MLB Free Agency 2011: The Top 10 Available Free Agents
With the 2011 Major League Baseball season just around the corner, some teams may still be looking to add some extra fire power to their rosters. With that being said, there's still an array of talent available on the market.
Most of the time a free agent is going to add depth to a teams roster, but not necessarily give you an everyday starter. Every now-and-then you can find a former All-Star who can still be a productive starter.
So who are the top 10 available free agents?
10. Jose Guillen, OF/DH
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At 34 years old, Jose Guillen can still get it done at the plate.
He hasn't been the de facto star player on any team, but he is a good role player to have around.
With a career average of .270, he could give a team solid bench player or DH.
9. Jeremy Bonderman, SP/RP
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In 2001, Jeremy Bonderman was a first-round selection by the Oakland Athletics.
He likes to utilize his four-seam fastball, slider and splint-finger fastball. However, there's one problem with Bonderman—he has great stuff, but rarely makes a habit of back-to-back quality starts due to severe command issues.
With a career ERA of 4.89, his sub-.500 win percentage won't help his cause in free agency.
At this point Bonderman can only hope a team gives him the opportunity to work from the pen.
8. Julio Lugo, SS/2B
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A 2007 World Series champion and starter for the Boston Red Sox, Julio Lugo knows what it takes to go all the way.
He may not necessarily be the best hitter on his team, but he hits for average, batting .271 for his career.
At times he is rusty in the field and with evidence—he led the majors with 16 errors in 2008.
Whoever decides to sign the 35-year-old will get a middle-infielder who always gives it his all.
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7. Troy Glaus, 1B/3B
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A 2002 World Series champion, the 34-year-old Troy Glaus still has some gas in his tank.
Glaus can give a team a veteran who knows what it takes to win and a descent bat off the bench.
6. Willy Aybar, IF/DH
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Willy Aybar is the older brother of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop, Erick Aybar.
However, Erick seemed to get the better half of the baseball genes.
Willy has struggled while in the league, with a career average of .258, labeling him as streaky hitter.
He is a solid fielder that rarely makes a hiccup in the field and could give a club a solid bench player.
5. David Eckstein, 2B/SS
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At 36 years old it can be easy to forget that David Eckstein was a two time All-Star and World Series champion. Not to mention both of those World Series were with two different teams.
You could say he is a great club house presence not for his stature (at 5'7"), but for his mentality.
To be that small and successful in any professionally sport he is a fighter to say the least.
For the most part of his career he's been a solid and disciplined hitter at the plate, with an average of .280.
In addition to his hitting, Eckstein gives any team a solid glove in the field.
4. Hank Blalock, 3B/1B
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A former two time All-Star selection Hank Blalock is still searching for a team.
He is a proven power hitter but some how declined after his two break out seasons in the early 2000's.
With a career average of 94 RBI's, 88 runs and 26 home runs, some team will at least give Blalock a minor league deal to work with this season.
3. Garret Atkins, 3B
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During his rookie season in 2005, Garret Atkins led all major league rookies in RBI's with 89.
The following season he owned the National League, posting a .329 batting average with 120 RBI's and 117 runs.
In his seven-year career he hit for .300 or better in two consecutive years from 2006-2007.
Since those bright years somehow he managed to go from a top prospect to not even being on an active roster.
Some team could give him another chance and hopefully he can make the most of what once looked like a promising career.
2. Bengie Molina, C
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The 36-year-old is known around baseball as quite the conductor from behind-the-plate. With Bengie Molina you get a catcher who knows the in-and-outs of just about every batter his pitchers face and one who guided the 2008 Angels to a World Series title.
Other than his batting average being a struggle the past couple of years, Molina still has a career average of .274, with 85 RBI's.
He may not be able to play catcher everyday; that's why an AL team should go after him so he can also DH if needed.
1. Jermaine Dye, RF/DH
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Jermaine Dye has had a solid career, with two All-Star selections and a World Series MVP he is a proven player.
With solid career averages, he has posted a .274 BA, 99 RBI's and 90 runs.
The WS MVP was the icing on the cake and should tell teams that when put in the right situation he can be the final piece to the puzzle.
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