Nelson Cruz, Hanley Ramirez, Billy Butler, and Pablo Sandoval have all inked substantial free agent deals but there are still a number of big names that have yet to sign. There seems to be a holding pattern surrounding possibly the biggest name still on the market. Free agent pitcher Jon Lester has yet to pick the team he will play for next season (and for years to come), and the teams with the money to sign him are waiting for word on where he will continue his career before they look to spend their money elsewhere. Although everyone’s waiting on Lester, we’re not.
Jon Lester – Boston Red Sox
When the Red Sox moved Lester to Oakland late last season they did so with a mutual agreement they would try to get a deal done this offseason. Boston was out of contention with a chance to add a quality bat in Yoenis Cespedes to its roster while still being able to offer Lester a huge deal to come back this offseason. Lester has said from the beginning that he wants to play for the Red Sox if the numbers are right and now he will have to decide between whether to return to Boston or sign with one of the other teams offering big money.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made it clear that Lester is their prime target and they are willing to spend a ton of money to get him, but the feeling is that Lester will want to go back home to the Red Sox where he will also get paid and have the chance to lead the Red Sox to a World Series title.
Max Scherzer – Los Angeles Dodgers
Scherzer is still an elite arm that could put up even better numbers in the National League where the Dodgers would love to have him after they miss out on Lester. Los Angeles already has an impressive staff but, if Lester does in fact return to Boston, they can turn their attention to Scherzer as a quality arm at a slightly cheaper rate then they would have paid for Lester.
The teams that are in on Lester are stuck in a holding pattern until he makes up his mind but once he makes his decision, all of the other pieces will begin to fall. The Dodgers make the most sense for Scherzer as the team that offers the most money and the best opportunity to win right away.
James Shields – Chicago Cubs
With all of the talk about Lester and Scherzer, Shields has become somewhat of a forgotten commodity but he will still provide a tremendous boost to whatever team signs him to a free agent deal. Shields just posted a 3.21 ERA with a 1.181 WHIP and 180 strikeouts while helping lead the Royals to the World Series. Big Game James isn’t exactly a staff ace but he’s a solid No. 2 or No. 3 hurler.
Some still feel Shields will sign with Kansas City but he might be too expensive and the Royals have already explored other options. The Cubs are likely to miss out on both Lester and Scherzer as they aren’t contenders yet. Those two pitchers want to win now. However, they could end up convincing Shields to come to Chicago with a massive contract offer and that’s not a bad idea. He’ll eat up some innings for them.
Ervin Santana – Kansas City Royals
As much as the Royals would love to bring back Shields the more likely scenario has them signing a second tier arm at a lesser rate. Santana certainly fits that bill. Santana went 15-10 with a 3.95 ERA for the Atlanta Braves last year and while his desire was to play in the National League for a year last season, he could be convinced to move to an American League team if the price is right. Kansas City will try to bring back Shields but Santana seems like the next best option once they miss out on him.
