Here are some predictions for the offseason from Evan, Charlie and Tom…
What are the destinations of…
CARL CRAWFORD
Evan: I have to give the nod to the Red Sox here. Boston’s going to pursue both Crawford and Jayson Werth, but Werth scares me. He’s 32 and most of his value is tied up in left-handed pitching. Eventually, his production against righties will slip and he will go back to being a weakside platoon partner. Crawford is going to require the bigger payout and obviously won’t bang a ton of home runs, but he offers the best chance at long-term return on the money, plus will give the Red Sox a formidable outfield and allow Mike Cameron to DH against lefties and come off the bench against righties.
Tom: I think Crawford to LAA of A makes sense as he fits the Mike Scioscia philosophy and would fill a need in left. But to be different, I’ll predict that Crawford signs with the Giants. No one in SF can pretend any longer that Pat Burrell can still hit.
Charlie: Carl Crawford ends up with the Angels. Torii Hunter has been doing some recruiting and Angels desire more speed in the outfield. Reports have the Yankees and Red Sox as somewhat unlikely winners (Links here and here).
ADRIAN BELTRE
Evan: I have Beltre to the Angels — not because it’s the West Coast (that doesn’t hurt, though), but because it makes too much sense for Los Angeles. They need a difference-maker imported into the lineup, and Beltre offers that on both sides of the ball.
Tom: After losing out on Crawford, the Angels will sign Beltre.
Charlie: Adrian Beltre finds a lack of suitors and ends up with a three-year deal from the White Sox. The Pale Hose were in desperate need of a big bat late last season and could use a reason to move pricey prospect Dayan Viciedo to first base. Paul Konerko is a free agent and his return seems unlikely. Beltre and the White Sox match up perfectly.
VICTOR MARTINEZ
Evan: I would love V-Mart back, but there’s too much noise around him leaving for me to confidently predict his return. I have him going to the popular destination of Detroit because it all makes too much sense for him not to.
Tom: Victor Martinez signs with the Red Sox. They will not get outbid by the Tigers or any other club.
Charlie: Despite an injury plagued season in 2010, the Red Sox know that Victor Martinez’s AVG, OBP, and power attributes are too valuable to let go. He can catch, DH when Ortiz needs a day off against a left-handed pitcher and spell Youk at first.
UP NEXT: How do the Sox address 1B/3B assuming no Beltre or V-Mart? How does Boston fix the bullpen?