The MLB free agency period is here and with qualifying offers out, names like Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, James Shields, Victor Martinez, Pablo Sandoval, David Robertson, Nelson Cruz and Michael Cuddyer all are top targets for teams and clubs like the NY Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, LA Dodgers and Washington Nationals could be targeting some of those names.
The Yankees gave David Robertson a qualifying offer and they are one of the teams to watch this offseason. Sandoval should be looking at a decent pay day after he had a great postseason for the Giants and the Game 7 matchup in the World Series could be his final game with the team. Shields, Scherzer and Lester are the top three pitchers on the market and teams like the Yankees, Cubs and Mariners could be interested in those names. Martinez is one of the top hitters to get on the market and the Tigers are expected to try and keep him.
The Yankees come into the offseason after a disappointing year of missing the playoffs and while they spent a ton last offseason, they may have to do it again. The team added Masahiro Tanaka, but he got injured during the season despite pitching very well and they also signed Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann to massive deals. The team allowed Robinson Cano to leave and the offense suffered, while the Mariners ended up one game out of the playoffs.
Cruz is going to be looking for a nice pay day after his bounce back season, as he had 40 home runs and was the top slugger in baseball with the Orioles after signing a one year deal. The Mariners could use his bat, as could the Yankees after the way those teams struggled on offense last season. The Yankees also have David Robertson to deal with and the team now has to decide whether or not to sign him back after he replaced Mariano Rivera very effectively. Robertson had 39 saves in 44 chances last season and he was one of the best strikeout pitchers in the league out of the bullpen.
Shields is the most obviously choice for the Yankees because Lester and Scherzer will likely commend so much money, they will not want to give another massive deal. Shields of course will cost money too, but not in the range of what those players will make and he also fits what they want. The Yankees need someone who can go deep into games and Shields has shown in the past that he can do that. The Yankees have faced him many times while he was with the Rays and now they could get a very good look at him this offseason as a free agent target.
Last season Martinez hit .335 and was one of the league leaders and he also put up 32 home runs and 103 RBIs and that is exactly why he will be in high demand. Martinez is 35 and that is a big issues, but some teams feel that he would be worth the money anyway. The Mariners need another bat oh so badly and he is the top one on the market. The team ended up with a payroll over $100 million this season and it is expected to rise. The team may not want to pay Martinez what he wants, but if they want more protection for Robinson Cano, they may have to put up the cash money.