2015 Player Projections: Free Agents

Alas, the offseason is among us.  A well deserved congratulations is extended on the behalf of TPNB to the San Francisco Giants for their recent capture of the 2014 World Series Title.  With the exception of the players competing in the ongoing Japan Series, this is a time of rest and relaxation for the players.  However, the same assumption can not be held for the GM's and other Front Office Members of the 30 Major League organizations.  This is a hectic time for the aforementioned personnel, to say the least.  Every organization's Front Office is concocting a plan, comprised of various forms of transactions, in order to augment their team in aspirations of vying for the 2015 title.  In light of the commencement of the off-season, I dedicate this post to evaluating the offensive production of the top free-agent hitters.  I will also provide the 2015 projections for these players.

My analysis of the top hitters in this years free-agency pool will be heavily dependent upon my created statistic of IOR.  In case you are unfamiliar with IOR, please follow the link directly above this article titled "Matt Lessard's Created Statistic Reference Page".  This page will not only provide you with an in-depth explanation of IOR, but also will provide you with the precise equation utilized in calculating IOR.

Thus, let me now begin with the analysis:

1)  Pablo Sandoval

AVG IOR:  0.393

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.361

2)  Hanley Ramirez

AVG IOR:  0.453

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.411

3)  Victor Martinez

AVG IOR:  0.413

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.443

4)  Russell Martin

AVG IOR:  0.406

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.386

5)  Chase Headley

AVG IOR:  0.396

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.406

6)  Nelson Cruz

AVG IOR:  0.404

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.429

7)  Adam LaRoche

AVG IOR:  0.388

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.395

8)  Asdrubal Cabrera

AVG IOR:  0.363

Projected 2015 IOR:  0.348

Players with Upward Trends (On the Rise):  Adam LaRoche, Nelson Cruz, Chase Headley, and Victor Martinez
Players with Downward Trends (On the Decline):  Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval,  Asdrubal Cabrera, and Russell Martin

Best Projected 2015 Season:  1) Victor Martinez, 2) Nelson Cruz, 3) Hanley Ramirez
Worst Projected 2015 Season:  1) Asdrubal Cabrera, 2) Pablo Sandoval, 3) Russell Martin

*In Memoriam: Oscar Taveras*