Veteran Free Agents Are Plentiful: Where Will They End Up?

John Garcia by Correspondent Written on January 04, 2009
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With Spring Training coming closer and closer, there still remains a ton of veteran players yet to be signed for this upcoming season. 

Obviously former Dodgers Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe are the cream of the crop at their respective positions but what about the other free agents? 

Sure-fire Hall-of-Famer's John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Pedro Martinez are still out there for someone to take a risk on. That list doesn't even include Kenny Rogers, Andy Pettitte, and Curt Schilling. 

Even on the offensive side, outfielder's Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, and Rocco Baldelli are all waiting for someone to extend an offer. 

Where are these guys going to wind up? Here are my predictions for the "other" free agents and where they will land.

Starting Pitchers:

Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz:

Despite their eventual plaques in Cooperstown, not many teams have shown interest in taking a risk on these aged veterans. All three have had injury problems last year so I expect all three to return to their former teams.

The Braves are still looking for that ellusive ace and while neither Glavine nor Smoltz will be counted on to be one, they do provide depth for an otherwise young rotation. The Mets are also in search of an ace and appear to be the front-runners for landing RHP Derek Lowe. But you can never have enough depth so I expect them to re-sign Pedro to give the 22-year-old Jonathan Niese a little more time to develop.

Braden Looper, John Garland: 

Looper's name has been mentioned with the Brewers, but I think the best fit for him may be in Washington. They are in need for a veteran pitcher on their staff, and Looper would be a relatively inexpensive option to replace the recently departed Tim Redding.

Garland is the innings-eating type of pitcher that the Orioles could use. They just added lefty Mark Hendrickson, and Garland would just give them more time to build those young starters they have.

Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets:

Pettitte has voiced his desire to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium and despite their big spending on CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, I still feel he will end up in pinstripes. That $10 million offer is still on the table and Pettitte will eventually cave and sign before they decide Phil Hughes looks good in that No. 5 spot.

Sheets is an intriguing case because he can be one of the best in the game when he's healthy. Unfortunately, that's a huge if and his strained elbow at the end of last season doesn't help. Sheets could be a big help in Colorado but I see him coming back to the only organization he has ever known by signing with the Brewers.

 

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Vote Now! - Author Poll

Besides Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe, who is the best available free agent?

  • Ben Sheets
  • Andy Pettitte
  • Jason Giambi
  • Bobby Abreu
  • Adam Dunn
  • Pat Burrell
  • Someone Else
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Besides Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe, who is the best available free agent?

  • Ben Sheets

    38.8%
  • Andy Pettitte

    3.9%
  • Jason Giambi

    2.5%
  • Bobby Abreu

    23.5%
  • Adam Dunn

    20.8%
  • Pat Burrell

    5.6%
  • Someone Else

    4.8%
  • Total votes: 557
(0)
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written on January 04, 2009 Opinion

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