The 2015 MLB playoffs are closing in, as October brings a ton of great matchups and loads of excitement. If your favorite team is in the playoffs, that is. If not, baseball can be tough to watch in October and may have you already looking ahead to what your team can hope to do in 2016.
It might even have you thinking about who they can hope to sign. There are some massive names that could hit MLB free agency this year, and depending on where they go, they could shake up the entire league quite a bit. Let’s take a look at the biggest names that could hit the open market:
David Price (SP)
There won’t be a better pitcher to possibly hit the open market this year than David Price. He’s bounced around the past two years, but is headed for a massive paycheck and hopefully lands in a situation where his elite arm can vie for a World Series. That could even be in Toronto this year, but win or lose, Price could be headed elsewhere this off-season. The New York Yankees have waited long enough to add another elite arm to their rotation, so don’t be shocked if they get involved in the David Price sweepstakes.
Johnny Cueto (SP)
Cueto has been pretty shaky over his last several starts with the Royals, but he still produces that beautiful gem about twice a month. His next team would probably love to be banking on a more consistent ace, but Cueto still has a big arm and can take down the toughest of lineups when he has his stuff. Considering he hasn’t worked out quite as planned with the Royals after being traded out of Cincinnati, there’s a decent chance he’s headed elsewhere in MLB free agency. Plenty of teams need lively arms, but the Yankees, Tigers and Red Sox stand out the most.
Yoenis Cespedes (OF)
One of the top mashers in free agency, Cespedes has been traded in each of the last two years and simply responding by beating the life out of baseballs. He’s been a tremendous addition to a suddenly stacked Mets lineup, but he’s going to have to be paid a large sum to be kept around. There has been some chatter that the Tigers could bring him back with a massive deal (they just traded him away this summer), but the Mets may have something to say about it first.
Scott Kazmir (SP)
Kazmir’s 2015 MLB season has been up and down, but the 32-year old still has the goods to be a top ace in the right crew. It seems like he’s been a good fit with the Astros and considering he’s from Houston, it makes a lot of sense for him to just sign a big deal and stick around for good.
Justin Upton (OF)
Still very much in his prime, Justin Upton brings the long ball and has enjoyed a stellar season in San Diego. You can consider him gone after the Padres were shopping him in trade rumors all season long, but where does he go? He’s going to be valued by half of the league, but in the end he’s probably going to Kansas City or Anaheim. The Angels have no offense beyond Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, while the Royals will probably let Ben Zobrist go. Upton won’t be cheap, but he’s only 28 and can do it all. He brings a lot of value to the table for a playoff contender.
Chris Davis (1B)
Crush is just a total masher and he really turned on the long ball this season for the Baltimore Orioles. Another big hitter still in his prime, Davis stands a good chance to return to a pretty loaded Orioles offense. Of course, there’s something about his game that has pinstripes written all over it. Baltimore should be in the lead to hang on to him, but don’t be shocked if we hear about the New York Yankees trying to steal him away. Division rivals tend to be sneaky like that.
Jordan Zimmerman (SP)
Zimmerman’s game hasn’t really lived up to his big name in 2015, but he’s still a quality ace in his prime. In the right situation he could thrive, and that could end up being a number of spots. The San Francisco Giants don’t have much beyond Madison Bumgarner, while teams like the Astros, Blue Jays, Yankees and Royals all could use help on the mound.
