Happy Holidays, everyone! It’s been a really disappointing offseason so far in terms of player movement and rule changes, but I can’t say it’s unexpected. There have been only a few top free-agent signings to date. The shortlist is basically just Charlie Morton inking with the Atlanta Braves; James McCann signing with the New York Mets and Carlos Santana landing a new deal with the Kansas City Royals.
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Players have certainly gotten the message from teams that the pandemic has caused such significant losses that there is a strong market crash for most free agents. The top-tier free agents like J.T. Realmuto, Trevor Bauer and George Springer will still get paid big, but most of the free-agent class may have to brace themselves for seriously reduced salaries.
Still, the game’s best free agents will eventually sign. So I thought in honor of the holidays, I’d play matchmaker and gift each player with their best fit.
J.T. Realmuto, C
Philadelphia Phillies
This signing will take at least another month until his representatives realize they’re not getting anything close to $200 million. That being said, he’ll still end up being the highest-paid catcher in baseball history after he signs. His best fit is a return to Philadelphia, especially after the Mets decided not to wait for him, signing James McCann instead.
Trevor Bauer, RHP
Los Angeles Angels
No team needs an ace more than the Angels and if we’re ever going to get to see Mike Trout in the playoffs, they better begin concentrating all of their efforts on the top of their starting rotation, and Bauer would be a great start.
George Springer, CF
New York Mets
Springer is from the northeast and went to college at the University of Connecticut, which makes the Mets a nice geographic fit. There’s not a better baseball fit, either. The Mets desperately need an upgrade in center field and another power bat to help support Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto in their lineup.
DJ LeMahieu, 2B
New York Yankees
Yankees GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone have made it clear that LeMahieu is their top offseason priority. I can’t imagine there is another team that’s going to outbid the Bronx Bombers for his services. His leadership, professional approach and work ethic are an incredible value-add for the Yankees organization.
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Marcell Ozuna, LF/DH
Atlanta Braves
The only way the Braves bring back Ozuna is if Major League Baseball and the Players’ Union come to their senses and implement the universal DH permanently. The Braves are a serious World Series contender with or without Ozuna, but he would certainly improve their October chances.
Liam Hendriks, Closer
Los Angeles Dodgers
The time has come for the Dodgers to officially have Kenley Jansen pass the torch to the next closer — and instead of passing it in-house, it makes more sense for them to go out and ink arguably the best closer in the sport right now in Hendriks. That would allow Jansen, Brusdar Graterol and Víctor González to take care of the 6th through 8th innings.
Nelson Cruz, DH
Minnesota Twins
The Twins have made bringing Cruz back one of their offseason priorities, and a reunion seems likely. There just aren’t a lot of American League teams that are looking for a full-time DH. Cruz will probably wait the market out, just in case the universal DH is implemented and he can open up his services to National League clubs.
Masahiro Tanaka, RHP
New York Yankees
Tanaka is the second-best starting pitcher left on the free-agent market, behind only Bauer, and I’m expecting him to end up with either the Yankees, Angels or Mets. However, this signing might be a while, because it’s going to take time for him to digest the significant pay cut he’s going to have to take from the $22-23 million annual salary he’s been earning.
Michael Brantley, LF/DH
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox could really use another left-handed bat like Brantley to better balance their lineup, and just as importantly, their young players would benefit from his mentorship. Brantley’s professional approach at the plate, in the dugout and in the clubhouse provides an elite example for the young talent the White Sox have on their roster. Brantley and Eloy Jiménez could share left field and the DH spot.
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Justin Turner, 3B
Los Angeles Dodgers
If the Dodgers can’t land Nolan Arenado in a trade with the Colorado Rockies, then bringing back Turner on a two-year contract would still be a solid choice. Turner will probably start to decline in 2021 due to age, but he’s still good enough to contribute on both sides of the ball as part of the deep Dodgers lineup. However, this is a spot where the Dodgers should try to get younger in the future.
Didi Gregorius, SS
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have made shortstop an offseason priority, and they’ve long wanted a reunion with Gregorius. They saved enough money with the Raisel Iglesias trade with the Angels and the non-tender of Archie Bradley to afford making a serious run at Didi. Gregorius would fit nicely in this underrated lineup, which includes Eugenio Suárez, Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos.
Brad Hand, LHP
Philadelphia Phillies
I’m still shocked that no team decided to claim Hand on waivers when he was sitting on the wire for just one-year, $10 million. The Phillies have to make their bullpen a priority and Hand’s ability to close or set-up fits nicely with their needs.
Marcus Semien, SS
Philadelphia Phillies
Semien had a down year in 2020, but showed in the postseason that it was probably just because of the strange, truncated season the game was forced to endure. The Athletics want to bring Semien back, but the Phillies’ small ballpark might be a better fit for him if he wants to sign a short-term deal to prove to suitors that his subpar year was a fluke and rebuild his value for next offseason.
Kyle Schwarber, LF/DH
Tampa Bay Rays
Schwarber has averaged over 30 home runs per year since 2017, with a career on-base percentage of .336. I’ve always felt his best role would be as a designated hitter, although he’s certainly worked hard enough to be adequate defensively in left field. The Rays need another bat and I like him in their DH spot.
Andrelton Simmons, SS
Oakland Athletics
If the A’s can’t bring Semien back and can’t lure Gregorius in free agency, then Simmons would be a solid fallback option. Simmons is still arguably the best overall defensive shortstop in the game, and can you imagine him and third baseman Matt Chapman on the same left side of the infield? They might have to give out two Platinum Glove Awards if that happens.
Trevor Rosenthal, Closer
Houston Astros
The Padres traded for Rosenthal from the Royals at the trade deadline last year and in nine appearances he didn’t give up a run, pitching 10 innings and allowing just 3 hits with 17 strikeouts and 1 walk. He’s completely healthy and dominant once again. The Astros’ main offseason goal is to acquire a closer, and Rosenthal fills that need.
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Adam Wainwright, RHP
St.Louis Cardinals
Wainwright proved last year that he’s not done, and a lot of contending clubs would like his arm in the middle of their rotation and his leadership in the clubhouse. His preference is to return to the Cardinals — now we just have to see if St. Louis is willing to make him a fair offer.
Jake Odorizzi, RHP
New York Mets
Odorizzi has been a solid starter over the last five years and had his best season in 2019, when he went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA with 178 punchouts in 159 innings. He had an injury-plagued 2020, dealing with a back strain, blister problems and a chest contusion he suffered on a line drive back to the box. If he’s healthy in 2021, he could end up being one of the better undervalued signings of the offseason.
Eddie Rosario, LF
Boston Red Sox
Rosario is just a year removed from hitting .276 with 28 doubles, 32 home runs and 109 runs batted in with the Minnesota Twins. He has a strong relationship with Sox manager Alex Cora and I think he’d fit great in left field as they could move Andrew Benintendi to center field, keep Alex Verdugo in right field and then utilize recently signed Hunter Renfroe as their fourth outfielder.
Taijuan Walker, RHP
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers would like to add a veteran starter to their bevy of young pitching prospects. Walker is finally healthy and continuing to develop. His strong make-up and high baseball IQ would be helpful to the Tigers’ young players. He’s still a high-risk, high-reward type signing, and a low base salary with incentives based on innings pitched would be the wisest contract structure for him, based on his lengthy injury history.
Kolten Wong, 2B
Boston Red Sox
Wong has won back-to-back National League Gold Glove Awards, and his flashy leather would be a welcome addition to the Red Sox infield. The left-handed hitter provides 10-home run type power and his 20-stolen base potential would be utilized well by Sox manager Alex Cora.
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies desperately need a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder to help their pitching staff, and incoming president Dave Dombrowski was a huge Bradley supporter when both were winning a world championship in Boston. Dombrowski also has a great relationship with Bradley’s agent Scott Boras, which will help in the negotiations.
Yadier Molina, C
St. Louis Cardinals
I really wanted to put Molina with the Yankees, but after they tendered Gary Sánchez I just can’t see them being able to trade him, which probably takes them out of the Molina sweepstakes. I also think the future Hall of Fame catcher should finish his career in a Redbirds uniform. The Cardinals have to face the reality that they’re going to have to overpay Molina because of his age and decline, but it’s worth it considering the whole package he brings to the ballpark. There has not been a better game caller in this generation of catchers.
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Kirby Yates, Closer
San Diego Padres
2020 was a nightmare season for Yates, and it ended prematurely with right elbow surgery to remove bone chips. In 2019, he was perhaps the best closer in the NL, posting a league-leading 41 saves to go along with a 1.19 ERA. Can he bounce back and dominate again? Only medicals and time will tell, but it’ll be worth the gamble, and a return to San Diego makes the most sense here.
James Paxton, LHP
New York Yankees
Paxton had a great year in 2019 with the Yankees when he went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts. However, once again injuries caught up to him and he only made five starts this past year, going 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA. If healthy, he’s a No. 2 starter. But can he get healthy? He has unfinished business in New York, which is why I’m returning him to the Yanks.
José Quintana, LHP
San Diego Padres
Quintana’s ERA went from 3.74 to 4.03 to 4.68 from 2017-19. This past year, he cut his finger and only pitched 10 innings. He’s still only 32 years old, though, and I won’t be surprised if he’s a Comeback Player of the Year candidate in 2021. This looks like an A.J. Preller special, just like with his previous signing of Garrett Richards.
Alex Colomé, Closer
New York Mets
The Mets shouldn’t stop building up their bullpen, and Colomé would give them further depth. The Mets have the financial wherewithal now, and should flex their muscles and checkbook and keep adding as much pitching as possible.
Mark Melancon, RHP
Atlanta Braves
Much of baseball was surprised when the Braves traded for Melancon, but he rewarded Atlanta by putting a 2.78 ERA, despite a rapidly dropping strikeout rate. He’s found a home with the Braves and would be making a mistake if he signs elsewhere.
Ha-Seong Kim, SS
Toronto Blue Jays
There is a lot of disagreement from major-league clubs around whether he’s a second baseman or shortstop, but either way, he’s an everyday hitter. This past year he slashed .306/.397/.523 with 30 home runs, stealing 23 of 25 bases in the KBO. The Blue Jays are loaded up the middle but they’d like to keep adding depth to help them make future trades.
Nomar Mazara, OF
Miami Marlins
Mazara has hit 19-20 home runs in four of his first five years in the major leagues and is still just 25 years old. I think it would make sense for the Marlins to bring him into camp and let him compete with Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Magneuris Sierra for the right field position as they wait for their top prospect J.J. Bleday to develop.
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Archie Bradley, RHP
Los Angeles Angels
Bradley put up an impressive 2.95 ERA between the Diamondbacks and Reds last year in 16 appearances and 18 1/3 innings pitched. The Angels have had a strong start to their offseason under rookie GM Perry Minasian, including the acquisition of Bradley’s former teammate with the Reds, Raisel Iglesias. They can’t stop there, and I think Bradley would flourish playing under the positivity of manager Joe Maddon.
Shane Greene, RHP
Seattle Mariners
Greene put up a 2.60 ERA in 28 appearances in 2020, although his strikeout rate decreased for the third consecutive year. The Mariners continue to try and improve their bullpen and have enough resources to land Greene. His postseason experience will help influence the young Mariners’ arms.
Blake Treinen, RHP
Washington Nationals
In July 2017, the Nationals traded him along with Jesús Luzardo and Sheldon Neuse to the Oakland Athletics for relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madsen. Three and a half years later, a return to the Nationals bullpen makes sense for both parties.
Joc Pederson, LF
Los Angeles Angels
The Dodgers and Angels had actually agreed to a move at the trade deadline that would have sent Pederson to the Angels, but the trade was nixed by owner Arte Moreno when delays stood in the way of the closing of the transaction. The good news is now they can just sign him in free agency. His left-handed bat would fit perfectly as a fourth outfielder and back-up designated hitter on days that Shohei Ohtani pitches. He’d also help keep Justin Upton’s legs fresh by playing once or twice a week in left field.
César Hernández, 2B
Cleveland Indians
Hernández has a career slash line of .277/.352/.384 over his eight-year career, and led the American League with 20 doubles last year. The Red Sox, Athletics and Indians are all great fits for him, but I like him best in Northeast Ohio.
Tommy La Stella, 2B
Oakland Athletics
The A’s traded for La Stella at the trade deadline for a reason and love what he provides. They felt he was solid as their everyday second baseman, but also like his versatility.
Enrique Hernández, 2B
Boston Red Sox
Hernández can play second base, third base, center field and left field and provides serious pop against fastballs. He’s hard-nosed, a gamer and any other cliché you like throwing at great bench players. I’d love to see him play half his games at Fenway Park.
Jonathan Villar, 2B
San Francisco Giants
Villar hit 24 home runs and stole 40 bases in 2019 when he played the full 162-game schedule with the Baltimore Orioles. This past year was a nightmare for him, as he hit just .232 with 2 home runs and 16 runs batted in for the Marlins and Blue Jays combined. The Giants are looking for versatility and Villar can play second base, shortstop and center field.
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Yasiel Puig, RF
Miami Marlins
Puig had a difficult time dealing with free agency last offseason, and when he finally got an offer from the Atlanta Braves, he tested positive for COVID-19 and the deal fell apart. The Marlins are expected to let Monte Harrison, Lewis Brinson and Magneuris Sierra compete for their right field position as they wait for J.J. Bleday to develop. But let’s be realistic: it’s a stretch to think either Harrison or Brinson are going to hit enough, despite their elite athleticism, speed and raw power, and as much as I love Sierra, he’s more of a fourth-outfielder type. So bringing Puig in on a one-year deal, on a low base salary with incentives, makes sense to me. There is a large Cuban-American population in South Florida, and Puig’s passion and energy could turn him into an easy fan favorite. His good relationship with manager Don Mattingly could influence getting a short-term deal done.
Adam Duvall, OF
Atlanta Braves
Duvall was third in the NL with 16 home runs last year and the Braves had no choice but to non-tender with an arbitration system that would have grossly overpaid him. Duvall is a solid left fielder with dynamic power, but his career .293 on-base percentage can’t be ignored. Still, he was a great fit as an extra outfielder with Atlanta, and a return makes sense if they can agree on a reasonable contract that takes into account his entire game and not just his power.
(Top photo of J.T. Realmuto: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
