This week, we’re kicking off our coverage of the three-plus months of the chaotic MLB offseason. Over the next three days, we’re going to look at each division in baseball and break down the impending free agents for each side and what each team will need this offseason. Without any further ado, we’ll start with the NL East, a truly awful division in 2015 that somehow produced the National League champions.
Free Agent Primers
Free agents: Ross Detwiler, Edwin Jackson, Ryan Lavarnway, Peter Moylan, AJ Pierzynski
Needs: Catching, bullpen, third base, second base
The Braves are in a tough position this offseason because there are still plenty of issues with the players they have in-house. The Braves desperately need some help in the outfield, but with Michael Bourn, Nick Markakis, Cameron Maybin, and Nick Swisher all owed millions next year, and Hector Olivera abandoning third base for left field, they’re likely not going to get involved for someone like an Alex Gordon type of player. Similarly, Olivera’s pending position change from third to left opens up third base for 2016, and considering the only players who saw time at the position still on the roster are Olivera, Adonis Garcia, Pedro Ciriaco, and Daniel Castro…yeah, and upgrade should be looked into.
Atlanta also has a question at second base, where Jace Peterson hit just .239/.314/.335 in 152 games during the 2015 season. Is he a long-term starter, or destined to be a super-sub? Behind the plate, Atlanta loses two of their three regular catchers from 2015, though they want to bring back AJ Pierzynski following a solid season. Christian Bethancourt might not be a long-term answer for the Braves, as his .219/.245/.283 career line over 80 games doesn’t generate much excitement. The Braves also need to improve their bullpen after a hideous 2015 from the unit – any warm body would be an improvement.
MIAMI, FL – JULY 11: Third baseman Casey McGehee #5 of the Miami Marlins warms up before play against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park on July 11, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)
Miami Marlins
Free agents: Don Kelly, Jeff Mathis, Casey McGehee
Needs: A new owner, coherence, starting pitching
Considering the first two needs for the Marlins aren’t really practical, I’d assume they’re going to focus mostly on improving their rotation. Jose Fernandez will be healthy and ready to roll for 2016, and Henderson Alvarez is expected back at *sometime* during the season. If they can keep Jarred Cosart healthy, ease Justin Nicolino into the starting five after a shaky 2015 debut, and maybe add a veteran arm that pitches better then both Mat Latos and Dan Haren did last year, Miami can be in a good position to contend next year.
Offensively, the Marlins probably won’t be doing much aside from looking to trade Marcell Ozuna because Jeffrey Loria doesn’t like him. Ozuna is pretty clearly one of Miami’s three best outfielders, but if they’re not going to be playing him every day, the team might as well try to recoup some value for him (and since Ozuna is still cheap, they won’t need to accept a couple of D-level prospects in return for salary relief!). Don’t expect much going on in Miami this winter, unlike last year, and the winter before that, and the winter before that.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on August 14, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New York Mets
Free agents: Jerry Blevins, Yoenis Cespedes, Tyler Clippard, Bartolo Colon, Kelly Johnson, Daniel Murphy, Eric O’Flaherty, Bobby Parnell, Juan Uribe
Needs: Bullpen, bench
Despite all of those names the Mets are losing, they really don’t need to go crazy this winter. Yoenis Cespedes is as good as gone, but the Mets can easily roll out an outfield of Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, and Curtis Granderson and end up in a good place. Similarly, the club is losing Daniel Murphy at second base, but with prospect Dilson Herrera waiting in the wings, a one-year stopgap in the form of someone like Kelly Johnson or Asdrubal Cabrera is all that the reigning NL champs need. Even though they’re losing Colon, the Mets still do have five starters, not to mention Zack Wheeler, recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Where the Mets do need to improve is their bullpen and their bench. Tyler Clippard was erratic during his two months with the team, and former closer Bobby Parnell was awful. Eric O’Flaherty also struggled terribly and didn’t provide the Mets with what they needed. But bringing back Addison Reed as the set-up man for Jeurys Familia is a good move, and arms like Eric Goeddel and Hansel Robles could also provide some value. If Jenrry Mejia is healthy and not on the juice anymore, he could also slot into a bullpen role. They do need another lefty or two, and while a return for Jerry Blevins could be in the cards, a Franklin Morales or Tony Sipp could work out much better. As for the bench, the Mets definitely benefit from bringing back Johnson and Juan Uribe, who performed very well for the team in the second half.
Philadelphia Phillies
Free agents: Chad Billingsley, Domonic Brown, Jeff Francoeur, Aaron Harang, Cliff Lee, Jerome Williams
Needs: Pretty much everything
The Phillies are the team that I believe is most difficult to get a read on this offseason. They’ve nearly excised their payroll of awful contracts, and if the organization really wants to, they can spend to their heart’s content. The only position really locked down long-term for the Phillies is third base, where Maikel Franco had a wonderful rookie year before breaking his wrist. In the outfield, guys like Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr showed enough promise to probably earn starting jobs in 2016, while Nick Williams is close to the majors The infield is a different story, as aside from Franco, nothing has been settled. Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard look done, and are signed through 2016. Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez earned most of the playing time up the middle and were impressive at times, but neither really look like future stars.
In the rotation, both Jerad Eickhoff and Aaron Nola locked down spots following brilliant abbreviated years in the majors, while the bullpen is in flux (like most major league bullpens) in front of closer Ken Giles. I highly doubt the Phillies will get involved with players like Zack Greinke or David Price this offseason, but a veteran innings eater in the mold of Aaron Harang, who they signed last year? Yeah, that makes sense. I also doubt the Phillies will sign an aging middle infielder to a long-term deal, given the relative weakness of the market. If you’re going to go down in flames, at least go down in flames with the young bucks getting playing time, right?
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Ian Desmond #20 of the Washington Nationals makes a running throw for an out of Jose Peraza #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on August 12, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals
Free agents: Ian Desmond, Doug Fister, Casey Janssen, Reed Johnson, Nate McLouth, Denard Span, Matt Thornton, Dan Uggla, Jordan Zimmermann
Needs: Bullpen, bench, health
The Nationals are losing plenty of big names this offseason. The good news for Washington fans is that the organization can replace many of those players from within. Trea Turner can replace Ian Desmond at shortstop. Michael Taylor can replace Denard Span in center (or a corner, with Bryce Harper moving to center). Joe Ross already ended up taking Doug Fister’s spot in the rotation, while Jordan Zimmermann’s spot can be taken by Tanner Roark and eventually, Lucas Giolito.
The bullpen will need to be overhauled, however. Jonathan Papelbon caused waves on and off the field after coming over at the trade deadline, and his acquisition made Drew Storen want to leave town. Losing one or two of those relievers isn’t a good thing for the Natioanls, especially when you consider they also are losing Casey Janssen. And given the injury issues that Washington dealt with last year, improving their bench wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Matt den Dekker, Tyler Moore, Clint Robinson, and Dan Uggla were mainstays on the bench! Sure, den Dekker and Robinson actually played well in their limited playing time, but the organization really can do a lot better.
