Predicting landing spots for top MLB free agents: Trevor Bauer, George Springer, J.T. Realmuto, more

Are the floodgates about to open?

With spring training slated to begin on time, the clock is now starting to tick on players, agents and teams to finally make the game of musical chairs happen in free agency.

Last week, the White Sox landed closer Liam Hendricks and the Yankees brought back infielder DJ LeMahieu. In other years, that likely would have represented the final two big free agents on the board. That’s far from the case now in 2021. So where will the best of the rest land over the next few weeks?

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Here’s my up-to-date guess on where the remaining top MLB free agents will sign.

1. George Springer

The landing spot: Blue Jays

The reasoning: Money to burn and games to win. Toronto is a sleeping giant in the American League East and poised to make big-time noise in a pennant chase next October. But there’s one piece missing: A big-time veteran bat with winning experience. Springer will provide that in center field. This reminds me of when the Cubs landed Jason Heyward and Jon Lester to push forward from rebuilding to true contending in Chicago.

2. Trevor Bauer

The landing spot: Angels

The reasoning: Desperation. Bauer is a wild card, and truly could sign with any team in the sport. Seriously, nothing should surprise us. But the Angels are on the verge of wasting Mike Trout’s entire prime. At some point, the push to fix this rotation will be too hard to ignore and Bauer gives them the best chance to do it.

3. J.T. Realmuto

The landing spot: Phillies

The reasoning: Philadelphia’s front office was correct about Realmuto’s market. There’s no $200M offer. There’s no crazy money for a catcher entering his 30s coming off knee and hip issues at the end of the last two seasons, respectively. Realmuto is the best catcher in the game, but didn’t have the market he hoped for. This is the rare case in which the player and the team need each other equally to save face for 2021.

4. Marcell Ozuna

The landing spot: Rangers

The reasoning: New stadium, new energy. The Rangers are entering a rebuild, but Ozuna’s bat can play as a DH for a long time. Plus, it’s going to take big-time power to lift the ball out of Globe Life Park. Ozuna, as we’ve seen since his arrival to the big leagues in Miami years ago, has that kind of power.

5. Marcus Semien

The landing spot: Red Sox

The reasoning: Chaim Bloom has something up his sleeve. The Red Sox have been too quiet this offseason. Semien can be a buy-low infield option that could either be part of a contender in Fenway Park in 2022 or flipped for more assets down the line.

6. Didi Gregorius

The landing spot: Reds

The reasoning: Philadelphia still makes sense, but it’s tough to imagine this franchise having enough payroll flexibility to give Gregorius what he wants after bringing back Realmuto. Plus, the Phillies have 2019 first-round pick Bryson Stott waiting to take the position over in 2022. Gregorius finds a home on a multi-year deal.

7. Michael Brantley

The landing spot: Braves

The reasoning: Although there’s been no official announcement year, I think it’s fair to assume that the DH will be back in the NL for 2022 and beyond. If (or when) that becomes a reality, Brantley to the Braves makes too much sense not to happen. He’ll cost less than Ozuna. He can still play some outfield, making him a natural replacement for the Nick Markakis/Adam Duvall free-agent combination. Plus, the Braves have had outstanding success with veteran hitters on one-year deals in recent years. Perfect fit.

8. Justin Turner

The landing spot: Dodgers

The reasoning: It’s just a matter of time. Turner reportedly wants four years. The Dodgers want to give him two years. These parties will settle on a three-year deal to run it back and defend a World Series title.

9. Masahiro Tanaka

The landing spot: Angels

The reasoning: Corey Kluber’s deal with the Yankees effectively took them out of the running for Tanaka. That leaves open the possibility of joining fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles. Would Bauer, Tanaka and Dylan Bundy be enough pitching for manager Joe Maddon to get this team to the playoffs?

10. Jackie Bradley Jr.

The landing spot: Mets

The reasoning: No, the Springer blockbuster won’t happen. But the Mets will find a defensive upgrade in center field with Bradley Jr. This lineup is going to be a problem for the rest of the NL East.

1. Brandon Nimmo LF

2. Jeff McNeil 2B

3. Francisco Lindor SS

4. Michael Conforto RF

5. Pete Alonso 1B

6. Dominic Smith DH

7. J.D. Davis 3B

8. James McCann C

9. Bradley Jr. CF

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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.

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