MLBTraderumors - FA Predictions

[weams]

5. Chris Davis Cardinals. Six years, $144MM. Davis is baseball's most prolific home run hitter, leading the Majors in 2013 and 2015. He's a middle of the order monster and he doesn't turn 30 until March. Agent Scott Boras will attempt to downplay Davis' high strikeout rate and his 2014 suspension for use of Adderall. Boras will push for seven years for Davis, a term he achieved with Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo previously. First base is not an in-demand position this winter, so finding a match for Davis is difficult. He would be a great addition to the Cardinals' lineup if they lose Heyward. The Orioles will stay involved, while the Astros, Mariners, and Padres make some degree of sense. Click here for more on Davis.

15. Matt Wieters Nationals. Four years, $64MM. Another former first-round draft pick, the switch-hitting Wieters has an above average bat for a catcher and little competition on the market at his position. As with Upton, there's a feeling Wieters hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's still a quality player. His contract will be depressed by last year's Tommy John surgery, which delayed his 2015 debut until June and prevented him from catching on consecutive days regularly. We expect him to turn down the Orioles' qualifying offer, and the Nationals could sign Wieters as an upgrade over Wilson Ramos. The Braves make sense with Wieters' strong Georgia ties, while the Angels, Astros, and White Sox could be fits. Click here for our full profile of Wieters.

16. Dexter Fowler Mets. Four years, $60MM. Fowler, 30 in March, joined the Cubs from the Astros in a January trade. He did a fine job as the Cubs' center fielder, playing in a career-high 156 regular season games and quieting concerns about his 2014 defensive metrics. The switch-hitter posted his standard solid OBP and a career-best 17 home runs, so he'll be turning down the Cubs' qualifying offer in search of a multiyear deal. A return to the Cubs makes sense, but if they decide to move on, the Mets, Nationals, Angels, Marlins, and White Sox are some decent matches. Teams like the Mariners and Rangers may seek help in center field, but may be reluctant to forfeit their first-round draft pick.

20. Yovani Gallardo Tigers. Four years, $52MM. Gallardo, 30 in February, spent his career with the Brewers before a January trade to the Rangers. Once one of the NL's better pitchers, Gallardo has settled in as a mid-rotation arm. His peripheral stats this year suggest he was fortunate to manage a 3.42 ERA, and his qualifying offer could hamper his market. The Tigers could work, as a team seeking multiple starters with a protected first-rounder.

33. Darren O'Day Red Sox. Three years, $22.5MM. O?Day may be the best reliever on the free agent market. The sidearmer compiled a 1.92 ERA in 263 innings over four seasons with the Orioles. He has at times struggled with walks and home runs against left-handed hitters, but he doesn't have to be used as a righty specialist. Though he recently turned 33, a three-year deal is in order. If the Orioles elect not to pay the price, the Red Sox, Tigers, Braves, Diamondbacks, and Mets are just a few potential suitors.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/2015-16-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

[Can_of_corn]

I found MLBTraderumors too early. I can never take them seriously.

[24fps]

5. Chris Davis Cardinals. Six years, $144MM. Davis is baseball's most prolific home run hitter, leading the Majors in 2013 and 2015. He's a middle of the order monster and he doesn't turn 30 until March. Agent Scott Boras will attempt to downplay Davis' high strikeout rate and his 2014 suspension for use of Adderall. Boras will push for seven years for Davis, a term he achieved with Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo previously. First base is not an in-demand position this winter, so finding a match for Davis is difficult. He would be a great addition to the Cardinals? lineup if they lose Heyward. The Orioles will stay involved, while the Astros, Mariners, and Padres make some degree of sense. Click here for more on Davis.

15. Matt Wieters Nationals. Four years, $64MM. Another former first-round draft pick, the switch-hitting Wieters has an above average bat for a catcher and little competition on the market at his position. As with Upton, there's a feeling Wieters hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's still a quality player. His contract will be depressed by last year's Tommy John surgery, which delayed his 2015 debut until June and prevented him from catching on consecutive days regularly. We expect him to turn down the Orioles? qualifying offer, and the Nationals could sign Wieters as an upgrade over Wilson Ramos. The Braves make sense with Wieters? strong Georgia ties, while the Angels, Astros, and White Sox could be fits. Click here for our full profile of Wieters.

16. Dexter Fowler Mets. Four years, $60MM. Fowler, 30 in March, joined the Cubs from the Astros in a January trade. He did a fine job as the Cubs' center fielder, playing in a career-high 156 regular season games and quieting concerns about his 2014 defensive metrics. The switch-hitter posted his standard solid OBP and a career-best 17 home runs, so he'll be turning down the Cubs' qualifying offer in search of a multiyear deal. A return to the Cubs makes sense, but if they decide to move on, the Mets, Nationals, Angels, Marlins, and White Sox are some decent matches. Teams like the Mariners and Rangers may seek help in center field, but may be reluctant to forfeit their first-round draft pick.

20. Yovani Gallardo Tigers. Four years, $52MM. Gallardo, 30 in February, spent his career with the Brewers before a January trade to the Rangers. Once one of the NL's better pitchers, Gallardo has settled in as a mid-rotation arm. His peripheral stats this year suggest he was fortunate to manage a 3.42 ERA, and his qualifying offer could hamper his market. The Tigers could work, as a team seeking multiple starters with a protected first-rounder.

33. Darren O'Day Red Sox. Three years, $22.5MM. O?Day may be the best reliever on the free agent market. The sidearmer compiled a 1.92 ERA in 263 innings over four seasons with the Orioles. He has at times struggled with walks and home runs against left-handed hitters, but he doesn't have to be used as a righty specialist. Though he recently turned 33, a three-year deal is in order. If the Orioles elect not to pay the price, the Red Sox, Tigers, Braves, Diamondbacks, and Mets are just a few potential suitors.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/2015-16-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

Very timely reset.

[Bahama O's Fan]

Way to wheel and deal O's and DD!

[SteveA]

I can't remember, there a thread/poll on here in October / early November about what people expected out of the Orioles' offseason? Would be interesting to revisit now.

[24fps]

I can't remember, there a thread/poll on here in October / early November about what people expected out of the Orioles' offseason? Would be interesting to revisit now.

For starters, we all expected a budget not to exceed $125 million.

[weams]

For starters, we all expected a budget not to exceed $125 million.

Or as low as 108.

[WarehouseChatter]

5. Chris Davis Cardinals. Six years, $144MM. Davis is baseball's most prolific home run hitter, leading the Majors in 2013 and 2015. He's a middle of the order monster and he doesn't turn 30 until March. Agent Scott Boras will attempt to downplay Davis' high strikeout rate and his 2014 suspension for use of Adderall. Boras will push for seven years for Davis, a term he achieved with Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo previously. First base is not an in-demand position this winter, so finding a match for Davis is difficult. He would be a great addition to the Cardinals' lineup if they lose Heyward. The Orioles will stay involved, while the Astros, Mariners, and Padres make some degree of sense. Click here for more on Davis.

15. Matt Wieters Nationals. Four years, $64MM. Another former first-round draft pick, the switch-hitting Wieters has an above average bat for a catcher and little competition on the market at his position. As with Upton, there's a feeling Wieters hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's still a quality player. His contract will be depressed by last year's Tommy John surgery, which delayed his 2015 debut until June and prevented him from catching on consecutive days regularly. We expect him to turn down the Orioles' qualifying offer, and the Nationals could sign Wieters as an upgrade over Wilson Ramos. The Braves make sense with Wieters' strong Georgia ties, while the Angels, Astros, and White Sox could be fits. Click here for our full profile of Wieters.

16. Dexter Fowler Mets. Four years, $60MM. Fowler, 30 in March, joined the Cubs from the Astros in a January trade. He did a fine job as the Cubs' center fielder, playing in a career-high 156 regular season games and quieting concerns about his 2014 defensive metrics. The switch-hitter posted his standard solid OBP and a career-best 17 home runs, so he'll be turning down the Cubs' qualifying offer in search of a multiyear deal. A return to the Cubs makes sense, but if they decide to move on, the Mets, Nationals, Angels, Marlins, and White Sox are some decent matches. Teams like the Mariners and Rangers may seek help in center field, but may be reluctant to forfeit their first-round draft pick.

20. Yovani Gallardo Tigers. Four years, $52MM. Gallardo, 30 in February, spent his career with the Brewers before a January trade to the Rangers. Once one of the NL's better pitchers, Gallardo has settled in as a mid-rotation arm. His peripheral stats this year suggest he was fortunate to manage a 3.42 ERA, and his qualifying offer could hamper his market. The Tigers could work, as a team seeking multiple starters with a protected first-rounder.

33. Darren O'Day Red Sox. Three years, $22.5MM. O?Day may be the best reliever on the free agent market. The sidearmer compiled a 1.92 ERA in 263 innings over four seasons with the Orioles. He has at times struggled with walks and home runs against left-handed hitters, but he doesn't have to be used as a righty specialist. Though he recently turned 33, a three-year deal is in order. If the Orioles elect not to pay the price, the Red Sox, Tigers, Braves, Diamondbacks, and Mets are just a few potential suitors.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/2015-16-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

DD's patience paid off. Great job by him to land this group -especially the last 2 - on sound economics.

[MagicBird]

5. Chris Davis Cardinals. Six years, $144MM. Davis is baseball's most prolific home run hitter, leading the Majors in 2013 and 2015. He's a middle of the order monster and he doesn't turn 30 until March. Agent Scott Boras will attempt to downplay Davis' high strikeout rate and his 2014 suspension for use of Adderall. Boras will push for seven years for Davis, a term he achieved with Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo previously. First base is not an in-demand position this winter, so finding a match for Davis is difficult. He would be a great addition to the Cardinals' lineup if they lose Heyward. The Orioles will stay involved, while the Astros, Mariners, and Padres make some degree of sense. Click here for more on Davis.

15. Matt Wieters Nationals. Four years, $64MM. Another former first-round draft pick, the switch-hitting Wieters has an above average bat for a catcher and little competition on the market at his position. As with Upton, there's a feeling Wieters hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's still a quality player. His contract will be depressed by last year's Tommy John surgery, which delayed his 2015 debut until June and prevented him from catching on consecutive days regularly. We expect him to turn down the Orioles' qualifying offer, and the Nationals could sign Wieters as an upgrade over Wilson Ramos. The Braves make sense with Wieters' strong Georgia ties, while the Angels, Astros, and White Sox could be fits. Click here for our full profile of Wieters.

16. Dexter Fowler Mets. Four years, $60MM. Fowler, 30 in March, joined the Cubs from the Astros in a January trade. He did a fine job as the Cubs' center fielder, playing in a career-high 156 regular season games and quieting concerns about his 2014 defensive metrics. The switch-hitter posted his standard solid OBP and a career-best 17 home runs, so he'll be turning down the Cubs' qualifying offer in search of a multiyear deal. A return to the Cubs makes sense, but if they decide to move on, the Mets, Nationals, Angels, Marlins, and White Sox are some decent matches. Teams like the Mariners and Rangers may seek help in center field, but may be reluctant to forfeit their first-round draft pick.

20. Yovani Gallardo Tigers. Four years, $52MM. Gallardo, 30 in February, spent his career with the Brewers before a January trade to the Rangers. Once one of the NL's better pitchers, Gallardo has settled in as a mid-rotation arm. His peripheral stats this year suggest he was fortunate to manage a 3.42 ERA, and his qualifying offer could hamper his market. The Tigers could work, as a team seeking multiple starters with a protected first-rounder.

33. Darren O'Day Red Sox. Three years, $22.5MM. O?Day may be the best reliever on the free agent market. The sidearmer compiled a 1.92 ERA in 263 innings over four seasons with the Orioles. He has at times struggled with walks and home runs against left-handed hitters, but he doesn't have to be used as a righty specialist. Though he recently turned 33, a three-year deal is in order. If the Orioles elect not to pay the price, the Red Sox, Tigers, Braves, Diamondbacks, and Mets are just a few potential suitors.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/2015-16-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

Ha Ha, thats good stuff.

Looks like the Orioles got some bargains.

[atomic]

In retrospect Fowler and Gallardo should have taken their Qualifying offers like Wieters did. I guess their loss is our gain.

[Br10n]

In retrospect Fowler and Gallardo should have taken their Qualifying offers like Wieters did. I guess their loss is our gain.

Add Desmond to that list.

[TheBee]

So, they thought Fowler would get 15 per and Gallardo 13 per, and we got them for 11 and 11 (with 2 mil buyout). Plus we committed to them for a total 5 years as opposed to 8 years. That allows them to be here for what we hope is the peak of this core, but doesn't hinder a rebuild after that peak.

[O's are Legends]

Add Desmond to that list.

From turning down a 107mill extension to not being signed. His agent must be kicking himself. I have enjoyed how a lot of free agents decided to not sign with the nats and Brandon Phillips turned down a trade to the nats.

[OFFNY]

16) Dexter Fowler - Mets.

20) Yovani Gallardo - Tigers.

Well, at least they had Dexter Fowler and Yovani Gallardo in uniforms that contain the color orange.

[25 Nuggets]

Add Desmond to that list.

Really wondering where he ends up now that (I think) he's the last QO guy left.