Since Major League Baseball's hot-stove season has slowed to a crawl in the final run-up to spring training Xander Bogaerts Jersey , we might as well use our imaginations.We've made one bold prediction for each of the top four free-agent and trade targets remaining on the offseason market. And if we do say so ourselves, the emphasis really is on "bold." We've imagined a mix of contracts and final destinations that would defy expectations.Are any of these likely to pan out? Probably not, no. But they're rooted in enough plausibility for even Lloyd Christmas to admit there's a chance.We'll start with the free agents.Bryce Harper: Wont Beat Giancarlo Stantons Record $325M Contract1 of 8Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated PressInitial projections for Bryce Harper's free-agent contract were around $400 million. PerKen Rosenthal of The Athletic, Harper at least wants to beat Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million payout.Harper should feel entitled to that kind of money. He's collected a National League MVP, six All-Star nods, 184 home runs and a .900 OPS in seven major league seasons. And he's still only 26 years old.Harper hasn't been the most consistent superstar, however, and much has changed since Stanton signed his dealin 2014. There's a palpable fear of long-term contracts across MLB, and harsher luxury-tax penalties disincentive shorter deals with high average annual values.The Harper sweepstakes has thus been less wild than anticipated.According to Jon Heyman of Fancred, it may be down to the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and maybe a spattering of mystery teams. There are complications even among his favorites, such as Washington's loaded payroll and Chicago's apparent preference for Manny Machado.At this point, the 14-year, $420 million deal that MLB Trade Rumors projected for Harper seems far out of reach. Something more like the 10-year, $300 million offer he rejected from Washington last September (per Chelsea Janes of theWashington Post) may be in the offing.Manny Machado: Wont Top $250M2 of 8John Bazemore/Associated PressPerhaps the most shocking reports to come out of the Machado sweepstakes are the ones from ESPN's Buster Olneyand Bob Nightengale of USA Today, which allegethat the White Sox have made the four-time All-Star a seven-year, $175 million offer.Of course, these reports have to be taken with a grain of salt. Machado's agent, Dan Lozano, blasted them as "inaccurate and reckless."Because he's also 26 and he's beenmore productive http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-joe-kelly-jersey , Machado deserves as much or even more than Harper. But because of a variety of factors鈥攅.g. his recentpostseason antics, his surgically repaired knees and his lack of an MVP鈥攊t wouldn't be a shock if he fell short of Harper in years or dollars.To boot, Machado's market wouldn't seem to be any more crowded than Harper's. The San Diego Padres have entered the fray, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, but that could be them feigning interest in response to the negative backlash over a recent report about their finances. The Phillies have been linked to Machado but more so to Harper of late. If so, the White Sox may have the inside track all to themselves.Even if the seven-year rumor is bunk, ESPN's Jeff Passan'sreport of an eight-year offer might not be. Even at $30 million per year, that would leave Machado short of $250 million.Dallas Keuchel: Signs with the Cincinnati Reds3 of 8David J. Phillip/Associated PressDallas Keuchel would appear to have a wider array of suitors than Harper or Machado. But after trading for Tanner Roark, Alex Wood and, most recently, Sonny Gray, the Cincinnati Reds are probably out.Or are they?Cincinnati's 2019 payroll is projected at$123.25 million, which would be a new franchise record. But in the words of President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com,"We still plan to continue to make moves to improve the club."Even with Roark, Wood and Gray aboard, there's a question of how much the Reds have improved a starting rotation with a 5.28 ERA since 2017. Adding Keuchel, 31, would go far in putting that question to rest. He is, after all, a Cy Young Award winnerwho's coming off a 3.74 ERA over 204.2 inningsAs it is Blake Swihart Jersey , the Reds aren't kidding themselves in thinking they can contend in the near future. As FanGraphs' Jeff Sullivan covered, the 2019 National League Central race looks wide-open. It also won't be long until the Reds are harvesting from their No. 6 farm system.Craig Kimbrel: Signs with the Minnesota Twins4 of 8Matt Slocum/Associated PressEven setting aside his 333 career saves, there's plenty of evidence that Craig Kimbrel is an all-time great relief pitcher. For instance, his MLB record career rate of 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings.The 30-year-old has nonetheless had a hard time finding work. So much so that Rosenthalrecently floated the possibility of Kimbrel returning to the Boston Red Sox on a one-year deal.If that's where Kimbrel's market is right now, the door is wide-open for a mystery team to swoop in and claim him. And by "mystery team," obviously we mean the Minnesota Twins.According to La Velle E. Neal III of theStar Tribune, the Twins began the winter with such late-relief luminaries as Andrew Miller and Cody Allen on their wish list. They've since signed elsewhere, while the Twins have added Blake Parker and nobody else.Yet the Twins areprojected foronly a $106.2 million payroll in 2019. They could sign Kimbrel at fair market value (say, $18 million per year) and still be short of their $128.7 million Opening Day mark from 2018. Their chances of taking down a stripped-down Cleveland Indians team in the American League Central would become that much greater.Corey Kluber: Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies5 of 8Tony Dejak/Associated PressNow that the Cleveland Indians' 2019 payroll is safely below where they opened 2018, they don'tneed to trade Corey Kluber and his $17 million salary.If they do, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported it'll only be for a "Chris Sale-level return." Also per Morosi, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Padres are two interested parties who could deliver on such an ask.But since we're making bold predictions, let's imagine the Phillies making a late push for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.The Phillies have been focused on adding hitters (Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura) and relievers (David Robertson, Juan Nicasio and Jose Alvarez) this winter. But they may be far from done. According to Nightengale, their grand plan still involves adding an impact hitter, starter and reliever.Though they reportedly favor Keuchel for the starter role, Kluber is A) better and B) potentially within their reach.They could spare Odubel Herrera or Nick Williams if they add Harper, which would appeal to an outfield-needy Cleveland club. Throw in Sixto Sanchez or Adonis Medina, both of whom rank among MLB.com's top 100 prospects, and they could have a package worthy of Kluber.J.T. Realmuto: Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays6 of 8Wilfredo Lee/Associated PressThe Miami Marlins have struggled to find the right deal for J.T. Realmuto. But even this late in the offseason, they still have six suitors to barter with http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-rick-porcello-jersey , according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.The most notable of these is the Dodgers, whose acquisition of old friend Russell Martin didn't take them out of the market for Miami's 27-year-old All-Star catcher. Indeed, Nightengale reported the Dodgers are now focused on Realmuto after adding A.J. Pollock to their outfield last Thursday.However, beware the Tampa Bay Rays.Per an earlier report fromFrisaro, the Marlins have been seeking a "top prospect and more" for Realmuto. Or, in some cases, "a catcher with some big league experience."One possibility involves the Rays sending the recently acquired Mike Zunino to Miami, along with some of their lesser prospects. Failing that, they could go for the nuclear option of sacrificing one of the best players (e.g. Wander Franco or Brent Honeywell) from their fifth-ranked farm system.In either case, the Rays would be getting back a major weapon for a tough fight in the AL East.Nicholas Castellanos: Traded to the New York Mets7 of 8Rich Schultz/Getty ImagesNicholas Castellanos' agent, David Meter, told Anthony Fenech of theDetroit Free Press that the slugging right fielder wants to be traded before spring training. However, Detroit Tigersgeneral manager Al Avila had nothing new to report."It's been very frustrating," he said, according toFenech.It doesn't help that the Atlanta Braves, who looked like an ideal fit for Castellanos, are likely out after re-signing Nick Markakis. However, there could be a home for the 26-year-old elsewhere in the NL East if the New York Mets get involved.Though the Mets appear to be done with major roster moves, they're facing pressure鈥攅.g. fromRosenthal and Matthew Cerrone of SNY.tv鈥攖o do more in order to truly establish themselves as a playoff threat.From looking at their lineup, adding a right-handed power threat would be ideal.In light of his .831 OPS and 193 extra-base hits since 2016, Castellanos would be ideal. The Mets likely wouldn't have to give up either of their two best prospects (Andres Gimenez or Peter Alonso) to get him http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-brandon-morrow-jersey , and his presence would allow Brandon Nimmo to slide over to center field on a full-time basis.Robbie Ray: Traded to the Oakland Athletics8 of 8Ross D. Franklin/Associated PressMore so than fellow NL West left-hander Madison Bumgarner, Robbie Ray is a candidate to change addresses this winter.PerPassan, the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade Ray if a team offers better than what the Seattle Mariners got for James Paxton.Per Nick Cafardo of theBoston Globe, the Phillies and Houston Astros have legit interest in Ray, who's struck out 11.8 batters per nine innings over the last three seasons.Yet we can't help but look suspiciously at the Oakland A's.The A's have made some good moves in preparation to defend their 97-win 2018 season, but there's no ignoring the sheer thinness of their starting rotation. It's projected by FanGraphs to outpace those of only the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles in wins above replacement.Some kind of substantial upgrade must beforthcoming. A trade for Ray, who's under team control through 2020, would make the grade, and the A's have the farm system to make it happen.A deal could be based around lefty A.J. Puk, who's coming back from Tommy John surgery. Or, since Ray's value is down a bit following a rough 2018, a selection of upside plays such as Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo, James Kaprielian or Sheldon Neuse.Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs. Payroll data courtesy of Roster Resource and Cot's Baseball Contracts. NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom fumed about not getting a called strike three. Then again, when the New York Mets face Madison Bumgarner, things never seem to go well.Bumgarner hit an RBI double for the only earned run off the Mets ace and topped him on the mound too, pitching the San Francisco Giants past New York 3-1 on Thursday.In his first appearance in New York since tossing a four-hit shutout in the 2016 NL wild-card game, Bumgarner (5-5) gave up five hits and went eight innings to match his longest start of the season. He struck out eight and walked none.“We’ve seen him do that a few times in his career where he pitches a beautiful game and does something with the bat and helped himself,” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.Bumgarner extended his scoreless streak at Citi Field to 33 innings before Todd Frazier homered to begin the seventh. The big lefty is 7-0 with a 1.42 ERA in eight starts against the Mets — he’s 5-0 with an 0.59 ERA in six starts at the Mets’ park.“He has pitched well here,” Bochy said. “I don’t know how to explain that. He pitches well in a lot of places. It seems like he has done some of his best work here.”The Giants led 1-0 and had a runner at first with two outs in the fourth when an 0-2 pitch to Nick Hundley was called a ball. DeGrom (8-8) and catcher Devin Mesoraco both started to walk off the field, but plate umpire Tony Randazzo called a ball on a pitch that a computerized TV strike zone showed well inside the box.Hundley eventually walked and Bumgarner made it 2-0 with a double down the left field line Jason Heyward Jersey , past the range of third baseman Todd Frazier.As deGrom went to back up the plate, he began yelling at plate umpire Tony Randazzo.“I told him he can’t miss it,” deGrom said. “I thought it was a strike and you can’t miss that.”After getting the final out of the inning, deGrom flung some paper cups in the dugout along with his glove in frustration.“I don’t know if I felt like I had a good chance of getting the barrel on that,” Bumgarner said with a laugh. “A swinging bat, that’s a dangerous bat.”It was Bumgarner’s 57th career RBI and 34th career extra-base hit. Both totals are second-most behind active pitchers, behind Adam Wainwright.DeGrom went six innings and exited with a major league-best 1.71 ERA. He allowed two runs overall on four hits, striking out 10 with a season-high four walks.DeGrom has often wound up with losses and no-decisions this season because the Mets haven’t scored much for him. He appears to be in a three-way race for the NL Cy Young Award with Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola and Washington’s Max Scherzer — Nola outdueled Scherzer at Nationals Park on Thursday afternoon.Evan Longoria hit a solo homer in the eighth inning as the Giants concluded a 4-6 road trip.The Giants manufactured their first run in the third when rookie Steven Duggar walked, stole second and advanced on a groundout. He scored when Mesoraco let a pitch to Longoria go off his glove for a passed ball.Frazier hit his 14th homer in the seventh to make it 2-1. Bumgarner then hit Bautista with a pitch and gave up a single to Jeff McNeil but got Kevin Plawecki to hit into a double play and struck out Michael Conforto on a full-count fastball.Bumgarner entered the eighth at 95 pitches. He struck out pinch-hitter Jose Reyes, made a nifty snag of Amed Rosario’s comebacker to the mound and retired Austin Jackson on a groundout.Will Smith worked around a two-out walk to Jose Bautista in the ninth for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.TRAINER’S ROOMGiants: C Buster Posey didn’t play. He is expected to catch Friday’s series opener against Texas. Posey is considering getting season-ending hip surgery. … RHP Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) pitched four scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Richmond Wednesday. Bochy said Samardzija will be evaluated Friday in San Francisco but will likely need another rehab start.Mets: Mesoraco left the game after the fourth inning with neck stiffness. He was sent for an MRI. … RF Jay Bruce (sore right hip), on the disabled list since June 19 is expected to be activated for Friday’s series opener against Washington. Manager Mickey Callaway said Bruce will see time at first base and right field. … Third base coach Glenn Sherlock was away from the team due to a family matter. He is expected to return Friday.UP NEXTGiants: RHP Dereck Rodriguez (6-1, 2.25 ERA) is set to come off the disabled list and will oppose Texas RHP Drew Hutchison (2-2, 5.71) on Friday in San Francisco.Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (3-8, 7.67 ERA) faces LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-10, 4.51 ERA) on Friday night to open a three-game series at home against Washington.