We round up our series on the top free agents still available with the outfielders. As was said with the infielders, the market is still very plentiful in the outfield. Jason Heyward is the only big ticket outfielder taken having signed a massive 8 year, $184 million pact with the Cubs. All three positions still have plenty of depth and quality at them and as the pages on the calendar flip their price tag starts to lessen. Four of ESPN’s Top 10 free agents were outfielders and they are all still looking for work. Four more in their Top 50 are in a similar situation. Let’s peruse the cream of the outfielder crop and try to find out where they may end up in 2016.
JUSTIN UPTON, LF (SAN DIEGO)
Justin Upton was supposed to be part of the future in San Diego. He was one of a trio of outfielders to come to the Padres via trade last offseason along with Matt Kemp and Wil Myers. Needless to say, GM A.J. Preller’s experiment didn’t turn out so well. The Padres finished fourth in the NL West, 18 games back of the Dodgers. That leaves the younger Upton brother on the marketplace this winter with a plethora of potential landing spots. Even with all the failure last year in San Diego, and a park where hitting stats go to die, Upton slashed .251/.336/.454 with 26 home runs and 81 runs batted in. The former first overall pick is only 28 and won’t turn 29 until next August. He can hit anywhere in the order from second all the way to sixth so his options of clubs won’t be hampered by teams hamstrung by where he will fit in the lineup. He’s a plus defender with range and an arm that needs to be respected. Heyward’s signing takes him off the Cub’s radar, but there are still plenty of teams that will be looking to give him nine figures with this contract. The Angels, Orioles, Mets, and Tigers have all been significantly linked to Upton. Though his price tag may be lower than Heyward’s, any team will also have to give up a pick after Upton declined San Diego’s qualifying offer.
YOENIS CESPEDES, LF (NEW YORK METS)
Cespedes’ value was at an all-time high after his deadline move from the Tigers to the Mets. In just 57 games with New York, he hit 17 home runs and 14 doubles for a slugging percentage of .604. That figure would have finished second in the Major Leagues. His little National League cameo was even enough to garner 13th place in the NL MVP voting. Like Daniel Murphy though, his putrid World Series displayed all his flaws in a matter of a week. Even with that, Cespedes is one of the premier outfielders on the market. Although he can boot a ball now and again in left, he more than makes up for it with his throwing ability to pretty much every base. He also has the most power potential of any outfielder remaining. Of all the men who will be profiled here, Cespedes is the most likely to take a short term deal with hopes of doubling down next year. As with most free agent outfielders, the Angels and his former team Detroit have been paying extra attention to Cespedes. If he doesn’t go the 2014 Nelson Cruz route, expect Cespedes to command just under Upton’s figures.
ALEX GORDON, LF (KANSAS CITY)
While Cespedes’ value took a tumble with an underwhelming Fall Classic, Alex Gordon’s made a leap as the Royals made their second consecutive World Series trip a successful one. Gordon has made three straight All-Star Games and only an injury spell kept him from a fifth consecutive Gold Glove. He was the best defensive outfielder once free agency started, even over the $23 million man Heyward. Though his bat is in decline, he is still serviceable enough at the plate, especially in clutch situations, to have no lack of suitors. The two most prominent ones are in his backyard. The Royals are desperate to keep their man in the fold, even after he declined his player option to test the free agent waters. They will be challenged for his signature from the inter-state rival Cardinals who need a replacement for the departed Heyward. A five year deal isn’t out of the realm of possibility, even for a 31 year old, but the final value will be determined by how much the Cardinals push the world champs.
DEXTER FOWLER, CF (CHICAGO CUBS)
The corner outfielders are the big ticket items, but center fielders are the glue that GMs grave. The top of the heap for that proverbial adhesive is Chicago’s Dexter Fowler. Fowler is getting his first taste of free agency after being shuffled between teams in each of the past two winters. Though his average was at the lowest in a full season (.250), he posted career highs in runs (102), hits (149), and home runs (17) as the Cubs’ leadoff man. Fowler’s home and away splits also show that it wasn’t just the friendly confines of Wrigley Field causing these spikes. His ability to stay healthy was the biggest factor as he registered another career best in 156 games played. Ultimately, Fowler’s capability to lead off and play an above average center field allows him to tick off two hard to check boxes for teams in today’s game. As it seems with every free agent these days, the Tigers are pressing hard. Two of his old clubs, Houston and Chicago, are also in the hunt. The Mets were also keen, but may be less inclined after signing Alejandro de Aza. Four years at about $10-$12 million per should be enough to get a deal done.
GERARDO PARRA, RF (BALTIMORE)
Right field is the thinnest market for outfielders. Gerardo Parra is at the apex of that thin pile. Parra has been a steady everyday performer in the National League, including the start of this past year. He was off to the best start of his career in Milwaukee before being traded at the deadline to the Orioles. He struggled in the American League, posting lows in every offensive category across the board. But he’s still a plus defender who can extend a lineup. His track record, and poor cameo on the junior circuit, make him a prime candidate to return to the National League. Two of his old nemeses in the NL West as a Diamondback, San Francisco and Colorado, are now his most ardent pursuers. A two year deal in the neighborhood of $20 million total is the most rumored asking price.
BEST OF THE REST
DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS- For teams with stacked lineups, suring up their team defense may be a bigger priority. Denard Span is the most vied after man in this category but he may price himself out of some smaller clubs’ price ranges. For a club looking for a high risk, high reward glove, you may be going down Franklin Gutierrez Avenue. The former Mariner is often bitten by the injury bug, but when he’s healthy there are few better in center.
OLD DOGS- The free agent headlines are ruled by the young guns, but some of the game’s elder statesmen could still provide short term returns that could help a team. Marlon Byrd, Shane Victorino, and Grady Sizemore don’t have much tread left on their tires as outfielders, but a one year deal to get a platoon player with a wealth of experience would not be a bad investment for most clubs.
ACTION JACKSON- There are very few more intriguing free agents than center fielder Austin Jackson. With each stop in his career, managers have tried to get the former top prospect to reach his ultimate potential. He’s still just 28 and technically entering his prime, but Jackson has to find a good fit now or risk never fulfilling his promise. There will be no shortage of teams willing to take that chance, and for a good number of years as well.
The Hot Stove continues to simmer this winter, and it should keep its heat all the way until pitchers and catchers report in late February. Keep coming back here over the next few months and be sure to follow me on Twitter @TREVORutley and the site at @sportsftb.