MLB FA Free For All

The Hot Stove season is going strong and as we move into 2018 there are 20 Major League Baseball Free Agents that are currently; here is where I think they will end up.

1.Yu Darvish, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017
The Japanese sensation made headlines when he was traded by the Rangers to the Dodgers last July. The 31 year old pitcher struggled mightily in the World Series, giving up more than 4 runs while failing to escape the second inning in both of his starts. But he’s an all-star when healthy.
2018 team:Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins have a rotation with many young arms that have potential. Yu Darvish would help them greatly as the Twins have hopes of the playoffs next season.

2.Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs in 2017
The 2015 Cy Young Winner, Arrieta, enters free agency after failing to sign an extension with the Cubs.
2018 team:Chicago Cubs
Jake Arrieta has stated that he wants to sign a $200m contract. He likely won’t get a contract that great but the Cubs would love to get Arrieta back.

3.J.D. Martinez, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017
Traded to Arizona in July, Martinez’s season was highlighted by a four home run performance in September. A power hitter, Martinez will help any team in need of a home run hitter.
2018 team:Boston Red Sox
Martinez has reportedly been in contact with Boston on a potential five year deal. The Red Sox have many young outfielders but Martinez would fit in nicely with Boston, possibly as a DH.

4.Lorenzo Cain, OF, Kansas City Royals in 2017
A multi-tool player, Cain enters free agency for the first time in his eight year career.
2018 team:New York Mets
After a disappointing 2017, the Mets should look to bolster their roster. Juan Lagares struggled last season so Lorenzo Cain would fit in nicely with an outfield that already has Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto.

5.Mike Moustakas,3B, Kansas City Royals
After ACL surgery, Moustakas bounced back to put together the finest season of his career with 38 home runs.
2018 team:Kansas City Royals
The Royals are hoping to retain some members of 2015 team that won the World Series. Moustakas, Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Alcides Escobar are all free agents. The Royals will lock up “Moose” on a one year deal and he will hit free agency again after next season.

6.Eric Hosmer,1B, Kansas City Royals
Hosmer, another key player from the World Series-winning team, is another Royal hitting the market this winter.
2018 team:New York Yankees
Greg Bird did not live up to his high expectations, hitting just 9 homers in an injury-plagued season. The Yankees are poised to be a World Series contender and Hosmer could be a big piece in getting them there.

7.Alex Cobb, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Cobb had a decent campaign in his comeback season after Tommy John Surgery. A consistent rotational starter, Cobb will help any team when healthy.
2018 team:Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have a future in their rotation with Zach Davies and Junior Guerra. Adding Cobb will help Milwaukee attempt to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

8.Greg Holland, RP, Colorado Rockies
Holland, another player who came back from Tommy John surgery in 2017, had an exceptional season with 41 saves and an All-Star appearance.
2018 team:Washington Nationals
The bullpen was the kryptonite for the Nationals last season. The Nationals have already locked up Brandon Kintzler and Holland will provide even more late-game efficiency.

9.Jay Bruce, OF, Cleveland Indians
Bruce was traded to Cleveland at the trade deadline and provided a power bat for the playoff team.
2018 team:Seattle Mariners
The Mariners would be thrilled to pick up Bruce as their outfield is one of their biggest weaknesses. The Mariners haven’t made the playoffs since 2001 and Bruce would help them get back there.

10.Logan Morrison, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
“Lo-Mo” had his best season with a career high 38 home runs. Morrison is a solid defender and can effectively be put in the middle of any lineup.
2018 team:Colorado Rockies
Despite a good 2017 season, Mark Reynolds is not the long-term answer for the Rockies. Morrison will greatly enjoy playing in the hitter-friendly Coors Field.

11.Jonathan Lucroy,C, Colorado Rockies
Lucroy, a two-time all star, struggled in 2017 after being traded from the Rangers to the Rockies. Lucroy hits the free agency market looking to help any team in need of a catcher.
2018 team:Colorado Rockies
The market for a good catcher is very slim. The Rockies don’t have a great plan at the position and will go back to sign Lucroy this winter.

12.Lance Lynn, SP, St.Louis Cardinals
Lynn had a bounce-back season after 2015 Tommy John Surgery. He will help teams in need of a veteran arm in their rotation
2018 team:Philadelphia Phillies
A team in need of a veteran arm? The Phillies absolutely fit the requirement: their rotation is thin after Aaron Nola. The Phillies have a lot of potential with Rhys Hoskins, J.P. Crawford and the signing of Carlos Santana. Lynn will help Philly try to get back to the playoffs next season.

13.Eduardo Nunez, 3B, Boston Red Sox
Nunez established himself as a base-stealer and perennial .300 hitter in 2017, batting .313 with 27 steals.
2018 team:New York Yankees
Todd Frazier will sign elsewhere and Chase Headley was shipped off to the Padres. Nunez will be an adequate solution for the Yankees at third base in 2018.

14.Carlos Gomez, OF, Texas Rangers
A former MVP candidate, Gomez had a decent season for the Texas Rangers. During free agency, Gomez will look to find a team in need of a veteran outfielder.
2018 team:St.Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have Dexter Fowler in right and traded for Marcell Ozuna in left field. Gomez is a sufficient player that will help the Cardinals as Randal Grichuk hasn’t turned out the way the Cardinals would have liked.

15.Neil Walker,2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Walker was traded to the Brewers from the Mets in August as Milwaukee pursued a playoff spot. Now with 9 MLB seasons under his belt, Walker will test the free agency market.
2018 team:Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers don’t have many options at second base if Walker signs elsewhere. After initial indications that he would go elsewhere, it’s being reported that Walker might return to the Brewers.

16.Addison Reed,RP, Boston Red Sox
Reed is an effective reliever who once had 40 saves back in 2013. He was expected to sign with the Phillies but they signed Tommy Hunter instead, leaving Reed unsigned.
2018 team:Texas Rangers
The Rangers had an underwhelming season, missing the playoffs despite expectations of doing so. The bullpen was an issue as the team high in saves was 11 by Alex Claudio. Addison Reed could solve the Rangers’ bullpen problem.

17.Jaime Garcia,SP, New York Yankees
A player who had 2.43 ERA in 2015 and won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2010, Garcia struggled with a 4.41 ERA in stints with Atlanta, Minnesota, and the Yankees.
2018 team:Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are in need of a veteran left-handed pitcher for the back end of their rotation. Garcia fits that need.

18.Andrew Cashner, SP, Texas Rangers
Cashner broke onto the scene back in 2012 with the San Diego Padres. Following a down 2016, Cashner bounced back with a solid 2017.
2018 team:Baltimore Orioles
Kevin Gausman has been inconsistent his whole career, the Orioles lost Wei-Yin Chen last offseason, and Chris Tillman was awful with an era of over 7 in 2017. Baltimore has a lackluster rotation as a result and Cashner fills a need as a starting option.

19.Todd Frazier, 3B, New York Yankees
A former all-star, Frazier hit for power but couldn’t do much else last season as his batting average dipped to a career-low .213.
2018 team:New York Mets
David Wright didn’t hit the field in 2017 and probably won’t in 2018 either. Frazier provides some power at third base for a team in need at that position.

20.Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies
A one time top talent in the MLB, Gonzalez had an awful campaign resulting in a WAR of -0.2.
2018 team:Colorado Rockies
Gonzalez struggles paying anywhere outside of Colorado. The Rockies will bring him back as a platoon type starter or possibly even a backup in a crowded outfield in Colorado.