The 5 biggest questions heading into the offseason
An offseason full of signings and trades can be a nice consolation for no games.
MLB's four-month layoff without baseball began earlier this week, but the winter fun has already begun, as teams have spent the last several days deciding on player options.
With front offices set to navigate the time leading up to the 2018 season, here are the five biggest questions this offseason:
Will the Marlins trade Stanton?
The worst-kept secret in the majors is that the Marlins are hoping to shed significant payroll, and moving their highest-paid player in Giancarlo Stanton is the quickest way to accomplish that.
Stanton Watch is the top storyline this winter as the four-time All-Star is the best player believed to be available via trade or free agency. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is arguably the biggest power threat in the majors and is coming off a career-best 59-homer campaign. Any deal involving the Marlins star will be a blockbuster, as Stanton comes with $295 million remaining on his deal. It will be interesting to see what type of package Miami's front office will seek in return, whether it just be financial relief, or a number of prospects as well.
Expect there to be no shortage of suitors for Stanton, with the Cardinals, Red Sox, Giants, Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Rangers, and others all likely to pick up the phone to talk to Derek Jeter and Co.
Will Otani be posted?
The free-agent pool could get a late - and incredibly important - entry should MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball agree to a posting fee for two-way star Shohei Otani.
Otani is arguably the most coveted international free agent in league history, but a conflict regarding the posting system could result in the 23-year-old not reaching the majors in time for next season.
If an agreement is made and Otani is posted this winter, he'll be in the unique position of having all 30 teams make a pitch for his services. Due to CBA limitations, he can only sign a minor-league deal, and is only eligible to receive a signing bonus valued between $300,000 and $10 million - depending on the international bonus pool money owned by the club that lands his signature. Should Otani delay his MLB pursuit until after his 25th birthday, he can sign for any amount of money offered, without any restrictions.
Where will the top 4 free agents land?
This year's free-agent class isn't overly deep, but there certainly is plenty of talent at the top. Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Eric Hosmer, and J.D. Martinez are each All-Star talents, and should land contracts in excess of $100 million.
Both Darvish and Arrieta are 31 years old and coming off inconsistent seasons, but still possess the talent and track record to make them top-of-the-rotation starters. The Cubs - Arrieta's former team - are expected to make a run at one of the two, while the Dodgers - Darvish's former team - along with Phillies, Nationals, Cardinals, Astros, Rangers, Yankees, Mariners, Braves, and Angels are all expected to look for starting pitching help.
Hosmer and Martinez will also draw a number of suitors. At just 28 years old, Hosmer is the youngest of the top free agents and is coming off a career year in which he hit .318/.385/.498 and belted 25 homers. Martinez, meanwhile, clubbed 45 homers in just 119 games split between the Diamondbacks and Tigers, while also posting the fourth-highest OPS in the majors. Expect the Red Sox to be the main suitor for at least one of these players, as Boston's president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, is looking to add an impact bat this winter.
Which contender spends the most this winter?
Much like in 2017, there are a number of teams built to win the World Series now, and wanting to add that final piece could lead to teams shelling out a lot of cash this winter.
The Dodgers fell one win short of their first title since 1988, and have arguably the deepest pockets in baseball. They could use another starter and an outfielder. The Red Sox are in their championship window, but haven't won a playoff series since 2013. They need help at first base, along with a power bat. The Cubs are one year removed from being World Series champs, and have plenty of holes that need to be filled, especially in the rotation and bullpen. The Nationals, once again, failed to advance past the NLDS, and are likely in the final year of their window with Bryce Harper. Another starter, and a late-inning reliever, are needed.
Also, don't sleep on the Blue Jays, Rangers, Cardinals, Mariners, Giants, Brewers, and Angels. All of these teams have postseason ambitions and are well under the luxury-tax threshold.
Will the offseason be filled with trades?
As mentioned above, this year's free-agent class is top-heavy with talent, and with more roster holes than available pieces, the league might see more trades than usual.
In addition to Stanton, the Marlins could deal Dee Gordon, Martin Prado, Christian Yelich, or Marcell Ozuna. Fellow rebuilding clubs such as the Padres, Reds, Braves, Tigers, and White Sox have a number of veteran players that could find new homes: Yangervis Solarte, Scooter Gennett, Devin Mesoraco, Nick Markakis, Matt Kemp, Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias, Jose Abreu, and Avisail Garcia.
While it's less likely, there are also a number of players on the verge of hitting free agency next winter that could be used as trade bait: Andrew McCutchen, Manny Machado, Brian Dozier, Jed Lowrie, Adam Jones, A.J. Pollock, Nelson Cruz, Zach Britton, and Gio Gonzalez. Teams could potentially look to deal from this pool of players if they're confident they won't be able to sign them to extensions and will want to ensure the maximum return.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)