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MLB free agency: One free agent each team should sign

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Kansas City Royals First base Eric Hosmer (35) during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox on September 24, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jerome Lynch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Kansas City Royals First base Eric Hosmer (35) during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox on September 24, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jerome Lynch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to a called strike in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 19, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to a called strike in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 19, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays: Lorenzo Cain

The writing is on the wall, and Jose Bautista has likely played his last game with the Blue Jays. The end of the Joey Bats Era in Toronto will leave the team seeking a replacement right fielder in free agency this winter. Coming off a disappointing season, the Jays will look to retool their roster during the offseason.

The mounting loss total this year did allow the Blue Jays to begin taking a longer look at some of their younger players. Teoscar Hernandez should take over a full-time job in one of the corners next season. J.D. Martinez would be an ideal target for the Blue Jays to replace Bautista, but he appears to have found a home in Arizona. Toronto’s payroll has increased dramatically in recent years, but they’re still not winning a bidding war with anyone for the top free agents.

It’s hard to get a read on the market for Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Thirty-two next April, Cain has hit .300/.352/.438 over the past four years with 109 doubles, 45 home runs and 95 stolen bases. He was a late bloomer, not establishing himself as an MLB regular until his age-27 season. Cain has less mileage on his legs than a typical player his age.

I’m not sure what to make of Cain’s free-agent case. He has never had a 20-homer or 30-steal season and only has one 30-double season. His on-base percentage is nothing special. Cain feels like a player who was very valuable to the Royals group effort, but may not find an overwhelming amount of interest in free agency. One things for sure, pairing him with Hernandez and Kevin Pillar in the Blue Jays outfield would be death to all flying things.

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