Hyun-Jin Ryu
Since the start of Ryu’s 2018 season, the Cy Young finalist has a 21-8 record and 2.21 ERA in 44 starts. The crafty lefty has been especially stellar at Dodger Stadium, making it unlikely he would want to leave the only American team he has played for. Ryu’s age (32) likely prevents a big-money deal, but someone will be willing to pay a fair price to acquire the talented hurler.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
UPDATE: Hyun-Jin Ryu signs 4-year, $80 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays
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Marcell Ozuna
Ozuna’s two-year stint in St. Louis is likely to end. The two-time All-Star saw a 39-point dip in his batting average this season, but improved his OBP and SLG by a healthy margin. Ozuna is capable of hitting a lot of homers — career-high of 37 — excelling in the field (Gold Glove in ’17) and has improved on the bases enough to be considered a threat to steal. While it is not entirely impossible for Ozuna and the Cardinals to stick together, a team like the Reds is perhaps more likely to pay Ozuna the amount he is looking for.
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds
UPDATE: Marcell Ozuna signs 1-year, $18 million contract with the Atlanta Braves
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Mike Moustakas
A three-time All-Star, Moustakas is entering free agency on the heels of one of his best seasons as a pro. A proven winner, Moustakas could help a number of teams both with his bat and glove. The third baseman slugged 35 homers and posted a career-high OPS in his first full-season with the Brewers. Moose could easily stay in Milwaukee, but I have a feeling a return home is in the cards. Moustakas grew up in Southern California and spends his offseasons in the area with his family. With the Angels primed to be big spenders this winter, Moustakas appears to be a likely target.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
UPDATE: Mike Moustakas signs 4-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds
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Dallas Keuchel
It took a long time for Keuchel to find a new home last season, but that shouldn’t be the case this time around. Though the former Cy Young winner is no longer an ace, he is still plenty capable of helping a winning club. Keuchel’s foray into the National League garnered mild success — 3.75 ERA, 8-8 in 19 starts — but was probably enough to entice the Braves to retain the 31-year-old.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
UPDATE: Dallas Keuchel signs 1-year, $13 million contract with the Chicago White Sox
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Didi Gregorius
Didi Gregorius’ fifth season in pinstripes wasn’t his finest. The veteran shortstop returned from Tommy John surgery sooner than expected, but struggled to regain his previous form. Despite launching 16 homers in 82 games, Gregorius struggled to make consistent contact. As a result, Didi finished the year with a .238 BA and career-lows in OBP and SLG. Gregorius is too good to hit under .250 again next year, but his market may not be too robust.
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds
UPDATE: Didi Gregorius signs 1-year, $14 million deal with Philadelphia Phillies
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Yoshitomo Tsutsugo
Unless you attended or watched the World Baseball Classic a few years back, you probably have never heard of Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Tsutsugo, about to be 28, is a hulking left-handed hitter. Playing for Yokohama in the NPB, Tsutsugo has launched 139 homers over the past four years. However, Tsutsugo’s size limits him to either first base or left field. That issue combined with a high strikeout rate may cause teams to hesitate. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an American League team take a chance with a short-term deal.
Prediction: Texas Rangers
UPDATE: Yoshitomo Tsutsugo signs 2-year, $12 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays
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Kyle Gibson
Kyle Gibson has been a starting pitcher in the Majors for seven years. For the most part, Gibson has been more ‘meh’ than good. He has completed two seasons with an ERA under 4.00 (’15, ’18), and has finished over 5.00 on three occasions. Gibson’s ’19 was a mixed bag. He went 8-4 with a 4.09 ERA in the first half, but fell off a cliff after the break and posted a near 6.00 ERA in the second half. Gibson will likely receive a short contract. The question is, will a contender be willing to take a chance on him turning things around?
Prediction: San Diego Padres
UPDATE: Kyle Gibson signs 3-year, $30 million contract with the Texas Rangers
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Howie Kendrick
There may not have been one person who predicted Howie Kendrick would be the MVP of the postseason. After eliminating the Dodgers with a grand slam in extras, Kendrick hit the game-winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series. Since joining Washington, Kendrick has been unbelievable. Before an Achilles injury ended his ’18 campaign, Kendrick hit .303 in 40 games. This year, Kendrick hit .344 and slugged 17 homers in 121 games. The 36-year-old is going to be rewarded (short-term) for his heroics.
Prediction: Washington Nationals
UPDATE: Howie Kendrick signs 1-year, $4 million with Washington Nationals with option for second year
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Jake Odorizzi
Jake Odorizzi’s 2019 season was a tremendous success. The eight-year vet set career-highs in wins (15) and strikeouts (178), while also allowing the fewest amount of earned runs (62) and home runs (16) of his promising career. Odorizzi’s surge netted the righty his first All-Star nod. Odorizzi benefited greatly from an uptick in velocity on his fastball and newfound depth on his splitter. Minnesota would be doing itself a disservice if it didn’t try to keep Odorizzi in the rotation alongside Jose Berrios.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
UPDATE: Jake Odorizzi accepts 1-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with Minnesota Twins
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Avisaíl García
For Garcia, his first year with the Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t have gone any better. The hulking outfielder enjoyed the second-best season of his career, slashing .282/.332/.464 with 20 homers and 25 doubles. Garcia’s defense in the outfield was also up to snuff, as the Ray committed just five errors. Tampa will likely try to keep Garcia with the club due to both his production and relatively low price tag.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays
UPDATE: Avisail Garcia signs 2-year, $20 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
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Zack Wheeler
The third-biggest pitching prize on the market this winter, Zack Wheeler will have a ton of interested parties vying for his services. Perhaps relatively unknown to the masses as a result of pitching in the shadows of Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, Wheeler has quietly established himself as a good pitcher. He has posted consecutive sub-4.00 ERA seasons and reached new heights with his ability to strike batters out. Wheeler’s newfound control of his pitches — coupled with better velocity — has paid dividends. Health concerns may hold some teams back from offering premium money, but the Phillies will not be bashful.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
UPDATE: Zack Wheeler signs 5-year, $118 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
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Nicholas Castellanos
Castellanos went from a horrible team in Detroit to an underachieving team in Chicago last season. Despite his move from the AL to NL, Castellanos remained lethal at the plate. The 27-year-old hit a staggering 58 doubles in addition to slugging 27 homers. While it isn’t out of the question that he remains a Cub, the Giants seem like a perfect candidate to acquire the outfielder. San Francisco desperately needs more hitting and star power, and Castellanos can offer both.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
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Madison Bumgarner
There is no question Bumgarner is no longer the Cy Young caliber pitcher he was in his prime, but the lefty is still a valuable commodity. The longtime Giant still makes hitters look silly with his off-speed pitches, particularly his changeup. Adding a veteran pitcher like Bumgarner would be invaluable to up-and-coming playoff contenders.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
UPDATE: Madison Bumgarner signs 5-year, $85 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
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Yasiel Puig
The longtime Dodger had a so-so season in his first away from Los Angeles. In 100 games with Cincinnati, Puig launched 22 HR but struggled with a .252/.302/.475 slash line. Traded to Cleveland for the remainder of the year, Puig improved at the dish in his last 49 games. The talented outfielder slashed .297/.377/.423 and posted an .800 OPS. However, the power didn’t translate in Cleveland’s cavernous ballpark. Puig will have a handful of suitors this offseason, but look for the Tampa Bay Rays to take a chance on the polarizing star.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays
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José Abreu
Overshadowed by the Cubs’ superstars and general success, Abreu has been a great player since arriving in Chicago six years ago. The hulking first baseman has averaged 32 HR and 110 RBI per season, and holds a .293 BA through six years. Abreu’s experience and hitting prowess is essential to the White Sox’s success. While there could be a few dark horse candidates to pry Abreu away from the South Side, odds are he re-ups with the Sox.
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
UPDATE: José Abreu signs 3-year, $50 million contract to stay with Chicago White Sox
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Rick Porcello
Porcello’s 11th year in the show couldn’t have gone much worse. Despite finishing with a 14-12 record, Porcello posted a career-worst 5.52 ERA and punched out just 143 batters — amounting to his worst strikeout rate since 2014. Even though Porcello struggled immensely, he won’t have trouble finding a new team. The ’16 Cy Young winner will be 31 when the season begins. For a team short on starting pitching like the Brewers, Porcello is worth a short-term risk.
Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers
UPDATE: Rick Porcello signs 1-year, $10 million deal with New York Mets
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Josh Donaldson
Finally back to full-health after a lost 2018, Donaldson was tremendous for the Braves. The former MVP slashed .259/.379/.521 with 37 HR and 94 RBI. More impressively, Donaldson reached base at a 38 percent clip. The easy answer here would be Donaldson returning to the Braves. However, due to a certain Washington star opting to leave the champions, Donaldson will be inclined to traverse across the NL East to the Nats.
Prediction: Washington Nationals
UPDATE: Josh Donaldson signs 4-year, $92 million contract with the Minnesota Twins
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Anthony Rendon
The most prominent non-pitcher in this year’s free agent class, Rendon’s decision could alter the outlook of numerous teams in 2020. An elite hitter and fielder, Rendon could command a $250 million contract. However, rumors have been abound that Rendon doesn’t necessarily have a desire to play baseball into his late 30s. If that is true, the Dodgers could be the main beneficiary. Los Angeles showed a willingness to fork over a huge sum of money over three-to-four years while pursuing Bryce Harper last offseason. After exiting in the first round to Rendon’s Nationals, the pressure is on the Dodgers to make a splash. The Nats should be the favorite to retain Rendon, but the Dodgers seem to be gaining on them.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
UPDATE: Anthony Rendon signs 7-year, $245 million deal with Los Angeles Angels
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Michael Pineda
If it weren’t for Pineda’s 60-game suspension that prematurely ended his promising season, the former Yankee would likely be rewarded with a decent contract. Instead, Pineda must prove that he can pitch well without the aid of a banned substance. That being the case, it makes sense for Pineda to return to the Twins as a sign of good faith.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
UPDATE: Michael Pineda signs 2-year, $20 million deal with Minnesota Twins
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Yasmani Grandal
One of the best catchers in baseball for some time now, Yasmani Grandal is finally going to get paid. The 31-year-old switch-hitter has averaged 25 HR over the last four years, and has drastically improved his walk rate since 2018. Despite having a few nervy moments behind the plate (Dodgers’ ’18 postseason), Grandal is one of the better defensive catchers in the league. The Reds may end up being one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, and Grandal could be their top-target.
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds
UPDATE: Yasmani Grandal signs 4-year, $73 million deal with Chicago White Sox
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Will Smith
A hot commodity leading up to the trade deadline last season, Will Smith remained a Giant and posted glorious numbers. Smith ended the year with 34 saves and a 2.76 ERA. The recruitment of Smith will be one of the most contentious ones of the offseason — with a bevy of contenders likely to throw their hat in the ring. In the end, the Astros will try to help offset the loss of Gerrit Cole by handing Smith the green.
Prediction: Houston Astros
UPDATE: Will Smith signs 3-year, $39 million deal with Atlanta Braves
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Brett Gardner
Gardner, a 12-year vet, has spent his entire career in pinstripes. Despite his advancing age, the Yankees are probably a near-lock to keep the 36-year-old in the fold. Gardner set career-highs in HR (28), RBI (74), SLG (.503) and OPS (.829). Even if he doesn’t remain an everyday starter, imagining Gardner anywhere but New York is a stretch.
Prediction: New York Yankees
UPDATE: Brett Gardner signs 1-year, $12.5 million deal with New York Yankees
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Edwin Encarnacion
Will Edwin Encarnacion ever stop hitting mammoth home runs? To this point, the answer appears to be no. Since 2012, Encarnacion has hit between 32 and 42 homers every season. The man with the coolest trot in the game is capable of playing first base, but is better off DH’ing at this point in his career. With the Rangers opening a new stadium in 2020, Encarnacion could help bring fans to the games.
Prediction: Texas Rangers
UPDATE: Edwin Encarnacion signs 1-year, $12 million contract with the Chicago White Sox
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Tanner Roark
Not that he was ever a dominant force early in his career, but, at this point, Roark is a No. 4 or 5 guy in a rotation. Since finishing the 2016 season 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA, Roark has a 4.46 ERA over his last 91 starts. He may get a chance to pitch for a fringe contender like Oakland, but it is more likely Roark goes to a young team in need of both pitching and leadership. The Blue Jays fit the bill.
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
UPDATE: Tanner Roark signs 2-year, $24 million with Toronto Blue Jays
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Wade Miley
Miley isn’t going to be the difference between not making the postseason and winning a World Series, but the lefty could be a boon for a handful of clubs. After a brief — albeit successful — stint in Milwaukee, Miley made 33 starts for the Astros in 2019. His 14-6 record looks good, but Miley’s ERA ballooned to 3.98 — up from 2.57 the year prior. A team like the Pirates could bring Miley in to act as a stabilizing force in their rotation. If he signs a one-year deal, he immediately would become a trade candidate.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
UPDATE: Wade Miley signs 1-year, $6 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds
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Shogo Akiyama
With the Astros and Athletics bonafide 90-plus win teams and the Angels and Rangers on their way up, the Mariners are looking at a rough couple of years. One way to energize the fan base, however, would be to bring aboard Shogo Akiyama. Akiyama, 32, is a solid center fielder who has fared well in the NPB for years. Seattle has ties to Japan through the legendary Ichiro, making this a potential easy fit. Akiyama is not a lock to leave to Japan, however.
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
UPDATE: Shogo Akiyama signs 3-year, $21 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds
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Cole Hamels
After a tough end to his time in Texas, Hamels has enjoyed a good string of pitching with the Cubs. He is no longer an ace like he was with the Phillies, but Hamels is plenty capable of winning games for a good club. Numerous contenders will likely reach out to the lefty to gauge his interest, but the Cubs seem like a perfect fit. However, if the Dodgers fail to retain Ryu, Hamels may be in play.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
UPDATE: Cole Hamels signs 1-year, $18 million deal with Atlanta Braves
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Rich Hill
When he was able to pitch in 2019, Hill was very good. In just 13 starts for the Dodgers, Hill produced a 2.45 ERA and struck out 11 batters per nine innings. Hill will be 40 by the time the season starts, making a one-year contract the most likely option. The Dodgers should be able to retain Hill’s services for cheap.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
UPDATE: Rich Hill signs 1-year, $3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins
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Stephen Strasburg
Of the two star players who just helped Washington win the World Series, Strasburg seems like the safer bet to return to the Nation’s Capital. Strasburg has been with the organization since he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 MLB Draft. Washington will likely be more inclined to pay Strasburg than Rendon. Barring something unforeseen, Stras will remain a Nat.
Prediction: Washington Nationals
UPDATE: Stephen Strasburg signs 7-year, $245 million deal with Washington Nationals
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Gerrit Cole
Say hello to the main prize of the offseason. Gerrit Cole, Cy Young finalist and strikeout machine, will likely fetch the largest contract — for a pitcher — in baseball history. Cole has gone 35-10 with a 2.68 ERA and 602 strikeouts since the start of 2018. Cole’s arsenal is nearly unmatched across baseball, and his age (29) shouldn’t scare teams from ponying up. That being said, the Angels love throwing money at big-name players. With Cole being a Southern California native, the Angels make too much sense.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
UPDATE: Gerrit Cole signs 9-year, $324 million deal with New York Yankees
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