Major League Baseball offseason has officially gone into full-swing, and blockbuster trades or big free agent signings have been stealing the headlines. Teams are going to reach with money or sacrifice talent to get better. While it may seem smart for some teams to spend big, it's the safe moves that usually provide the most impact. Here is a group of players teams should consider signing or trading for to give a boost:
Seattle Mariners - OF/DH Delmon Young: Still only 29 years old, Delmon Young is probably in the prime of his career. Mariners are desperate for bats and GM Jack Zduriencik has made that a priority this offseason. The M's were one game away from making the playoffs, and their bats failed them to get there. While the M's can still spend or trade to bring in a big time bat, with Baltimore and Detroit, Delmon Young has provided clutch hits and production in the lineup. With Young, you're getting his bat for pinch hitting, designated hitting, and occasional defense to give rest for some of the other better defensive options in the outfield. He can be signed for anywhere from one to three years for a very reasonable price.
San Francisco Giants - 3B/1B Chase Headley: This prediction is if Pablo Sandoval leaves San Francisco. Losing Pablo would be a big loss for a guy who improved his defense tremendously and is one of the most clutch playoff players in baseball. While it would be a sad day for Giants fans, this option wouldn't be so bad. Headley is an NL West guy who was traded to New York last season to fill the third base void for the Yankees. Headley is a switch hitter just like Pablo Sandoval and is a good defensive third baseman when healthy. The last couple years he has been dealing with injuries after his big 2012 season. While he strikes out quite a bit, he is a patient hitter and finds ways to get on base. It wouldn't be a bad thing if Pablo Sandoval leaves, since this move would allow the Giants to feel comfortable and not worry how to fill the third base void. Headley can bat anywhere from third in the lineup to sixth. Pablo is going to want big money so this is a good option if they wish to add additional players as well.
New York Mets - SS/2B Jed Lowrie: Each year, there is one position the Mets fail to find some consistency and that is the infield. Mets were hampered by injuries last season and Terry Collins led them to a decent season. Mets found a solution that worked where they could trade Ike Davis to open up first base for Lucas Duda, and the outfield filled its holes with Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares, and newly signed Michael Cuddyer. The Mets weakest position last season was shortstop and a move to sign Jed Lowrie may not be such a bad idea. Mets have Wilmer Flores waiting but shortstop may not be the best fit for him. Daniel Murphy is still at second base and some day the Mets may look to deal him for some players in return. Flores could be moved to second base or when David Wright moves on, they could slide him to third base. Mets have the starting pitching to keep them in games, and some consistency at shortstop is what they need. Lowrie is a veteran who has been to the playoffs with the Red Sox and the A's and has leadership. Lowrie is a gap hitter where he should thrive in Citi Field. If the Mets try to acquire a big time shortstop via trade such as Starlin Castro, it would come at the cost of Zack Wheeler or Noah Syndergaard, which I doubt the Mets want to lose at this point. Lowrie would be a two to three year deal type of player who could earn an extension. Another veteran too to go along with newly acquired Michael Cuddyer to lead this young team.
San Francisco Giants - P Francisco Liriano: Bring home Francisco Liriano. Liriano was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants and was a part of a trade being sent to Minnesota along with Joe Nathan for A.J. Pierzynski. In Minnesota, Liriano had a decent amount of good seasons and started battling serious arm injuries. Liriano had the surgeries and came back and found a home in Pittsburgh. Clint Hurdle revived the once dominant Liriano, Another team who knows how to revive pitchers is San Francisco. Ryan Vogelsong is a name who battled to make rosters and bounced around and found life in San Francisco. Giants look to let Vogelsong walk and Hudson seems to set 2015 his last season of his career, and another veteran would be a nice add. For a two to three deal, I think working with the World Series Champion pitching staff led by Dave Righetti would be a nice fit for Liriano and the Giants.
Pittsburgh Pirates - Trade 1B/3B Pedro Alvarez to San Diego Padres for P Ian Kennedy: This trade is beneficial for both teams needing a change of scenery. Pedro Alvarez has 25-35 home run potential every season and the Padres let Anthony Rizzo go in a trade to the Cubs. Pirates look to lose Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez and their rotation could use a boost. In Pittsburgh, Ian Kennedy can still use his dominant stuff and not be required to be the team's number 1 starter like he was in San Diego. Sliding Kennedy into the two or three slot to accompany Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett would make a scary 1-2-3 punch. Pedro Alvarez needs the biggest fresh start of anyone, and San Diego is looking for bats. He would be a nice acquisition in the middle of a runs-depleted offense in San Diego. Great trade for the Pirates and Padres.
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