Here are my predictions on where the best players available this winter will land.
1. David Price- Chicago Cubs: All signs point to the Cubbies being the favorites to land the best pitcher available this winter. And they should be the favorites too because Price's former manager Joe Maddon is the current manager of the Cubs and no team has a brighter future in all of sports than the Cubs right now. Price would only make it brighter. Teams such as the Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Giants can't be ruled out. Neither cold a return to Toronto.
2. Jason Hayward- St. Louis Cardinals: This was a tough one to predict. I say the Cards keep him and sign him to a big contract this offseason since he is still pretty young and has a ton of upside. Don't forget they traded Shelby Miller for him. Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers, White Sox, Twins, Indians, Royals, Astros, Rangers, Angels, Mariners, Nationals, Cubs, Dodgers, and Giants can't be counted out.
3. Zack Greinke- Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers can't afford to let Greinke go unless they sign or trade for somebody else. Greinke apparently wants to stay in the west coast so I think he re-signs with the Dodgers. Don't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Cardinals, Cubs and Giants.
4. Justin Upton- Houston Astros: Upton is another tough one to predict. The Astros may lose Colby Rasmus in free agency and Upton would be a great replacement and upgrade. This would be a nice fit. I wouldn't rule out the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Tigers, White Sox, Indians, Royals, Angels, Rangers, Mariners, Mets, Cubs, and Giants.
5. Chris Davis- Boston Red Sox: This one is a bit of a wild card but I'll roll with this pick. The Red Sox traded away Mike Napoli last season and can use an upgrade at first base over Travis Shaw, who showed some flashes last season. Part of this prediction is that I believe the Sox will eventually move on from Hanley Ramirez. Davis would be a nice fit on the Sox and could use him in the outfield if need be. Other potential fits are the Astros, Rangers, Angels, Mariners, and Cardinals. A return to Baltimore can't be ruled out either.
6. Yoenis Cespedes- Chicago Cubs: Cespedes would be a really nice fit on this up and coming Cubs team. They can use him in left or center field, just like the Mets and his other teams he was on in the past. Other fits are the teams I listed for Hayward and Upton. A reunion with the Mets is possible as well.
7. Jordan Zimmerman- San Francisco Giants: The Giants need another top-flight pitcher to pair up with Madison Bumgarner and Zimmerman is the right fit. Other fits are the teams I listed for Price and Greinke as well as the Blue Jays, Tigers, and Diamondbacks.
8. Johnny Cueto- Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox need a top flight pitcher in the worst way and Cueto is the right fit for them. Other fits are the teams I listed for Price, Greinke, and Zimmerman.
9. Alex Gordon- Kansas City Royals: There's a lot of talk that the Royals can't afford to pay Gordon, but that's overblown. I believe Gordon stays with the Royals and they'll do whatever it takes to keep him. Teams I listed for Upton and Hayward can't be ruled out, either.
10. Ian Desmond- San Diego Padres: The Padres need a shortstop upgrade badly and the Pads seem like a nice fit. Teams such as the Orioles, Yankees, White Sox, Twins, and Mets can't be counted out.
11. Jeff Samardzija- Los Angeles Angels: The Angels rotation is actually quite decent, but the bet here is that they trade some of their pitchers to get a big bat. This is a nice fit for Samardzija. The Yankees are known to like Samardzija, but the Giants, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cardinals and Astros are just a few others who could get involved.
12. Mike Leake- San Francisco Giants: Leake was a nice fit on the Giants after they traded for him last summer. I believe they try to keep him just like they did with Jake Peavy last winter. Teams I listed for Samardzija are the likely candidates for Leake as well.
13. Wei-Yen Chen- Miami Marlins: This one is a bit of a wild card too. The Marlins could use some middle-of-the-rotation help after trading away Dan Haren and Mat Latos and Chen would be a nice fit. Teams I listed for Samardzija are the likely suitors for Chen.
14. Matt Wieters- Chicago White Sox: The White Sox can absolutely use an upgrade at catcher and Wieters would be a nice fit and an upgrade over Tyler Flowers. Teams such as the Angels, Astros, Nationals, and Braves will be in the mix too.
15. Daniel Murphy- Los Angeles Angels: The Angels are a nice fit for Murphy, who will provide an upgrade at second base over the likes of Johnny Giavotella. He can also play third base as well. The Yankees, Orioles, White Sox, Royals, Athletics, Nationals, and Padres could be in the mix as well. The Mets will likely move on as they have Dilson Herrera in place to replace him at second base.
16. Dexter Fowler- Chicago Cubs: I believe the Cubs will retain their center fielder they traded for last winter. Fowler did a nice job leading off for the Cubbies and he should be back, but if they decide to move on, the Mets, Nationals, Angels, Marlins, and White Sox are some decent matches. Teams like the Mariners and Rangers may seek help in center field, but may be reluctant to forfeit their first-round draft pick.
17. Scott Kazmir- Houston Astros: I believe the Astros will retain Kazmir after trading for him last summer. He was a nice fit in Houston as well and he is from there too. The Orioles, perhaps seeking a more affordable southpaw to replace Wei-Yin Chen, could pursue Kazmir. The Tigers, Blue Jays, Giants, Dodgers, Padres, and Royals are other possibilities.
18. Ian Kennedy- Detroit Tigers: Detroit needs pitching after trading away David Price (even though they got some good pitchers in return from the Price and Yoenis Cespedes trades). Kennedy would be a nice fit with the Tigers in the middle of that rotation. The Angels, Giants, Astros, Blue Jays, and Orioles are potential suitors.
19. Yovani Gallardo- Detroit Tigers: Like Kennedy, I believe Gallardo would be a nice fit in this Detroit rotation. He would be likely their number two starter behind Justin Verlander. The other suitors for Gallardo are the teams I listed for Samardjiza and Kazmir.
20. Ben Zobrist- New York Yankees: The Yankees are the best fit for Zobrist. He can play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield and would give the veterans a rest because of his versatility. He remains a good fit for the Royals, while the Mets, Orioles, Padres, Astros, Nationals, Cubs and White Sox could also make sense.
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