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Talking Sports: MLB free agent bats: thoughts, predictions, destinations for 2015 season

Here are my thoughts on and predicted destinations of three of the most prominent free agent position players on this winter’s MLB market.Like last week, I’ll refrain from giving any predictions on exact contract values, but I’m not afraid to give it my best guess. I’ll discuss three more next Thursday.

Hanley Ramirez – SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are always looking to strengthen their rotation and they’ve done it noticeably in each of the last two seasons, adding Zack Greinke two offseasons ago and Dan Haren last offseason. Both of those additions have paid rich dividends for Don Mattingly’s club. And with ownership’s continuing itch to flaunt its giant pockets, prized hurler Max Scherzer is very likely on the Dodgers’ radar.

That means there is a good chance that Ramirez is gone. After posting a slash line of .283/.369/.448 with 13 homers and 71 RBI in 2014, Ramirez is due a sizeable chunk of change this winter – especially after he’s expanded his market by publicly saying he’s willing to play multiple positions in the infield. He’s only 30 and is still very much a solid defensive shortstop with a threatening bat. He’ll be paid for his potential to rediscover the superstar talent he once had as a Florida Marlin. Many teams are said to be in the hunt.

Prediction – and a rather wild one: Ramirez lands with the Houston Astros. Houston is interested in substantially increasing its payroll after a much-improved 70-92 season last year. They finally escaped the AL West basement after nearly half a decade in the dark and they could use some talented, veteran leadership to continue the turnaround. With the emergence of all-star players like 2014 AL Batting Champion Jose Altuve, catcher Jason Castro, an improving rotation led by Scott Feldman and all-star lefty Dallas Kuechel, as well as young guns like George Springer and Jon Singleton, this move makes sense for President Reid Ryan. I expect Ramirez to sign a four-year deal in the range of $60 million to $70 million. With that term, Houston will be getting a very good player for the next few seasons, which is more than enough time for it to get back into decent contention.

Pablo Sandoval – 3B, San Francisco Giants

Given his young age, ability and the fact that he just led the Giants to their third title in five seasons, Sandoval is the hottest offensive commodity on this winter’s market.

His 2014 season numbers weren’t mind-blowing – .279/.324/.414 with 16 HR and 73 RBI – but his pedigree of hot hitting in the postseason is the quality that makes him attractive. At just 28, he’s got a .344 average and a .389 on-base percentage in three World Series title runs. It’s incredibly rare to have at that resume at that age and he’ll be compensated handsomely for it.

This is a two-horse race between the Giants and the Boston Red Sox. Boston GM Ben Cherington said earlier this week that he’s “all in” on trying to sign Sandoval. Currently, the Red Sox situation at the hot corner is a revolving door and has been realy since Kevin Youkilis left after the 2012 season. Will Middlebrooks has been average there for a couple of years now and Sandoval is a clear upgrade in almost every major category. Defensively, he’s also improved thanks to some serious weight loss.

Prediction: Sandoval signs with Boston on a five-year deal worth around $80 million to $90 million. When Cherington really wants someone, he rarely fails to get him. Boston has greater potential to add talent to its team than San Fran does and many people question if the Giants can really win another World Series with a “one-man rotation” and another 88-win season. Boston has the pull, the history and the talent to lure the Panda to its hot corner. Also, don’t forget about that short right field fence at Fenway – that’s a lefty power hitter’s dream.

Nelson Cruz – RF/DH, Baltimore Orioles

After a 40-homer firework show last season, you’d think that the O’s would do whatever they could to bring Cruz back for 2015 beyond. There is concern – rightfully warranted – that Cruz’s numbers might dip appreciably next season because he played the 2014 season with the motivation of a contract year. But across the board, he had his best season since 2010 with the Texas Rangers even as he hasn’t gotten any younger since. At 34, he is considered a defensive liablility, but Baltimore would like him back as a full-time DH and an occasional right fielder.

Orioles GM Dan Duquette has said that the O’s have the money to sign both Cruz and incumbent right fielder Nick Markakis, who is negotiating a four-year deal with Baltimore right now. Putting a more defensively capable Markakis in right field allows Cruz to stay healthy as the DH. At his age, another 40-bomb year likely isn’t possible if he’s the every day right fielder. Cruz says he loves playing and living in Baltimore and the O’s should make this work, but watch out for the Rangers – they are lurking and would like a power bat too. Cruz is a fan favorite in Arlington and is familiar with the team.

Prediction: Cruz returns to Baltimore along with Markakis. Cruz gets three or four years in the area of $13 million to $16 million per season. This pretty much takes Baltimore out of the running for acquiring starting pitching that actually improves its rotation. But with hot prospects like Dylan Bundy on the way, the O’s can survive with that offense. They made it to the ALCS with average pitching this season and they can do it again.

 

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