The MLB free agency period is open and players like Zack Greinke, David Price, Ben Zobrist, Chris Davis, Yoenis Cespedes, Daniel Murphy and Jeff Samardzija are some of the top names available. Teams like the LA Dodgers, New York Yankees, NY Mets, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers are among the teams expected to be active in free agency this year.
Greinke and Price are considered to be the top two free agents on the market and they are the two best pitchers available this offseason. Greinke opted out of his contract with the Dodgers and while Los Angeles is considered the favorite to bring him back, other teams are also expected to go after the ace, including the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. Jon Heyman at CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers are focused on bringing back Greinke, but the team also considers David Price as a target.
Heyman reports that the Giants are expected to make a strong push for Greinke, while the Chicago Tribune reports that the Cubs also could consider signing the ace. The Cubs are likely going to dip into the starting pitching market and Price is a fit for the team since they can afford the contract he is looking for. Price has a past relationship with Joe Maddon from his time in Tampa and that could lead him to consider signing in Chicago.
Heyman writes that the Dodgers likely will go after Price if they lose Greinke, but the team is confident that they can keep the starter. Greinke is expected to get a contract near $150-170 million after putting up historic numbers this season. Greinke is likely going to win another Cy Young after posting an ERA at 1.66 this season. Price is also a finalist for the Cy Young in the AL and Heyman writes that he could be in line for a $200 million contract, which is something the Dodgers could afford if Greinke signs elsewhere.
Ben Zobrist, Chris Davis and Yoenis Cespedes are among the top position players on the market, while Daniel Murphy could have a lot of teams interested. The Colorado Rockies have come up as an option for Murphy, while the Yankees, Angels and Dodgers also could be fits. Murphy plays second base but also has experience playing first base and third base in his career. The Dodgers may need another second baseman if they don't bring back Howie Kendrick or Chase Utley, while the Yankees are also looking at second base as a position to upgrade.
Murphy and Cespedes are expected to leave the Mets this offseason and the team could consider going after outfielders on the market like Denard Span or Dexter Fowler. Zobrist reportedly has 20 teams interested in him, according to Heyman, and he could be a target for the Mets, Angels, Dodgers and Yankees. Cespedes is expected to command a big contract and while the Mets would love to keep him, the team is not expected to sign back Cespedes.
