Making Moves for Table Setters

With all the free agents this offseason there are some positions with more options than others.  There are not many marquee options in the infield, especially up the middle.  However, there is a rich crop of potential top-of-the-order talent out there.  The biggest name on this list is definitely Michael Bourn.  He has been one of the game’s elite leadoff hitters for the past four years and is among the top five free agents on the market.  Bourn will garner a lot of headlines and rumor wire material this winter.  We have already seen a few leadoff men signed this winter.  The Blue Jays worked out the blockbuster trade and then came right back by taking a chance on Melky Cabrera with a two-year contract.  Also shortly after the trade, the Marlins took their newly lightened payroll and signed Juan Pierre to solidify the outfield and top of the order.  Here’s a list of other notable free agents and where they may fit in 2013:

Michael Bourn

Likely Buyers: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, HOU, MIA, PHI, SF, WAS

As mentioned at the top of this article, Michael Bourn is among the cream of the crop of leadoff hitters.  Bourn has had five straight years of 40+ steals and led the NL in 2009, '10, and '11.  He was also named Wilson Defensive Player of the Year.  The Giants would be a strong statement for repeat by adding Bourn.  Cincinnati and Washington are also already contenders and could be the favorite with the addition of a premier leadoff man.  The Diamondbacks have a lot of space to cover in center as well as a need at leadoff. The Braves, Phillies, and Astros all have history with Bourn and I could see each of them making an offer, though Houston is less likely to throw out that big of a figure.  The Cubs have a curse to reverse and Bourn would be a big first step.  Miami has opened up a ton of salary after their blockbuster deal and now has a hole at leadoff.  They may decide to make another splash this winter.

Shane Victorino

Likely Buyers: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, NYM, PHI, SF, TB, WAS

Victorino is very similar to Bourn, but a year older and not quite the same level of production.  He will be looked at by a lot of the same teams, but will not command quite the salary.  The Diamondbacks and Cubs would be good fits because I don't expect them to throw around the bigger dollars for Bourn.  A return to Philadelphia would also be a very logical move, though their willingness to trade him last year may soil the waters there.  If the Reds, Giants, Nationals, or Braves don't land Bourn, the Flyin' Hawaiian would be a strong second choice.  San Francisco may opt to bring back Angel Pagan over Victorino.  The Rays and Mets are two teams that I would see to be out of the mix for Bourn, but could manage to put a bid in for Victorino.

Angel Pagan

Likely Buyers: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, NYM, SF, WAS

The market for Pagan will likely increase once the big names above him start to thin their suitors.  At 31, Pagan is the eldest of the group, but still put up very good numbers with 95 runs, 38 doubles, and a major-league leading 15 triples (all career highs).  San Francisco seems to be the most likely candidate to sign Pagan after he helped lead the Giants to the title last season.  If the Giants pass or land a bigger name, the Diamondbacks and Cubs would be very good fits.  Also, look for teams that miss out on the bigger moves to take a look at signing Pagan.

BJ Upton

Likely Buyers: ARI, MIA, PHI, TB, TEX

Aside from Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke, and Michael Bourn, BJ Upton may be the most coveted free agent on the market this winter.  The elder of the Upton brothers has the speed to be a top of the lineup threat and also has the power to be a middle of the lineup bat.  Philadelphia has been vocal that Upton is at the top of their radar to bring in his right-handed power into a lefty-heavy lineup.  The Diamondbacks may look to him for center if they follow through with moving his younger brother, Justin.  Do not expect Tampa Bay to pass on an opportunity to bring BJ back for a 9th season as a Ray.  Miami, again, could be in the market for a big move now that most of their payroll has been freed up.  Texas also is in the market for a big bat in center if Hamilton signs elsewhere.

Nate McLouth

Likely Buyers: ATL, BAL, BOS, CHC, HOU, LAD, MIA, MIN, SF, TB

McLouth brings a different set of tools in his free agency than a lot of other names on this list.  He was a spark plug for the Orioles after he was signed on June 5.  In Pittsburgh, McLouth had a career year in 2008 26 homers, 46 doubles, 23 steals, 94 RBI, and 113 runs.  He could fit in any of the outfield positions as well as anywhere in the lineup.  There have already been rumblings of the Orioles looking to bring McLouth back to share time in left with Nolan Reimold, who is coming back from neck surgery.  Again, the Giants, Cubs, Braves, and Rays may take a look at McLouth once the bigger names are off the market.  Boston's outfield was decimated by injury last year and McLouth is a very durable player that could provide depth if they opt to use him from the bench.  The Dodgers also could use some added depth behind the oft-injured Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp.  Minnesota may be looking for some outfield help if they move Denard Span or Ben Revere.

Endy Chavez

Likely Buyers: BAL, BOS, LAD

For a team looking for an insurance policy, Endy Chavez has been on his entire career.  Ever since his horrific injury colliding with Yuniesky Betancourt in Seattle, his health has been in question.  Throughout his career, Chavez has been a solid option as a 4th outfielder and speed threat from the bench.  He has the ability to fill in at leadoff in the case of injuries, so look for teams who have injury questions – like the Red Sox and Dodgers – to give Endy Chavez a look this year.

Ichiro Suzuki

Likely Buyers: NYY

The big question around Ichiro is his age.  The former Rookie of the Year and MVP turned 39 last month and has experienced his first two seasons with less than 200 hits in 2011 and 2012.  He did perform well after leaving Seattle for pinstripes, hitting .322 in 67 games.  Despite his age and the trade, he still played in all 162 games and has missed more than five games in only one season (2009).  In the ALCS, Ichiro hit the first of two 2-run homers in the 9th inning of Game 1 that sent the game into extra innings.  The Yankees are the one team that makes the most sense to sign him and it has been reported that he wants to play 2013 in the Bronx.  Other suitors have yet to become known, but the market for Ichiro may begin to grow during the winter.

Marco Scutaro

Likely Buyers: ARI, COL, MIL, MIN, OAK, SF, TB

Marco Scutaro is the number one option available on the shortstop market and the only big name not coming off an injury (Stephen Drew, Alex Gonzalez).  Scutaro is one of the top options at second base as well. He was fantastic in 2012 after the move to San Francisco where he hit .362 and won NLCS MVP with his 14/28 performance at the plate along with 3 doubles and 6 runs.  Scutaro is the one non-outfielder on this list and a very good option for teams needing help in either the first or second spots in the lineup.  San Francisco is the heavy favorite to bring their new fan favorite back for his first full season on the cove.  The A's, Rockies, and Blue Jays may look for some help in the middle of the infield by bringing Scutaro back for a reunion.  Tampa Bay currently shows Ben Zobrist starting at first, second, and shortstop, so obviously they will likely be shopping for someone to lighten his load.  GM Kevin Towers has been clear that the Diamondbacks are in the market for a shortstop.  Minnesota and Milwaukee also have big questions up the middle and could give Scutaro an offer.

Along with the free agents that could bring some top-of-the-lineup production, there are also potential options on the trade market.  The rumor mill has been turning much in Arizona already this winter around the potential deal of Justin Upton, which would have a lot of impact on other deals that may be made in the desert.  We have already seen Bonifacio and Reyes shipped to Toronto in the megadeal with Miami.  Especially with the low level of available middle infielders on the free agent market, there could be some leadoff talent in new uniforms come April.

Shin-Soo Choo

Rumors have already begun about Cleveland's interest in shopping Choo.  He is a five-tool player with surprising power and a cannon for an arm in right.  Choo has the power to hit cleanup and the speed to hit leadoff.  The Yankees would definitely be a suitor with the loss of Swisher.  The Mariners also may look to bring back Choo after sending him to the Indians for Ben Broussard and cash in 2006.  The Diamondbacks could give Choo a look if they move Justin Upton.

Zack Cozart

There have also been rumors surrounding the shortstops in Cincinnati.  Cozart is the more likely option for the Reds to part ways simply because he is 27 compared to the 22-year-old Didi Gregorius.  The Reds have been interested in dealing for Denard Span from Minnesota in the past.  That move would make the most sense this offseason with the Reds needing a leadoff hitter and the Twins needing a shortstop.  The Diamondbacks and Rays may also be interested in making a deal for Cozart or Gregorius.

Coco Crisp

With the addition of Chris Young, there are big questions in the Oakland outfield simply on who the starters will be.  Between Yoenis Cespedes, Young, Seth Smith, and Josh Reddick, Crisp may be the odd man out.  That leaves the A's with a $7 million backup.  He would be another option to swap with Cozart because there is an opening at shortstop in Oakland.  The Braves, Rays, and Phillies also could be in the Crisp market.

Rafael Furcal

With the emergence of Pete Kozma, the St. Louis Cardinals may look to move the injury-prone Furcal.  The same teams hot on the shortstop market (Arizona, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay) may be approaching the Cards about a deal.  

Dee Gordon

The son of Flash is in a very similar situation to Furcal.  Dee Gordon is coming off injury and has stiff competition (Hanley Ramirez) for the starting shortstop job in LA.  Gordon may be more deserving of his father's nickname with 56 steals in only 143 career games over 2011-12.  Arizona would be a great fit for Gordon and has some dominant, young pitching to work into a deal.  Oakland is also in need of a leadoff hitter and a shortstop, so working a deal with the Dodgers to bring in both with one player would make an awful lot of sense.

Denard Span

Both Span and Ben Revere have been mentioned in trade talks.  Each outfielder comes with a similar skill set of defense and speed.  As mentioned above, Cincinnati has tried on previous occasions to pull Span away from the Twin Cities and this could be the offseason to make it happen.  Atlanta, Philadelphia, and San Francisco may also be in the market for Span or Revere, but those moves are strongly contingent on where the free agents may fall.