The MLB free agency period for the 2016 season reached a boiling point over the past week or so with a bevy of outstanding starting pitchers finding new homes in a flash. The likes of Zack Greinke, David Price, Jordan Zimmermann and Jeff Samardzija are no longer up for grabs, which now leaves an abundant number of high-profile skill position players still waiting to be picked up.
There’s only one solid ace in our list of the top five remaining free agents on the market, but the other four players are certainly top tier talents that could very well make an even bigger impact next year.
Let’s now run down these five superstars with our predictions as for which team a particular player is likely headed (or, staying put). After this, check out our AFC and NFC Championship futures features to be on top of all the hard-hitting NFL betting action that’s well-within the thick of the playoff race as we speak.
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The Top 5 MLB Free Agents Still On the Market
1. Jason Heyward
[sc:MLB240banner ]At 26 years old, St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward is the youngest player and also the cream of the 2016 free agency crop. His batting numbers are relatively weaker compared to the rest of the hitters on this list, but it’s his youth and defensive prowess (three Gold Gloves over the past four seasons) that make him the prettiest girl at the dance.
Both 2015 NLCS representatives, the Mets and the Cubs, are itching to add the young buck into their respective rosters as the next cornerstone piece towards another shot at the World Series title for years to come.
However, it seems as if Heyward will remain with his current team. The Cardinals are already built for success and Heyward got to experience first-hand last season just what the prideful St. Louis organization is all about. But why hasn’t he been signed by a team yet? Well, his high market value is probably what’s holding the Cards and other suitors from pulling the trigger right away.
Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals
2. Yoenis Cespedes
In spite of the virtual no-show at the World Series, Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets remains a coveted acquisition for any contender in the league.
The knock on Cespedes’ game (or as we like to call him here in TopBet “The Human Cespedes”) is that he’s had more than a few run-ins with injuries throughout his career. With that being said, a transfer to the American League is rather ideal, especially in the event that he’ll be relegated to the designated hitter slot once his body doesn’t cooperate can no longer cope with the defensive workload.
Then again, no other team in the league is as good a fit for him other than the Giants. The Cuban sensation’s first three years in the Majors were in the Bay Area with the A’s, so he’ll definitely feel at home in San Francisco. Plus, the Giants are in dire need of a left fielder so they certainly want to get their hands on the two-time Home Run Derby champion before somebody else does.
There have been some rumors that the Tigers are also interested in reconsidering getting him back onboard (he was with Detroit at the start of 2015 before being traded to the Mets mid-season), but the murmurs are dwindling, and San Francisco has the current upper hand for his services.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
3. Alex Gordon
Out of the 34 qualifying offers that were dished out since the MLB’s collective bargaining agreement’s changes in free agency rules of engagement some three years back, not one player has opted to pick his qualifying offer up. Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is the latest to join that list.
The three-time All-Star turned down his own $14 million player option before Kansas City’s $15.8 million qualifying offer to test his waters in the free market. And why wouldn’t he? He’s arguably the best position player from the reigning World Series championship team, for crying out loud.
Someone of Gordon’s caliber is a terrific fit for the likes of the Mets and the Cardinals. However, both of those teams are still waiting for Cespedes and Heyward, respectively, to make up their minds on whether they will return to their current team or not before they take get in on the Gordon sweepstakes.
Similarly, Royals manager Ned Yost recently expressed his desire to have his lynchpin back to defend their title. If Gordon favors championships over financial prosperity, he’d be better off sticking with the only team that he’s been with his entire nine-year career. Heck, it was the Royals that made him a household name in baseball in the first place, so why not turn himself into a local legend in the next phase of his career with a proven winning ball club?
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
4. Johnny Cueto
Another Kansas City standout enters our list and it’s Johnny Cueto, the only other marquee starting pitcher left in the rapidly depleting pitching market.
The Dominican must’ve seen his own price spike up after finding out the kinds of deals that David Price and Zack Greinke got before him because he just turned down a whopping six-year, $120 million offer from the Royals. But who could afford Cueto, who’s had some serious injuries and only played exceptionally well for Kansas City last season during the World Series?
Enter the Dodgers, who just lost Greinke to Arizona. Los Angeles is a huge market team that loves to spend, is an elite force out in the NL, and has the glitz and glamour of the LA scene to attract the 29-year-old righty.
The Nationals also threw their name into the hat. Washington saw stud starter Jordan Zimmermann depart for Detroit, and the hiring of new manager Dusty Baker can be the x-factor that swings Cueto’s decision towards the Nation’s Capital. Although Baker – who was Cueto’s manager during his stint with Cincy – is certainly a plus, it’ll be hard to top whatever extravagant offer the Dodgers have in store for the 2014 NL strikeout leader.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Chris Davis
Capping of this list with a bang is Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. “Crush” exemplifies the modern-day slugger: power hitting (45 or more home runs in two of his last three seasons) with some pretty solid work on first base.
Unfortunately, the current market is going after outfielders rather than basemen, and everybody knows that “first baseman” is also another – yet quite derogatory – term for “bad at fielding”. He’ll be better off staying within the confines of the American League for DH purposes similar to Cespedes, and the Tigers are prime candidates to land the former Silver Slugger awardee.
Yet, as recent hearsay goes, the Orioles are pushing real hard to keep Davis as a part of their core. Davis turned down Baltimore’s initial $150 million offer while he’s seeking a deal around the $200 million range, but the on-going negotiations have been said to be going smoothly. 2015 was a down year for the Orioles, and having Davis back to start whacking long balls again is apparently the team’s top priority.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles
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