Predicting where the top 15 free agents will sign
Signing a top free agent can drastically increase any team's chances of becoming a World Series contender, and the market is heating up as MLB's top executives converge in Boca Raton, Fla., for the annual GM meetings this week.
Last week, we identified the top 15 free agents for the 2015 offseason, and now theScore's MLB editors - Jonah Birenbaum, Bryan Mcwilliam, Dan Toman, Greg Warren, and Brandon Wile - predict where those top free agents will sign.
1. David Price, LHP
DOB: Aug. 26, 1985 (30 years old)
MLB service: 6.164
Projected contract: 7 years, $191 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Cubs |
Mcwilliam | Cubs |
Toman | Cubs |
Warren | Cubs |
Wile | Cubs |
2. Jason Heyward, OF
DOB: Aug. 9, 1989 (26 years old)
MLB service: 6.000
Projected contract: 8 years, $175 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Angels |
Mcwilliam | Cardinals |
Toman | Cardinals |
Warren | Cardinals |
Wile | Cardinals |
3. Zack Greinke, RHP
DOB: Oct. 21, 1983 (32 years old)
MLB service: 11.057
Projected contract: 6 years, $155 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Dodgers |
Mcwilliam | Dodgers |
Toman | Dodgers |
Warren | Dodgers |
Wile | Dodgers |
4. Yoenis Cespedes, OF
DOB: Oct. 18, 1985 (30 years old)
MLB service: 4.000
Projected contract: 6 years, $128 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | White Sox |
Mcwilliam | Angels |
Toman | Mariners |
Warren | Giants |
Wile | Giants |
5. Chris Davis, 1B
DOB: March 17, 1986 (29 years old)
MLB service: 6.061
Projected contract: 5 years, $109 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Indians |
Mcwilliam | Orioles |
Toman | Padres |
Warren | Padres |
Wile | Pirates |
6. Alex Gordon, OF
DOB: Feb. 10, 1984 (31 years old)
MLB service: 8.092
Projected contract: 5 years, $92 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Astros |
Mcwilliam | Royals |
Toman | Royals |
Warren | Tigers |
Wile | Tigers |
7. Justin Upton, OF
DOB: Aug. 25, 1987 (28 years old)
MLB service: 8.060
Projected contract: 6 years, $130 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Orioles |
Mcwilliam | Orioles |
Toman | Angels |
Warren | Angels |
Wile | Angels |
8. Johnny Cueto, RHP
DOB: Feb. 15, 1986 (29 years old)
MLB service: 8.000
Projected contract: 6 years, $116 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Red Sox |
Mcwilliam | Red Sox |
Toman | Tigers |
Warren | Red Sox |
Wile | Giants |
9. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
DOB: May 23, 1986 (29 years old)
MLB service: 6.154
Projected contract: 6 years, $117 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Giants |
Mcwilliam | Cubs |
Toman | Giants |
Warren | Giants |
Wile | Red Sox |
10. Ian Desmond, SS
DOB: Sept. 20, 1985 (30 years old)
MLB service: 6.027
Projected contract: 4 years, $60 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Marlins |
Mcwilliam | White Sox |
Toman | Padres |
Warren | Mariners |
Wile | Padres |
11. Ben Zobrist, UTL
DOB: May 26, 1981 (34 years old)
MLB service: 8.134
Projected contract: 3 years, $46 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Nationals |
Mcwilliam | Yankees |
Toman | Mets |
Warren | Royals |
Wile | Royals |
12. Matt Wieters, C
DOB: May 21, 1986 (29 years old)
MLB service: 6.129
Projected contract: 4 years, $47 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Mariners |
Mcwilliam | Diamondbacks |
Toman | Rangers |
Warren | Orioles |
Wile | Rangers |
13. Scott Kazmir, LHP
DOB: Jan. 24, 1984 (31 years old)
MLB service: 9.119
Projected contract: 3 years, $48 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Twins |
Mcwilliam | Blue Jays |
Toman | Cardinals |
Warren | Marlins |
Wile | Cardinals |
14. Daniel Murphy, 2B/3B
DOB: April 1, 1985 (30 years old)
MLB service: 6.109
Projected contract: 4 years, $46 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Yankees |
Mcwilliam | Rockies |
Toman | Angels |
Warren | White Sox |
Wile | White Sox |
15. John Lackey, RHP
DOB: Oct. 23, 1978 (37 years old)
MLB service: 13.095
Projected contract: 2 years, $35 million
Editor | Prediction |
---|---|
Birenbaum | Tigers |
Mcwilliam | Cardinals |
Toman | Nationals |
Warren | Astros |
Wile | Cubs |
Contract projections listed were crowdsourced by Fangraphs, though, as noted by Carson Cistulli, respondents tend to underestimate the contracts given to elite free agents.