MLB: One free agent each team needs to target this offseason

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 11, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Moustakas

The Brewers are looking into 2020 with the very real possibility of losing three key contributors from the 2019 Wild Card team.

Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal declined their mutual options with the team, while Milwaukee took a pass on keeping first baseman Eric Thames for another year. The trio combined for 88 home runs and 225 RBI in 2019. That’s a lot of offense to replace for a team that only finished in the middle of the pack in the National League despite employing MVP Christian Yelich who had a 1.100 OPS and 44 home runs in only 130 games last year.

Milwaukee can’t afford to lose all three of their free-agent hitters this winter, but which one makes most sense to aggressively pursue for a reunion? The Brewers declined a $7.5-million option on Thames, which seems affordable, so it’s a safe assumption he is off their radar. Moustakas is a better overall player than Grandal, but does not play a premium position.

Grandal turned down a four-year, $60-million contract last winter, which sheds some light on what he believes he is worth. If Grandal still believes he is worth $15 million a year, the Brewers should offer a heart-felt goodbye and wish him their best. He’s just not worth that much.

Moustakas has been looking for his own long-term deal for two years. He was forced to accept what amounted to a one-year, $8-million deal with the Brewers after no multi-year offers materialized. The 31-year-old hit .254/.329/.516 last year with 35 home runs and 87 RBI. He also stepped up to replace the struggling Travis Shaw as the super-utilityman, picking up second base.

Moustakas is a versatile, slugging veteran who is still affordable for a mid-market team like the Brewers.

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