While today's attention has been shifted to the pending Matt Kemp trade between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, there still remain a number of free agents who have yet to sign with teams. Here's an update on some of the top ones available.
Nori Aoki is probably the best outfielder available at this point. The 32-year-old spent the 2014 season with the Kansas City Royals and slashed .285/.349/.360 with 63 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 132 games. It was only his third MLB season after coming over from Japan, and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners are possible destinations for Aoki.
Corner outfielders have apparently been in fairly high demand this offseason, so it won't be surprising if Aoki lands a multi-year deal with one of the teams in need of one. Heyman projects the outfielder will get a two- or three-year contract in the $7 million to $8 million range.
As for pitchers, the top two free agents are obviously Max Scherzer and James Shields, but they'll both cost at least $100 million. Mid-level options are starting to fly off the shelves and you could argue Jake Peavy is leading the pack right now. The right-hander, despite logging a 7-13 record in 2014, maintained a 3.73 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 32 starts (202 2/3 innings). He spent the first half of the season with the Boston Red Sox and was then traded to the San Francisco Giants. The 13-year veteran has won a World Series title in each of the past two seasons with both of those teams.
According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Peavy is drawing interest from the Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves and Giants. San Francisco seems like the top destination for him at this point since their starting rotation is hurting and needs depth for 2015. Atlanta's interest is likely serious because they only have four starters in their rotation and the addition of a veteran such as Peavy would help their relatively young staff. The Marlins are said to only be interested if Dan Haren opts to retire or requests a trade.
However, things aren't looking so good for infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. After the Cleveland Indians traded him to the Washington Nationals before the deadline, he hasn't garnered much interest since becoming a free agent. The switch-hitter witnessed a drop in his offensive numbers over the past two seasons, batting .242/.299/.402 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs in 2013 and then .241/.307/.387 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs in 2014. His average, on-base percentage and OPS decreased significantly during these campaigns, but he still remains a viable option because of his flexibility in the field.
Cabrera can play both second base and shortstop and hasn't "closed the door" on moving to third. Heyman noted the Giants, Athletics, Mets, Cardinals and Twins have expressed interest in the 29-year-old, but it's been said the Athletics and Mets can be crossed off that list after local writers said such a move wasn't expected to be made by either team. He recently said he'd prefer to play second base, but teams such as the Giants have considered him for third. The infields of the Cardinals and Twins are certainly set for 2015, so their interest in Cabrera is probably not too serious.
With a flurry of signings this week already, these players could be taken off the board fairly soon.
