The MLB free agent class still has some big names available, including players like Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes, Chris Davis, Ian Desmond, Dexter Fowler and Doug Fister. Teams like the Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, NY Mets and Houston Astros could be potential landing spots for some of those names moving forward.
The market has developed slowly for top players like Upton, Cespedes and Davis and deals for those names could start coming soon. Former CBS Sports reporter Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers are considering Cespedes as an option, while players like Desmond, Fowler and Upton are also potential targets for the team. The Cardinals could still be in the market for another bat, while the Mets could be waiting to see if the price goes down on Upton/Cespedes before making a move.
Ken Davidoff at the New York Post writes that the market for Cespedes and Upton likely will get going by the end of the month and that Cespedes is likely to get a decent contract. Cespedes is reportedly looking for $150 million on his next deal and that likely would leave the Mets out of the running for the outfielder at this point. The Orioles offered Chris Davis a deal around $150 million and after rejecting that offer, he may have to take that amount or less with how things have developed.
Davis is a power hitter and according to CBS Sports, his agent Scott Boras is pushing him as an outfield option to teams. The Cardinals reportedly could consider Davis, but there is no deal close to happening at this point. Davidoff writes that the Cardinals and Orioles could be interested in Cespedes or Upton, while the Tigers also appear like a solid landing spot for either player. There is still a chance that Davis could end up in Baltimore, but he likely will try and find a deal in the range he is looking for before setting on that contract number.
Davidoff adds that the Angels, Tigers and White Sox all have needs in the outfield and could consider making an offer to Cespedes or Upton. Jerry Crasnick at ESPN writes that Upton has not been getting as much attention as many expected on the market and that it could take until Cespedes signs for the market to turn towards Upton. Upton is coming off of a solid season with the Padres and a 28-year-old, making him less of a risk than some other players available.
According to ESPN, Jim Bowden reports that the Texas Rangers are interested in Upton and could consider making a deal depending on how his market develops. Bowden reports that the team will "continue to monitor" Upton's situation. Upton hit 26 home runs last season for the Padres in 150 games.
Check here for more on free agency and the top names available.
