Mike MinorMichael Zagaris/Getty Images
Houston Astros: Sign RP Zach Britton
Things have started moving quickly on the reliever market, so if the Astros want to grab a quality left-hander to round out the relief corps, they’d be wise to move quickly.
Tony Sipp was the only southpaw to make double-digit appearances out of the pen last year, posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 in 54 games. He’s a free agent, though, and the team has a chance to aim a bit higher.
Adding Zach Britton to a unit that already includes Roberto Osuna, Ryan Pressly, Hector Rondon, Chris Devenski and Will Harris would turn what is already a strength into a true weapon.
Los Angeles Angels: Sign SP Gio Gonzalez
The Angels have already made two significant additions to the starting rotation, signing Matt Harvey (1/$11M, per Jon Heyman of Fancred) and Trevor Cahill (1/$9M, per Rosenthal).
They could conceivably round out the staff with Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs and 2018 rookie Jaime Barria, but adding another veteran starter on a short-term deal would be a good move given the injury histories of Heaney and Skaggs.
Gio Gonzalez has been a workhorse throughout his career, averaging 187 innings over the past nine seasons. The 33-year-old pitched extremely well down the stretch after an August trade to the Brewers, going 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in five starts.
Oakland Athletics: Sign SP Wade Miley
Wade Miley found success in Milwaukee under a manager who was quick to his bullpen, averaging just over five innings per start. He ended up posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 16 starts, and a similar approach will be the best way to utilize him in 2019.
Provided he doesn’t find his way back to the Brewers, the best fit might be Oakland, where the A’s employ a similar bullpen-heavy philosophy.
They are in serious need of rotation help with Edwin Jackson and Trevor Cahill expected to depart in free agency and Sean Manaea recovering from August shoulder surgery. It might take a multiyear deal to sign Miley, but he should fit the budget.
Seattle Mariners: Extend RF Mitch Haniger
After trading Robinson Cano, Jean Segura and Edwin Diaz, the Mariners have entered a new era by blowing up the old core that couldn’t snap a postseason drought that stretches back to 2001.
Right fielder Mitch Haniger has been a popular name on the rumor mill since the December 3 Cano trade, and rightfully so after he posted a 139 OPS+ with 38 doubles, 26 home runs and 93 RBI for 6.1 WAR in a breakout season.
The 27-year-old will be arbitration-eligible for the first time next offseason, so now could be the time to discuss an extension that buys out his arbitration years and a free-agency season or two. It would be a show of good faith to the fanbase and provide the forthcoming rebuild with a centerpiece.
Texas Rangers: Trade SP Mike Minor to the Phillies
Another beneficiary of the fast-moving starting pitching market could be the Rangers, who have an attractive trade chip in Mike Minor.
The 30-year-old signed a three-year, $28 million deal last offseason and made his return to the rotation after pitching out of the bullpen in Kansas City. The results were solid—a 4.18 ERA (116 ERA+) and 1.12 WHIP with 132 strikeouts in 157 innings. The two years and team-friendly $19.7 million left on his contract add to his value.
The Phillies are reportedly interested, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, and the Rangers are willing to move him for “a couple of their better young pitching prospects.” That likely wouldn’t include Sixto Sanchez, but more on that in the Phillies section.
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