Assembling a Playoff Team From The Current Free Agents

This hypothetical scenario refers to an AL team. I need feedbacks on how this team would fare. I will stay away from John Lackey, Jason Bay, and Matt Holliday. They will be overpaid in a thin class and they are overrated. Other guys I will stay away are Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro, Fernando Rodney, Juan Uribe, Adrian Beltre, and Aroldis Chapman.

Lineup

C: Pudge Rodriguez: He doesn't hit for power anymore, but he's works well with pitchers. 1 year 1.5 million

1B: Carlos Delgado: I'm counting on him to be fully recovered from this year's injury. 1 year 5 million plus incentives

2B: Felipe Lopez: He can also shift over to shortstop. A legitimate leadoff man and a basestealing threat. 2 year 11 million

SS: Miguel Tejada: He can still hit for high average. If he can't cover shortstop on a daily basis, Lopez could shift over sometimes. 2 year 14 million plus incentives

3B: Melvin Mora: I'm crossing my finger that he will bounceback next season to his 2008 form. Troy Glaus could also be an option here. 1 year 2 million

RF: Vladimir Guerrero: His power is declining, but he's still a good bet to hit .300 with around 25 homers in a full season. 2 year 15 million plus incentives

CF: Mike Cameron: He's still one of the best centerfielders in the game in terms of fielding plus 20 homers 20 steals upside. 2 year 14 million.

LF: Gary Sheffield: If Sheff can stay healthy, he can still hit around 20-25 homers with an average around .285. Also has experience playing first base and both corner spots. 1 year 2.5 million with incentives.

DH: Jermaine Dye/Jim Thome: The corner outfield and DH spots will be a 4 man rotation. Jim Thome will get most the starts at DH. Dye, Sheffield, and Guerrero will man the corner outfield spots and start at DH when Thome sits or when injuries occur. Thome: 1 year 3.5 million with incentives. Dye: 1 year 4 million with incentives.

Bench: Utility Man Fernando Tatis (fill in at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, RF, and pinch hitting), Outfielder Andruw Jones(has experience playing centerfield. power bat off the bench), Backup Catcher Jason Kendall

Rotation

Ace: Randy Wolf: Pitched very well the last year and a half. He spent his entire career in the NL, however. 3 year 36 million

#2: Pedro Martinez: Pitched well down the stretch. 1 year 5 million plus incentives.

#3: Andy Pettitte: Had a consistent season, will have a hard time luring time out of New York. 1 year 10 million.

#4: John Smoltz: Had a down year. 1 year 3 million plus incentives

#5: Erik Bedard: Was injured for the most part the last 2 years. 1 year 3 million plus incentives.

Bullpen

Closer: Billy Wagner: One of the most dependent closers of the decade. Never had an off-year. 1 year 3.5 million plus incentives.

Setup man: Takashi Saito: Vastly underrated. 1 year 2.5 million

Setup man: Kiko Calero: Very underrated. Had an amazing year. 1 year 2.5 million

RP: David Weathers: He has closing experience and knows how to get hitters out. 1 year 1.5 million.

RP: Russ Springer: Not a bad guy to have in non-leverage situations. 1 year 1 million

RP: Ron Mahay: Lefthanded specialist. 1 year 1 million

RP: Jason Jennings: Longman out of the pen. 1 year 1.25 million

Spring Training Invites

Brian Giles: He still has great on-base skills despite deteriorating power. He is an insurance in case someone in the projected lineup gets hurt or is ineffective.

Kelvim Escobar: He appeared in 1 game in 2 seasons, but he can start or relieve if healthy. He would presumably take Jennings' bullpen spot if healthy and fill in the rotation if someone gets hurt.

Jason Giambi: Insurance in case Delgado is unable to recover from this season's injury woes. He could also replace Andruw Jones as the power bat off the bench.

Justin Duscherer: Chronic depression and injury made him missed the entire season. Not a bad option if no one gives him a guaranteed deal.

Mark Loretta: A very polished pinch hitter who plays multiple positions in the infield.

Bobby Crosby: ditto plus he also plays outfield and shortstop

Ramon Castro: Likely triple-a depth at catcher.

Geoff Jenkins: He sat out this season. Still young enough to revive his career.

Corey Patterson: Former top prospect has 5 tool talent if he ever develops plate discipline.

...and last but not least...

Barry Bonds: Why the hell not?

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1 (leadoff)-2B Felipe Lopez

2 - SS Miguel Tejada

3 - 1B Carlos Delgado

4 - RF Vladimir Guerrero

5 - DH Jim Thome (or possibly Jermaine Dye)

6 - LF Gary Sheffield

7 - CF Mike Cameron

8 - 3B Melvin Mora

9 - C Pudge Rodriguez

This will be an entertaining, veteran team filled with big name superstars. They will be determined to have their one last shot at glory, especially guys on make-good contracts. I see it as a potential playoff team.