2010 National League All-Free Agent Team

This year 171 players filed for free agency.

Of the 171 total free agents, 99 are from the National League and 72 are from the American League.

Unlike last year’s class of free agents, only a select few in this crop figure to land blockbuster deals.

In fact, an increasing number of teams are choosing to improve via trade or by promoting young talent from within the farm system.

As such, many of these veterans can expect to sign short-term and/or incentive-laden deals for 2010 and potentially beyond.

I’ve taken a look at all of the free agents left on the market and split them up into two 25-man rosters, one for the National League and one for the American League.

League affiliation was determined by whichever team a player finished out the 2009 season.

In an effort to keep things as realistic as possible, I’ve ensured that each team has a backup catcher, infielder, and outfielder. Additionally, both the NL and AL rosters have been given a 12-man pitching rotation.

These teams certainly don’t reflect an All-Star mentality, but rather they give a good indication of how weak this year’s free agent class can be considered.

It should be noted that some deserving players were left off of the roster due to position-eligibility concerns. As such, you’ll note some sketchy inclusions and unfortunate exclusions.

Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the NL All-Free Agent Team.

All stats are provided by Baseball-Reference.com and all salary information is provided by Cot’s Contracts.

C – Bengie Molina (San Francisco Giants)

2009 Team(s): San Francisco Giants

2009 Base Salary: $6 million

Opening Day Age: 35

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 210lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .265/.285/.442, 20 HR, 80 RBI

162 Game Averages: .276/.308/.418, 18 HR, 88 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Tampa Bay Rays

Mini-Bio: Molina is a solid backstop with diminishing skills at the plate. He’s been used primarily as a cleanup hitter in San Francisco, a role he’s terribly unsuited for on a full-time basis. He still has a few years left as a reliable starting catcher and will be looking for his last “big” contract this winter.

1B – Adam LaRoche (Atlanta Braves)

2009 Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves

2009 Base Salary: $7.05 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 180lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

2009 Stats: .277/.355/.488, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 38 Doubles

162 Game Averages: .274/.343/.491 26 HR, 91 RBI, 40 Doubles

Potential Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants

Mini-Bio: LaRoche is a notorious Jekyll and Hyde hitter. He’s known for being terrible before the break and a hitting machine afterwards. He came on huge last year and really caught fire for the Braves down the stretch. LaRoche is looking for a multi-year deal. He’s an adequate defender and should find a club willing to give him three years or better this offseason.

2B – Felipe Lopez (Milwaukee Brewers)

2009 Team(s): Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers

2009 Base Salary: $3.5 million

Opening Day Age: 29

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 175lbs

Bats/Throws: Both/Right

2009 Stats: .310/.383/.427, 38 Doubles, 88 Runs Scored

162 Game Averages: .269/.338/.400, 13 HR, 31 Doubles, 18 SB

Potential Landing Spots: Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St. Louis Cardinals

Mini-Bio: Lopez is one of the real prizes of this year’s free agent class. He’s young, he can hit, and he plays solid defense. He is also a second baseman, a position which is overrun with free agents every year. Lopez should garner a multi-year deal, but probably won’t get paid what he’s worth. The Twins and Cubs both make a lot of sense as landing spots.

SS – Miguel Tejada (Houston Astros)

2009 Team(s): Houston Astros

2009 Base Salary: $13 million

Opening Day Age: 35

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 170lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .313/.340/.455, 14 HR, 86 RBI, 46 Doubles

162 Game Averages: .289/.341/.469, 25 HR, 103 RBI, 36 Doubles

Potential Landing Spots: Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco

Mini-Bio: Tejada isn’t the player he once was, but he can still be a solid presence in the middle of a lineup. His ability to hit for real power is gone, but he can still get one base and drive in runs with the best of ‘em. His defense is atrocious at short and he’s probably due for a move to third next season, unless a team is real desperate up the middle and willing to trade defense for his bat.

3B – Mark DeRosa (St. Louis Cardinals)

2009 Team(s): Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals

2009 Base Salary: $5.5 million

Opening Day Age: 35

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 195lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .250/.319/.433, 23 HR, 78 RBI

162 Game Averages: .275/.343/.424, 14 HR, 68 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Cubs

Mini-Bio: DeRosa, before hurting his wrist, was looking like a lock for a big-money, multi-year deal this offseason. His weak finish with St. Louis hurt his stock a little, but he is still coveted by a number of teams. His positional flexibility—although overrated—is enticing to many clubs.

LF – Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)

2009 Team(s): Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals

2009 Base Salary: $13.5 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 235lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .313/.394/.515, 24 HR, 109 RBI, 14 SB, 39 Doubles, 94 Runs Scored

162 Game Averages: .318/.387/.545, 29 HR, 112 RBI, 15 SB, 43 Doubles, 109 Runs Scored

Potential Landing Spots: St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees

Mini-Bio: Holliday is shooting for “Mark Teixeira money” this offseason, and although he doesn’t figure to find that much, he does figure to sign a hefty, multi-year deal. He is undoubtedly the top outfielder on the market and arguably the best overall player in free agency this year.

CF – Mike Cameron (Milwaukee Brewers)

2009 Team(s): Milwaukee Brewers

2009 Base Salary: $10 million

Opening Day Age: 37

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 170lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .250/.342/.452, 24 HR, 70 RBI

162 Game Averages: .250/.340/.448, 23 HR, 82 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets

Mini-Bio: Cameron, despite his age, is still a very good option for a number of clubs. He plays solid defense in centerfield and although the years are adding up, his range is as good as ever. He can be counted on for a subpar average and twenty homer-pop. Any team with a question mark in the outfield would be wise to lock this veteran up for 2010.

RF – Rick Ankiel (St. Louis Cardinals)

2009 Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals

2009 Base Salary: $2.825 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 210lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

2009 Stats: .231/.285/.387, 11 HR, 38 RBI

162 Game Averages: .251/.311/.452, 23 HR, 74 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox

Mini-Bio: Ankiel should be an interesting case this offseason. He’s had one good year, one bad year, and not much else as an outfielder. He can play all three outfield spots, but his defense—although flashy—is probably best suited for left field. He figures to catch on somewhere on a one-year deal to try and re-establish his value and, hopefully, re-establish his killer mustache.

BENCH (Outfielder) – Gary Sheffield (New York Mets)

2009 Team(s): Detroit Tigers and New York Mets

2009 Base Salary: $14 million

Opening Day Age: 41

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 190lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .276/.372/.451, 10 HR, 43 RBI (268 at-bats)

162 Game Averages: .292/.393/.514, 32 HR, 105 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals

Mini-Bio: Sheffield’s production last season—although limited—came as a surprise to many who had written him off as washed up. The Tigers released him last year, but still paid the bulk of his $14 million salary. It’ll be a shock if anyone is willing to offer him the money he figures to command or the playing time he covets.

BENCH (Infielder) – Juan Uribe (San Francisco Giants)

2009 Team(s): San Francisco Giants
2009 Base Salary: $1 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 173lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .289/.329/.495, 16 HR, 55 RBI

162 Game Averages: .257/.298/.430, 19 HR, 75 RBI

Potential Landing Spots: San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals

Mini-Bio: Uribe’s career looked to be as good as over after he lost his position three times in 2008, but he caught on with the punchless Giants and was a revelation. He spent most of his time at second base, which is where he profiles best going forward, and caught a second wind. He’s still relatively young and could have a few good years ahead of him, but second basemen are too prevalent on the market to command a big money, multi-year deal.

BENCH (Infielder) – Carlos Delgado (New York Mets)

2009 Base Salary: $12 million

2009 Team(s): New York Mets

2009 Base Salary: $12 million

Opening Day Age: 37

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 220lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

2008 Stats: .271/.353/.518, 38 HR, 115 RBI, 32 Doubles, 96 Runs Scored

162 Game Averages: .280/.383/.546, 38 HR, 120 RBI, 38 Doubles, 99 Runs Scored

Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants

Mini-Bio: Delgado never really got out of the blocks last season before he was forced to shut it down. The Mets didn’t get much return on their investment and figure to be gunshy about bringing him back for another season. Delgado still has the ability to mash and drive in runs, but looks to be largely a guess hitter at this point in his career. A one-year deal to re-establish value is in order.

BENCH (Infielder) – Orlando Hudson (Los Angeles Dodgers)

2009 Team(s): Los Angeles Dodgers

2009 Base Salary: $3 million

Opening Day Age: 32

Height: 6’

Weight: 185lbs

Bats/Throws: Both/Right

2009 Stats: .283/.357/.417, 9 HR, 62 RBI, 35 Doubles

162 Game Averages: .282/.348/.431, 12 HR, 69 RBI, 34 Doubles

Potential Landing Spots: New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners

Mini-Bio: Hudson was saddled with the unshakeable Type A free agent label last offseason that forced him to wait and wait and wait before finally getting a modest, but reasonable payday from the Dodgers. He produced for most of the season before faltering down the stretch and played solid, but overrated, defense. Pretty much it was a typical season from Hudson.

BENCH (Catcher) – Yorvit Torrealba (Colorado Rockies)

2009 Team(s): Colorado Rockies

2009 Base Salary: $3.5 million

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 190lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: .291/.351/.380, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 11 Doubles (213 at-bats)

162 Game Averages: .255/.315/.390, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 30 Doubles (based on a 503 at-bat season)

Potential Landing Spots: Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins, and Kansas City Royals

Mini-Bio: Torrealba doesn’t figure to be a legitimate starting catcher anywhere. He doesn’t bring much pop and, despite last year’s showing, doesn’t hit for average. He is an adequate backstop but figures to be a year-to-year backup at this point in his career.

SP – Randy Wolf (Los Angeles Dodgers)

2009 Team(s): Los Angeles Dodgers

2009 Base Salary: $5 million

Opening Day Age: 33

Height: 6’

Weight: 194lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

2009 Stats: 11-7, 214.1 IP, 3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 160 K

162 Game Averages: 12-10, 206 IP, 4.13 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 170 K

Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers

Mini-Bio: Wolf seemed to really come into his own with the Dodgers in 2009 and flourished. After John Lackey, he is the best free agent pitcher available and figures to command a multi-year deal. He offers a good veteran presence and the ability to gobble up innings.

SP – Rich Harden (Chicago Cubs)

2009 Team(s): Chicago Cubs

2009 Base Salary: $7 million

Opening Day Age: 28

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 180lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

2009 Stats: 9-9, 141 IP, 4.09 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 171 K

162 Game Averages: 13-8, 196 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 203 K

Potential Landing Spots: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Baltimore Orioles

Mini-Bio: Harden is one of baseball’s best pitchers, when healthy. Unfortunately, staying healthy has long been a problem for the right-hander and as a result he’ll struggle to find teams willing to commit more than one or two years to him this offseason.

SP – Ben Sheets (Milwaukee Brewers-2008)

2009 Team(s): None

2009 Base Salary: None

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 195lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: None

162 Game Averages: 13-13, 220 IP, 3.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 186 K

Potential Landing Spots: Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers

Mini-Bio: Sheets took all of 2009 off to recovery and rehabilitate after having forearm surgery. He figures to be 100% by Spring Training and could be a huge boost to a number of rotations. Sheets, much like aforementioned Harden, struggles to stay on the field, but has the ability to absolutely dominate a game on the hill.

SP – Brad Penny (San Francisco Giants)

2009 Team(s): Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants

2009 Base Salary: $5 million

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 200lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 11-9, 173.1 IP, 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 109K

162 Game Averages: 13-10, 201 IP, 4.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 140 K

Potential Landing Spots: San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets

Mini-Bio: Penny had essentially three seasons in 2009. He started off solid, but not impressive, with Boston, he then turned into an awful mess with Boston, and he eventually proved that he’s an effective starter—in the NL—with the Giants down the stretch. He can still bring the heat and win games, albeit in a less than pretty manner. He’s a middle of the rotation starter, but should latch on in the NL.

SP – Joel Pineiro (St. Louis Cardinals)

2009 Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals

2009 Base Salary: $7.5 million

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 180lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 15-12, 214 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 105K

162 Game Averages: 12-11, 198 IP, 4.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 123 K

Potential Landing Spots: St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers

Mini-Bio: Pineiro, figures to cash-in as one of the top five starting pitchers in a weak free agent class. He is a solid middle of the rotation starter, nothing more, nothing less. No team should expect Pineiro to re-create 2009 when they sign him.

SP/RP – Jason Marquis (Colorado Rockies)

2009 Team(s): Colorado Rockies

2009 Base Salary: $9.875 million

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 185lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

2009 Stats: 15-13, 216 IP, 4.04 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 115 K

162 Game Averages: 12-11, 194 IP, 4.48 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 113 K

Potential Landing Spots: New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks

Mini-Bio: Marquis had a big first half, and a very pedestrian second half, but still figures to cash in on another multi-year deal this offseason. He is a proven winner—or at least a good luck charm—as his teams have reached the postseason every year of his career.

RP – Rafael Betancourt (Colorado Rockies)

2009 Team(s): Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies

2009 Base Salary: $3.35 million

Opening Day Age: 34

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 176lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 4-3, 56 IP, 2.73 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 61 K, 20 HLD, 2 SV

162 Game Averages: 4-4, 73 IP, 3.16 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 74 K, 3 SV

Potential Landing Spots: Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and Florida Marlins

Mini-Bio: Betancourt is what he is, a solid setup man. He’s never proven he can handle the ninth inning and he’s been a very up and down kind of guy throughout his career. At 34-years-old, he’s probably peaked.

RP – Scott Eyre (Philadelphia Phillies)

2009 Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies

2009 Base Salary: $2 million

Opening Day Age: 37

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 160lbs

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

2009 Stats: 2-1, 30 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 13 HLD

162 Game Averages: 3-3, 68 IP, 4.23 ERA, 1.52 WHIP

Potential Landing Spots: Philadelphia Phillies and Retirement Home

Mini-Bio: Eyre is your typical lefty specialist. His overall numbers aren’t real pretty, but he can keep lefties in check. Additionally, much like the aforementioned Brad Penny, he is a guy who should only pitch in the NL, he got absolutely rocked while in the AL. At this point he figures to return to the Phillies on a one-year deal or hang up the spikes for good.

RP – Kiko Calero (Florida Marlins)

2009 Team(s): Florida Marlins

2009 Base Salary: $500,000

Opening Day Age: 35

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 180lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 2-2, 60 IP, 1.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 12 HLD

162 Game Averages: 3-3, 66 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP

Potential Landing Spots: Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and San Diego Padres

Mini-Bio: Calero is a late-bloomer. He didn’t crack the big leagues until 2003, at age 28, and after seven years in the minors. He’s bounced around a bit, but has proven to be a reliable late-inning strikeout machine. Calero should have a few solid years ahead of him as a top-flight setup man.

RP – Rafael Soriano (Atlanta Braves)

2009 Team(s): Atlanta Braves

2009 Base Salary: $6.1 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 175lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 1-6, 75.2 IP, 2.97 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 102 K, 27 SV

162 Game Averages: 2-4, 79 IP, 2.92 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 87 K, 10 SV

Potential Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Houston Astros

Mini-Bio: Soriano toiled for years in Seattle before a trade brought him to Atlanta where he seemed prime to close, injuries derailed him, but in 2009 he finally got the chance as a full-time closer and netted 27 saves. At just 30-years-old Soriano figures to have plenty of years as a top-flight closer ahead.

RP – Mike Gonzalez (Atlanta Braves)

2009 Team(s): Atlanta Braves

2009 Base Salary: $3.45 million

Opening Day Age: 31

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 213lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Left

2009 Stats: 5-4, 74.1 IP, 2.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 90 K, 17 HLD, 10 SV

162 Game Averages: 3-4, 63 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 74 K, 12 SV

Potential Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays

Mini-Bio: Gonzalez has shifted between the closer and setup roles throughout his career, but currently seem poised to be an elite lefty setup man. He holds all batters to paltry numbers, so he can be used in any situation. Numerous teams figure to vie for his services in 2010.

CL – Jose Valverde (Houston Astros)

2009 Team(s): Houston Astros

2009 Base Salary: $8 million

Opening Day Age: 30

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 254lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

2009 Stats: 4-2, 54 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 56 K, 25 SV

162 Game Averages: 3-3, 69 IP, 3.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 84 K, 30 SV

Potential Landing Spots: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays

Mini-Bio: Valverde has been one of the National League’s most dominant and consistent closers over the past three years. He has dominant stuff and posts very commanding K-to-BB rates. He seems to have the mentality to close anywhere.

Fulll Roster

...and there you have it, folks.

Your 2010 American League All-Free Agent Team:

C – Bengie Molina (San Francisco Giants)
1B – Adam LaRoche (Atlanta Braves)
2B – Felipe Lopez (Milwaukee Brewers)
SS – Miguel Tejada (Houston Astros)
3B – Mark DeRosa (St. Louis Cardinals)
LF – Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)
CF – Mike Cameron (Milwaukee Brewers)
RF – Rick Ankiel (St. Louis Cardinals)
BENCH – Gary Sheffield (New York Mets)
BENCH – Juan Uribe (San Francisco Giants)
BENCH – Carlos Delgado (New York Mets)
BENCH – Orlando Hudson (Los Angeles Dodgers)
BENCH – Yorvit Torrealba (Colorado Rockies)
SP – Randy Wolf (Los Angeles Dodgers)
SP – Rich Harden (Chicago Cubs)
SP – Ben Sheets (Milwaukee Brewers)
SP – Brad Penny (San Francisco Giants)
SP – Joel Pineiro (St. Louis Cardinals)
RP – Jason Marquis (Colorado Rockies)
RP – Rafael Betancourt (Colorado Rockies)
RP – Scott Eyre (Philadelphia Phillies)
RP – Kiki Calero (Florida Marlins)
RP – Raphael Soriano (Atlanta Braves)
RP – Mike Gonzalez (Atlanta Braves)
CL – Jose Valverde (Houston Astros)

Got a beef with someone who made the cut?!
Upset that I didn't include someone?!
Can't believe someone landed on the bench?!

Take it to the comments thread, I want to hear what you think about this squad.

Be sure to check out the American League All-Free Agent Team as well.