While it can be exciting, the off-season is a tough time for fans of Major League Baseball. It can certainly be a long winter without the game, but rumors and costless agent news will certainly keep the hot stove going. The anticipation and lack of knowledge in the off-season is almost as exciting as the season itself. To further explain the details behind this years costless agents some of the MLB staff at VAVEL USA have banded together to bring you up to speed with the 2015 costless agent class. Week by week, the team will publish a new piece detailing the top available players at each position:
Liam McMahon:
Asdrubal Cabrera
Age: 29
2014 Team(s): Cleveland Indians and Washington Nationals
2014 Stats: 616 PA, .241 BA, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 1.2 WAR in 97 games with Cleveland and -0.3 WAR in 49 games with Washington.
Analysis: Cabrera was traded to the Nationals midway through the season as they looked for middle infield cover, but he didn't impress enough to convince the Nats to offer him a contract extension. Cabrera has never become the player he promised to become from 2009-2012, when he was a two-time All-Star and once batted over .300. However, from 2013 to 2013 he saw his average drop by nearly thirty points and it didn't come back this season. His fielding percentage fell of by 0.18, dropping from .982 to .964. In spite of all of these things going against him, there are very few middle infielders available in this market, and when his age is factored in he should find a team soon.
Prediction: Cabrera will resign with the Nationals but won't make the $10 million he made last year. He certainly won't start over Ian Desmond at shortstop, but they have no better alternatives than him at second.
Ricky Salvatore:
Jed Lowrie
Age: 30
2014 Team(s): Oakland Athletics
2014 Stats: 566 PA, .249 BA, 6 HR, 50 RBI, 0.8 WAR
Analysis: Although Jed Lowrie put up a sub-par performance in 2014, he did have some hidden positives. While he put up a .676 OPS, the second-worst of his seven-year career, he did hit 29 doubles with 178 total bases, both second-bests of his career. He also posted a respectable 79/51 K/BB ratio, well better than his career average. Lowrie has the capability to perform as an above-average shortstop, as he did in 2013, when he played 154 games, posting a decent .769 OPS with 45 doubles. Although Lowrie’s statistics suggest him being past-prime, he certainly has the capability to take over the starter’s role in 2015 for whatever team signs him.
Prediction: Padres. The Padres recently designated Evereth Cabrerea for assignment, who was their starting 2014 shortstop. However, they signed veteran shortstop Clint Barmes. They also have backup Alexi Amarista from 2014. While they have both shortstops, neither has proved himself reliable as starter. Lowrie could be a non-expense option for security at the shortstop position in 2015 for the Padres, in case one of their two current shortstops becomes injured or inconsistent.
Missy Metz:
Stephen Drew
Age: 31
2014 Team(s): Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees
2014 Stats: 85 GP, 7 HR, 26 RBIs, and .162 AVG
Analysis: Stephen Drew was a late sign by the Boston Red Sox at the beginning of 2014. The Red Sox had Drew the year before and needed a shortstop. At the trade deadline, Drew was dealt to the New York Yankees. The Yankees needed Drew since Derek Jeter was retiring. Drew can fill a team need at shortstop. The market will be good for him since there's a few teams in need.
Prediction: The New York Yankees will resign him. Since, Jeter retired the Yankees don't have anybody at that position. Drew is a guy that has been healthy throughout the years and could fit that role. He could definitely play more than 80 games and could be a short term answer.
Raymond Bureau:
John McDonald
Age: 40
2014 Team(s): Los Angeles Angels
2014 Stats: 91 PA, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .171 BA, .256 OBP, .453 OPS, -0.3 WAR
Analysis: After playing for four different Major League teams in 2013, McDonald stuck with only the A.L. West champion Angels this past season. He had a very limited role, mainly as a pinch hitter, and he did not play in the postseason. He started only 16 times: 10 at third, five at shortstop, and one at second base. He managed to get some defensive time on the field, and he had made a total of four errors in 113 chances for a .965 fielding percentage.
Prediction: Retirement. McDonald has had a nice 16-year career, compiling totals of .233, 28 HR, and 210 RBI for eight different teams. At age 40, he may have played his last game.