MLB Free Agency 2017-18: Biggest Holes for Every Team
As we turn our attention away from the World Series to MLB Free Agency, let’s take a look at the biggest holes facing each team heading into 2018.
With an exciting 2017 season in the books, we can finally catch our breath during the off-season. Just kidding, no we can’t. In fact, you fellow hardcore baseball fans know that the new season, also known as MLB Free Agency, is beginning. In some ways, it can be just as stressful as the 162-game grind of the regular season.
Even the World Series champion Houston Astros have some things to tweak for the upcoming campaign. When I find those weaknesses I will let you know.
Before we break-down each MLB team with our fancy analytic technology, let’s take a look at the game of baseball as a whole. Let me name a few of the general holes that, in my opinion, are facing Major League Baseball.
- The game itself needs to speed up, with a nine-inning game dragging on for up to four to five hours at times. A part of the time problem is the dead time between each pitch. Speed it up, Commissioner Rob Manfred.
- Speaking of the Commish, he needs to look himself in the mirror and grow a pair. His neglect in suspending Yuli Gurriel for the final few games of the World Series for his racist actions is a flat out disgrace. Even the man at the top has to have accountability.
- Ticket prices, concessions, and parking; a ballpark experience is just way too expensive, especially for your average family. Seeing all those empty seats at many ballparks speaks volumes on that very problem.
- Only 13 out of the 30 teams had a winning record, with no balance within the MLB. Four teams won over 100 games, with eight losing 90 or more.
- Home runs are at an all-time high, with a record amount hit last season. That is good for the game and exciting, but a 13-12 World Series final score is just too much. Is Dallas Keuchel onto something? Are the balls juiced?
Even with these significant holes, the MLB is on the rise. Having superstars such as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, and Jose Altuve to name a few, shows that the game is in great hands for years to come.
With the popularity of the World Baseball Classic, the game of baseball is more than just America’s pastime. It’s a worldwide phenomenon.
Now, after an epic World Series that went the distance, the game just keeps building more and more momentum. That said, we still have work to do in getting the game where it needs to be in 2018 and beyond.
Let’s take a look at each team and things they need to improve on to move up in the standings or maintain their presence on their respective throne. Here are the most significant needs and wants featuring each MLB roster.
30. San Francisco Giants: 64-98 (Last in the NL West)
When your roster has MLB legend Madison Bumgarner, you can at least find a few bright spots from even a terrible season. With that ace on the shelf a good portion of the season due to an extracurricular accident, there’s not much to choose from that is positive.
There’s not enough time or money for the MLB Free Agency to help this team. The Giants’ offense was almost dead last in the MLB in both runs scored and on-base percentage. Add to that being last in home runs and slugging percentage, and you can see why they had problems with production.
Hunter Pence‘s .260/.315/.385 statistics were easily the worst of his career, hindering an ordinarily steady Giants offense from taking that next step.
What can this Giants team do to bring back the swagger of 2010, 2012, and 2014 World title teams?
Catcher Nick Hundley was a ghost on the base paths (.272 OBP), with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez providing zero power production (.326 SLG). Rookies Ryder Jones (.173/.244/.273) and Christian Arroyo (.192/.244/.304) were utterly overmatched every time they stepped up to the plate.
Matt Cain, the Robin to Bumgarner’s Batman, had an injury-plagued, average campaign. The aforementioned Mad-Bum missed half the season with that freak accident. The ordinarily steady Johnny Cueto had an inflated 4.52 ERA. Matt Moore had the least amount of success with 5.52 ERA, while Ty Blach‘s 4.78 ERA wasn’t much better.
What can this Giants team do to bring back the swagger of 2010, 2012, and 2014 World title teams? First off, they need to stay healthy. The Giants had the third-highest payroll in baseball heading into this season, and it was wasted on the DL.
2017’s $172 million dollar payroll was wasted and those massive contracts are still looming, so the team won’t change a lot in 2018.
They do have some hope within their farm system but need to pick up some key free agents. Kansas City Royals third basemen Mike Moustakas would be a nice addition and the team would be wise to not pick up the worthless contract of the overrated Denard Span.
2018 is an even-numbered year, and we know what often happens when that’s the case; another banner is hanging up in the City by the Bay. However, they can’t rely on the past and need to fill those holes before they can return to the top of the NL West and MLB once again.
29. Detroit Tigers: 64-98 (Last in the AL Central)
The Detroit Tigers have been a playoff contender in Major League baseball over the past several years. 2017 was a different story, however, where they not only missed the playoffs but had one of the worst records in the MLB.
Injuries to triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera didn’t help, who needs to stay healthy to anchor that Tigers’ lineup. It also didn’t help that they dealt All-Star and fan favorite Justin Verlander, who was a major staple for key Tigers’ teams since the mid-2000’s.
With a large assortment of All-Star caliber free agents, the Tigers need to open up that pocketbook.
Trading J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton left some gaping holes as well, with loads of production shipped on a plane to the cities of other contenders in 2017.
With a large assortment of All-Star caliber free agents, the Tigers need to open up that pocketbook. Hanging on that wire is the likes of J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, and Yu Darvish.
An additional approach would be eyeing some money saving deals, from studs with year-deals to free agents like Doug Fister, Carlos Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, and Doug Fister to name a few.
In-house moves they can make are taking a chance on critical prospects in the organization, such as calling up Jeimer Candelario, Bryan Garcia, and Mike Gerber. If they can figure things out right away at the significant league level, the Tigers could be back towards the top of the AL Central once again.
The MLB Free Agency period is very critical in the Tigers getting that confident roar back.
28. Philadelphia Phillies: 66-96 (Last in the NL East)
During the 2016 MLB Free Agency period, the Phillies signed outfielder Michael Saunders to a one-year, $8 million dollar deal after he’d hit 24 homers in 140 games with the Blue Jays in 2016. Saunders was terrible in 2017, hitting .202/.256/.344, with him and the team parting ways early on in the season.
Needing to fill that hole, the Phillies need to snag up a free agent outfielder who can provide offensive production. Or better yet, their farm system has a plethora of talent in the outfield.
Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams, and Rhys Hoskins all looking for playing time there, while Hoskins could make a move to first base, which would leave Tommy Joseph as potential trade bait in the process.
Their most significant need was finding a new manager, which they did recently with Gabe Kapler
The Phillies’ third baseman Maikel Franco was thought to be the candidate long-term at the hot corner, but his production dropped off since 2015: .230/.281/.409.
Starting pitcher Vince Velasquez regressed this past season, missing the mark with an ERA of 5.13, spending time on the DL in the process.
Jeanmar Gomez was the stopper in the back end of the bullpen after closing out 37 games in 2016. He lost he his job early on in 2017, with the Phillies still looking for that long-term guy.
Greg Holland looks to be opting out of his contract with the Rockies, but the St. Louis Cardinals are the front-runners to lock him up.
Their most significant need was finding a new manager, which they did recently with Gabe Kapler, plugging up the biggest hole in the organization.
Even with that massive selection of youth at the MLB level to go with promising prospects in the minors, they might want to pursue Giancarlo Stanton, who is in high demand this offseason and would raise any team to the next level in the standings.
27. Chicago White Sox : 67-95 (Fourth in the AL Central)
MLBtraderumors.com should have all of you Chicago White Sox fans excited about the future, with some good news (and prospects) heading to the Windy City.
The White Sox were able to give fans a glimpse of the future as Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, and Reynaldo Lopez made their team debuts this summer. They’ve got six of the game’s top 100 prospects waiting in the wings with Eloy Jimenez, Michael Kopech, Luis Robert, Blake Rutherford, Dylan Cease, and Alec Hansen. Zack Collins, Dane Dunning, and Carson Fulmer follow on their top prospect list. And don’t forget about Tim Anderson and Carlos Rodon, who have already experienced big league success.
Let’s not forget about 2017 first round pick Jake Burger, who will be a staple at third-base for years. He is, give or take, a year from getting the call to the majors. When Burger is called up, he’ll be here to stay.
Missouri State University baseball keeps producing successful Major League players. Do Ryan Howard and Brad Ziegler ring a bell? If the Sox can snag Jeremy Eierman from the Bears after the 2018 College baseball season in the MLB draft, their middle infield will be elite not only at the plate but defensively as well.
Locking up both Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu to long-term deals is a must. Eyeing some of that free agent pitching would not be a bad idea either with the likes of Lance Lynn and Jake Arrieta waiting for a friendly, fat contract.
The Chicago White Sox are a few year away from being actual contenders, but when the likes of Burger are MLB-ready and if they could lock in more viable veteran presence, look out MLB. Trust the process, Sox fans!
26. Cincinnati Reds: 68-94 (Last in the NL Central)
The curious case of the Cincinnati Reds. On the surface, the Big Red Machine seems to be a team that could have been a borderline postseason squad in 2017.
The key date of the season was May 7, with the Reds leading the division and on a modest five-game winning streak. It was a free fall after that, with the team falling to dead last in the NL Central. The Reds ended the season with a 68-94 mark, 24 games behind the first place Chicago Cubs.
Scooter Gennett was a bright spot, which included his four homers in a single game against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals, sparking a season that if on a better team would have landed him as an All-Star selection.
Their biggest problem was their pitching staff. A collective effort displayed an ERA of 5.17, worst in the National League and second worst only to the Detroit Tigers.
If the most interesting man in baseball, Joey Votto played for a contender, the argument of him winning the MVP would be in his favor with an incredible stat line (.320/36 HR/100 RBI/106 Runs) to go with another gold glove caliber performance.
A key reason for Votto not playing on a playoff worthy team is the double-edged sword of Billy Hamilton. They say speed kills, and it does, with the speedster roaming in the outfield in Cincinnati making the Sportscenter Top 10 play after play.
Hamilton has stolen 50 bases now in four straight seasons, but he struggles to keep his batting average over .250. There is no reason he can’t find a way to use his speed to increase that critical stat, with .280 being a realistic expectation.
If Hamilton finds ways to get on base, raise his OBP and batting average, which would take his game to an elite, All-Star level, he could help make the Reds playoff worthy once again.
Their biggest problem was their pitching staff. A collective effort displayed an ERA of 5.17, worst in the National League and second worst only to the Detroit Tigers.
It’s a simple fix in theory, but the Reds need pitching in spades. Landing a free agent caliber starter in Lance Lynn would be a great start in righting this sinking ship of a so-called pitching staff. MLB Free Agency could be the Reds’ best friend in climbing out of the deep, NL Central cellar.
25. New York Mets : 70-92 (Fourth in the NL East
All-Star pitcher Noah Syndergaard was supposed to lead the charge, as well as cement another postseason spot for the New York Mets in 2017. However, the hurler was only able to muster out seven starts due to a torn muscle, which sums up their season in a nutshell.
That injury along with others was the most prominent hole for the Mets in 2017. They will need to stay healthy to contend with the Washinton Nationals in 2018, who are looking to go all in this upcoming season.
Their compliment to Syndergaard was Matt Harvey, who lost his way in 2017, with a very disappointing campaign. The pitching staff continued that downward spiral, with Zack Wheeler collapsing, after a hot start to the season, with a 7.92 ERA. He also suffered a right arm injury, ending his season in the process.
The MLB Free Agency period may be a quiet one for the Mets.
Yoenis Cespedes was productive (.292/.352/.540) with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs. However, he played just 81 games with a nagging hamstring injury.
Long-term Met and former All-Star David Wright missed the entire year, and he may never return to the form to which fans have grown accustomed. They need to snag a third-baseman that can fill that void, but filling the cleats of Wright will be a tall task.
The Mets normally high powered offense finished in the middle of the pack in the MLB, while their starting pitching posted a 5.14 ERA — good for 27th of 30 teams. The bullpen wasn’t much better, with an ERA near five, next to last in the Majors.
A few candidates to fill those holes are Royals free agent, Lorenzo Cain, to roam the outfield in the Big Apple. Perhaps, Jonathan Lucroy would be an excellent replacement for the disappointing catcher Travis d’Arnaud.
After signing Yoenis Cespedes to that big contract, it looks like the Mets will have to rely on their farm system to find the answers of their most significant deficits. The MLB Free Agency period may be a quiet one for the Mets.
24. San Diego Padres : 71-91 (Fourth in the NL West)
The San Diego Padres are in the middle of a complete overhaul, rebuilding the entire roster, so holes in the team are much expected. However, there are MLB Free Agency decisions and roster-moves the team from sunny So-Cal can pull off to make the rebuild a much smoother process.
Khris Davis of the Oakland Athletics, who smashed 43 home runs would be a nice addition to go with that younger offense, being a potential MLB Free Agency Pickup.
In 2017, the Padres record when they scored three runs or fewer was 13-69. A bat like Davis would drastically improve that mark.
Defense and pitching win titles and the Padres are in desperate need of both.
On the flip side, when the Padres scored four or more runs, their record skyrocketed to 57-21. That stat could be a somewhat deceiving, with their pitching staff needing some reinforcements that would help with that 56 game disparity as well.
Outside of All-Star Jhoulys Chacín (13-10/3.89 ERA), the rest of the starting rotation had ERA’s that leveled out in the mid 4.00 range. That is genuinely an eye-glaring hole that needs addressing ASAP.
It’s a miracle the Padres won as many games as they did, managing to stay out of the NL West cellar. Defense and pitching win titles and the Padres are in desperate need of both.
Another need this winter would be adding more depth to their pitching staff and bullpen. Johnny Cueto, Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka are some possibilities, which could rely upon stabilize that aspect of the roster.
Young teams are hard to decipher, but the Padres are an exception with the stats telling the story of their most significant needs this MLB Free Agency season.
23. Atlanta Braves : 72-90 (Third in the NL East)
The 2017 Atlanta Braves record is not reflective of the talent the team has acquired. In fact, for much of the first half of the season, they were in contention, then fizzled out. MLB Free Agency could certainly benefit the Braves.
What reasons were behind the collapse of a team that was hanging around .500, then ended up losing 90 games?
Bartolo Colon had a horrific 8.14 ERA after 13 starts before the Braves ended up dropping him like a hot potato. If they can fix that whole by signing Lance Lynn or Jake Arrieta, they’ll be in business come 2018.
What reasons were behind the collapse of a team that was hanging around .500, then ended up losing 90 games?
The Braves bullpen was a huge disappointment, with veteran closer Jim Johnson‘s ERA at an inflated 5.56. Rex Brothers and Eric combined for a 7.50 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 42 innings over 49 appearances, failing in their duties as left-handed “specialists.”
Julio Teheran‘s struggles were alarming too, with a 4.49 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 32 starts and 188 1/3 innings with a 72/151 BB/K ratio. They need him to return to the previous form to truly compete.
Dansby Swanson. The former Vanderbilt star and first overall pick hit below the Mendoza line (.185/.272/.287.) for the early part of the season but later turned things up a notch.
Swanson did finish the season with a .232 batting average and .312 OBP. In the offseason, they need the sure-handed SS to work on his hitting for the Braves to return to the top of the NL East.
The Braves currently have $79M payroll and are just over $37 million of that committed to Matt Kemp, Nick Markakis, and Ender Inciarte.
They need to move one or more of those three to make room for free agents, as well as promoting Ronald Acuna to the MLB level.
Making some cap space, adding some key free agent pitching, and having studs like Julio Teheran return to old form are keys to 2018, with the Braves on the cusp of returning to the postseason.
22. Oakland Athletics : 75-87 (Last in the AL West)
After finishing dead last in a competitive American League West, the Oakland Athletics need to make some drastic changes up and down their entire roster this MLB Free Agency season.
Let’s start with their failing pitching, where the Athletics starters collectively compiled a 4.74 ERA, while the bullpen was about on par with the starters, showing a 4.53 ERA by season’s end.
In 2018 MLB Free Agency, the A’s must focus on pitching, particularly in their bullpen.
It doesn’t help that the A’s traded away their ace Sonny Gray. They did, however, acquire speedster Jorge Mateo in the process, who could help tighten up their defense.
Also, if starting pitcher Daniel Mengden can stay healthy, he’s likely to maintain or even best his 3.14 ERA of the injury season campaign of 2017.
In 2018 MLB Free Agency, the A’s must focus on pitching, particularly in their bullpen. Landing an arm like Pat Neshek would be a nice addition to their collection and the likes of Wade Davis as the hammer in the 9th inning.
If they can land the two-way star and International phenom Shohei Otani, that would add excitement in getting more fans in the stands. MLB Free Agency has expanded Internationally over the years, exposing some hidden gems in the process.
21. Baltimore Orioles: 75-87 (Last in the AL East)
You can’t entirely blame the Baltimore Orioles for their last place AL East finish, having to deal with the likes of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on a regular basis. With the MLB Free Agency period flying in, it could boost this team in 2018.
The Orioles have a lot of work to do if they want to knock those aforementioned Red Sox off their throne or even catch the rising star that is the Yankees.
An excellent place to start is locking up All-Star Manny Machado, who is a free agent following the 2018 season. On the flipside, if the Orioles aren’t looking to fork out a massive contract, they should trade him while his value is high.
The Orioles offense was hardly the issue, at least in hitting long bombs. They produced a massive amount of those in 2017 (232). If they can add a few free agents that have higher batting averages/OBP, imagine the combined production of that explosive offense! Their pitching staff was horrendous. Take a look at some of the ERA’s their arms posted in 2017:
- Ubaldo Jimenez: 6.81 ERA
- Jeremy Hellickson: 6.97 ERA
- Wade Miley: 5.61 ERA
- Chris Tillman: 7.84 ERA
If they can get rid of most, if not all of that awfulness, that would be an excellent start. Being active in signing Yu Darvish, Lance Lynn, or CC Sabathia would be a great way to lower the team ERA in 2018.
The Orioles are just two steady bats and a few starting pitchers away for competing for a playoff spot. Easier said than done, though.
20. Pittsburgh Pirates: 75-87 (Fourth in the NL Central)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were dealt a bad hand in 2017, with key players missing time for one reason or another. Could MLB Free Agency be a winning hand for the Bucs?
Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco all lost a considerable amount of time, while Jung Ho Kang missed the entire season with legal issues in his home country of South Korea.
After an electric 2013-2015, which included three MLB Postseason appearance, the fans started losing faith.
Having a losing record in 2017 caused a 250,000 fan decrease from the 2015 campaign, with an additional 330,000 drop after last year.
Tying down free agents such as relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit and catcher John Jaso would be essential for the future, while their starting rotation needs some depth as well.
The Pirates have only three reliable starters: Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Tyler Glasnow. Adding the likes of Lance Lynn or Jake Arrieta would fill a void of that inconsistency from 2017.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer is arbitration-eligible, so keeping that stud around would do well for maintaining that middle infield position.
Former National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen is approaching the final year of his contract in 2018, with a significant decision looming for the Bucs.
Looking up the star would be wise, but he would need to give them a “hometown” discount for the Pirates to keep him on their roster.
The Chicago Cubs are the new kings of the NL Central, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers not that far behind. The Pirates need to take care of these inadequacies this MLB Free Agency or even the last place Cincinnati Reds could pass them in the standings.
19. Toronto Blue Jays : 76-86 (Fourth in the AL East)
The Toronto Blue Jays were built to win for 2015-2016, with that window of opportunity now well past them. With an aging roster, the Blue Jays have much work to do to reclaim the AL East throne like that did in 2015.
MLB Free Agency will be of no help, at least this time around. With that ancient array of players, injuries didn’t help much either. Aaron Sanchez started just eight games, while southpaw Brett Anderson competed in only seven games.
Troy Tulowitzki had trouble staying healthy again, playing in just 66 games, while Devon Travis played 16 games less, with just 50 games.
With an aging roster, the Blue Jays have much work to do to reclaim the AL East throne like that did in 2015
Former AL Most Valuable Player Josh Donaldson was sidelined for nearly 50 games. The usually durable Russell Martin managed only to play 91 games as well. Age and injury are always a recipe for disaster, but when combined, even worse.
The Blue Jays must become younger and do so in a hurry. Unfortunately, most of the current free agents are around the age of 30, so that youth must come from their farm system.
Filling the shoes of fan-favorite Jose Bautista will be challenging to do, with the former All-Star parting ways with the Jays after 2017. His production was nowhere near what it has been in the past (.203/.308/.366), but his leaving will open up $17 million in cap-space.
Josh Donaldson seems to be leaving the Canadian province, who is arbitration eligible this offseason. Towards the tail end of 2017, trouble was brewing between the two parties, with the Jays subtly diminishing his worth.
If Donaldson walks, the Blue Jays will be in full rebuild mode, which would take more than just an off-season to fix. Help must come from their farm system, which will take time.
18. Miami Marlins: 77-85 (Second in the NL East)
With Derek Jeter now running the show for the Miami Marlins as the GM, a lot of changes are coming, and they are arriving quickly. Is Jeter going to do the unthinkable during this MLB Free Agency, trading the best player in the game?
Giancarlo Stanton and his 59 home runs aren’t the only promising young players for the Marlins, with Marcell Ozuna‘s 37 long balls, and Christian Yelich‘s .807 OPS. To make things better, all three players are not even 30 yet.
Let’s not forget about J.T. Realmuto, Justin Bour, and speedy Second baseman Dee Gordon — MLB leader in stolen bases (60) once again. The Marlins were quite productive, with a collective batting average of .267.
Unfortunately for Marlins fans, it looks like Stanton and his historic contract might be on their way out of the Sunshine state.
- 2018: $25 million
- 2019: $26 million
- 2020: $26 million
- 2021: $29 million
- 2022: $29 million
- 2023: $32 million
- 2024: $32 million
- 2025: $32 million
- 2026: $29 million
- 2027: $25 million
- 2028: $25 million team option, $10 million buyout.
The Marlins must find a way to make Stanton and his significant contract work. He is becoming the face of baseball while getting drastically better each MLB season.
Keeping this core bunch together is key to a potentially prosperous future. To do so, the Marlins need some more pitching to go along with it.
Unfortunately, the Marlins still haven’t recovered from the untimely death of superstar Jose Fernandez — may he Rest in Peace. He is impossible to replace, but the Marlins pitching has just been too inconsistent.
Take a look at this eyesores: Adam Conley (6.14 ERA), Justin Nicolino (5.06 ERA), Tom Koehler (7.92 ERA), Vance Worley (6.91 ERA). Their team ERA was 4.82, the third worst in the National League.
Their bullpen was just as bad, with their strikeout rate one of the worst in all of Major League Baseball. Considering the strikeout rate is rising, that is not a good sign.
If the Marlins don’t sign any of the jewels in the MLB Free Agency market, they will be in some serious trouble even if they do keep Stanton and all those offensive stars.
17. Texas Rangers : 78-84 (Tied-Third in the AL West)
For starters, the Texas Rangers were 13-24 in one-run games, an area that must improve. Since 2009, this was only their second losing season, so that stat speaks volumes of their disappointing campaign. MLB Free Agency could be the Rangers’ saving grace.
Adrian Beltre only played 94 games, but still had a productive season: .312/.383/.532. Reaching the milestone of 3,000 hits, Beltre is a sure thing for the MLB Hall of Fame.
Watching their in-state and division rival Houston Astros raise the Commissioner’s Trophy should be all the motivation the Texas Rangers need
Even though the slugger has discovered the fountain of youth, his playing days are numbered, so the Rangers must find ways to replace that production, as well as improve their weaknesses in the process.
Trading Yu Darvish was only the beginning of their pitching woes, with the team dropping off collectively from the past several seasons.
A.J. Griffin had a 5.94 ERA in 77.3 innings, while Tyson Ross “earned” an embarrassing 7.71 ERA. Nick Martinez didn’t help matters, with his ERA near 5.00 as well.
The Rangers must hit the free agent market and they must focus on pitching — starting and relief.
On the offensive end, snagging a new first baseman such as Eric Hosmer or Carlos Santana would be a good start, while making a phone call to Josh Donaldson wouldn’t be a terrible idea either.
Watching their in-state and division rival Houston Astros raise the Commissioner’s Trophy should be all the motivation the Texas Rangers need to become active “players” during the 2017 MLB Free Agency period.
16. Seattle Mariners: 78-84 (Tied- Third in the AL West)
The Seattle Mariners have been oh so close to the postseason the past several seasons, but have come up just short. If they want to return to the playoffs for the first time since Ichiro’s glory days, they have much work to do to accomplish that feat.
On the positive side of things, Mariners’ position players were pretty steady, but having a losing record in the American League most likely means you had some offensive deficiencies.
Taylor Motter had some flashes of greatness but ended the 2017 campaign with a stat line of .239/.316/.523 in his first 29 games. Then cold, harsh reality set in and Motter hit 176/.225/.224 in his final 63 games.
A regular, steady and dependable pitching staff were snake bitten, for one reason or another.
Danny Valencia‘s decent stat line 256/.314/.411 was overshadowed by a horrendous defense, adding salt to the already gaping wound. Moving him over to the DH spot in the lineup would be wise, meaning they need new first basemen — we’re looking at you, Eric Hosmer.
A regular, steady and dependable pitching staff were snake bitten, for one reason or another.
“King” Felix Hernandez, had by far is the worst campaign of his career, with injuries being a significant factor. An inflated 4.36 ERA was the second-worst ERA for him while allowing 17 HRs in limited innings.
Drew Smyly and Hisashi Iwakuma were supposed to be that duo to compliment Hernadanez, but the two missed (primarily) the entire 2017 campaign.
If the Seattle Mariners want to close that gap with World Champion Houston Astros, they must stay healthy. Also, they need to add some depth to their pitching staff, while adding a solid first baseman in the process during MLB Free Agency.
15. Kansas City Royals 80-82 (Third in the AL Central)
What a fantastic run for a group of Kansas City Royals players who rose through the ranks together, accomplishing the impossible. In 2014, not only did they returned to the World Series for the first time since 1985, but they won the whole thing the following season. This bunch includes Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas — all free-agents this offseason.
The most significant eyesore of the 2016 MLB Free Agency class was Brandon Moss. The slugger caught lightning in a bottle with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 but wasn’t able to repeat that success with the Royals this past season: .207/.279/.428. Somehow, they need to dispose of this hindrance, opening up some cap space to find a more consistent player to fill his cleats.
The Royals need to find pitching and find it fast for 2018, or the only thing they will be competing for next season is 100 losses.
Another leaking hole was the former All-Star Alex Gordon. With a line of just .208/.293/.315, Gordon will need to find a way to shake off his injuries and discover the fountain of youth or his upcoming $16 million and $20 contracts for 2018 and 2019 will stunt the growth of the team.
There is a $4 million buyout for the 2020 season, but the Royals must act on this well before then.
The most disappointing aspect of 2017 was the lack of production from last year’s MLB Free Agency signings. Ian Kennedy was coming off a 2016 season where he won 11 games, with a solid 3.68 ERA to accompany that success. This season his record dipped to 5-13 with a 5.38 ERA.
Former Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel was also signed during the 2016 break, hoping to add more depth to a deteriorating pitching staff. Unfortunately, he was 8-13 with an awful 5.29 ERA.
The Royals need to find pitching and find it fast for 2018, or the only thing they will be competing for next season is 100 losses.
If they choose to try to compete next year, then re-signing Eric Hosmer is the top priority for the team. He’ll be just 28 years old and is coming off the best season of his career. The Royals were 13th in the AL in runs scored last year, so the offense needs a good bat at first base.
Locking up free agent All-Star Eric Hosmer is the top priority this MLB Free Agency. They might also want to take a look at Darvish, Lynn, and arms that could level out the sinking ship that is their starting rotation.
14. Tampa Bay Rays: 80-82 (Third in the AL East)
The Tampa Bay Rays were in the thick of the MLB playoff race for most of the season, before flaming out in the end. What caused them to fall short of that difficult goal? What moves can help the Rays?
Keeping Kevin Kiermaier healthy is an excellent place to start, who played in only 98 games after sustaining a hip fracture. His stats were impressive in limited time (.276/.338/.450, 15 home runs, 39 RBI.) His gold glove caliber defense is also a crucial part of what makes this team click.
Also having the likes of Logan Morrison, Corey Dickerson, and Steven Souza, mean that the Rays have a lot of young talent on their roster.
Somehow, even within in a gauntlet of a division in the AL East, the Rays still find themselves in contention year-in and year-out.
Let’s not forget about the face of the franchise Evan Longoria, who is capable of being productive, even later in his career.
Chris Archer‘s year was disappointing from his standards, with an ERA over 4.00, nowhere near his peak performance. He also needs some reinforcements, so snagging Darvish, Lynn, or Arrieta would take much of that pressure off of Archer.
Alex Cobb, Logan Morrison, and Tommy Hunter are all players the Rays need to sign to long-term deals in the offseason, as well as a dark horse contender in snagging Japanese phenom, Shohei Otani.
Somehow, even within in a gauntlet of a division in the AL East, the Rays still find themselves in contention year-in and year-out. Adding those key pieces and locking up their young studs to more extended contracts would be a step in the right direction.
13. Los Angeles Angels 80-82 (Second in the AL West)
In 2017, the Angels had to fly without their best player, arguably the best in the game, when MVP Mike Trout missed a good portion of the season, hindering the Angels’ playoff chances.
Garrett Richards missed a good chunk of the season due to injury, while Matt Shoemaker made only 14 starts.
The Angels need to dive into the free agency market to fill some of thee needs to return to the postseason for the first time since 2013. Lance Lynn, a real workhorse for the St. Louis Cardinals over the years, would be a great pickup.
Aside from a rough final week in September, Lynn is as steady an MLB pitcher as you’ll find. He may even be the most underrated player in all of the game.
Trout needs more fish in the pound to help him in the middle of the lineup.
Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta could be that boost to the rotation in addition to or instead of Lynn, helping the productive Richards, the ace of the Angels’ rotation.
Trout needs more fish in the pound to help him in the middle of the lineup. The Albert Puljos we knew from the Cardinals is all but a ghost, now in the twilight of his career.
Having Justin Upton exercise that option was essential, a very productive addition the second half of the season, one of the reasons the Angels stayed in the race as long as they did.
Other Free Agents, Jose Reyes, Neil Walker, Ian Kinsler, Dee Gordon, or Josh Harrison could help the middle infield. The Angels would have to be willing to fork out the wallet to land one or more of these studs, but it would be well worth it to establish that lineup while boosting their defense in the process.
As the off-season approaches it’s the busiest time. The Angels need to be buyers and take some chances to rise above the mediocre 80 wins from a season ago. If Trout can stay healthy in conjunction with addressing those needs, the Angels could be a breakthrough team in 2018 after this MLB Free Agency.
12. St. Louis Cardinals 83-79 (Third in the NL Central)
Spring training kicked off with their top pitching prospect Alex Reyes, who shined at the end of the 2016 stretch run, going down with an arm injury that forced him to have season-ending Tommy John surgery.
The rotation also took hits sparingly throughout the season, with the final nail in the coffin driven in when Adam Wainwright missed crucial time down the stretch.
These injuries proved to be a blessing in disguise for the future, with many young prospects getting the call much earlier than anticipated.
The bullpen is what lead to the St. Louis Cardinal’s main demise, with injuries and unfortunate mistakes during the games (we will get to that in a minute).
When it seemed like the Cardinals had things all set in the back-end of their bullpen with Trevor Lyons stepping it up several notches, to go with the resurgence of Trevor Rosenthal closing games out, injury struck again. Rosenthal injured his arm and had to receive a Tommy John surgery of his own.
It’s easy to use injuries as an excuse for underperformance, but it’s just the honest truth. However, injuries were only one of the reasons for the Cardinals not reaching their 2017 objectives. Inconsistency across the board proved to be the team’s Achilles Heel.
Inconsistency. The Cardinals record in one-run ballgames speaks volumes. The Birds were 24-29 in one run contests, while the team they were chasing in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs, had a reversed fortune going 26-17 in games decided by one run.
The Cardinals bullpen had 17 blown saves in 60 chances. Those kinds of mistakes are the difference between winning the NL Central (or wild-card) and not achieving that goal.
Oh no! Seung Hwan Oh had a breakout 2016 campaign, where he even snagged the closer duties away from Rosenthal in the process. 2017 was a nightmare for the former South Korean star, however, where his statistics were polar-opposites:
- 2016: ERA: 1.92, Saves: 19, Holds: 14, Walks: 18, Strikeouts: 103
- 2017: ERA: 4.10, Saves: 20, Holds: 14, Walks: 15, Strikeouts: 54
2018 better look like more like the 2016 campaign, or the Cardinals will repeat their fortunes of the past few seasons. MLB Free Agency is your friend, St. Louis.
Status quo. St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Mike Mozeliak stayed pat at the trade deadline, showing faith in his current roster.
That paid off for a while, but the team faltered down the stretch. If Mozeliak had pulled the trigger on one more piece for the rotation or lineup, and made the trade for Nicasio, the later acquired closer, the team might have made the postseason.
The Cardinals have shaken things up with their coaching staff already, adding and bringing coaches who will make an immediate impact. The team made way too many costly mistakes to not make those coaching changes.
Matheny is the man for the job, but he needs to do some soul-searching in some areas. He needs to field more consistent lineups and also use his head and not his heart when making in-game decisions. He does embrace the toughness and compassion of the “Cardinal Way”, but just needs to tweak some areas and fill in the holes of his managerial gaps.
Don’t give up or sleep on Matheny just yet. MLB Free Agency will send some additional reinforcements as well.
11. Milwaukee Brewers 86-76 (Third in the NL Central)
The Milwaukee Brewers, low payroll and all, almost snuck into the 2017 Postseason, finishing just one game behind the Colorado Rockies for the final wild card spot. MLB Free Agency, like an ice-cold Miller brew on a hot summer night, could be the refreshment the Brewers need.
The Brewers lead the NL Central for a good portion of the season but were eventually run down by the Cubs, who pulled away late. What hindered them from sneaking into the playoffs for the first time since 2011?
Starting pitching was a definite strength for the Brew Crew, with Chase Anderson (12-4, 2.74 ERA) and Zach Davies (17-9, 3.90 ERA). Brent Suter was also 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 81.7 innings.
Adding one of the key free agent pitchers would be the next step for them. Even better, to snag Lance Lynn from the clutches of their hated rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.
If Jimmy Nelson can recover from a season-ending injury (12-6 with a 3.49 ERA and struck out 199 batters in 175.3 innings), the Brewers will be in serious contention during the 2018 season.
With the right manager already in place with Craig Counsell, the Brewers are primed to make a run at the NL Central crown in 2018
Closer Corey Knebel (39 saves, 1.78 ERA) was lights out, virtually unhittable during most of 2017. Adding a capable setup man in the 8th inning would be a nice compliment — maybe Tyler Clippard?
Receiving more offensive production from Keon Broxton would be helpful as well, but his defense ended any momentum the St. Louis Cardinals have, literally robbing them of a crucial victory.
Ryan Braun was underwhelming, .268/.336/.487, who still has three years and $60 million left on his contract. Honestly, getting rid of that baggage would be good for the squad moving forward, especially with a plethora of youngsters ready at the significant league level already.
Resigning the steady second baseman Neil Walker would be a good move, but his $17.2 million asking price is way too high.
Corbin Burnes and Luis Ortiz are Minor League players who can make an immediate impact, so don’t sleep on them in 2018.
With the right manager already in place with Craig Counsell, the Brewers are primed to make a run at the NL Central crown in 2018, but it will be a battle with the Cubs and Cardinals with plenty of talent of their own. They just need a few vital MLB Free Agency pieces.
10. Minnesota Twins: 85-77 (Second in the AL Central)
According to Call to the Pen’s Bobby Mueller, Dave Hill, and more, Paul Molitor is the right man for the job for this Minnesota Twins’ team.
Paul Molitor has guided the team to winning seasons in two of his three years at the helm. Before his arrival, the team had four consecutive losing seasons that included three last place finishes and winning just over 40 percent of their games. He has a strong case to be the AL Manager of the Year for 2017 and was recently [per MLB Trade Rumors] signed to a three-year extension that will keep him in Minnesota through 2020.
Where Molitor guided them was to the postseason the first time since 1996. Unfortunately for them, the Twins ran into a buzz saw called the New York Yankees.
That loss leaves the Twins without a playoff win since the mid-90’s, but are there a few MLB Free Agency additions that could boost them to the next level of the playoffs or overtake the Indians in the NL Central?
Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano leading are the catalysts for their offense, with the complement of veteran players such as Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer, both who are nearing the end of their contract.
You can sum up the Twins like this: A very efficient offense, average defense, and lacking pitching
If they can find the right price, I would go ahead and get a new deal done for each of them now. Having that veteran leadership to guide this young team is a necessity.
You can sum up the Twins like this: A very efficient offense, average defense, and lacking pitching, which brings us to their most prominent needs for 2018.
Hector Santiago (5.63 ERA) and Bartolo Colon (5.18 ERA (5.31 FIP), just won’t cut it for a playoff caliber team. Jumping into the free agent mix is a must, especially with Yu Darvish, Lance Lynn, and Jake Arrieta waiting in the wings for a big contract.
The Twins’ bullpen was problematic in spots as well, with Ryan Pressly at a 4.70 ERA and Tyler Duffey approaching a 5.00 ERA. Key signings would be the next step in advancing past the Wild Card round.
9. Colorado Rockies 87-75 (Third in the NL West/Wild Card)
The Colorado Rockies made their first postseason appearance since 2009, by earning the second Wild Card berth in 2017. It was a fantastic season, lost in the mix by the success of fellow NL West Division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Colorado Rockies.
Will the MLB Free Agency be a friend or foe to the Rockies? The season started off with a bang for the Rockies, who rose atop the NL West with a record of 16-10 in April, where they followed suit by staying there most of May and June.
The Rockies were 47-26 and a half-game ahead of the Dodgers and two up on the Diamondbacks, but that would soon change, with both squads overtaking them, in the regular season and the playoffs as well.
The team’s improved pitching came from a staff that didn’t have a single start from a pitcher older than 28 years old. In fact, nearly 70 percent of their starts were by pitchers 25 or younger. As good as the rotation was the bullpen was even better, thanks in large part to closer Greg Holland and setup man Jake McGee.
The Rockies had two players who will make a splash in the MVP voting in CF Charlie Blackmon and 3B Nolan Arenado, players they need to lock up for good to maintain their recent success.
Now, the other Rockies hitters may not be as productive as you might think. Trevor Story hit 24 HRs while scoring 95 runs.
However, Story’s .308 on-base percentage and .224 batting average were flat out awful, while LeMahieu’s .409 slugging percentage limits his value in large part because they play a good portion of their games in a hitter-friendly park.
Gray is the clear ace on this team, with the best strikeout rate, second-best walk rate, and best rate of home runs allowed of any starter.
German Marquez (11-7, 4.39 ERA) and Kyle Freeland (11-11, 4.15 ERA) led the team in innings pitched and kept them in games with a chance to win.
If Gonzalez was a little consistent throughout the whole season, the Rockies postseason fate might have been much different. It might be time to move on from the career Rockie, giving someone else a chance to shine.
An ERA over 4.00 doesn’t seem like much, but the NL did have a cumulative 4.34 ERA, as well as Coors field once again playing a factor within all of the Rockie’ statistics.
In the bullpen, Greg Holland recovered nicely from 2016 Tommy John surgery with 41 saves but did struggle after the All-Star break. After finding his groove, Holland got shelled by the daunting Diamondback lineup in the Wild Card game.
Jake McGee (3.61 ERA) and Chris Rusin (2.65 ERA) were also outstanding in the Rockies ‘pen, with the mid-season acquisition being a boost as well. He may snag the closer duties in 2018 if Greg Holland opts out of his 2018 contract with the Rockies.
Also, there is the curious case of Carlos Gonzalez. He was slow out the gate, hitting .228/.301/.338 going into August. Over the final two months of the season, he hit .325/.407/.583.
If Gonzalez was a little consistent throughout the whole season, the Rockies postseason fate might have been much different. It might be time to move on from the career Rockie, giving someone else a chance to shine.
Top prospect Tom Murphy hit .297/.336/.567 in 151 games in AAA. It’s time for the Rockies to give him his opportunity with a permanent spot at the big league level.
Discerning the Rockies pitching staff is always tough due to the fact they play in the high elevation of Coors field for half of their games. The starting rotation had a few pitchers with ERAs over 5.00, with the rest of the staff
If Ian Desmond remains at first base, then the Rockies’ infield is set with Desmond, LeMahieu, Story, and Arenado. Best case scenario is re-signing Mark Reynolds, who rose from the ashes in 2017 with a fantastic season.
The team has eight departing free agents, including three relievers who were quite good for them in 2017, with resigning Jonathon Lucroy, Pat Neshek, RP Jake McGee, and SP Tyler Chatwood as musts.
If they could also get their hands on St. Louis Cardinals free agent Lance Lynn, they could take that next mountainous step in 2018. There’s also that pipe dream of snagging Giancarlo Stanton from the trigger-happy Miami Marlins. Imagine if he played 81 games at Coors field?! Snag him up this MLB Free Agency season!
8. New York Yankees 91-71 (Second in the AL East/Wild Card)
The New York Yankees had a magical 2017, falling just one game short in the ALCS, in their quest of returning to another World Series. Heading into the offseason, the Yankees have much promise and critical pieces returning.
As of a few weeks ago, a new manager was nowhere near on the list of 2018 MLB Free Agency wish list, be here we are with Joe Girardi out of a job and the Yankees shopping for a new skipper. MLB Free Agency just turned into a sense of urgency for the Bronx Bombers.
Brian Cashman needs to be wise this MLB Free Agency since his squad is just a heartbeat away from being the best team in all of Major League Baseball.
What are some options for the Yankees new “coach”? Tony Pena, Rob Thomson, and Yankees AAA manager Al Pedrique are the early front-runners. No matter who they choose, the Yankees must make the right choice with their bulk of great, young talent.
Resigning CC Sabathia would be a wise move, an anchor for this very youthful team.
Masahiro Tanaka has just a short time to decide whether or not to take the option. If not, the Yankees need to lock this stud up full-time.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post also gives us the scoop on what the budget for the Yankees for 2018 will be this MLB Free Agency.
Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman have vowed the Yankees are getting under the $197 million luxury tax threshold next season. With particularly the contracts of Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia coming off the books, it is doable. But it means not a lot of wiggle room for big expenditures, especially if Tanaka does not opt out of the final three years at $67 million
Brian Cashman needs to be wise this MLB Free Agency since his squad is just a heartbeat away from being the best team in all of Major League Baseball.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks 93-69 (Second in the AL East/Wild Card)
If it weren’t for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks would likely have reached the 100 win platform themselves, as well as arriving in better playoff positioning in the process.
Nevertheless, it was a very successful season, with a just a few critical pieces needed for taking that next step in returning to the World Series. MLB Free Agency is one that can benefit or severely cripple this team.
The Diamondbacks have 14 players who are restricted free agents going into MLB Free Agency. These possible departures could spell doom for a team that is so close to winning their second World Series in team history.
Re-signing mid-season acquisition J.D. Martinez is the most significant priority, one of the most productive hitters in baseball. Utility man extraordinaire, Daniel Descalso has an option for 2018 that they must exercise.
Catcher Chris Iannetta was a huge plus for the team. In 2017, he hit 17 home runs, more than half of those in critical aspects of games. Getting Iannetta to sign a juicy, long-term deal is a must.
Also, two productive shortstops in Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings are free agents. Snagging one of those at the very least is a must.
Starting pitchers Taijuan Walker, Patrick Corbin, and Robbie Ray have contracts that are expiring, an excellent trio to add with veteran Zach Greinke also on the staff.
Wait, there’s more! A.J. Pollock and pitchers Andrew Chafin, J.J. Hoover and T.J. McFarland have the option of leaving Arizona.
Most teams are going to the MLB Free Agency market to get new players, while the Diamondbacks have an entire roster full of them. Insane!
6. Chicago Cubs 92-70 (NL Central Champions)
According to Matt Snyder of CBS Sports, the Cubs may look at more frugal options.
Cubs will target cheaper starting pitching options in free agency and I like them for Alex Cobb. Some other possible options: Andrew Cashner, Tyler Chatwood, Jeremy Hellickson, Jaime Garcia or even a short deal for CC Sabathia.
Going into the 2017 Postseason, the Chicago Cubs were primed to defend their title but didn’t have enough pitching or timely hitting to get past the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
Now that the MLB Free Agency “season” has kicked off, the Cubs have much work to do if they want to return to the Fall Classic in 2018.
Let’s start with pitching, with the Cubbies dropping off drastically in that department from a season ago. Comparing 2016 with 2017 says it all:
2016:
- Wins: 103
- ERA: 3.15
- Runs allowed: 556
2017:
- Wins: 92
- ERA: 3.94
- Runs allowed: 695
Talk about opposites. It’s incredible the Cubs made it as far as they did with that significant drop-off. John Lackey and John Lester both had ERA’s over 4.00, which is not the norm for the two former All-Stars.
Jake Arrieta rebounded from an average 2016 slate, who is now a free agent. The question is, do you handcuff your payroll, especially with Bryce Harper waiting in the wings for the 2019 off-season? I say let Arrieta walk and approach cheaper options.
Speaking of Harper, it’s wise to be conservative with spending, with an attempt to lure the phenom from the Nation’s capital.
Wade Davis’ one year in Chicago is up, with no chance of resigning him, with Carl Edwards as the team’s closer. It’s best to let Davis and his massive contract move on.
Trading the all or nothing Kyle Schwarber would be a nice move by Epstein, who could get someone to overpay for the home run hitter, most likely an American League team. His lack of getting on base and strikeouts are too crippling to keep in the everyday lineup rotation.
Moving the contract of the overrated Jason Heyward would be wise, especially with the always clutch Jon Jay on the roster at a more reasonable price.
With Rizzo, Baez, Bryant, Contreras all superstars, waiting until 2018 to do any crazy spending in MLB Free Agency is wise so that you can add Bryce Harper to an already loaded Cubs lineup.
5. Boston Red Sox: 93-69 (AL East Champions)
The Red Sox were AL East champions and had 93 for the second year in a row, with the same result. An early exit in the MLB Postseason. What can the Sox do during MLB Free Agency, to thwart the up and coming New York Yankees?
Rick Porcello morphed from the AL Cy Young winner in 2016 (22-4 record and a 3.15 ERA) to a subpar (11-17 record and a 4.65 ERA). Getting him back to 2016 form is a must, which would benefit the team’s ace, Chris Sale.
The Red Sox are also one of just a handful of teams who have a legit chance of snagging Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins
David Price was also disappointing, but for different reasons. Injuries plagued his campaign, and he pitched less than 75 innings. If Price and Porcello can pitch like they are capable of in 2018, the Sox will have three Cy Young contenders on their staff, which were the hopes initially in 2017.
The main priority is getting rid of the minor league contract of Pablo Sandoval, which makes the wallet bulky weighing a lofty $18.6 million. Yikes!
The Red Sox are also one of just a handful of teams who have a legit chance of snagging Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins, which should be their top priority if they are in the running for him.
Acquiring infield depth wouldn’t hurt either, especially with the nagging knee injury plaguing Dustin Pedroia. The likes of Royals Eric Hosmer and Mike Mike Moustakas would be great options.
If the Red Sox want to keep the Yankees from overtaking them, these are not only wishes but musts for the organization.
4. Washington Nationals 97-65 (NL East Champions)
Bryce Harper will be in the last year of his mega-contract with the Nationals in 2018, with the likelihood of the MVP leaving being very high. That means the Washington Nationals need to go all in during 2018.
MLB Free Agency keys:
Bullpen. The organization must do what it takes to toughen up that bullpen, especially the back-end which cost the Nationals in many tight games this past season. Juan Nicasio, Wade Davis, and Seung-hwan Oh would be good fits. Locking all three of them wouldn’t hurt either. Remember, the Nationals are going all in and have to swing for the fences.
A rarity in the MLB, but the truth, the Nationals are set with their starting rotation. Maybe snagging a Jaime Garcia for some extra depth wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it’s not a necessity.
Catcher Matt Wieters has the “option” to walk, and they should let him. Targeting Jonathan Lucroy would be the most rewarding, providing increased offensive production from that spot.
There is also right timing in the dead weight that is Jayson Werth. Pursuing Lorenzo Cain would be the piece that the Nationals need to get over that World Series hump.
The slogan for next season needs to be “2018 or bust” with Harper likely on his way out, Zimmerman toward the twilight of his career, plus other intricate players have contracts expiring soon as well.
3. Cleveland Indians: 102-60 (AL Central Champions)
The Cleveland Indians lost heartbreakingly during the 2016 World Series, falling just short to the overdue Chicago Cubs. The 2017 team experienced more heartache, with the Tribe getting axed by a hot New York Yankees squad in the process.
In many ways, it was a historic season for them, who at one point didn’t lose a game for nearly a month. Their lineup was stout, starting pitching and bullpen immaculate. So why did the Indians fall short, again, in 2017?
The main reason was the Yankees, but we’ve already discussed them in depth. What about the Indians’ need to be fine-tuned for the 2018 campaign?
First off, re-signing free agent first baseman Carlos Santana is a must, but his asking price might be too overwhelming for a team like the Indians.
If he walks, Mark Reynolds would be a suitable replacement, who had a fantastic season in Colorado. Also, adding Jay Bruce to their lineup would add some additional power, who had a very productive 2017 season.
Austin Jackson would be another piece that the Indians would like to maintain some depth to that outfield this MLB Free Agency period.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Indians have some possible options.
On the pitching side, the Indians might have the payroll space to bring back one of Joe Smith or Bryan Shaw, but it’s highly unlikely that both will return. If both depart, the Tribe’s bullpen might be able to succeed on internal options alone. With Cody Allen and Andrew Miller at the back end, they’ll once again be well off in close games.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: 104-58 (NL West Champions/ National League Champions)
A debate going this postseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers is whether or not Dave Roberts managed his way out of a World Series win? I believe he did, but I do think he’s the man for the job in So-Cal for years to come.
What kept Dodger from partying like it was 1988? First off, the Houston Astros, for sure. However, the Dodgers can do a bit of soul searching and tweaking that will bode well for 2018.
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The Dodgers should use addition by subtraction, by letting Yu Darvish walk. He singlehandedly cost the Dodgers two games in the Fall Classic and was non-effective in his efforts. He will be a good fit for an aspiring MLB team; he just doesn’t fit well in Los Angeles.
Second base is a position they could use a bit of an upgrade in, with the free agent market a prime place to shop. Veterans Brandon Phillips or Neil Walker would plug in well, providing not only an offensive spark but solid defense as well.
The fifth starter in the rotation could be better, so going after one of the previously mentioned arms would be wise as well. Lance Lynn would be the best fit, who could finally use an offense that gives him a bit of run support during his starts.
The last piece of the puzzle that could put them over the top is the segway to lights-out closer Kenley Jensen. Juan Nicasio would be the perfect addition, even filling in as spot closer when needed.
The Dodgers will have the Diamondbacks and Rockies on their tail, but I think the 2018 NL pennant will be there’s for the taking if they make these minor, but necessary adjustments.
1. Houston Astros:101-61 (AL West Champions/World Series Champions)
Of all the teams, the World Champion Houston Astros (that’s weird to say, isn’t it?) have the most players returning in 2018. MLB Free Agency will be more of putting additional icing and sprinkles on a World Series cake.
Their shortlist of free agents are Carlos Beltran, Tyler Clippard, Luke Gregerson, Francisco Liriano, and Cameron Maybin. Of that list, one is worth pursuing intently in Clippard. If he does walk, the Astros can be picky with who they chose, with an already stout bullpen.
With Beltran likely to retire, his production as all but faded away, adding one more big bat would be the way to go. If the Indians can land JD Martinez to their lineup, it’s all but a done deal with the Astros repeating in 2018.
Even snagging Mark Reynolds would be a fruitful move, someone who can play multiple positions as well. Or, Jonathon Lucroy would be a shrewd move, who could float between DH, catcher, and 1B when needed.
Another long-term priority would be hanging onto their already loaded team, making sure to take advantage of this talent while they can. Enjoy Astros fans; you’ve deserved and suffered for this success. MLB Free Agency will also be stress-free as well.
Next: 25 Most Memorable MLB Postseason Moments
Does your favorite MLB team have what it takes to be a contender in 2018? Will they fill in the gaps of their biggest weaknesses to make that happen? MLB Free Agency is in full-effect, so let the games begin!