2. David Price, LHP — All eight agreed Price is the No. 1 pitcher out there. Age, experience, postseason experience (though most of it not good), and being lefthanded are reasons to throw a lot of money his way. The feeling is seven years, $210 million is fair. Some think Price won’t live up to it unless he goes somewhere he’s totally comfortable. Toronto seems to fit that description. The Dodgers, Cardinals, and Cubs are other possibilities.
I want to add Price to the rotation but not at Kershaw-like money and term. I'd rather go with Neddy's suggestion elsewhere and overpay Greinke at $30 million per year for 3 years and lowered payments for the tail end of a proposed contract, especially since we are already loaded with left-handed starting possibilities over the next few years in Wood, Ryu, and Urias. Maybe I'll be convinced that this is just the cost of doing business, but right now, I'm not feeling it, especially since he's apparently been caught tipping his pitches.
6. Yoenis Cespedes, OF — The numbers don’t lie. Cespedes produces, and while our group knows the other things that come with Cespedes, they believe a team will hold its nose and give him the five- or six-year deal at $100 million-$150 million. “He’s not the guy you’d ideally want to commit more than the $100 million to,” said an AL manager. “He doesn’t work hard on his defense. But he produces. The fact Cespedes could earn $120 million-$150 million is insane, but someone will do it.”
Sounds like Cespedes already has Puig-like behavior attached to him, which we don't need, albeit in a more productive bat. I'll pass on him as an option for the outfield.
1. Johnny Cueto, RHP — Cueto is going to get a big contract, but he likely cost himself some money with a 4-7 record and 4.76 ERA in the regular season after being traded to Kansas City. And his postseason has been mostly bad, save for a strong outing against the Astros to help clinch the Division Series. There had been concerns about a physical issue, but his velocity hasn’t suffered. “He won’t get a Max Scherzer deal, but he’ll be around the Jon Lester [$155 million] area,” said an NL GM. “I know a few teams have scratched him off their list.”
In spite of his struggles, I still want to pursue Cueto, especially if we can buy low on him. I like him better than Jordan Zimmerman.
3. Alex Gordon, OF — Assuming Gordon turns down his $13 million player option, he’ll be a free agent. There’s nobody who doesn’t love Gordon, but committing multiple years at more than he’s making — say $15 million — isn’t appealing. One of our GMs indicated that with Gordon entering his age-32 year, he wouldn’t give him more than three-year deal at $36 million-$38 million. The Royals may be able to retain him if they want.
We'd probably have to overpay to get him out of Kansas City, but I like the idea of having Gordon in LF for the Dodgers on a 3-year deal. If we can get him at $36 million - $38 million, it's a no-brainer. Gordon's presence would free us to dump both Crawford and Ethier.
2. Larry Bowa, bench coach, Phillies — Bowa should be considered a managerial candidate in Miami, and anywhere else there is a vacancy. He’s not afraid to get into a player’s face, and that may be his downfall, but he’s a leader and has tremendous passion.
I've expressed my interest in having Bowa interview for the Dodgers' job as I like his forceful personality and old-school grit, but he doesn't look progressive enough for our front office's liking.
7. Matt Wieters, C, free agent — The Braves, Dodgers, Rays, Astros, and Mariners could bid for Wieters, who is a season removed from Tommy John surgery.
Who is Trending Up and Down as Baseball Free Agency Nears?
I've been interested in getting Wieters for a couple of years, but he's coming off injury and may require draft pick compensation if he gets a qualifying offer. With Grandal, Ellis, and Barnes in the fold, Wieters wouldn't be a priority but it's an interesting situation to keep an eye on.
