Entering the final days of Major League Baseball's regular season, only 10 teams are preparing to play deeper into October. For the remaining clubs, the old adage of "wait 'til next year" has never been more true. But no matter where in the standings they sit, it's never too early to be thinking about the offseason and possible free agents.
The winter months might see some big names finding new teams. Here, we take a look at some notable upcoming free agents and the latest rumors surrounding them.
Ian Desmond
It hasn't been a great season for anyone associated with the Washington Nationals, no matter what the individual stats say. A team that was picked by many to win the National League East and even make a run to the World Series, the New York Mets eliminated the Nationals from the playoffs on Saturday.
A team that did not get much contribution from many of its players, one of its top bats is set to leave the nation's capital, as shortstop Ian Desmond tweeted this on Sunday:
There should be a crowded market that is interested in his services, too. One suitor has already revealed itself, according to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune:
The 30-year-old is one of the best power-hitting shortstops in the game, as he is just one home run away from his fourth consecutive season with 20 or more round-trippers. Desmond has led all players at his position in home runs in two of the past three seasons.
But his ability to get on base could be cause for concern. His average has sunk dramatically since the beginning of his power streak, going from .292 in 2012 to a .236 mark this year.
San Diego, though, might not mind one bit about that, as Desmond would prove to be a considerable upgrade at the position. Between Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes, the Padres shortstops have a combined .225 average with six home runs.
The Padres are in need of change within the roster. After dealing for the likes of Matt Kemp and Craig Kimbrel, along with Melvin and Justin Upton, San Diego sits in fourth place in the NL West. Bringing in a player like Desmond, who could use a fresh start after a nightmare season in Washington, could provide a much-needed spark.
Doug Fister
Desmond isn't the only Nationals player who's being linked to a move out of D.C.
According to Jeff Blair of Sportsnet.ca, the Toronto Blue Jays will make a move for Fister during the offseason.
In a season shortened by injury, Fister lost his spot in the rotation as he struggled to regain the form that helped him go 30-15 over the past two years, including a 2014 that saw him post a 2.41 ERA.
It's that kind of former output that makes him such an attractive target for the Blue Jays.
While an impending playoff run approaches for Toronto, there probably hasn't been much thought about whether staff ace David Price will be returning. He's a free agent at the end of 2015.
But other than Price's 2.30 ERA in 11 starts since being traded by the Detroit Tigers, only one other pitcher who has started more than 25 games this year has an ERA under 3.76 for the Blue Jays.
Then again, ERA doesn't seem to matter in Toronto, as the Blue Jays have scored over 100 more runs than the second-leading team. Drew Hutchison has a 5.33 ERA and is still 13-4 in 2015.
Like Desmond, Fister could flourish in a new setting and with plenty of run support. If he were to go to Toronto, there's a chance he could be the team's No. 2 starter if Price returns next year.
Yoenis Cespedes
A stat line could not do Yoenis Cespedes justice to show what he has brought to the New York Mets in the past two months.
The slugging outfielder has helped turn the Mets offense from one of the worst to one of the best. Just his presence in the lineup, paired with superior pitching, has even made New York a dangerous playoff team.
This is why teams around the league are hoping Cespedes' time with the Mets proves to be just a rental after he came over from the Detroit Tigers. The center fielder is set to hit the market at season's end.
On Sept. 20, ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the defending champions could be interested in Cespedes.
"There is speculation within other organizations that the Giants could be among the teams to pursue Yoenis Cespedes, although the slugger might have priced himself out of San Francisco's comfort range with his strong performance since the trade deadline," Olney wrote.
Before Olney's report, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal revealed that the Braves are another team that might go after Cespedes.
Interested teams know what they're shooting for, though, after Cespedes told ESPN's Marly Rivera what kind of deal he wants:
With Cespedes at age 29, the length of that deal could keep teams like the Giants away, as Olney wrote. With the kind of second half he's been having, Cespedes could ask for a deal over $100 million.
We've seen this before, too. In 2004, Carlos Beltran put together a monster postseason with the Houston Astros in a contract year and signed with the Mets for a seven-year, $119 million deal in the following offseason.
No matter where he ends up, it's safe to say that Cespedes is going to be an extremely wealthy man come 2016.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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