MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 13: Mike Napoli #12 of the Boston Red Sox watches a pitch in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins during MLB game action on May 13, 2014 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andy Clayton-King/Getty Images)
With spring training on its way, the free agent market still possesses a decent amount of talent to help some teams make a push for the pennant. Below we’ll list a few of the top players still available, and where they’ll likely land this spring.
Matt Wieters – (Baltimore Orioles in 2016)
We believe Matt Wieters should end up with the Brewers.
It has been a winter of turmoil for the 30-year-old catcher. After initial reports showing that there would be significant interest in the four-time all-star. Yet, here we are in February and Wieters is still yet to be signed.
Playing 124 games last year, he hit 17 home runs and added 66 RBI. Although his number don’t jump off the sheet as some other players would, Spotrac (spotrac.com/mlb.com) list him with a market value of around $13,500,000. It makes the onlooker ask, “Why has he not been given a contract?”. Well, the market wasn’t nearly in search of power hitters the way many thought. Edwin Encarnacion barely got a contract, Kendrys Morales was given a relatively small contract, and Jose Bautista waited for what seemed like forever to re-sign with the Jays – on a one-year contract nonetheless.
Not only was the hitting market shallow, but the catcher market was especially small as well. Jason Castro got just over $8 million next year, and Wellington Castillo and Wilson Ramos both got around $6,000,000aav contracts. Castillo got signed as the presumed starter in Baltimore. Frankly, there have yet to be any teams willing to spend lots on a catcher this off-season. With Wieters looking for a sizeable contract, it makes his number of landings spots smaller and smaller by the day.
According to Baltimore media, Wieters isn’t being shopped by the Orioles to any degree, so the likeliness he ends up there is less and less by the day – especially with the Orioles having a new starting catcher. What Wieters would be great for is a bridge deal for the Milwaukee Brewers. A young and rebuilding team, Wieters could be signed for a short-term deal at a fairly low rate based on how late the signing is. The deal would work for both sides, so Milwaukee may be the best destination for Wieters to further prove his worth.
Pick: Milwaukee Brewers
Chase Utley – (Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016)
At 38 years old, time may be running out for the second baseman. Never thought of as a solid major league hitter, Utley proved that with the beginning of last season. One of the worst batters to begin the year, there was a significant reason that many teams have overlooked. Utley sprained his ankle before spring training and it appeared his ankle continued to bother him into the season.
Utley is still a useful player for teams that are thin at second base. Although never a fantastic hitter, Utley has seen his contact increase in the last few years. With this, his value grows somewhat despite his rising age. His largest issue at this point is his age. Teams have no interest paying large sums for an aging second baseman with question marks at the plate.
Similarly to Wieters, the deal we could see for Utley is likely a short-term (one year) contract, likely with a younger team. Teams like this that are weak at second base include Arizona and Kansas City who may be looking to the playoffs sooner than later. The Diamondbacks have shown that they are willing to pay very high for free agents (See. Zack Greinke), so the willingness to pay for a player like Utley may be there.
Look to the Diamondbacks to sign Utley to a one-year deal to assist their second base issues. By doing this, it may spark a change in Arizona as they push to contend.
Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks
Mike Napoli – (Boston Red Sox in 2016)
This pick is somewhat easier than the others. Although talks have stalled between the Texas Rangers and the first baseman, they will likely reopen. His price has come down drastically as the off-season has drawn on.
Some reports have shown that the Boston Red Sox may choose to try to resign him, but all evidence points to the contrary. The Red Sox seemed to have finished their off-season signings weeks ago. They now have a team that is championship caliber, so signing Napoli doesn’t seem necessary. At the same time, Mitch Moreland also plays first base, if Napoli were to return one would play an off-position.
Signing with Texas would be the ideal spot for both sides. Napoli – a former Ranger – would get a deal he likes in a state he likes, while the team would likely get him on a bargain deal. A power hitter, Napoli is a fantastic late free agent. Whoever acquires him will get a heavy bat for a lower-than-market-value price. Value-wise, a deal makes sense. Whether the Rangers can finish it off or not is yet to be seen.
At 35, Napoli hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Last year was possibly his best season to date, batting .239 with 34 home runs and 101 RBI. Finding the perfect fit aside from Texas will be tough. At 34, some teams may choose to sign him as a preferred DH to prolong his usefulness.
If the Rangers can give Napoli a multi-year deal, then Texas is without a doubt his landing spot. The next few weeks are pivotal for both sides after issues with his initial deal.
