A deep group of pitchers has made this year's free-agent class an interesting one, but MLB teams have an opportunity to work outside the box with a number of international free agents.
While there is a big risk associated with giving big money to players who have never spent time in the majors, impact players like Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu and Yu Darvish have changed the mindset of front offices around the league. All of a sudden, there is a rush to grab the talent available before a competitor does the same.
These players represent the next class of international free agents, although they each have very different backgrounds. Here are rumors for the top targets in the offseason, with a prediction of where each will land.
Kenta Maeda, RHP
After the success of Darvish and Masahiro Tanaka, everyone is looking to find the next great pitcher from Japan. Kenta Maeda might just be next on the list.
The 26-year-old starter posted a 2.66 ERA this past season, which was actually above his career mark of 2.44. Two years ago, he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league with a 1.53 ERA.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported the Boston Red Sox have taken a serious look at the pitcher:
The Red Sox have had multiple scouts and executives watch Hiroshima Carp righthander Kenta Maeda, including his most recent start. Maeda will be posted in November and it would be surprising if the Red Sox didn’t post the $25 million fee for the chance to negotiate with Maeda, who could fill one of their five rotation slots. Maeda is considered a smaller version of Masahiro Tanaka.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks are a top contender based on general manager Dave Stewart's recent comments:
Maeda does not represent the upside of the other recent pitchers to come from Japan, but he could be a solid mid-rotation player with the ability to consistently get hitters out at this level. This might be worth the price compared to a number of high-profile free agents currently in the majors.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
The New York Yankees are a team that immediately comes to mind as a top contender for the pitcher's services. However, last season's struggles on the mound came due to a number of injuries. Tanaka, Michael Pineda and others should be healthy to start the 2015 season.
On the other hand, the Red Sox do not have many other options in the rotation after a midseason fire sale. They have money to spend and are more than willing to take a chance on someone who can help the squad immediately.
With Boston proving to be a quality destination for international players in the past, this could be a good fit for Maeda.
Yasmany Tomas, OF
Arguably the best international player in this class, Yasmany Tomas could make big money this offseason. The outfielder has great raw power and can be the next great Cuban player to reach the majors.
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News broke down some of the interested teams for Tomas:
Tomas has been linked to - with varying degrees of seriousness - the Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, Twins, Rangers, Giants and Tigers.
To that, we can add this: People involved in the process now identify the Phillies as strong contenders for Tomas, and the Padres and Dodgers as far less likely. “And don’t count out the Tigers,” one source said.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports—who also identified the Philadelphia Phillies as leaders—broke down the cost it will take for a team to sign the 24-year-old player:
Tomas' potential price tag, said to be well above the record $72.5 million, six-year deal Castillo received from the Red Sox -- one MLB exec said he's actually looking for $100 million -- appears to only be going up in a thin market for offensive stars. Victor Martinez and Nelson Cruz, the two true sluggers in it, are 34 and 36, respectively, with one at DH and the other leaning that way.
In an age where no one has been hitting home runs in the majors, Tomas has the ability to hit about 30 a year and provide an instant upgrade to most teams in that department. He could be a middle-of-the-order hitter right away if given the chance.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
In bidding wars for a top player, it is often the most aggressive team that comes out on top, and that seems to be the Phillies. Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News was the latest to discuss the player's relationship to Philadelphia's front office:
The Phillies desperately need help in the outfield and have shown a willingness to spend money in the past. They can offer a large contract for the talented player and hope that he can help bring the team back into playoff contention.
Jung-ho Kang, SS
While we have seen pitchers succeed from Japan, as well as hitters from Cuba, Jung-ho Kang is attempting to break ground as a Korean position player. Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu is currently the only other player to go directly from the KBO to the MLB.
Despite the uncertainty, there is a lot of league-wide interest in a shortstop who hit 39 home runs and batted .354 during 116 regular-season games last season. Regardless of the competition, these are impressive statistics.
Cafardo reported the initial interest in the player in September, saying, "The Cardinals were interested early, but a few teams have been added to the mix. Kang has major power and with the absence of it in the majors, he should get some serious money."
CJ Nitkowski of Fox Sports added what he has heard: "He's been linked to the Dodgers, but they may be just because the Dodgers appear to have a need at shortstop. It could also be because the Dodgers have the only other player to play in the KBO on their roster in Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Ryu may be making the push to Dodger personnel."
This process might end up taking a long time with a delayed post, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Despite this, there will be a lot of teams willing to wait. Even if he will not be hitting 40 home runs in the big leagues, a shortstop that provides even 15-20 is a bit of a rarity nowadays. The Dodgers, Yankees, New York Mets and others will certainly be heavily involved in this race.
Prediction: New York Mets
The Dodgers will have a need at shortstop if Hanley Ramirez leaves, but the Mets have been staring at a hole at the position for years. Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores helped the team combine for just a .236 batting average at shortstop this season, ranking 27th in the majors.
While Ramirez is a possibility for the squad, the organization will not want to give up the draft pick necessary for a player who received a qualifying offer. Instead, they can look for a cheaper option on the international market, albeit a much riskier one.
Nitkowski reported a post for Kang would likely be in the "$5-8 million range," which should be well within the Mets' budget.
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