Top 5 potential landing spots for Jordan Zimmermann
Houston Astros
Houston is the dark horse destination this offseason, as the club could be in play for a number of marquee free agents. The Astros’ young talent arrived ahead of schedule in 2015 and the team will now be looking for one key piece to push the roster over the top.
In particular, the Astros will be looking to add a free agent starting pitcher. Scott Kazmir is likely gone and Zimmermann would be a solid comparable pitcher to replace him with.
Adding Zimmerman would give Houston a nice 1-2 punch at the top with Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel. With Lance McCullers showing plenty of upside and Mike Fiers around for the next few years, one more strong pitcher would make Houston’s rotation good enough to compete with anyone
That may be necessary to beat the Texas Rangers in the AL West, as their rotation projects to be very strong with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels at the top in 2016. The Astros’ World Series window is open now, and they should be in play for all of the top pitchers this offseason.
The question is if Houston could expand its payroll enough for one of the top three aces. If not, Zimmermann will likely be in play for the Astros.