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Free agency period has officially kick off but we might not see any real movement until the General Managers report to Boca Raton, Florida on November 9th. Over the course of three days, GM's will be discussing trade possibilities over a game of shuffleboard, enjoying the early bird dinner specials with agents, and sit in meetings for hours in hotel ballroom's. (I've only been to Boca Raton once as a kid, and I was told by my uncle this is where people come to die. I'm sure it's a happening place for the 50 and older crowd.)
During this time is when free agent rumors are given birth and ramp up til the Winter Meetings in December. While we wait to learn who will sign where, let's have ourselves a bit of friendly contest of predicting where the top 25 free agents will sign.
To participate click this link to access the form. Enter in your SSS username and select one of the 30 team's from the drop down menu. Deadline to enter is November 13th.
My predictions:
Zack Greinke: Los Angeles Dodgers - He opted out because Greinke knows he deserves to be on the top paying pitchers in the game. Dodgers will throw him the cash he is seeking ($28-30 million a year)
David Price: Chicago Cubs - Jake Arrieta is awesome. Jon Lester is just as good as Jose Quintana. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough as we saw in the NLCS to the Mets. David Price would be an excellent addition for them and a good place for him to settle down. He and the Cubs have something to prove in the play-offs.
Jason Heyward: St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals understand the importance of Heyward, especially when Matt Holiday suffered through nagging injuries. Even though they have some impressive talent coming up through the system, if St.Louis intends to stay ahead of Pittsburgh and Chicago they need to resign Heyward.
Johnny Cueto: Arizona Diamondbacks - Cueto got his ring and now it's time to cash in. My gut tells me Dave Stewart will throw a lot of money at Cueto to make a run at the Dodgers.
Justin Upton: Washington Nationals - Upton can provide protection in the line up for Bryce Harper, or he can hit in front of Harper and enjoy the heavy dose of fastball's.
Chris Davis: St. Louis Cardinals - Unless GM John Mozeliak tries to outsmart everyone and acquire Adam LaRoche during the offseason, he will spend the cash to get Davis.
Yoenis Cespedes: New York Mets - I think New York will do whatever it takes to keep Cespedes in Queens.
Jordan Zimmermann: Chicago Cubs - Nobody should bat an eye to give up a draft pick to acquire Zimmermann. This is purely a guess, but I could see the Cubs sign Zimmermann first, and Price later.
Alex Gordon: Boston Red Sox - Did you see Hanley Ramirez play in Left Field?
Ian Desmond: San Diego Padres - I fully expect the Padres to keep throwing money at players to build a winner.
Jeff Samardzija: Boston Red Sox - The Red Sox need starting pitcher desperately. Plus, I can't imagine Samardzija clean shaven with the New York Yankees.
Mike Leake: San Francisco Giants - For once in a long while, the Giants are hurting for pitching. Leake could be the first free agent to sign this offseason.
Wei-Yin Chen and Matt Wieters: Washington Nationals - Former Baltimore Orioles battery (and Scott Boras clients) head south to DC. Chen replaces Zimmermann in the rotation and Wieters gives them a much needed boost in production at catcher.
Dexter Fowler: Chicago Cubs - I thought he was a good fit for the Cubs in 2015, and they need someone to patrol CF.
Daniel Murphy: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Former future White Sox, Daniel Murphy, heads west and gives the Angels a much need boost at second base, replacing Johnny Giavotella.
Scott Kazmir: Houston Astros - Kazmir is from Houston and I see him cutting the Astros a hometown discount to pitch for a winning team.
Ben Zobrist: New York Yankees - An aging second baseman joining an aging lineup. If other aging part of the team fall apart, Zobrist versatility will come in handy.
Yovani Gallardo: Texas Rangers - Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish will headline the rotation with Gallardo as pretty good number three starter, which is the best role for him at this career stage.
Howie Kendrick: Kansas City Royals - I think this is a great replacement for the World Champion Royals and Kendrick would fit nicely in this lineup.
Colby Rasmus: Chicago White Sox - Kenny Williams always gets his man (eventually). Despite push back from GM Rick Hahn, the White Sox sign Rasmus to provide a platoon in right field and hope he can hit some dingers.
Denard Span: San Diego Padres - Again, the Padres will continue to throw money at players hoping to fix problems in the field. Span will be much better in CF than Wil Myers and Matt Kemp.
Marco Estrada: St. Louis Cardinals - Noticed that the Cardinals are fans of pitchers with fastball-change up combos. Estrada has a pretty good change up and would replace a departing John Lackey.
David Freese: Chicago White Sox - Because signing Freese would be so White Sox. Plus he only costs money. No loss of prospects or draft picks to find someone to play third base better than Gordon Beckham, Tyler Saladino, or Mike Olt.
Darren O'Day: Boston Red Sox - The best reliever in free agency signs with the team that desperately needs better pitchers.