Team Needs:
Alamo Short Stacks, Maltese Falcons, Mission Viejo Maulers, Burlingame Blue Ducks, St. Joseph Jokers, Meinert Hops
Top Free Agent: Anthony Rendon, Angels
Anthony Rendon's first season with the Angels got off to a tepid start; he missed the first four games of the campaign with an oblique issue, then proceeded to go 4-for-49 through his first 12 contests. The veteran subsequently turned things around, however, posting a 1.008 OPS the rest of the way and finishing with a .286/.418/.497 slash line. While Rendon's .212 ISO and 6.3% barrel rate were each his lowest since 2016, he nonetheless trailed only Mike Trout for the team lead in both home runs (nine) and RBI (31) with more than half of the homers coming during a torrid six-game stretch in mid-August. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old notched a career-best 16.4 BB% and finished third in the majors with a 1.23 BB/K. Rendon may have hit his statistical peak in his MVP-caliber 2019 campaign, but he'll have ample opportunity for run production batting behind Trout and remains one of the most reliable bats in the game.
Under the Radar Free Agent: Jeimer Candelario, Tigers
Jeimer Candelario has teased us in the past with flashes for the Tigers. We're ready to be hurt again. The improvement he showed in 2020 was extraordinary; Candelario hit just a shade under .300, up nearly 100 points from 2019, with 21 extra-base hits over 206 PA. In total, his offensive contributions added up to a 137 wRC+. Statcast says he overachieved by 20 points in the BA department, which makes sense given his BABIP was .372, though in fairness to Candelario he was in the 86th percentile in hard-hit rate, so a lot of those base hits were deserved. He's routinely sat around a 25% strikeout rate and improved upon that mark in 2020 even while adding power. His supporting cast is not good, but the team context means Candelario should have an ultra-secure role. Throw in dual eligibility (1B and 3B) and Candelario looks like a nice corner-infield pick with upside.
Top Trade Candidate: Jose Ramirez (3/$41), Maulers
The third base market is loaded with big names as Nolan Arenado (2/$55), Manny Machado (2/$48) and Josh Donaldson (2/$25) are all reportedly available to some extent before Draft but the best bat available alongside the price is Jose Ramirez. The Maulers appear set on dealing Ramirez before Draft Day following a dominant 2020 season with a likely target of a Top 50 prospect and an early round pick being the starting point in negotiations.
Under the Radar Trade Candidate: Colin Moran (2FA/$5), Maulers
The Maulers are in full rebuild mode and with several teams short at third base for their Keeper Lists, the price on an asset like Colin Moran might never be higher. The sixth overall pick of the 2013 MLB Draft has shown flashes of talent and has hit for average, but had failed to reach the expectations of being such a high draft pick. After the first week of the season, there was some hope he was taking the long-desired step in the right direction as he hit five homers and generated 15 runs in his first 30 plate appearances with a .321/.367/.893 slash line. He finished 2020 with five more home runs, and a .233/.318/.393 slash line as he fell back to reality. His Statcast profile shows why it is tough to write him off as several power indicators put him in the top 25th percentile of the league. He continues to have issues against lefty pitchers, but the Pirates do not take him out of the lineup even though his defense isn't much to write home about. A full 2021 season could see 20-plus homers with steady playing time on a dreadful Pirates team which will easily surpass the value of his $5 contract.
Activations: Austin Riley (Hammerheads), Carter Kieboom, Cavan Biggio (Aristocrats), Alec Bohm (Devils), Andres Gimenez (Jokers)
Another strong class of activations is ready and waiting at third base with three members of the group already appearing in other previews due to their multi-positional eligibility.
Alec Bohm, Cavan Biggio and Andres Gimenez are all set to step in and contribute on Opening Day for their respective clubs with the added bonus of being able to move around the lineup as injuries hit.
Austin Riley and Carter Kieboom enter important years in their development. Both NL East third baseman look locked into Opening Day starter roles for contenders but will face the pressure to cash in on their strong prospect pedigree and turn that into consistent production at the big league level.
Potential Off-Season Deals
Clovers Acquire: 3B Jose Ramirez (3/$41)
Maulers Acquire: SS Oneil Cruz (Minors), LHP Justus Sheffield (Minors), 2020 4th Round Pick (58th Overall)
The Maulers are getting significant interest in Ramirez but the Clovers look to be the best fit overall as a club that can offer the type of prospects to get the deal done without mortgaging their future. Cruz is a Top 50 talent (ranked 50th overall by Baseball America) but is in uncharted waters given his 6-foot-7 frame while still manning shortstop. While a move to the outfield is likely, Cruz possesses the potential in his bat to be a middle of the order force with exit velocities that rival any in the Minors.
While Cruz would be a nice featured piece of the deal, he does still carry risk which left-hander Justus Sheffield would help ease. The lefty pitched to a 3.58 ERA in 55+ innings of work in 2020 and looks to be rounding into shape as a solid middle of the rotation arm the Maulers could immediately slot in for Opening Day.
Ramirez would big a major boost to an already loaded Keeper Roster which added Kyle Hendricks earlier this Winter. The Indians third baseman would replace Ryan McMahon while his $41 contract would easily slot into the club's cap space with the flexibility to land another star on Draft Day.
Hops Acquire: 3B Colin Moran (2FA/$5)
Maulers Acquire: 2021 4th Round Pick (47th Overall)
There's nothing sexy about the profile of Colin Moran but 350 point players for $5 builds the foundation of a contender. The Hops could use some salary cap flexibility given Mike Trout's $71 commitment and a have a hole at third base that Moran could fill.
The value on Moran will likely drop after Draft Day so GM Chris Ferraro would love to add another pick if they can move him. With their rebuild underway and Moran's expiring deal, he makes little sense to retain if they can find a prospect or pick that fits the price.
2021 Free Agent Rankings
1 Anthony Rendon, Angels
2. *Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
3. Alex Bregman, Astros
4. *Kris Bryant, Cubs
5. Eugenio Suarez, Reds
6. Brian Anderson, Marlins
7. Jeff McNeil, Mets
8. Max Muncy, Dodgers
9. Jeimer Candelario, Tigers
10. Evan Longoria, Giants
11. Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks
12. Tommy Edman, Cardinals
13. Jon Berti, Marlins
14. Josh Fuentes, Rockies
15. Willi Castro, Tigers
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