Bold 2020-21 Offseason Predictions

Bold Prediction #1:

John Cordes / Icon Sportswire

Lindor Traded to the Blue Jays

Francisco Lindor has been one of the games best players over the last few years. Lindor had a down year last season in 2020, but still is a great talent and the best shortstop in baseball. The Indians have said on multiple occasions that they will not be able to sign Lindor to an extension or resign him when he becomes a free agent after the 2021 season. The Indians are likely to trade Lindor and the Mets, Reds, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Phillies are among many teams that will be in the market to trade for the superstar.

The Blue Jays are a team that already has a shortstop but would move Bo Bichette to third base if they were to sign or trade for a shortstop. The Indians will trade Lindor to the Blue Jays in exchange for a number of top prospects and major league talent that can help Cleveland right now in 2021. The Blue Jays need something to push them over the Yankees and Rays in the AL East in 2021 and no player would help them more then Lindor.

Bold Prediction #2:

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Bauer Signs with the Mets

Trevor Bauer was one of the best starting pitchers in baseball and won the NL Cy Young Award, finishing ahead of the Cubs' Yu Darvish and the Mets' Jacob deGrom. Bauer is the best free agent on the market this year, and the best Starting Pitcher by far. Almost every contender will be in the market to sign Bauer. The top fits currently are the Mets, Angels, Yankees, Padres, and White Sox, all possible contenders that have some of baseball's top talents.

The Mets are the best fit for Bauer and the team that will sign him. The Mets are known for their Starting Pitching and right now are very shaky with many question marks. The team also has a lot of money to spend with Steve Cohen, who is a billionare that has at least 14 billion dollars. Bauer would join Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery and would give the club the best rotation in baseball, with three NL Cy Young contenders.

Bold Prediction #3:

Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Bryant Traded to the Nationals

Kris Bryant was one of the best players in baseball when he won the NL Rookie of the Year and the MVP Award in back to back years in 2015 and 2016. Bryant still was valuable after and was very good for the Cubs. In 2020, Bryant had a poor season, the worst of his career by far. After the 2021 season, Bryant will become a free agent along with Baez and Rizzo, who along make up the Cubs core. The Cubs will not be able to extend three of these players, and it is likely that the Cubs will move on of these players this offseason, of whom Bryant seems the most likely. The teams that will be the most active for Bryant are the Braves, Nationals, Blue Jays, Mets, and Phillies.

The Cubs will trade Bryant to the Nationals, who badly need help in their lineup. Although, Bryant alone wouldn't be enough to fix Washington's struggles, he would be a huge help at third base and would provide another bat to join Juan Soto and Trea Turner in the top of their lineup. Similar to the Blue Jays, thte Nationals will need a lot to get past to the Braves and Mets in 2021, which Bryant and another player on this list will provide.

Bold Prediction #4:

YONG KIM / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Realmuto Signs With the Nationals

JT Realmuto has emerged over the last few seasons as the best catcher in baseball. Realmuto played for the Marlins from 2014 to 2018, and then was traded to the Phillies where he played over the last two seasons, and got even better in Philadelphia. Realmuto is one of the best free agents on the market this year. The best fits for Realmuto are the Phillies, Mets, Nationals, Cardinals, and Yankees.

The Washington Nationals will sign JT Realmuto to a four year deal. Realmuto will join Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and the newly acquired Kris Bryant which will form their core. The Nationals have had a hole at catcher for four seasons since Wilson Ramos left and the team should try to upgrade at the position. The Nationals with Bryant and Realmuto will contend and make a push for the NL East Division Title in 2021.

Bold Prediction #5:

Jack Dempsey / AP

Nolan Arenado Traded to the Cardinals

Nolan Arenado has been one of the best players in baseball for years now and currently is the best third basemen in baseball. Arenado has an opt out after the 2021 season which he might decide to take, especially if he is still on the Rockies. The Rockies have had two poor seasons in a row, and need to trade Arenado. Many teams likely are interested in Arenado. The best fits right now are the Mets, Nationals, Braves, Cardinals, and Yankees.

The two teams that stand out to me are the Cardinals and Mets. I predict Arenado will be traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, a team that badly needs another top bat in their lineup and will likely try to contend for the division in 2021 and repeat their 2019 success where they won the NL Central and made it to the NLCS against the Washington Nationals. Arenado would be a huge addition in St. Louis and the fans would absolutely love him. After being traded to the Cardinals, the team will renegotiate Arenado's contract to make sure he does not opt out and stays in St. Louis past 2021.

Bold Prediction #6:

YONG KIM / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Phillies Make Almost No Moves

The Phillies entered a rebuild in the beginning of the 2010s and showed a lot of promise in 2018 and 2019. The Phillies have been extremely disappointing and have not made the playoffs since 2011, where they lost in the NLDS. Expectations before the 2019 season were that the Phillies were going to be a powerhouse for years with the additions of Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto, similar to the Atlanta Braves. This has not happened and the Phillies are in a tough position this offseason with aging players and large contracts.

This prediction is a litle different, as it is about a team not making moves. The Phillies this offseason will make little to no moves because of large contracts and the front office has already showed an unwillingness to spend this offseason especially with their largest free agent, star catcher JT Realmuto electing free agency. The team will continue to disappoint and will not be able to make it to the playoffs next season in 2021.