The 2020 MLB Winter are under way, virtually this year, as the hot stove starts to typically heat up in the second week of December.
Of course, as with everything in 2020, the MLB offseason is more unpredictable than ever before – with teams facing financial restraints after a 60-game season with no fans this past year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
How that impacts free agency remains to be seen, although the general feeling around baseball is that the hot stove may take a little while to warm up this winter and there may not be much activity this week.
Nevertheless, there are some intriguing names available this offseason as the Winter Meetings are upon us. Here are some predictions of where each of those marquee players may land:
SP Trevor Bauer: Los Angeles Angels
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The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has essentially linked himself to all 30 MLB teams and is basking in his free agency through his social media pages. It is hard to get a grasp on what he says or posts is serious and what is posturing, but ultimately, he will most likely go to the team that offers him the biggest bucks. Which team may that be?
The Los Angeles Angels could be that team. They are in desperate need of pitching and owner Arte Moreno is not one to shy away from spending. The Angels have already made deals for shortstop Jose Iglesias and closer Raisel Iglesias, an indication they will be aggressive and want to build a winner around Mike Trout. Bauer, a southern California native, would return to his home state and give the Angels a bonafide ace to pair with Dylan Bundy at the front of their rotation.
C J.T. Realmuto: Washington Nationals
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Realmuto is considered to be the top position player on the free agent market and is the rare catcher who can do it all. Realmuto, who turns 30 next year, has put together two solid seasons with the Phillies and the team extended him a qualifying offer, which he declined.
If the Phillies cannot re-sign him, they could potentially lose him to a division rival. The Washington Nationals have reportedly been linked to Realmuto as they look to return to contention in 2021. Realmuto has spent his entire career in the NL East – with the Marlins and Phillies – and would also fill a hole at the position for the Nationals, who currently only have Yan Gomes on the depth chart. Realmuto would get to work with top tier pitchers in Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin and bolster the middle of a lineup that lost Anthony Rendon to free agency a year ago.
OF George Springer: New York Mets
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Everybody is waiting for the Mets to make a big splash this offseason with new owner Steve Cohen. Among the top of the Mets’ needs is shoring up their outfield and Springer is the best outfielder on the market. The 31-year-old outfielder can man a strong center field for the Mets and serve as a sparkplug bat at the top of their lineup. It also gives the Mets a much deeper outfield, alongside Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Dom Smith and J.D. Davis. Jeff McNeil could move full-time to second or third base, which would improve their infield defense. It just makes too much sense for the Mets to pass up on Springer.
INF D.J. LeMahieu: New York Yankees
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LeMahieu is one of the most intriguing and coveted players in free agency this year after establishing himself as an MVP candidate and AL batting title champion in two seasons with the Bronx Bombers. What makes LeMahieu so interesting, though, is that it is no sure thing the Yankees will re-sign. The versatile infielder is 32 years old and reportedly wants a five-year deal.
The Yankees have balked at going to that length, adding intrigue and drama to his free agency. With teams like the Mets and Blue Jays waiting in the shadows to possibly pounce on LeMahieu, it’s hard to imagine the Yankees let him slip away. By all accounts LeMahieu wants to stay in New York and the Yankees want him there, too. It is hard to imagine the two sides not figuring something out to keep LeMahieu in pinstripes.
OF/DH Marcell Ozuna: Toronto Blue Jays
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The Blue Jays have popped up quite often as a team to watch for this offseason. After getting back to the playoffs last year, Toronto has a solid young core it is looking to add to as they aim to compete with the Yankees and Rays.
Ozuna, 30, is coming off a remarkable 60-game season in 2020 in which he led the NL with 18 home runs and 56 RBI with the Atlanta Braves. However, Ozuna spent most of the season serving as a DH – something that may not be in the NL in 2021, which leaves the Braves in a precarious position. Ozuna, who is limited in the outfield, would be better suited in the American League and a team like the Blue Jays could swoop in and sign him if they lose out on Springer to the Mets.
SS Marcus Semien: Cincinnati Reds
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The 30-year-old shortstop is just two seasons removed from a third-place MVP finish and is the top free-agent shortstop on the market this winter. He has been a great fit for the A’s, but he may be out of their price range as a free agent – leaving other shortstop-needy teams, like the Reds and Phillies, in the mix.
The Reds have been linked to Gregorius, who came up in their farm system, and also trading for a shortstop in Francisco Lindor and Trevor Story. But it is much more likely they land either Semien or Gregorius in free agency. The Phillies will want to bring back Gregorius, leaving the Reds with Semien – a plus defensive shortstop who will look to recapture that 2019 magic. Even if he cannot have that type of season again, he could be a consistent 15 home run, 10 steal and a .330 on-base percentage player.
SS Didi Gregorius: Philadelphia Phillies
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The left-handed hitting shortstop would probably be the Phillies’ preference in free agency among available shortstops after what he showed he could do in the shortened 2020 season. He may not be as good defensively as Semien, but his bat has plenty of pop and is perfect for Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies declined to extend a qualifying offer to bring Gregorius back on another one-year deal, but depending on how much Semien signs for, the Phillies could get Gregorius back at a cheaper annual value than what the qualifying offer ($18.9 million) would have cost them. Gregorius seemed to be a natural fit in the Phillies lineup and fans would certainly enjoy seeing him return.
OF/DH Michael Brantley: Houston Astros
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Brantley is a left-handed bat who can hit for average and is good for 15-20 home runs a season. His defense is shaky, though, limiting his options as a likely DH as he turns 34 next season and heads into the latter phase of his career. The Astros are not going to be able to afford Springer, but bringing back Brantley on a short-term deal is more plausible. Houston’s window to win another World Series is still open and Brantley ought to be a key figure in that pursuit.
SP Masahiro Tanaka: New York Yankees
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The Yankees did not extend a qualifying offer to Tanaka, but there is still the possibility they sign him at a cheaper price. Tanaka, 32, reportedly prefers to stay in New York and it’s possible he takes a discount to remain with the Yankees. The Yankees certainly need the pitching, and if they can bring Tanaka back at a price below market value it seems like a no-brainer.
RP Liam Hendriks: Chicago White Sox
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Liam Hendriks is arguably the best reliever on the market and ought to have plenty of suitors from World Series contenders. The Chicago White Sox certainly proved last year they are ready to take the next step and could use some bullpen help. Hendriks, 32, is the same age as Alex Colome -- last year’s closer who is also a free agent – but Hendriks has more overpowering stuff, striking out 37 batters in 25.1 innings pitched last year.
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