The market for at least a couple of the top remaining free agents looks to be picking up steam, with Yu Darvish reportedly likely to sign in the coming days and Lorenzo Cain said to be eliminating teams from the field as he weighs multiple four-year offers. The Cubs came out on top of MLBTR’s recent poll of which team will sign Darvish, and with Cain’s market seemingly gaining momentum, it’s prediction time once again.
To date, the Rangers, Blue Jays, Giants and Brewers have been most prominently linked to Cain, while the Cubs have been somewhat loosely connected to him. Much earlier this offseason, the Mets were said to have interest as well.
Texas makes good sense for Cain on paper. Nomar Mazara and Delino DeShields will be mainstays (with DeShields manning center on a daily basis), while Shin-Soo Choo and Willie Calhoun figure to split time between a corner spot and designated hitter. Cain, clearly, would be a defensive boost, though his arrival could push Calhoun back to the minor leagues until an injury on the big league roster created some space. Texas has reportedly been aiming to drop its payroll by as much as $10MM from 2017’s Opening Day mark of $165MM. They’re currently projected at $144MM for Opening Day, so there could be room for Cain, especially if he signs a backloaded deal. GM Jon Daniels did recently imply that Cain may not be a fit, stating that the team wants DeShields to play center field every day and adding that any additional “big expenditure” would likely to be on the pitching side of the equation, if there is one at all.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, recently picked up Randal Grichuk in a three-player trade with the Cardinals. Grichuk revealed after the fact that he’s received indication that he’ll get everyday at-bats with the Jays. Toronto also has defensive standout Kevin Pillar in center as well as Curtis Granderson, Steve Pearce, Ezequiel Carrera, Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Alford in the mix for MLB at-bats early in the year. Kevin Pillar has been at times been speculated upon as a trade candidate by Jays fans, though moving his affordable $3.25MM salary to pay Cain upwards of four to five times that amount on an annual basis wouldn’t make sense unless Toronto were receiving some immediate help for its pitching staff.
The Giants have long been linked to Cain given the team’s need for a defensive upgrade in center field. San Francisco is roughly $2.1MM shy of the $197MM luxury tax line at present, so signing Cain is wholly impossible unless they can somehow find a taker for an expensive veteran (e.g. Hunter Pence) or they abandon their quest to dip south of that threshold. If the Jays would consider moving Pillar — and there’s no indication of that at present, to be clear — then the Giants could potentially move a lesser salary to squeeze him into the mix. That’s a lot moving parts, though, and the entire scenario seems rather unlikely.
Milwaukee has Ryan Braun (and his full no-trade protection) in left field with Keon Broxton in center and Domingo Santana in right field. Brett Phillips is on hand as a fourth outfield option for now, and the Brewers are hopeful that ballyhooed prospect Lewis Brinson will soon cement himself as a fixture in the outfield at Miller Park as well. But, despite that quality stock of outfielders, they’re reportedly exploring the idea of dealing an outfielder in an effort to bolster the rotation (or, perhaps, condensing that surplus into a high-profile talent like Christian Yelich). If the Brewers were to sign Cain — in whom they’ve been rumored to have interest — there’d be at least one corresponding trade to make way, it seems.
The Cubs, meanwhile, have a host of outfield options, even if several have their warts. Jason Heyward’s contract makes him essentially untradeable, so he’ll hold down a spot in right field. Kyle Schwarber comes with plenty of questions after his rough 2017 season, but he remains in the mix as well. Albert Almora looks ready for a larger role in center field, and the Cubs also have Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ both in the mix for outfield time. They could perhaps fit Cain into that mix, but they’re reportedly looking closely at the free-agent market for top starters like Darvish, Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb.
As for the Mets, they’ve signed Jay Bruce since they were linked to Cain and now have him, Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Lagares, Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo in the picture. New York apparently has a bit of money left to spend, but they still need a second or third baseman — Asdrubal Cabrera will play the other — as well as some depth on the pitching staff. A Cain signing seems decidedly unlikely.
Cain’s all-around game should appeal to a wide number of teams, so it stands to reason that there could, of course, be dark horse clubs (or, yes, “mystery teams,” if you prefer the term) at play for his services. He’ll cost any team that signs him some value in the 2018 draft (here’s a refresher on which picks each team would lose by signing him), but that won’t be a make-or-break proposition for every club.
With all of that said, let’s open this up to the field (poll link for Trade Rumors mobile app users)…
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dotnet22
Answer: No one
No one will ever sign in this brutal offseason.
CursedRangers
Ha! I hope it’s not the Rangers. We are in desperate need of another starter. I’d much rather any money be spent on pitching.
Not to mention, the Rangers have enough experience with dead weight high priced free agents. Fielder and Choo should serve as cautionary examples on why they shouldn’t sign him, unless it is at a massive discount (which I don’t see happening).
brucewayne
I think you are right! The Rangers as well as the Brewers
brucewayne
and Cubs should spend that money on pitching instead of Cain!
mlb1225
Patience you must have young padawan.
hiflew
I can’t understand why people think this offseason has been so brutal. The reigning NL MVP was traded, not to mention several other high profile players. That wouldn’t happen in a “brutal” off season. This free agent class was not exactly a great one either. Even the guys at the top had very identifiable flaws and they tend to play positions where contenders are already stocked. The system of too many teams rebuilding is probably to blame. When only 16-20 teams are actually trying to win in any given season, there are only spots for 16-20 first basemen etc. Unless you have something really odd happen like the Carlos Santana deal of course.
Geebs
No even if only 20 team are trying to win there is still 30 starting first baseman jobs and the rest of the positions too.
hiflew
Yeah, but those 10 aren’t paying for free agents either. They are more likely to be content with a cheaper FA or a young player.
37santobanks
I don’t want to see it happen, but I could see the Cubs trading Almora (and likely others) for pitching and signing Cain to be the everyday CF/leadoff.
Bocephus
Finally a Cubs fan with perspective that’s based in reality. Almora plus Schwarber and others for pitching starter/or BP. Yes sign Cain and stop letting Madden play so many people out of position.
Mikel Grady
Easy, with Maddon having flaws he still broke 108 year curse. He got us cubbies to the promised land. Rejoice! Yes it would take almora, Schwarber, Russell or happ and one of cubs top 3 minor league pitchers to get a archer , Duffy , fulmer type pitcher. Cain heyward and next year Harper patrolling outfield for Cubs looks good to me . Darvish Hendricks Lester Quintana playoff rotation with kimbrel or colome closing next year
ray_derek
ugh, and this Cubs fan has to chime in, again proving once again, Cubs fans suck. Sometimes it’s hard to admit I’m a Cubs fan.
Harper and Kimbrel/Colome? Did those signings and trades go through on you PS4 game?
37santobanks
No fanbase is immune to garbage comments.
Cubguy13
Why is this scenario that far fetched? It’s already speculated that the Cubs will go for Harper, and Kimbrel will be a free agent next year as well. It is also conceivable that the Cubs could make a trade for colome with some of the above mentioned players. If it’s about the money the Cubs will have to spend, they have it
brucewayne
I know! It just amazes me too! It doesn’t ever stop! Makes the real smart Cub fans look bad!
srechter
This is the undeniable truth.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
It’s not really playing out of position when they players l Iike Bryant, Baez Russell, Happ and Zo play 2 or more positions like it’s their natural position.
thegreatcerealfamine
Russell and Baez are excellent middle infielders. Bryant plays a decent Third but Happ needs to stick at second he’s no OF and yea Zobrist can play a respectable OF. Then there’s the DH playing left field..Brutal. To say they can all play two or more positions “like it’s their natural position” is crazy.
IACub
Schwarber’s metrics were slightly below average in LF. There were plenty of players worse than he was in the OF. Plus he plays the least demanding position on a team who has good defenders everywhere else.
Sideline Redwine
I know what you are saying about Cubs fans…like those who still feel the need to bash Joe Maddon even though he managed a team to a WS victory? Always have to complain, right? Always someone to blame for every problem? He is not perfect, but he has proven he is a darn good manager…folks like you embarrass me.
brucewayne
I think the Cubs won in spite of Maddon ! In my opinion, he’s not a good game manager, but a very good guy with the players
brucewayne
and with the media!
MB923
Off topic, but did anyone see what the Padres Instagram and Twitter accounts did? On Instagram they put up a pitcure of Eric Hosmer, and on Twitter they tweeted his account. Both were immediately deleted.
So either Hosmer may have a deal real soon with the Padres, or quite possibly the Padres social media coordinator got fired. I’m sure the latter happened regardless.
Links for both here:
twitter.com/mickeykoke/status/956492324980195329
twitter.com/mickeykoke/status/956493591056035840
Free Clay Zavada
Boras hacked the Padres’ social media!
MB923
Haha. Well somebody tweeted just now that their account was indeed hacked
Padres team official: The club’s social media accounts, which posted and deleted Eric Hosmer items late last night, were hacked. As of now, it is unclear how that happened. Although teams run their respective accounts, they technically are assets controlled by MLB Advanced Media
jekporkins
We’re through the looking glass here, people…
brucewayne
So you think Hosmer will replace Goldy at first? LoL! That’s a joke right? You do know that Hosmer can only play 1B right?
brucewayne
Ok! This phone is driving me nuts! Thus got put on the wrong thread again! Sorry !
CoryM
I think the Diamondbacks might surprise people much like they did with Greinke. They’ll want to replace JD’s output and use this as a way to do that
ryeandi
This is my hope. Pollock leaves via free-agency after this year and they have no one proven capable of playing CF, not counting the oft injured Brito who has his own questions and might be better suited as a 4th OF anyway. Tomas is a train-wreck and they’re trying to keep Pollock healthy all year. Easing a little on Pollock’s playing time with someone that can also kick Tomas to the bench would make a world of difference to the team’s 2018 chances.
C-Daddy
I could see the Jays signing Cain and trading Pillar for pitching help, but it seems very unlikely.
turner9
As much as I enjoy watching superman in CF I would welcome that swap of talent. As long as it’s not a crazy stupid 5 or 6 year contract.
3 would be great. 4 is ok. But not holding my breath
mikeshaw801
Not much help would come from trading Pillar. Sure the guy can field, but hitting has always been the issue…
Erik Trenouth
I wonder if the Rockies would line up in a trade for Pillar. The OF is massive there, Blackmon would be better served to be a LFer, Pillar could look like a better hitter in Colorado, and they’ve got 7 Major League ready starters. I doubt anything like that would actually materialize, but I think it could be a good fit.
BlueJayFan1515
Pillar is a solid player, he had 2.8 WAR last year at a very affordable price.
southi
I still think that with all the moves San Francisco has made that they make the most logical sense.
I have difficulty imaging the Brewers signing Cain UNLESS they make other multiple moves.
Free Clay Zavada
I do believe SF is truly dedicated to staying under the cap this year so I don’t see it happening.
Brewers are a maybe but Yelich makes all the sense in the world for them, and getting him should put them out of the running if they can pull it off.
southi
LOL I got down votes, but here it looks like it is VERY possible that the Brewers are in the process of making multiple moves.
Free Clay Zavada
Pirates shock the world!
mlb1225
I wish. Not gonna happen with the owner we have now.
reflect
I dont know but my money is on one of those MLB teams
fasbal1
Cain will prosper in Texas, he would fit great with Cubs, all other landing spots reported could be detrimental to his success.
Pops
Orioles
arc89
Oakland will sign him. They have only 1 long term contract and need a CF.
pro4pro32goathletics
Boog Powell was good in his last 2 months of the season, Dustin Fowler could also get a shot to play CF plus there is Pinder and Smolinski who is still there waiting to become the new Chris Taylor. I think the A’s already have enough outfielders.
AsNchill
Nah, we won’t sign him. The only way I see us signing him is if we can sign him to a 1 year deal, but obviously we can’t since he got a qualifying offer from the Royals.
The team is still saying Fowler will be ready to go by spring training, and if he needs more time in the minors Boog Powell more than proved he’s capable enough of a fielder to play center and he’s a spark plug in that lineup.
Long term contracts don’t equate to anything.
claude raymond
The cap is not the reason the Giants won’t sign him. It’s the QO penalty. I’m pretty sure that has been stated OVER AND OVER.
Steve Adams
It’s both, I just chose to focus on the luxury tax, as that’s been a much larger point of focus for them in recent weeks. Signing Austin Jackson to stay barely underneath, Brian Sabean outright saying on the conference call that he’s looking at trades for “minimum-service players” with low salary, etc.
If the draft picks were all they were worried about, they could have just signed Jarrod Dyson over Jackson.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
I have a pal who is a devoted Giants fan; last night, he went on a pretty funny (kidding) rant as the Giants GM, where it’s six days before the season starts and he’s on the phone saying, “Look, I’m still EIGHTY DOLLARS under the cap! What can I get for seventy nine bucks?”
mbbslam
Sabean also said if the right deal came along they will go over the tax and there was never a plan to stay under tax. Listen to whole call it’s the same thing he has been saying for the last 4 months. 2 weeks ago on 680 knbr he said the same thing.
claude raymond
The only draft pick penalties will come if they sign QO player. The tax penalty is just money unless…
Beginning in 2018, clubs that are $40 million or more above the threshold shall have their highest selection in the next Rule 4 Draft moved back 10 places unless the pick falls in the top six. In that case, the team will have its second-highest selection moved back 10 places instead.
That’s an excerpt from a website
claude raymond
Since I don’t feel they’ll go $40 mill over, going over the threshold shouldn’t affect draft picks
mbbslam
Dyson can’t hit left handed pitching pretty redundant with a left handed CF he might half to platoon with.
mbbslam
Jackson .356 vs lft handers Dyson .126 do I need to say more. Opening day Kershaw., Hill, whatever the other guy’s name so Dyson would never get to play against our biggest rival pretty stupid to sign him or am I wrong.
nutbunnies
Rangers seem like the best fit. The other teams either have an existing log jam or payroll limits.. Nomar Mazara is a replacement level player and should not be holding anyone back., An OF of Choo/DeShields/Cain/Calhoun with one at DH and Mazara on the bench seems like the best fit out of all the scenarios here.
Pingleja
I think Mazara has struggled due to fact that he was brought up at the age of 21 and hasn’t learned to hit lefties as well as he should’ve before he was brought up. He’ll be 23 this season. I agree he should platoon there, but putting him on the bench with his power and plate discipline seems a little like giving up on him.
steven st croix
Rangers without Cain win 77 games, with Cain, 79.
Phillies2017
I could see the Brewers closing a deal on him if they trade Santana and/or Brinson
bhambravesfan
A’s or Pirates
strostro
Yeah Mazara only had a 0.1 WAR last season, Choo had a 1.1 WAR, Deshields had a 2.2 WAR, and Cain had a 5.3 WAR
SimplyAmazin91
Rockies could jump in and put him in right and possibly in center as a replacement for Blackmon next year.
lidocaine
Milwaukee trades the farm for both Yelich and Archer, signs both Cain and Darvish.
mikeyst13
As much as I hate to say it, I think it’s more likely that Milwaukee balks at trading Brinson for either Archer or Yelich, loses out on Darvish, and last minute overpays Lance Lynn in a panic move.
Appbrewers
Stearns is one of the smartest GMs in baseball. He has rarely been burned on any moves since he took over. Definitely isn’t the type to panic sign anyone.
ray_derek
I’ll go out on a limb and say he’s not, please hold off on anointing him anything until Milwaukee wins something. They haven’t even made the playoffs under him.
Appbrewers
Taking one of the worst farm systems in baseball to one of the best while also putting together a team that missed the playoffs by a single game oh and also with a budget of sub $70 million. guarantee Epstein couldn’t do that.
Kayrall
Lol
ray_derek
Stearns is doing it right and has done a hell of a job so far, but he hasn’t proven a thing. Milwaukee overachieved last year, expect them to fall back a bit, they’re still a few years away. They could be scary good in 2-3 years, but that is a huge COULD. just because you have a good farm and solid foundation doesn’t mean anything. They don’t hand out trophies for paper champions.
mikeyst13
He has rarely been burned on any moves, but he hasn’t had to make any real impact moves yet. Most of has moves have been trading away to get assets or low-key signings. He built a good system, but we’ll have to see how he responds now that they are seemingly close to a position to compete. They need another SP and they know it, and when their other options run out Lynn may be the only one left standing.
Appbrewers
no impact moves this off-season maybe but he has made tons in Milwaukee. getting Walker for last year, thames even though he slumped later, the multiple trades to get prospects and you say he hasn’t made any impact moves. how about Thornburg for like four players and one being one of the top 3b last year? just about any trade he made has been a huge impact
mikeyst13
What I meant was any instant impact moves, of course every move has an impact. Walker was a small move when everyone was hoping for SP help. The rest were all building block moves that luckily mostly panned out earlier than planned. Thames was a cheap flyer who panned out. Even the Thornburg trade was a buy low on Shaw and a sell high on a power bullpen arm. When it comes right down to it and they need a SP we’ll see how he reacts. Let’s not forget before last year they needed bullpen help and they threw more money at Neftali Feliz than any other team would have even considered.
lidocaine
Lance Lynn= Jeff Suppan/Kyle Loshe.
pantless
It would be amazing if the Indians signed him!
sufferforsnakes
A RH bat in the OF would be a big plus, but I can’t see them busting payroll for him, especially at 4 years.
stubby66
I think the the Indians could possibly make a trade with Milwaukee for Phillips and give up Salazar for him. Sign Cain, then trade Kipnis and Chisenhall to the Mets for something and sign Moustakas
acase22
ha
timyanks
other, he’ll be pillowcased
Brixton
BOLD prediction: The Braves. Acuna/Inciarte/Cain is a defensive war chest, and offensively, it *could* be elite. Markakis isn’t very good anymore, and their current depth chart has Lane Adams in LF. AA loves a good pricey vet too.
slowcurve
The only way I see that happening is if the contract was extremely backloaded. Still, don’t see it.
sandman12
True, Markakis isn’t very good. Also true, he gets on base as often as Cain and produces as many extra base hits.
stubby66
I know the Braves have been in love with Cain forever but that might have been back when Wren was gm
ncbravesfan95
I kinda agree with that maybe use him in LF and use Markakis as a corner OF bat/DH off the bench or trade him for a low level prospect or a bullpen arm
Solaris601
Cain to TOR would make a lot of sense, but that’s just not a Shapiro move. Jays could then deal Pillar elsewhere (SF) to fill another need, though I’m not sure what the Giants could offer that’s worthwhile. Cain to MIL is the most likely scenario with Broxton being dealt to SF for Slater.
tyork21
Giants don’t won’t Broxton he doesn’t fit their style.. strikesout to much and very low obp .. not happening
Caseys Partner
Phillies will sign Cain and move Odubel Herrera to 2B blocking both Cesar Hernandez and Scott Kingery.
BlueJayFan1515
Log off
mgoblue75
I think Cleveland is a dark horse landing spot for Cain.
sufferforsnakes
Nobody?
Bert17
My “other “ vote is Cleveland. They don’t have any outfielders they can really count on and they know their window is beginning to close.
sufferforsnakes
He would have to play a corner OF position. Zimmer is our CF.
arkuss
Sign Cain, trade Zimmer and some others to Miami for Yelich. Now you have an outfield. It’s that easy.
JYD5321
He would have been a much better fit for the Mets than Bruce. An extra year and likely a few extra dollars, but they’d actually fill a need. In the end, Cain would have been cheaper because Bruce will be untradable for most of his contract, and the need will remain.
sandman12
There is crying in baseball! In this case, it will be by the team that gives Cain a 4-year deal. They never learn.
Benklasner
Nationals
bilak33
Padres. They seem to like ex-Royals and he and Margot will have fun patrolling Petco. Trade Renfroe/Dickerson for more prospects…..
GarryHarris
I think the Rockies might bite.
Benklasner
Could see the white sox using him to bridge the gap to adolfo and co then trading him after two years
Benklasner
Although he would probably want to sign with a contender… Dipoto hasn’t done anything in a bit. Could scoot Cano over to first and move gordon back to second.
imissjoebuzas
Indians. Not necessarily because of need with Zimmer, but more creatively WITH Zimmer and change the flow of the team to one which tears up the bases and plays good defense. The Royals made the Mets look like plodding oxen in that World Series. One can play a corner because you don’t know what you will have from Brantley. Tired of so many teams just thinking the homers get you to a World Series. Pitching, defense, speed and oh yeah a homer every now and then helps. Put the pressure on the other team to make the plays and make the pitches.
stubby66
I think your making a very good point
acase22
Given Cain’s age, I’d play him in RF vs RHP and CF vs LHP to spell Zimmer until he figures LHP in MLB. Unfortunately it looks like he’s going to get too many years for the Tribe to swallow.
Garza Nathan
Wild card …….. Houston ASTROS to play CF and move Springer to LF or vice versa…..
Not for 4yrs though bad idea
slvrdrgn33
I think Cain ends up in Seattle
gorav114
Other – Orioles
attgig
time to move Jones to the corner.
oaksbossko
The A’s could make a play for Cain. I would not be surprised at the slightest if Oakland makes him the CF. Fowler is coming off a serious injury and has no MLB experience and now scouts are saying he might not be as good as once thought. And even though I am a big fan of Powell, he is more of a 4th outfielder.
AsNchill
That bit about scouts saying Fowler won’t be as good as he once was because of injury is bull. They can’t make that judgement until he’s actually played. Watching him drill or rehab doesn’t give you any indicator of where he’ll be when he’s healthy.
dewssox79
the cubs will sign all FAs left.
ralph 3
I’m going weird and say the Barves bring home the Georgia native.
SplashHittaz
Hes gonna go to the Marlins bros.
AngelsAdvocate
Twins
white_sox9195
White Sox sign him to a one year and a player option for 2019 then trade him in the Deadline
greg 14
Pretty sure Cain’s 4 year offer is from the Tokyo Swallows, and it’s in yen, not dollars.
papelucho
Milwaukee Brewers
jd396
I vote Brewers. 5 years, $80 million. You read it here first.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
Funny. I voted brewers when the poll went up.