By Mike Carter:
It’s that time of year between Christmas and New Year’s Eve where we start thinking about resolutions. The end of the year finds many of us resolving to make self-improvements for 2019. Will you commit to working out more? Spending more time off the grid? Eating better?
If you’re an MLB general manager, you are looking at any and all ways to improve your roster next year. As of this writing, top free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are mulling over their options. That being said, many other palatable free agents are out there. Guys like A.J. Pollock, Dallas Keuchel, and Craig Kimbrel remain homeless. So, if I was the GM of every team, what would I be looking to do? See below for my ramblings.
MLB New Year’s Resolutions:
American League:
Baltimore Orioles: The O’s have seen a total regime change that will largely make decisions on analytics. New GM Mike Elias’ first order of business will be sorting through any takers for starting pitchers Dylan Bundy and Alex Cobb. The team has spent money poorly in recent years. Look for them to shed payroll and rebuild in earnest, following the “tank” method proven effective by the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs.
Boston Red Sox: Fresh off a dominating run through the postseason and ending in a world championship, the most daunting task is rebuilding their bullpen. Joe Kelly is gone, Craig Kimbrel is probably outside of their budget with huge salary demands, and they need help in their bullpen. They return a very healthy and strong lineup. Adam Ottavino and David Robertson could make sense.
Chicago White Sox: Having lost 100 games last year in the midst of a true rebuild, the Sox and GM Rick Hahn are looking to spend some money. They have been linked to Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Likely, they get neither generational talent. They do need a superstar, so perhaps they overpay? Their resolution should continue to be to develop young talent, giving Yoan Moncada and up-and-coming outfielder Eloy Jimenez develop into their next superstars.
Cleveland Indians: This team is in competitive limbo. While they are still the class of the AL Central, and should win the title again, do they have enough for a deep playoff run? This team really needs a stud outfielder but finances tie their hands. Maybe this would be a place that AJ Pollock could work on a short-term deal? More likely is that they end up with a Nick Markakis-type player and make do with what they have, which looks pretty good with Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and the emergent ace Trevor Bauer, if they keep him.
Detroit Tigers: Find a taker for Nick Castellanos, and if movable, Miguel Cabrera. The farm system has been barren for years, and is sorely in need of a rebuild.
Houston Astros: The rich got richer signing Michael Brantley, a terribly underrated player for the Indians. Their resolution is sorting through a rotation that lost Charlie Morton and probably Dallas Keuchel. Look for a big arm like Josh James or maybe even Forrest Whitley to assume a large role for this juggernaut this year. I wish I was an Astros fan…wow.
Kansas City Royals: How the mighty have fallen. Hard to believe that three short years ago, this team won the World Series. Hard to tell what they are doing, but they added Billy Hamilton to a roster bereft of talent. GM Dayton Moore should listen hard on aging Salvador Perez and new star Whit Merrifield. A guy like Merrifield would be a terrific fit for the Chicago Cubs or Washington Nationals, but at what cost? Moore should have his finger on the pulse of this one, and I bet he does.
Los Angeles Angels: They have rebuilt their rotation, betting on a healthy Matt Harvey and taking a flyer on Trevor Cahill. They are wasting the talent and time of Mike Trout, the best player in the game today. If they are serious about winning a really tough division, they need a catcher, and a third baseman. I’d move Zach Cozart to second base, sign Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal, and see what I have in July. Their biggest piece to move to get back into contention is Mike Trout. That seems unthinkable, but it’s not impossible.
Minnesota Twins: They just signed Nelson Cruz to add to other signings CJ Cron and Jonathan Schoop. If I’m GM Thad Levine, I am making “prove it” calls to Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. With health and improvements from a young core, this team could quietly contend. Look out for a healthy Michael Pineda to take the #3 rotation spot here.
New York Yankees: Their resolution is to find their identity. While they do not need a splashy signing like Harper or Machado, this is exactly the kind of move the shrewd Brian Cashman could make easily. A young team, what do they want to be when they grow up? They added James Paxton and brought back J.A. Happ, but is that enough? It could be, but wouldn’t Dallas Kuechel look good here?
Oakland Athletics: GM Billy Beane continues to acquire talent for a team that is close to contending. He may be on to something with Jurickson Profar. If this guy has another level after a career year last year, be aware, AL West. They won 97 games last year and should have a stout bullpen. They need a catcher; I’d resolve to swoop in and pry JT Realmuto from the Marlins (dangle Franklin Barreto and some young arms?). A guy like Nick Markakis could fit here too.
Seattle Mariners: Kelly has seen his Mariners completely destroy their bullpen this offseason., trading assets likes Alex Colome and Edwin Diaz. You know what GM Jerry DiPoto should resolve to do? Make Felix Hernandez their closer. Call me crazy, but I think it could work. It’s hard to see their plan right now.
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash and the management should stay committed to their “opener” approach to starting pitching. It’s fascinating what they are doing in Tampa. I love what they do; trade Chris Archer for Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows; sign Charlie Morton to stabilize their “rotation.” They need a bat; maybe Carlos Gonzalez?
Texas Rangers: GM Jon Daniels has committed to a rebuild. They should commit to getting Willie Calhoun 500 at bats. They need to decide who will be keepers for their next run, and move anyone who is not. Shin-Soo Choo, anyone?
Toronto Blue Jays: New manager Charlie Montoyo will be an interesting fit here; he’s a byproduct of the Tampa Bay system, so plan on seeing lots of shifts and pitching changes. But let’s face facts: we are all waiting on the arrival of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. It’s going to be this year, it’s just a matter of when. Wait until you see his power. Besides deciding (finally) on a second baseman, tempering expectations for Guerrero will be Montoyo’s big task.
National League:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Find somebody, anybody really, to take Zach Greinke off their hands. Greinke is still very effective but there is no need for his bloated contact on a rebuilding team. Name to watch for this year: Jon Duplantier. Take a flyer late in your fantasy drafts. Thank me later.
Atlanta Braves: This team is young and looking to keep winning. They need an ace pitcher, in my opinion. With a deep farm system, they have the ability to add Noah Syndergaard or Corey Kluber, who would make them instant contenders again.
Chicago Cubs: Will they or won’t they dip their toe in the free agent pool? With so much money ticketed for mediocre players (Jason Hayward? Tyler Chatwood? Sheesh.), can they afford the big, splashy move like Harper? Of course they can, but addressing the back end of their bullpen is more important. Craig Kimbrel may cost too much, but how about Zach Britton or David Robertson? Never count out Theo Epstein et al on making an off-the-radar move.
Cincinnati Reds: Flying under the radar, this team improved dramatically in December with the additions of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Tanner Roark. Add Wood and Roark to Luis Castillo and Anthony DeSclafani, and they have a decent top four. They have a budding superstar that no one knows about named Eugenio Suarez. This team could surprise people but they are in a tough division. Their resolution should be to give a job to Nick Senzel out of Spring Training.
Colorado Rockies: They just signed Daniel Murphy…to play first base. They should do whatever it takes…no matter how much it costs…to sign Nolan Arenado to a long-term deal. And they should look to add a starting pitcher. Kuechel could fit here.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Two great seasons in a row, but no titles to show for it. Their name swirls around every free agent rumor. As a marquee club in a bright lights, big city town like Los Angeles, they should make the big move. They should sign Bryce Harper; he’s a perfect fit there. Break the bank. Sign A.J. Pollock to play center, platoon Kike Hernandez and Chris Taylor at second base, and trade Alex Verdugo and others for J.T. Realmuto. Just do it already, Andrew Friedman!
Miami Marlins: The laughingstock of the league, getting short-shrifted in three big deals last year to trade away their starting outfield. In full rebuild mode, Derek Jeter and company should continue to move veterans for prospects and let Lewis Brinson get 600 at bats in center field. Another late-round flyer for you fantasy players…
Milwaukee Brewers: David Stearns is shrewd and waiting to see how the market plays out. The Brew Crew caught lightning in a bottle in September and stormed into the playoffs led by the godly exploits of Christian Yelich, a superstar. Exposed in the playoffs for not having great starting pitching, Stearns should go all in and get Kluber from the Indians. With the return of Jimmy Nelson and with a deep bullpen, the Brewers would find themselves a contender with this move.
New York Mets: The Mets hired former agent Brodie Van Wagenen in an out-of-the-box move. You will see more teams doing what on the surface seem to be odd things, and then seeing if they work. Van Wagenen has made some interetsing moves, solidifying his bullpen with Jeurys Familia and Edwin Diaz, while bringing in Robinson Cano and Wilson Ramos to help the lineup. Will it work? They need a real center fielder. Pollock would look good here.
Philadelphia Phillies: GM Matt Klentak is practically begging one of Harper or Machado to sign here. Rumor has it (who knows if it is true) that neither player likes the idea of playing in Philly. Jean Segura and Andrew McCutchen are nice, but not the “stupid” money ownership promised to spend this winter. If they lose out on Harper and Machado, an unhappy fan base will be restless and agitated. They need a big bat in this lineup. But they also need bullpen help, and if spurned by the big free agents, should turn their affection to Kimbrel.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Spinning in the mud, or so it seems, until one looks deeper. They added Chris Archer last season, and signed Keone Kela. They have lots of room for additions. Glaring needs at shortstop and third base could lead to trades or interesting signings (Troy Tulowitzki on a pillow deal?). They have the makings of an interesting rotation with Jameson Taillon and Joe Musgrove to add to Archer.
San Diego Padres: We keep hearing their name linked to Kluber, but I don’t get it. Why? The team is an enigma to me. Spent big money on Eric Hosmer last year, I suppose to be a foundation piece for their next good team, and then signed Ian Kinsler. Leadership, maybe? Talk on the street is they want to play Wil Myers at third base. I think it’s a bad plan and would look to move him even if I had to eat some contract. What San Diego does have is a plethora of potentially interesting outfielders. Rotate Franmil Reyes, Franchy Cordero, Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot every day for the whole year. They have reinforcements on the way in Fernando Tatis, Jr., and Francisco Mejia.
San Francisco Giants: This is a team with an identity crisis whose best players have aged in the past year. They could do anything here. I’d suggest gauging the market for Madison Bumgarner, but holding on to him, seeing if he recovers some of his mojo in the summer, and sell him at the trade deadline. They desperately need outfield help too. Japanese import Yusei Kikuchi makes sense for them.
St. Louis Cardinals: Hm, the Cardinals. Always seem to be in the mix, don’t they? After a disappointing 2018, they shock everyone and go get Paul Goldschmidt, who is still the best first baseman in the game. Then they add Andrew Miller, and hope that he is healthy again. Landing Goldy was a win now move, as his contract expires after 2019. Harper makes sense for them if they can fir the contract, even though he would be more of a luxury move. Adding another arm to that bullpen (Robertson, Britton or Adam Ottavino) makes more sense.
Washington Nationals: Apparently spurned by Bryce Harper, GM Mike Rizzo set his sights on tweaking the roster and adapting. This team is loaded with talent, but can they put it together? They have yet to do so. They added Patrick Corbin to the formidable duo of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. They will plug wunderkid Juan Soto in for Harper. They could really use a good second baseman. D.J. Lemahieu would fit perfectly here.