MLB Rumors: Where The Top Remaining MLB Free Agents Will Land
While most of the winter's biggest prizes have been snatched up (Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford to name a couple) and delivered as early Christmas presents to franchises, there still remains a solid group of free agents who can impact the upcoming season for many prospective teams. In the spirit of the New Year, let's countdown from the Type Bs to Type As remaining on the Free Agent landscape and where they will land in 2011:
15: Johnny Damon
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Considering his desire to play a starting role on a ballclub since he is on cusp of getting to 3000 hits within in the next few seasons he if does so, the list of his destinations shrinks. His option include the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels, all in the American League. Therefore you know Damon we have to be a DH in 2011.
2011 Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
14: Kevin Gregg
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As you can see in the picture, Gregg is not feeling to happy about ringing in the New Year without a team to call home. However that will change in 2011, Gregg had 37 saves for the Toronto Blue Jays who recently plucked Octavio Dotel off the market to be their closer but his 3.51 ERA will shy away many teams especially if he insists to be a closer.
2011 Team: Baltimore Orioles
13: Grant Balfour
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Part of the Tampa Bay exodus that included Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, and bullpen teammate Rafael Soriano, Balfour declined the Rays’ arbitration offer which came as a surprise to many because of how of the draft pick compensation attached to him. This limits his choices to teams in the better half of the draft who be protected leaving one viable candidate with a dire need.
2011 Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
12: Scott Podsednik
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Podsednik had a solid season splitting time between Los Angeles and Kansas City with a .297 batting average, 6 home runs, and 35 stolen bases combined. While he has been better in the American League has a hitter, he is likely to go head to stay in the Senior Circuit in 2011.
2011 Team: Cincinnati Reds
11: Brian Fuentes
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While Fuentes was the primary closer for the Angels in their post K-Rod era, he didn't perform to standards having 3.73 ERA with the ballclub and 11 blown saves in a season and a half. Despite that, Fuentes is likely to garner interest to be a closer again to regain the magic he had while with Colorado. The interested team may be intrigued to somewhat contend or use lefty as possible trade bait if he performs well.
2011 Team: Tampa Bay Rays
10: Kevin Millwood
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Don" let the 4-16 record fool you, Millwood was playing for the Orioles last season so it should come as no surprise that his record was that poor. However in 2009, Millwood was 13-10 with a 3.67 ERA for the Texas Rangers so any team who grabs him off the market will be expecting similar results.
2011 Team: New York Yankees
9: Andy Pettitte
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Need I say more, the Yankees need a starter and if they fail to get Pettitte out of his retirement state of mind then they would target a pitcher like Millwood. The question remains, the Yankees need Pettitte but does Pettitte need the Yankees?
2011 Team: New York Yankees or 2011 Retirement Club
8: Adam LaRoche
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Since his return to Atlanta in 2009 and his tenure with Arizona in 2010, LaRoche has combined to hit 37 home runs and drive in 140 RBIs in 208 games with a .293 batting average in that span. Considering his .271 career batting average and that fact he just had his first 100 RBI season, he should be pretty happy with his probable pay raise in 2011.
2011 Team: Washington Nationals
7: Manny Ramirez
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Manny Ramirez has limited options considering his not-so stellar 2010 campaign where hit only nine home runs and drove in 42 RBIs in 90 games between the South Side of Chicago and Southern California with the Dodgers. Ramirez more than likely will stay in the American League where he can DH and play everyday that way. Forget the Yankees who will have Posada man that spot but Ramirez might still find himself into familiar territory in the AL East.
2011 Team: Tampa Bay Rays
6: Derrek Lee
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Lee's suitors entering 2011 include a few rival ballclubs in Baltimore and Washington but Lee is likely to head to the American League where he can be the DH. Remember, he is 35 and will turn 36 during the season so it's not something that will suit the Nationals for a one year commitment if they don't compete in 2011.
2011 Team: Baltimore Orioles
5: Vladimir Guerrero
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Will Vladimir have a better season elsewhere in 2011? No, which is why he will return to the Lone Star state and hope for a likely return to the postseason. Guerrero may have slowed down in the second half but most of it came in July as he turned it up in August and September when the team was vying for October baseball. He'll likely demand $10 million but he might have to settle for something in the neighborhood of $7-8 million plus incentives that kick it up to double figures.
2011 Team: Texas Rangers
4: Jim Thome
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The Twins may have won the Central in 2010 but the White Sox have reloaded Adam Dunn and resigning Paul Konerko and they can ill-afford losing Thome so the decision is easy for them. Thome is in pursuit of 600 home runs and is 11 shy of that milestone. He hit 25 home runs in only 108 games, which gets you thinking what he would do if he played 162 games? Thome hit 15 of those home runs at Target Field, he wants back.
2011 Team: Minnesota Twins
3: Rafael Soriano
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The market for Soriano is low and dry and for good reason. Soriano had a stellar season closing for the Rays in his first full season as a closer in the Major Leagues. Nevertheless, one team in particular could be a interesting landing spot. This team would have security in case of emergency situations suchs as injury or struggles and would make up for the loss of a big-time pitcher.
2011 Team: Texas Rangers
2: Carl Pavano
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Carl Pavano has the choice to return back where he rejuvenated his career in Minnesota but can he really thrive elsewhere? The Nationals, a team he formerly pitched for in the Expos days would be interesting fit and considering they're shocking signing of Jayson Werth we can come to expect crazy things from them. They have Steven Strasburg and Bryce Harper on tap for 2012 and sights set on 2013 for postseason success. 2013? That's too far away from now and not something the Nationals would want from a aging pitcher.
2011 Team: Minnesota Twins
1: Adrian Beltre
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Adrian Beltre has been scouted heavily by AL West teams not including his former team, the Seattle Mariners. We know Beltre is great when he plays in a contract year, perhaps he should sign a one year pact, however, teams like the Rangers and Athletics have dropped out because that's not what Beltre is looking for. The Red Sox have made their move to forget Beltre and yes, Beltre has the agent teams despise negotiating with.....Scott Boras. But one team in particular known for making lucrative free agent deals in past seasons is his likely match for 2011 and beyond:
2011 Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
