Ideal destinations for 7 big-name bats

The first phase of baseball's offseason is coming to a close after $1 billion worth of trades, signings, and hot stove rumors over the last month and a half.

Unlike last year's free-agent class, where two of the three best pitchers signed after January, most of the top-tier starters are already off the board. Instead, it's the position player market that's been slow to develop heading into the final two weeks of the year.

Much like every team needs a Ben Zobrist, most clubs could use an elite defender like Alex Gordon. The same can be said for Chris Davis; who wouldn't want the major-league leader in homers? And that's to say nothing of the players reportedly available via trade, like Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez.

Predicting where these players will wind up is one thing, but figuring out where they should land is another. Let's take a shot at the latter, with seven ideal destinations for seven available big-name bats:

Alex Gordon: Orioles (FA)

Why the Orioles? The Orioles made a spirited effort to re-sign Davis, but now that their reported $154-million offer is off the table, why not invest it into something more practical, like a Gold Glove defender who hits from the left side? Gordon checks off a lot of Baltimore's needs and would be a good fit in Buck Showalter's no-nonsense clubhouse. They've finally shown a willingness to spend, but whether they'll actually do so remains to be seen.

Ian Desmond: Mariners (FA)

Why the Mariners? Jerry Dipoto has addressed nearly every position during his aggressive offseason except for shortstop, where the Mariners are projected to start 22-year-old Ketel Marte. Flanked on either side by Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager, Desmond would compliment the veteran-laden Mariners' roster with another accomplished bat at a weak position. What Desmond gives up in defense he more than makes up for in power, leading all MLB shortstops in homers from 2012-15.

Carlos Gonzalez: Mets (via Rockies)

Why the Mets? The Mets have already said they won't meet Yoenis Cespedes' high contract demands, which presumably means they won't be pursuing Gordon or Justin Upton, either. They still need to replace Cespedes' production, though. With CarGo owed just $37 million over the next two seasons - a relative bargain for a player who hit 40 homers last year - the Rockies slugger is priced at roughly a third of the total cost of the going rate for free-agent outfielders. Perhaps a package involving recovering Tommy John pitcher Zack Wheeler would be enough to strike a deal between the two clubs.

Chris Davis: Padres (FA)

Why the Padres? Because one gets the sense that A.J. Preller would rather retool than rebuild. There's a plan in place for Wil Myers to be the club's primary first baseman, but that leaves the Padres with Matt Kemp as their only legitimate source of power at any of the four corner positions. Davis' huge raw strength plays anywhere - including Petco - and he'd give San Diego the impact lefty bat its lineup desperately needs.

Yoenis Cespedes: Nationals (FA)

Why the Nationals? Despite losing two-fifths of their starting rotation, it's been offense that the Nationals have sought this offseason following unsuccessful bids for Zobrist and Jason Heyward. But perhaps their futile efforts were for the better. Cespedes provides the Nats with the power bat they actually need - no player besides Bryce Harper hit 20 homers last year - and his polarizing play would likely be tolerated more under the laid back watch of Dusty Baker.

Justin Upton: Angels (FA)

Why the Angels? The Angels could use a lefty bat like Davis to ease the burden of Albert Pujols' decline, but committing more than $300 million to slugging first basemen isn't exactly ideal. The best option for the offense-starved Angels appears to be Upton, who provides park-proof power and is the youngest player on this list. Most importantly, Upton plays left field, a position the Angels produced the fewest wins above replacement at in the American League last season.

Todd Frazier: Indians (via Reds)

Why the Indians? Frazier's the slugging version of Zobrist: a powerful bat capable of playing either corner infield position, with minimal experience in the outfield as well. The Reds are looking to cash in on his back-to-back All-Star efforts, and his two-year window before free agency looks like a good fit for the upstart Indians. Cleveland needs right-handed power, preferably at third base, and has the pitching assets to strike a deal. Editor's note: Frazier is indeed headed to the AL Central, but he's going to Chicago, not Cleveland. Frazier was acquired by the White Sox on Wednesday in a three-team, seven-player trade involving the Reds and Dodgers.