MLB Rumors: The Top 25 Free Agents of the Offseason
As the playoffs wrap up, a World Series champ is crowned, and several players are given the MVP and Cy Young awards for their efforts, other players are looking to next year.
These are players that may or may not be sure of where they're playing, and are looking forward to see just how much money they will be making over the next few years. Likewise, any teams that have deep pockets and any holes in their lineup will be looking through what's out there and will try and make their team the best that it can be heading into 2011.
The top 25 free agents this year are not as much a myriad of people as one might hope. Rather, many are older players who have some left in the tank (or think they do at least), and power bats that can be placed in the middle of the lineup.
If a team is looking for fielding or pitching, this is not the year for them in the free agent market, nor is it for the small market teams. After the cream of the crop, the drop-off is rather sudden and steep. Who knows who will pull through and have a monster season next year though. After all, no one saw Beltre or Bautista coming.
25. Justin Duchscherer
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The first few on this list are low-risk high-reward situations, where a potentially good player can be bought at a bargain (A prime example this year would be Brandon Webb, who does not make this list).
When healthy, Duchscherer has been solid for the A's, posting a 2.89 ERA in five starts this year. If he can stay healthy for any team willing to give him a one-year deal, then he can be of great value to that team.
24. Jorge De La Rosa
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While the crop of pitchers this year is fairly weak beyond Lee, there are some hidden gems that could be of some value. One of these is Jorge de la Rosa, who won 16 games for the Rockies in 2009. His ERA hovers around the league average, but once you factor in that he plays at Coors Field, suddenly his stats look a lot better.
23. Carlos Pena
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The first of many power first basemen on this list, Carlos Pena has all the tools to hit home runs and RBI. It's unfortunate for him that this was his contract year though, because how many people are going to pay top dollar for a man who hit .196?
The answer is no one. Certainly some teams might pay him decently, since at 32 he has time to shake this year off, but he shouldn't make eight figures again.
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22. Johnny Damon
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There are a lot of Detroit Tigers in the mix this offseason, not the least of which is Johnny Damon. After a solid 2009 which saw him his 24 HR and 82 RBI, he wasn't much of a DH for Detroit this year. Sure, a .271 average isn't bad, nor is 51 RBI, but that's not what a DH is made for; with the power bats in this year's market one can see why he's gone.
Nonetheless, if he can show he can still field, and keep his average in that .270 range, there's no doubt that someone will pick up the 36-year old.
21. Manny Ramirez
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How does a player who's been injured the past couple seasons with the lowest home run and RBI totals of his career get on the list? When he's Manny.
Yes, he's 38 and has maybe one year left in him for a last hurrah, so someone will get him for a bargain. It worked for Jim Thome and the Twins this past year. It helps that Ramirez plays outfield too, as many of the free agent bats do not.
20. Brandon Inge
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Inge and Damon are almost opposites for Detroit. Damon stopped by one year, Inge has been there forever. Damon's shown signs of slowing down, while the 33-year old Inge is playing just like he always has for Detroit.
I can see Detroit keeping him. They seem to be extending an offer, and it seems that Inge will accept, so his ranking is conditional on that.
If they don't re-sign him, he's in luck. The infield market is so thin that someone will pick him up even though his stats are not all that amazing. Having a 70 RBI guy who can play third base without costing games is certainly worth the pickup if Detroit doesn't re-sign.
19. Kerry Wood
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Somehow, one of the top pitchers on the market is a relief pitcher. That's what happens when you have a 0.69 ERA in 24 games for the New York Yankees. There's a possibility that they could pick up the option, but eight figures for a setup man? Since it's the Yankees I won't say 100% no.
Since his arm troubles finally seem to be behind him, if he becomes a free agent then there will be plenty of teams looking for a closer, and all teams need a solid reliever.
18. Adam LaRoche
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One of the many 100 RBI/150 K power-hitting first basemen in the free agency class. This has been his first big year, so when compared to Dunn and others that hurts his stock. Everyone needs power bats though, so someone will pick him up.
17. Magglio Ordonez
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Magglio Ordonez is a tough one to factor in. One the one hand, he's 36, coming off an injury that caused him to miss half the season, and might not have much left. On the other hand, he's a .300 hitter, remains a solid outfielder, and his 12 HR and 59 RBI last year sound pretty good when it's done in 84 games.
He won't make the type of money he did with the Tigers, but from the looks of it he can still play. For him and the rest of the 35+ crowd though, it's hard to tell.
16. Jim Thome
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Speaking of old guys with power bats...
Despite being 39 years old, Thome hit 25 home runs last year as the Twins' DH. While at this point in his career he can't do much more than that, if a team wants to bring him in just to smack the ball over the fence, then he can do that for them.
15. Ty Wigginton
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Seemingly out of nowhere was Ty Wigginton becoming a decent bat for the Baltimore Orioles. The journeyman utility player has spent enough time at third that he could be a potential consolation prize for Adrian Beltre, though his fielding is not all that good.
If he can show he can hit 20+ HR and 70+ RBI in an everyday lineup, then he could be of value to several teams.
14. Derrek Lee
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Lee falls into a similar area as Pena; in his contract year, he struggled mightily with the Cubs, and was certainly not the player he once was. His value in free agency will be coming from his past stats. If he can show that he's a .300/30/100 player, then the offers will definitely be there.
With his struggles in Chicago and Atlanta this year though, they've showed that he's still a good player, if nothing else.
13. A.J. Pierzynski
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If there's one thing that rings true about Pierzynski, it's that he seems to be pretty consistent year in and year out. What you see is what you get. Plenty of doubles, few strikeouts, a nearly every day catcher, and someone who could fit on nearly any team with ease.
12. Hideki Matsui
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Yet another older player who would probably be limited to DH. At least he's clearly shown he has power left, continuously bringing in 20 HR and 80 RBI.
11. Carl Pavano
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If a pitching selection in free agency is weak, and someone wins 17 games and throws 7 complete games, he's going to get paid.
10. Jonny Gomes
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Yes, the Reds have an option on him, and I would be surprised if they did not pick it up. If they decide not to though, at 29, Gomes will certainly have some value on the market, after having a great first full season with 28 HR and 86 RBI.
9. Juan Uribe
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Uribe is the best of a weak selection of shortstops this season. With 24 HR and 85 RBI on a weak San Francisco offense, Uribe has also proven to be good with the glove as well. Virtually anyone that needs a shortstop will be looking at Uribe, so he will have plenty of offers to look at this offseason.
8. Adam Dunn
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Adam Dunn is one of the biggest names on the market this offseason. Most people would probably have him higher given that he pretty much guaranteed 40 HR, 100 RBI, and 175 K. Someone will pay a lot to acquire him, and anyone who needs a power bat is looking at Adam Dunn first and foremost.
7. Paul Konerko
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While he's probably a better option for a power hitter, Konerko isn't getting the same publicity as done. Mainly, this is due to being older, as well as being a lot more likely to remain with his original team.
At least he can hit .300 at times.
6. Victor Martinez
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There's few in this free agency pool that can play catcher often, and fewer that can play it well. While Martinez isn't that impressive as a catcher, given how many people run on him, he has a great amount of power for the position. He hits .300 most years, and can get you 20 HR without striking out too often.
He'll be looking for work as a catcher; there's far too many first basemen in this free agency pool.
5. Jayson Werth
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One of the best corner outfielders potentially available is Werth. He had a career year last year, nearly hitting .300 with 50 doubles, and was a top 10 finisher in WAR. I'm sure the Phillies would love to keep him, but I'm also sure that any team would love to have him as well.
4. Rafael Soriano
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In his first year with the Rays, Soriano had an amazing season. A sub-2 ERA, 45 saves, and a WHIP under 1 showed his dominance as a closer. Why is he ranked this high though with just the one good season? Simple.
He's ranked this high in front offices, since we all know teams will overpay for a closer with one dominant season, just in hopes of securing that position. As such, Soriano's getting paid.
3. Adrian Beltre
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Beltre earned a major deal after finishing second in MVP voting in 2004. He's earned it again with a major comeback season this year for the Red Sox. The only question is not if he will get a big paycheck, but if he will regress into how he played for Seattle after signing it.
2. Carl Crawford
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It's not every day that a top center fielder in his prime enters free agency. With the Yankees and other big wallet teams looking at him, he's one of the two players that will have many, many suitors.
1. Cliff Lee
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Need I say more?
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