7 bold predictions for the MLB offseason

With the offseason underway, theScore's MLB editors Jonah Birenbaum, Michael Bradburn, Lucas Casaletto, Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb, Bryan Mcwilliam, Brandon Wile, and Jason Wilson make bold predictions for the biggest signings and trades to come this winter.

Red Sox acquire Stanton from Marlins

Now that Dave Dombrowski is done pretending he cares about staying under the luxury-tax threshold, the financial gloves are off in Boston. Rather than use John Henry's money, however, on some meh free agent (even J.D. Martinez, the best hitter available, turns 31 this season), Dombrowski will use his financial might to try to pry Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins - whose new owners are desperate to trim payroll - by offering to take on the entirety of his massive contract (Stanton's still owed $295 million). After all, the dearth of power in Boston’s lineup was ultimately crippling in 2017, even with the Red Sox winning a second straight division title, and, well, Stanton kind of has a lot of pop. Like, a lot. He hit 59 homers(!) last year, and has led the majors in isolated power (.288) over the last five seasons. And that's while playing half his games in Miami. Imagine what he could do at Fenway. - Birenbaum

Otani signs with rebuilding White Sox

Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Otani will be posted this winter, and the most highly sought-after international free agent of all time won't sign with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers. Instead, he'll agree to a deal with the rebuilding White Sox. The decision to come to America was never about the money for the 23-year-old, and that point will be further driven home by him signing with a team that can only offer a $300,000 bonus. However, Chicago still offers Otani the ability to play in a major market alongside a slew of up-and-coming players. The White Sox already own the best farm system in baseball, and with Otani in the fold, they'll be poised to be a powerhouse in the near future. - Wile

Indians trade for McCutchen

The Cleveland Indians' 2017 season was a fantastic success - until it wasn't, because they were eliminated in the Division Series. One reason for the loss to the Yankees was that the Indians' bats went a bit silent over the final three games of the series. That's something their brass will address this winter in a big and surprising way - by swinging a trade for Andrew McCutchen. After his comeback season, the Pirates could get a nice haul for their franchise player, and Cleveland has the prospects to make it happen. By sending Michael Brantley to Pittsburgh alongside those prospects, the Indians would open up both an outfield slot for McCutchen and money to retain Jay Bruce and/or Carlos Santana in free agency. Once Cutch is in "The Land," it will be hard to stop Cleveland in 2018. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Darvish returns to Texas

With the Rangers in need of starting pitching, general manager Jon Daniels will break the bank to bring a familiar face back to Arlington in Yu Darvish. The 31-year-old spent his first four-and-a-half seasons with Texas before he was dealt to the Dodgers at this past season's non-waiver trade deadline. Darvish pitched well for the Rangers, too, amassing a 52-39 record with a 3.42 ERA and 11 strikeouts per nine innings. - Mcwilliam

Brewers spend the most of any team

The Brewers head into the 2018 season with a guaranteed payroll of $32.1 million. With projected arbitration amounts, that goes up to $65.4 million. Last year, the Brewers paid roughly $750,000 per win and narrowly missed the postseason. While the rebuild is still underway, it's clear David Stearns' club could be arriving ahead of schedule, and squandering another year would be ill-advised. Adding one of J.D. Martinez, Darvish, or Jake Arrieta would help a lot, and accompanying that signing with the return of Neil Walker, Anthony Swarzak, or perhaps Tyler Chatwood could propel the team into the 2018 postseason. - Bradburn

Astros trade for Britton

With closer Ken Giles failing to make a positive impression in the postseason, the Astros will acquire Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles to solidify the bullpen. The left-hander would immediately give the defending champs a sizable advantage heading into 2018. Prior to trading for Justin Verlander, the Astros fell short of completing a deal for Britton, and the Orioles won't hesitate to pull the trigger this time around. - Casaletto

CarGo signs overseas

A down season in Colorado will raise plenty of eyebrows around a bat on the open market. Carlos Gonzalez was once a coveted piece for many a team looking to swing a trade, but no matter how often he was rumored to be on the move, he stayed in Denver. What better way to rehabilitate his name as a run-producer than by going overseas and tearing through competition like Eric Thames did in Korea? If the market is poor, it's a solid alternative to signing for a pittance stateside. Obviously, Gonzalez would rather cash in with an MLB contract - and there will be offers - but the best course of action for a multi-year deal could be to crush it elsewhere. - Wilson

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