Top 5 Potential Destinations for Alex Rios in 2015

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of Comerica Park before the game of the Detroit Tigers against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Detroit Tigers

This scenario is entirely contingent on the possible retirement of Torii Hunter, who would most likely resign with Detroit if he chooses to return to the diamond in 2015.

As for a potential life without Hunter, Rios would be a viable replacement for Detriot at a similar (if not cheaper) price tag. Hunter posted a stellar two years with the Tigers and would be difficult to replace but Rios would be a slightly younger and comparable fill in. Implementing him into the lineup would keep Detroit right-handed heavy, but that wouldn’t change if Hunter were to resign anyways.

Plus, hitting alongside Miguel Cabrera will make any free agent giddy and it doesn’t hurt that Detroit should continue to be in the thick of the AL playoff picture for years to come.

Sep 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman

(26) is congratulated by right fielder

(19) and short stop

(7) after hitting a three run home run against Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Tampa Bay won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Toronto Blue Jays

This would be a homecoming for Rios as he spent the 2004-2009 seasons as a member of the Blue Jays.

Toronto needs outfield help with Melky Cabrera hitting the free agent market this winter and the likes of Colby Rasmus and Anthony Gose being too inconsistent. Jose Batista will be a mainstay in right field for the time being, meaning Rios may have to shift over to left field.

The Blue Jays will be kicking themselves all offseason for not taking advantage of a down year in the AL East, which is rarity. If they lose in a bidding war for Cabrera, or choose to not move forward with him at all, going after Rios for the right price makes sense.

Sep 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the ballpark during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. Texas Rangers

Just because Texas chose to decline the option on Rios does not mean that his time in Texas will come to an end.

2014 was a strange year for the Rangers filled with an abundance of injuries and managerial turmoil. They will be one of the prime bounce back candidates for the 2015 season, making them slightly appealing to Rios.

Playing in a hitter’s ballpark is a nice little nugget to throw at any free agent bopper and the presence of a healthy Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre certainly doesn’t hurt.

I would not be surprised if there is some sort of “wink wink” deal behind the scenes where the Rangers told Rios they were declining his option but will return the favor by giving him more long term security for a lesser annual salary.

Although this scenario may be pretty likely, it would be the least amount of fun and therefore has been placed at the number three spot accordingly.

Aug 29, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder

(16) cannot reach a solo home run ball hit by Washington Nationals left fielder

(34, not pictured) as a Seattle Mariners fan also reaches down from the stands during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Seattle Mariners

After a surprisingly successful 2014 campaign that fell just short of a Wild Card berth, the Mariners will be on the hunt for a right-handed bat to compliment their left-handed heavy lineup, enter Alex Rios.

I know Seattle has plenty of outfielders currently in their arsenal for 2015 (Austin Jackson, Michael Saunders and Dustin Ackley specifically) but that should not stop them from pursuing the talents of Rios.

Playing at the pitcher friendly Safeco Field for 81 games a season will not be a great selling point. However, teaming up with Robinson Cano should be enough to make up for it.

Seattle has a chance to be good with their current roster and adding a consistent right-handed bat like Rios would be a great get for a team on the rise.

Sep 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder

(23) and second baseman

(22) leave the field after the Indians

1. Cleveland Indians

Surprise, surprise! The Cleveland Indians are the best suitor for Rios in my opinion, and should end all theories that I have an AL East biased frame of mind when it comes to free agency.

Cleveland, much like Seattle, has a plethora of left-handed hitters in their lineup and should be on the lookout for a right-handed bat to balance it out.

Right field was a circus at times for Cleveland last season, rotating Mike Aviles, Tyler Holt, J.B. Shuck, Zach Walters and Ryan Raburn to fill in for the injury riddled David Murphy. Murphy was an effective player when healthy (he did have 58 runs batted in while playing in 129 games) but he is another left-handed bat and will most likely be on the decline.

The only potential roadblock for this signing will be the negligence of Cleveland to spend money in the free agent market after being burned (at least so far) by Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

If Rios’ price tag is in the 3 year/$30 million range like I envision, that shouldn’t be out of reach for Cleveland. Adding him alongside breakout star Michael Brantley and the switch-hitting masher Carlos Santana would create a strong middle of the order capable of contending for an AL Wild Card in 2015.