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Predicting What Will Happen With the Top 15 MLB Free Agent Signings

Predicting What Will Happen With the Top 15 MLB Free Agent Signings

Pablo Sandoval Boston Red Sox
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

There are still a few big name free agents available, such as starting pitchers Max Scherzer and James Shields, but there’s been a frenzy of activity through the first couple months of baseball’s offseason. With so many players changing teams, it’s never too early to predict how they will perform with their new teams in 2015.

15. Jon Lester - Chicago Cubs

Jon Lester
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

15. Jon Lester - Chicago Cubs

Jon Lester
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: 15-7 3.61 ERA

Along with the still unsigned Max Scherzer, Jon Lester was one of the two big fish on the market this offseason. The left-hander had many suitors, namely his former Boston Red Sox team and the defending champion San Francisco Giants. In 2014, a contract year, Lester had the best season of his career. While I don’t expect him to match that same output, he should still have a successful first season in Chicago.

14. Hanley Ramirez - Boston Red Sox

Hanley Ramirez
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14. Hanley Ramirez - Boston Red Sox

Hanley Ramirez
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Predicted Stats: .284 18 HR 74 RBI

Hanley Ramirez signed a four-year, $88 million contract to return to the team that first signed him as a teenager 15 years ago. The Boston Red Sox plan to move the former short stop to left field. Ramirez was regarded so highly due to his ability to hit so well for a shortstop. Now as an outfielder, he is highly overpaid.

13. Pablo Sandoval - Boston Red Sox

Pablo Sandoval
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13. Pablo Sandoval - Boston Red Sox

Pablo Sandoval
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Predicted Stats: .298 24 HR 88 RBI

Pablo Sandoval won three world titles with the San Francisco Giants and made the surprising move out east to Boston, spurning the Giants' offer. After playing his entire career in an extremely pitcher-friendly ballpark, Sandoval should see an increase in his power numbers in 2015.

12. Francisco Liriano - Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Liriano
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

12. Francisco Liriano - Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Liriano
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: 13-11 3.47 ERA

After dominating opponents early in his career with the Minnesota Twins, Francisco Liriano struggled up until joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. Since pitching in the National League, the crafty left-hander has been back to his old self for the past two seasons. Expect more of the same in 2015.

11. Russell Martin - Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blues Jays, Russell Martin, Alex Anthopoulus
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

11. Russell Martin - Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blues Jays, Russell Martin, Alex Anthopoulus
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: .272 15 HR 71 RBI

Russell Martin became a free agent at the perfect time. In a very weak catcher’s market, the former Pittsburgh Pirate was paid handsomely by the Toronto Blue Jays. As part of a stronger lineup and in a more hitter friendly ballpark, Martin should see a slight uptick in power production.

10. Yasmany Tomas - Arizona Diamondbacks

2013 World Baseball Classic - Pool 1, Game 5: Team Netherlands vs. Team Cuba
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10. Yasmani Tomas - Arizona Diamondbacks

2013 World Baseball Classic - Pool 1, Game 5: Team Netherlands vs. Team Cuba
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Predicted Stats: .235 23 HR 71 RBI

I'm still not sure if Yasmani Tomas will start 2015 in the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tomas is a very raw player who might need some seasoning in the minor leagues before joining the big league club full time. Expect Tomas to hit for a lot of power, with a whole lot of strikeouts.

9. Victor Martinez - Detroit Tigers

Victor Martinez
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9. Victor Martinez - Detroit Tigers

Victor Martinez
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Predicted Stats: .326 23 HR 89 RBI

The 36-year-old designated hitter was brilliant in 2014 for the Detroit Tigers. Victor Martinez was even better than Miguel Cabrera and finished second in American League MVP voting. As one of the best pure hitters in the game, V-Mart should come close to the numbers he posted last season, but it’s unrealistic to expect him to match or exceed such gaudy statistics.

8. Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Introduce Nelson Cruz
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8. Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Introduce Nelson Cruz
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Predicted Stats: .261 26 HR 87 RBI

After being suspended 50 games for the use of performance-enhancing drugs in 2013, Nelson Cruz was somewhat of a forgotten man in free agency last season. The Baltimore Orioles took the risk and signed Cruz, and were rewarded with one of the biggest bargains in all of baseball. Now playing in more of a pitcher’s park, Cruz won’t come close to matching the 40 home runs he hit in 2014.

7. Brandon McCarthy - Los Angeles Dodgers

Brandon McCarthy
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7. Brandon McCarthy - Los Angeles Dodgers

Brandon McCarthy
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Predicted Stats: 15-9 3.92 ERA

The lanky right-handed starting pitcher struggled mightily the first half of the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the New York Yankees. In 14 starts in New York, Brandon McCarthy excelled and posted a 2.89 ERA. Los Angeles is a good fit for the sinker-baller, and I expect another season of success for McCarthy.

6. David Robertson - Chicago White Sox

David Robertson
Bob DeChiara- USA TODAY Sports

6. David Robertson - Chicago White Sox

David Robertson
Bob DeChiara- USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: 35 Saves 3.10 ERA

David Robertson took over the closer’s role for the New York Yankees following Mariano Rivera’s retirement and filled in more than adequately. Relievers rarely cash in during free agency, but Robertson received a hefty $46 million payday. The right-hander is as solid as they come and should continue to be trusted out of the bullpen in 2015.

5. Nick Markakis - Atlanta Braves

MarkakisHomeRunTrot
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nick Markakis - Atlanta Braves

MarkakisHomeRunTrot
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: .306 14 HR 54 RBI

Nick Markakis is from the Atlanta area, so joining the Atlanta Braves has to be a dream come true for the former Baltimore Orioles outfielder. The top-of-the-order hitter had two consecutive down years the past couple seasons, but I expect Markakis to be rejuvenated in 2015 and hit over .300 for the first time since 2008.

4. Chase Headley - New York Yankees

Chase Headley Batting Stance
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chase Headley - New York Yankees

Chase Headley Batting Stance
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: .287 8 HR 62 RBI: .274 17 HR 69 RBI

Once Pablo Sandoval signed with the Boston Red Sox, Chase Headley was the top free agent 3B available. As a result, Headley was slightly overpaid, at $13 million per season, to return to the New York Yankees. He will never match the insane outlier that was his 2012 season, but playing in a hitter-friendly park like Yankees stadium for a full season will help inflate his numbers.

3. Ervin Santana - Minnesota Twins

Ervin Santana
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ervin Santana - Minnesota Twins

ErvinSantana
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: 11-14 4.25 ERA

While 2014 was Ervin Santana’s first season in the National League, he won 14 games with the Atlanta Braves with an ERA of 3.95. Santana’s other numbers weren’t quite as good as his ERA would suggest, so I expect a slight regression in 2015, his first season with the Minnesota Twins.

2. Melky Cabrera - Chicago White Sox

Melky Cabrera
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

2. Melky Cabrera - Chicago White Sox

Melky Cabrera
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted Stats: .287 8 HR 62 RBI

Melky Cabrera was outstanding at the top-of-the-order for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. Hitting in front of sluggers like Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista always helps, but Melky has proven to be a good hitter the past several seasons, PED suspension aside. The White Sox's new outfielder should hit for a high average once again in 2015.

1. Andrew Miller - New York Yankees

Andrew Miller
Peter Aiken - USA Today Sports

1. Andrew Miller - New York Yankees

Andrew Miller
Peter Aiken - USA Today Sports

Predicted Stats: 2.39 ERA 0.70 WHIP

For a reliever with only one career save to his name, Andrew Miller’s four-year, $36 million contract is astounding and shows how dominant he was in a setup role last season. It’s unclear how the New York Yankees plan to use him in 2015, but either Miller or Dellin Betances is expected to take over David Robertson’s ninth inning role.

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