MLB Free Agency: Most Annoying FAs on the Market and Where They'll Go

Yes, there are other free agents on the market besides slugger Prince Fielder.

While they won't command the salaries that he is looking for, they will come with a bit of a price—attitude problems. Though their problems will undoubtedly scare off some potential suitors, they can still play baseball. You don't think an offensively-starved team won't gamble on Manny Ramirez? 

Think again.

Let's take a look at the annoying candidates this offseason.

J.D. Drew

Before right fielder J.D. Drew even set foot in the big leagues, he was already disliked by the Philadelphia Phillies and their fanbase. He was drafted second overall by them in 1997 but chose not to sign for less than $10 million.

Since then, Drew has become known for his lack of passion and effort, along with his knack for getting injured and never living up to his contracts—something that doesn't sit well with fans.

Last season he only played in 81 games for the Boston Red Sox and is now believed to be very selective with his future team.

Someone like the New York Yankees could go after Drew to be a fourth outfielder since Andruw Jones is gone, or Drew could simply retire.

Vicente Padilla

Right-handed pitcher Vicente Padilla is not very well-liked by most major league franchises after years of being known as a headhunter and a clubhouse cancer.

Padilla can still be a good pitcher though, despite his reputation and recent string of injuries. Not only that, there is always a market for pitchers and Padilla can fill almost any role thrown at him—he can be a starter, reliever and was even a fill-in closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

The Houston Astros are in dire need of a solid pitcher and should pursue the pitcher.

Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones certainly knows how to enrage a fanbase. 

In 2008, after signing a deal worth $36.2 million over two years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he showed up to spring training 20 pounds overweight and out of shape. 

He got batted .158 with 14 RBI and got benched very quickly. After the acquisition of Manny Ramirez, Jones was left off of the postseason roster. He claimed that he didn't want to return to Los Angeles because the fans hadn't given him a fair chance, completely overlooking his production throughout the season.

Since then, Jones been a serviceable fourth outfielder, spending a year each with the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. The Boston Red Sox could use him as a fourth outfielder, as they look to trade for closer Andrew Bailey; Josh Reddick or Ryan Kalish could be included in the trade.

UPDATE: The Oakland Athletics have traded Andrew Bailey to the Boston Red Sox for Josh Reddick.

Milton Bradley

Conflicts and trouble have followed Milton Bradley's career almost every step of the way.

In 2004, he was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Los Angeles Dodgers just days before the season started because of an altercation with manager Eric Wedge. Later that season, Bradley had two incidents with the Dodgers. In his first, the threw an entire bag of baseballs all over the field after being thrown out of a game. Later in the season, a fan threw a plastic beer bottle at him in right field and Bradley threw it back in the stands while screaming at the fan.

After that, he bounced around the Majors with the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners. Each stop included various other tirades and even an All-Star appearance with the Rangers.

But the end came for Bradley in 2011 when he was designated for assignment and later released by the Mariners. Due to his poor play and his anger problems, it's unlikely that any teams will take a chance on Bradley. 

Expect him to stay jobless. 

Manny Ramirez

While there are undoubtedly still some Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers fans who still hold designated hitter Manny Ramirez in a special place in their hearts, most fans don't.

There is a lot of resentment held toward Ramirez for failing two tests for performance-enhancing drugs and deciding to simply retire after the last 50-game suspension. 

Since then, Ramirez has stated that he would like to play baseball again and is willing to serve his suspension in full. The market will be very slim for him though, as he will likely only see time as a designated hitter and brings a fair amount of baggage. 

Ramirez is one of the best right-handed hitters of all time, so expect a team in need of offense, like the Minnesota Twins, to sign him.