2010 MLB Free Agent Class: Positional Best Bets and Sleepers

The 2010 free agent market is razor thin.

This is because many of the top players eligible for free agency (Brandon Webb, Victor Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and Ryan Franklin) are controlled under either club or player options.

For the sake of this article, players with options (either player or club) for 2010 are not included for the positional breakdown.

Even with just an average pool of players to fish in, teams will still be in search of talent and if they choose wisely, the reward can be rather high.

One particular thing to keep a close eye on is the Dec. 12 deadline for tendering players.

It will be interesting to see how teams handle the multitudes of players headed towards arbitration, as the financial restructuring that occurred within many organizations will force teams to release (or try to trade) players that might command a high price in arbitration.

This could leak a few higher-caliber free agents into the market, but that won’t be seen until the deadline passes and the players become non-tendered.

So that brings us to the positional breakdown, where I have included the player I consider to be the best bet for an inquiring team at each position, and also a player that might be overlooked in the market that could give a team solid production in 2010.

First base

Best bet—Nick Johnson

I’ve always liked the hard-nosed approach Johnson takes to the game, and his production has been overshadowed in Washington by the big bats of Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman. Still, he has a sweet left-handed stroke that can instantly give gap power to a team in need.

Sleeper—Hank Blalock

Still only 28-years old, Blalock can go for 30 home runs and 100 RBI if he finds the right situation. While a shoulder injury has moved him from third base to first base, Blalock’s bat can more than make up for what he may lack in the field.

Second base

Best bet—Felipe Lopez

Few realize that Lopez batted .310 and ranked fifth in the senior circuit in hits (187). He struggled defensively at shortstop early in his career, but since making the full-time move to second base, his defense has improved greatly.

Sleeper—Ronnie Belliard

Belliard stole the starting spot for the Los Angeles Dodgers at second base from All-Star Orlando Hudson late in the season. He provides a steady glove and good pop from the middle infield.

Shortstop

Best bet—Orlando Cabrera

The former gold glove winner solidified the Minnesota Twins infield for the amazing stretch run in pursuit of the AL Central crown. Despite being 34-years old, he still has the range to play shortstop at an elite level and also packs a clutch bat in his bag of tricks.

Sleeper—Khalil Greene

The shortstop crop is thin, to say the least. Greene to rebound from his problems with anxiety and depression, but he still has the skill-set (carrying a .264 career average on the road) to return to his 2004 form when he placed second in the rookie of the year voting.

Third base

Best bet—Chone Figgins

An offensive catalyst in every sense of the word, Figgins led the league with 101 walks and also collected 183 hits in 2009. He has stolen 30 or more bases in each of the past six seasons.

Sleeper—Joe Crede

Crede is an elite fielder and back surgery sidelined him for the final 70 games of the season. Before the injury, he showed resurgence in power, belting 15 home runs in 90 games compared to 17 in all of 2008.

Catchers

Best bet—Benji Molina

Molina is a flat-out workhorse, catching 117 or more games in each of the last five seasons. As it holds true with all Molina brothers, he is a great defender and calls an excellent game. He is a great asset for any young pitching staff.

Sleeper—Jason Kendall

Sure, his average has dropped off in the past three seasons, but you can’t ask for a better-rounded ball player than Kendall. A student of the game and a 14-year veteran, Kendall still has enough juice in his legs for a couple of more seasons.

Outfield

Best bet—Jason Bay

It looks as if the St. Louis Cardinals are nearing a six-year deal with Matt Holliday, which makes Bay the prized offensive piece of this free agent class. Bay has 100 or more RBI in four of the last five seasons and has the power to jolt 35 or more home runs without blinking an eye.

Sleeper—Rick Ankiel

Injuries hampered the 2009 campaign for the former wild-armed pitcher, but his defensive abilities combined with a knack for going on power tears at the dish make him a valuable addition to any potential suitor.

Starting pitcher

Best bet—John Lackey

Lackey has collected 102 wins in just eight seasons and consistently works ahead in the count, resulting in a very good strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has walked just 87 batters in the past two seasons while striking out 269.

Sleeper—Jon Garland

The Dodgers already declined a $10 million option, but he pitched brilliantly down the stretch and has an arm proven to give you a season worth of innings. He has notched 200 or more innings in five of the past six seasons, and the added bonus of postseason experience with a World Series ring on his shelf.

Relief pitcher

Best bet—Rafael Soriano

Opponents are hitting just .199 against Soriano in his eight seasons of work in Seattle and Atlanta. He has the power to blow hitters away, yet the finesse to keep them guessing.

Sleeper—Fernando Rodney

Don’t be fooled by the way the Detroit Tigers whittled away at the end of the season. Rodney was an excellent closer throughout the year and possesses a great upside for the future. Posting an uncomfortably high career ERA of 4.28, Rodney may be kryptonite for some and gold for others.