MLB Stove: An unnamed free agent Bryce Harper or Manny Machado should be on each team's radar

The free agency period of Major League Baseball will officially start on November 3rd. Still, it's understandable that some fans are already tired of hearing about Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. As such, let's take a different approach to winter. Rather than ask who Harper and Machado will sign, identify a non-Harper / Machado target that each team could land realistically this winter. Note that we have tried to avoid the top of the market, with few exceptions. We also used players once during this exercise.

Whether the Diamondbacks are rebuilding or not, they could use another veteran starter. Pomeranz should be cheap after a horrific season that saw him posting a 6.08 ERA in 26 appearances. He has already had great success as a starter and has a shared history with General Manager Mike Hazen, who dates back to their stay in Boston. Think of Pomeranz, then, as the next Clay Buchholz in Arizona.

Certainly, it is not the remarkable Braves players who hope this winter. Chisenhall is a cheap candidate after missing a considerable time due to an injury. When he's right, he's as solid as a platoon and can pick him up in a corner.

We do not know who the Orioles will have as general manager. We know that they are in the early stages of what could be a long-term reconstruction. Lyles is one of the youngest free agents available. Most of his balance sheet is irrelevant, but he looked at his heavy curve at the end of the season and it might be up to the Orioles to see what a full season of this approach would look like.

The Red Sox can not know what they will get from Dustin Pedroia next season, but will probably not sign one of the top-end second-tier players and will not block it. Forsythe has some experience on the bench and it can not be too difficult after a horrible season. If he manages to hit left-handed as he did once (he posted a .870 OPS against them in 2017), he could even meddle in the diamond for Mitch Moreland or Rafael Devers against southpaws.

Last winter, the Cubs recruited Drew Smyly, a former sailor who was recovering from Tommy John's operation, with an eye on his contribution. Phelps is in the same boat – except that he'll probably be back or before the match of the stars. Do not forget that he had earned a silver medal of 2.72 (146) and an exit rate greater than 11 in about two full seasons as a relief. Factor in his ability to go several innings, and it would be a good opportunity for the Cubs pen.

One of the ways rebuilders spend their winters is to replenish the next generation that could attract competitors by the deadline. Diekman has a big arm and showed good quality lightning strikes at the end of the heat. If Don Cooper can help him find the hitting area more often – and it's a big one though – he could make something shiny on the deadline.

The Reds are halfway to a competitive team – they just need to improve their pitch. Let's hit the barriers with Keuchel, who could sneak up because of his low temperature, low spin approach. Keuchel would bring some legitimacy to the start of the Cincinnati rotation and could prove to be a good deal, depending on how other teams see it. The Reds, meanwhile, have hinted that they would be aggressive in their attempts to launch this winter. Here you are.

Cleveland could use Bullpen's help. They could also use another outdoor bat, with Lonnie Chisenhall heading for free will and Leonys Martin's status in the air. Span has quietly continued to be an above-average hitter and would be an improvement over Tyler Naquin and a few other Cleveland options.

The Rockies may lose DJ LeMahieu in favor of a free agency. Even if they are ready to take Garrett Hampson and / or Ryan McMahon in second place, Descalso is an insurance policy that makes sense. He increased his launch angle and exit speed last season and achieved the best offensive effort of his career.

Think of him as the new Mike Fiers: a finist rightist looking for a fresh start. Estrada struck again twice as much as he walked with his north-south approach, but met with too many barrels last season in the American Hockey League. Against the weakest enemies of the center, he could position himself as a suitable commercial candidate on schedule.

It's logical, right? The Astros are potentially losing Martin Maldonado and Brian McCann to free will and need a new main backstop. Ramos would be that and could come cheaper than Yasmani Grandal because of his injuries.

The Royals are another rebuilding team that is unlikely to experience a busy winter. The only real approach is then to choose a random name from a supervisor's succession, in order to give them backup opportunities on a one-year contract. Our hat spat Ramos.

Gonzalez would make sense for many teams playing a versatile role. With the Angels, his protean nature means he could assume a more stable role as second or third main player, depending on where Brad Ausmus wants Zack Cozart to be posted.

The Dodgers have as much tolerance for injury risk as anyone else. The advantage of Richards in 2020 and beyond is worth it to pay him in rehab for a year.

The Marlins are a good bet for not spending money. Delgado nevertheless makes sense as a candidate for the rebound. He is on the right side of 30 years and has just finished a miserable season that has been marked by injuries. Delgado is probably looking for a chance to regain some of his former glamor – in some circles, this is called Miami.

Morton is a thoughtful and well-traveled right-hander who would give a boost to the Brewers' rotation. They may continue to avoid using resources to start, but their age will likely lower their costs.

The new manager of the Twins, Rocco Baldelli, must know the value of the defensive versatility acquired since his stay in St. Pete. As such, how about giving him Josh Harrison, a kind of gritty spark plug that can play everywhere? Maybe Harrison's bat bounces and that he's going through again as a legitimate starting option.

Nothing says how much the Mets are willing to spend this winter. They could however use Bullpen's help, and pairing Miller and Mickey Callaway is once again a gesture with a written explanation. And if the case fails? Hey, that's written too.

If the Dodgers let Ryu escape, he would make a lot of sense for the Yankees as an above-average southpaw and younger than you think – next season will mark his campaign for the 32-year-old.

A rarely spend money. Nevertheless, Gonzalez is a familiar face who still displays decent numbers throughout the season despite his incoherent departure starting. In addition, the A's brought Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson back last year, so let's keep the reunion.

Jones is no longer as good as before, but it's okay. He could spare Odubel Herrera and / or Nick Williams against left-handers, while ensuring a good stabilizing presence at the clubhouse. The Phillies know him well since their stay in Baltimore.

Hackers are not likely to spend a ton. Even in this case, Dozier would represent an intriguing candidate with low buying power. If he found his old form, he would give the Pirates a much needed boost. Otherwise … well, at least they tried, right?

The Padres under A.J. Preller is good for a surprise or two from time to time. Inking Eovaldi in an attempt to revive his return to the competitive ranks would qualify. He is still young enough to – he can stay healthy – be part of the next competitive Padres team.

The Giants have not named GM yet, so who knows exactly what they will be looking for this winter? We make things safe by assuming that anyone will want to add an offense. Pearce, the unlikely World Series MVP, can save Brandon Belt from left-handed players and watch fights in the corners of the field.

The Mariners will be on the market for a new DH if Nelson Cruz signs with another team. Gattis would make sense as an average league hitter who can, in theory, see an action behind the flat. Nobody will totally replace Cruz, but Gattis plans to come cheaper.

Mesoraco has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. In Saint-Louis, he could help reduce Yadier Molina's workload while giving Carson Kelly more time for the miners. It is unclear whether Mesoraco or Molina would opt for such an arrangement – especially since Mesoraco could get a totally new job elsewhere.

The Rays have an exciting harvest of young players and almost no money in the books. This is the perfect opportunity to get a contract loaded with one or two years to someone. Grandal is that one. He was almost instantly the best catcher in the history of the franchise.

The Rangers think that adding rotation help is important whether they rebuild or not. The truth is that we put Jackson here because we want to see him dress for another club.

The Blue Jays will likely become young in 2019. The addition of a veteran-style eater like Shields would relieve their pressure. He is also recognized as a good mentor.

Nationals need a new second baseman. LeMahieu's brand of simplicity and defense is not exciting, but it would perfectly fill his problem.