C Matt Wieters
From: Baltimore/ To: Atlanta/ Contract: 5 years/ $70M
2016 Stats: .243 AVG/ 17 HR/ 66 RBI
The 30 year old catcher is coming off one of his lower quality seasons of his career. Despite this, he still was one of the AL’s most productive hitting catchers and will be in for a big pay day. Baltimore seems to be moving on from him and Atlanta’s recent acquisitions in free agency seems like this would be a good fit.
C Wilson Ramos
From: Washington/ To: Boston/ Contract: 3 years/ $45M
2016 Stats: .307 AVG/ 22 HR/ 80 RBI
Ramos’ breakout year this year was cut short by a season ending torn ACL in September. Despite this, Ramos is coming off his greatest offensive year earning his first all star appearance and first Silver Slugger Award. Washington may not look to give him too much money due to injury and Boston could swoop in and snag the damaged Ramos for a few years.
1B Mike Napoli
From: Cleveland/ To: Cleveland/ Contract: 3 years/ $33M
2016 Stats: .239 AVG/ 34 HR/ 101 RBI
There is no doubt that the 35-year-old has proven this season that he is still one of the MLB’s most elite power bats while leading his Indians to an AL Championship. He seems to still have a few solid years left and I expect “Party at Napoli’s” to last another few years in Cleveland.
2B Neil Walker
From: NY Mets/ To: Anaheim/ Contract: 4 years/ $48M
2016 Stats: .282 AVG/ 23 HR/ 55 RBI
The veteran second basemen is coming off one of his best offensive seasons of his career after playing his first season away from his hometown team the Pirates. Although his season was cut short due to back injuries, he could be in for a big pay day and if he doesn’t accept the Mets qualifying offer of 1 year/ $17M he could find a job with a team like the Angels who are in desperate need of offense. You also can’t rule out a possible homecoming back to the Pirates if they decide they want to bring Walker back to Pittsburgh.
3B Justin Turner
From: LA Dodgers/ To: LA Dodgers/ Contract: 5 years/ $85M
2016 Stats: .275 AVG/ 27 HR/ 90 RBI
It wasn’t too long ago that Turner was a utility player with no special hitting ability for the Orioles and Mets. After signing with the Dodgers, Turner’s career took a turn for the best and has put up a couple of very good seasons as the every day third basemen for LA. The 31-year-old is now going to seek a big contract this free agency and I believe the Dodgers will do all they can to bring their third basemen back to LA.
OF Jose Bautista
From: Toronto/ To: Toronto/ Contract: 3 years/ $45M
2016 Stats: .234 AVG/ 22 HR/ 69 RBI
The 36-year-old Joey Bats is coming off an unimpressive year but still has a few good years of power left in his bat. I don’t think he will go very far and I think it will be Toronto’s top priority to keep their elite slugger north of the border to end his career.
OF Mark Trumbo
From: Baltimore/ To: Cleveland/ Contract: 5 years/ $80M
2016 Stats: .256 AVG/ 47 HR/ 108 RBI
The 30-year-old slugger is easily coming off the best year of his career winning his first Silver Slugger Award. He’ll definitely be seeking a long term deal and for fair reason as Trumbo looks to be one of the MLB’s most raw power hitters. The reigning AL Champion Cleveland Indians could make a big run for the slugger while many other teams will also be interested in Trumbo.
OF Yoenis Cespedes
From: NY Mets/ To: NY Mets/ Contract: 4 years/ $108M
2016 Stats: .280 AVG/ 31 HR/ 86 RBI
There is no doubt that Cespedes has become one of baseballs best hitters over the past few years and has almost single handedly carried the Mets offense the past two years. Cespedes opted out of his three year deal to test free agency in this years weak class of outfielders and expects to get a big deal from somebody. Yoenis has been very public about his love for the Mets organization and his teammates which is why I don’t see him leaving or the organization wanting him to leave any time soon. Expect a Mets/ Cespedes multi-year deal to be agreed upon very soon.
OF Dexter Fowler
From: Chi Cubs/ To: St. Louis/ Contract: 4 years/ $64M
2016 Stats: .276 AVG/ 13 HR/ 48 RBI
Fowler was a career mediocre outfielder until his days in the Cubs new dynasty began as he’s coming off a year where he won his first World Series and his first All Star Game. The Game 7 savior who lead the game off with a homer can see big money this free agency and St. Louis is just the team that could use the center fielder’s versatility.
OF Carlos Gomez
From: Texas/ To: Arizona/ Contract: 4 years/ $56M
2016 Stats: .231 AVG/ 13 HR/ 53 RBI
Since his days with the Brewers, Gomez has been on a deep decline and had a very rough year and a half with the Houston Astros. After reaching a buyout and finishing 2016 with Texas, Gomez started to look a little bit like his old self and gave some optimism towards his career not being over. A team like the Diamondbacks could be a spot he gets a long-term deal from but due to skepticism on the 30-year-old’s bat he may only receive one year deals.
OF Ian Desmond
From: Texas/ To: Baltimore/ Contract: 5 years/ $90M
2016 Stats: .285 AVG/ 22 HR/ 86 RBI
After having a horrible contract year in 2015 with Washington, Desmond’s best deal was a one-year deal he signed with Texas to move from SS to LF. Desmond capitalized on this opportunity and had an all-star 2016 campaign leading the Rangers to the best record in the AL. Now the 31-year-old could be seeking a long-term deal and a team like Baltimore definitely could seek him if they lose Mark Trumbo. Also don’t rule out a return back to Texas for Desmond.
OF Michael Saunders
From: Toronto/ To: Philadelphia/ Contract: 3 years/ $36M
2016 Stats: .253 AVG/ 24 HR/ 57 RBI
Probably the most underrated and overlooked players in this free agency, Saunders could receive several valuable contracts after not receiving the qualifying offer from Toronto. At only 29, Saunders could fit in well with a rebuilding Phillies team that just acquired Howie Kendrick and will be looking for more bats to compliment their young prospects.
DH Carlos Beltran
From: Texas/ To: Houston/ Contract: 2 years/ $30M
2016 Stats: .295 AVG/ 29 HR/ 93 RBI
Although his fielding days could be long behind him, Beltran proved this year that at 39 he’s still an elite hitter and a top DH in the league. Beltran has had an illustrious career that’s possibly even Hall of Fame worthy. A top possibility could be Beltran signing with his old team he spent the playoff run in 2004 with in the Houston Astros to become their DH. No matter what many AL teams will be interested in Beltran for a year or two deal to be their DH.
DH Edwin Encarnacion
From: Toronto/ To: Kansas City/ Contract: 4 years/ $76M
2016 Stats: .263 AVG/ 42 HR/ 127 RBI
Edwin has been one of baseball’s most dangerous threats at the plate and is always capable of driving in 100+ runs every season. The current Blue Jays signing of Kendrys Morales could mark the end of Encarnacion’s time in Toronto and a swap of DH’s sending Edwin to Kansas City could be a high possibility. No matter what both AL and NL teams would love to have Edwin’s bat in their lineup.
SP Jeremy Hellickson
From: Philadelphia/ To: NY Yankees/ Contract: 3 years/ $48M
2016 Stats: 12-10 REC/ 3.71 ERA/ 154 K
Hellickson was looking like the next big left handed ace in his early Rookie of the Year days in Tampa Bay. Many years have past and now the 29-year-old had a solid 2016 season in Philly and could be seeking the highest paid contract of his career. A team like the Yankees who are desperate for starting pitching could seek a player like Hellickson to become a solid middle of the rotation kind of guy.
SP Rich Hill
From: LA Dodgers/ To: LA Dodgers/ Contract: 3 years/ $39M
2016 Stats: 12-5 REC/ 2.12 ERA/ 129 K
Easily the best SP in this year’s free agency, Hill had a career year at 36-years-old. Starting in Oakland and ending the season in LA, Hill fit in perfectly with the Dodgers left handed stacked rotation. I can see Hill getting a 3-year deal and I feel that the Dodgers will try their best to keep him in their rotation to compliment Kershaw and Maeda.
RP Fernando Rodney
From: Miami/ To: Seattle/ Contract: 2 years/ $24M
2016 Stats: 25 SV/ 3.44 ERA/ 74 K
After starting the season extremely hot in San Diego leading to his third All-Star Appearance, Rodney cooled down extremely after being traded and becoming the setup man in Miami. The 39-year-old still has some solid years left and could sign a one or two year deal. A reunion in Seattle makes sense for Fernando since they are in need of a closer and Rodney had a couple of solid years in the past for them.
CP Aroldis Chapman
From: Chi Cubs/ To: NY Yankees/ Contract: 4 years/ $60M
2016 Stats: 36 SV/ 1.55 ERA/ 90 K
The flame-throwing closer is definitely the most popular player in this free agency and is highly sought after. With teams like the Cubs, Giants and Yankees all in the mix I believe the Yankees have a slight edge due to the Cubs skepticism on wanting to re-sign the closer to a long-term deal. A reunion in the Bronx definitely is highly likely in Chapman’s case but don’t count out other possibilities like a San Francisco or Washington swooping in to try and snag him.
CP Kenley Jansen
From: LA Dodgers/ To: LA Dodgers/ Contract: 5 years/ $70M
2016 Stats: 47 SV/ 1.83 ERA/ 104 K
Jansen’s superb 2016 season has lead him to becoming one of the top closer in all of baseball on his way to an All Star appearance and NL Reliever award. Jansen will definitely be sought after by any team who needs a closer but along with re-signing Turner and Hill I think LA will bring back Jansen as well.
CP Mark Melancon
From: Washington/ To: San Francisco/ Contract: 4 years/ $52M
2016 Stats: 47 SV/ 1.64 ERA/ 65 K
After being placed in the closer role in Pittsburgh a few years ago, Melancon has become one of the leagues most dynamic and shut down ninth inning guys. The 31-year-old will definitely receive a big contract this offseason and San Francisco is just that place that will give it to him. San Francisco’s awful bullpen performance last season makes a Melancon signing a must for this team if they ever want to become competitive in the near future.
The Sports World According To Paul 