will likely circle back there before signing with anyone else. He was originally connected to the Mets, who ended up signing James McCann. Other teams besides the Phillies currently interested include the Blue Jays, Nationals and Angels. I believe the Angels could go for Realmuto even though their need is pitching – their need was pitching last offseason and they signed Anthony Rendon. In my first free agent video, I had him going to the Padres even though they picked up Austin Nola, I thought they may go all out and try to even upgrade beyond him… and they have gone all out by trading for Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. Obviously they are not going to be in the market for Realmuto. The Nationals are possibilities if Mike Rizzo is able to outbid Philadelphia, but honestly it feels like Realmuto is going to stay put. I’ll make the prediction that Realmuto stays in Phili.
My Pick :Philadelphia Phillies
1. Trevor Bauer
That leaves Trevor Bauer as the final big fish out there. Despite always being a strikeout machine, he has had problems with his ERA being over 4 almost every year besides 2018 and 2020. In 2020, he won the Cy Young and was absolutely lights out. This is a huge opportunity for Bauer to cash in on a long term deal, despite previous reports that he prefers one year contracts. He reportedly had a meeting with – shocker – the Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants were also reported as “favorites” early in the offseason, a report that I never took completely serious. There are pros and cons for the Giants signing Bauer, but at the end of the day, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Shockingly, the Rockies are getting attention as a team that may be interested after Bauer asked his twitter followers about dinner recommendations in Denver. I don’t see Bauer signing with the Rockies for obvious reasons – he has already had ERA issues throughout his career. The Angels, Braves, Yankees and White Sox are other teams that could potentially land Bauer. The Angels are a team that I believe should offer whatever it takes, but I am sticking with the White Sox, who are in a position to make a splash to take them over the top in 2021 after an impressive 2020.
My Pick: Chicago White Sox