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Shelf help: A lineup of unsigned players
- Updated: December 15, 2016
Kenley Jansen is going back to the Dodgers, and probably Justin Turner, too.
The shopping days before the holidays are beginning to fly by, but that hardly means the shelves are empty — far from it. There are still dozens of attractive free agents available, and you could build a lineup from those who have yet to sign. And in some areas — first base, corner outfield and bullpen arms — there are so many options that the challenge is to pick through the remainders to find the right fit.
• Hot Stove Tracker
Here it goes:
1B: Edwin Encarnacion Maybe Encarnacion should have taken the $80 million extension from the Blue Jays, as he hasn’t done better in a market that is valuing closers and complete players (Dexter Fowler and Ian Desmond). The Blue Jays signed Kendrys Morales to a three-year, $33 million deal to be the primary DH, and they then added Steve Pearce, seemingly to share first base with Justin Smoak. Is there still room for Encarnacion? So far the Rangers, Astros, Cardinals and Pirates haven’t found the way to fit him into their payroll. Somebody will soon. Also unsigned: Chris Carter, Mike Napoli.
2B: Chase Utley While Utley is a platoon player at this point (.154 average against lefties last year), he was a two-win player for the Dodgers last season. He could still wind up back with Los Angeles, but for now, Andrew Friedman seems occupied by the possibility of trading for Brian Dozier or perhaps Jonathan Villar. Utley will play at age 38 next season. Also unsigned: Johnny Giavotella, Stephen Drew.
3B: Trevor Plouffe Only 10 days short of being a free agent, Plouffe was designated for assignment and then outrighted by the Twins. He declined the outright and became a free agent. Plouffe suffered a cracked rib in July and strained an oblique muscle in September, but he played 152 games in 2015. He could be an option for the Dodgers, but not many teams are searching for help at third base. Also unsigned: Cody Asche, Aaron Hill.
SS: Erick Aybar Due to play at age 33 next season, the steady Aybar has played at least 126 games each of the past …
