2013 MLB Predictions: Low-Risk Free-Agent Signings Who Will Have Biggest Impact

MLB free agency is all but over for the 2013 season, although big names like Kyle Lohse, Grady Sizemore and Francisco Rodriguez sit without teams for the impending season as of March 6.

From the free agents who have signed with new teams, Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke and Michael Bourn have grabbed all the headlines. Those big names will supposedly turn franchises around in Los Angeles and New York and will prove their signings paid off in the process.

When it comes to free agency, it's often the small move that ends up being the biggest.

With that in mind, here's a look at four guys who haven't been heavily publicized during MLB free agency but will be from here on out, mainly because they have the potential to take pressure off of stars and perform at high levels each night.

RP Jason Frasor, Texas Rangers

The Rangers lost two premier setup men (Koji Uehara and Mike Adams) to free agency in 2013. Lucky for Ron Washington and company, they picked up two converted closers—Frasor and Joakim Soria—who will pave the way for closer Joe Nathan.

Frasor signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million (via CBS Sports' Jon Heyman) with the Rangers in early January, and his presence both bridges the gap from the departing relievers and potentially paves the way for another to enter the rotation.

Robbie Ross is making a push (via ESPN) to be the No. 4 or No. 5 starter out of spring training, but Washington is and always has been hesitant to lose one of its best bullpen arms to the rotation.

Although Frasor isn't left-handed and can't help fill the role of lefty specialist/jam specialist/long-man that Ross filled last year, his presence in the late innings could work wonders in making a decision about Ross. Fraser threw 10 strikes in 13 pitches (via Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News) on Wednesday, and that's the kind of effort it's going to take to shore up the pen.

At only $1.5 million for one season, Frasor could turn out to be one of the bullpen steals of 2013.

OF Delmon Young, Philadelphia Phillies

Delmon Young didn't even hit the seven-figure salary mark after testing the free-agent market this offseason.

I guess that's what happens when you are arrested and accused of a hate crime in New York City (via ESPN) and end up getting on the bad side of Jim Leyland in Detroit. However, the Phillies are in desperate need of outfield help, and we're talking about a guy who was the ALCS MVP last year in the playoffs.

It has been reported that Young won't return to the Phillies' lineup until mid-April (via Harball Talk), but his six-digit salary and big bat won't be shuffled out of town because of a few-week absence. Young is a player who hasn't yet combined the physical tools with the mental side of the game.

When he does—look out. Potential that leads to production is what Philly is hoping for this season, partially because the Phillies are in a win-win situation with his one-year contract and partially because a guy like Young will come in motivated to help an older locker room.

1B James Loney, Tampa Bay Rays

Loney is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward player in 2013.

After a couple of down seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Loney is in a position to start at first base for a perennial playoff-contending team. He isn't making great money ($2 million), but that won't stop him from playing with a chip on his shoulder while trying to produce (15 home runs in 96 games) during the early part of his career.

As noted by his previous third base coach, Larry Bowa (via the Tampa Bay Times), when Loney stays within himself and just plays his game, he's a dangerous threat to drive in runs in the middle of any lineup:

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Bowa predicts Maddon's style will be a great fit for Loney, who is a "good gamble for the Rays...He loves to compete, likes to win. If he's 0-for-20, he thinks he can go up there and get a hit. He's got great confidence in himself and I'm sure that confidence sort of waned a little bit the last couple years. … But I think he's a very good player, he just needs to stay within himself. And if home runs happen, they happen."

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After hitting just .249 last year with six home runs, Loney has plenty to prove. However, from a team standpoint, it will be nice for the Rays to feature a first baseman who can both hit the ball out of the park (sometimes) and not strike out every other at-bat (Carlos Pena).

That's a welcome change to this lineup, and, for $2 million, Loney is a player most teams would bring in at the snap of their fingers. This is a good pickup for Tampa, and we should see dividends right away.

RP Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates

Grilli is expected to assume closer duties for the up-start Pirates but didn't get nearly the money he could have in an open market for closers.

However, he's well worth every penny, posting one of the best strikeout-per-nine-inning numbers of any reliever in 2012 in addition to being a reliable option out of the Pittsburgh pen.

While he might not be a low-profile signing, there's certainly very little risk involved with bringing back a known commodity in a closer role. Although this will be Grilli's first attempt at getting the last three outs full time, he had a quality ERA as a setup man for Joel Hanrahan in 2012, and the Pirates didn't break the bank in the process.

As you can see, most of these signings combine both money and value. Based on salaries and expected production, we should be in for an exciting start to the season when these four hit the field.

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