MLB Rumors: Power Ranking the Top 50 Players Who'll Change Teams Before 2011
Now that the winter meetings have concluded for the 2010 MLB offseason, already many players have found their way to another team. While some were expected by pretty much everyone, such as Adrian Gonzalez being traded to the Red Sox, others came out of nowhere, like Jayson Werth signing with the Nationals.
With all the trades and signings have taken place, many have looked at what teams look like now. However, of the players who have changed hands or who are changing hands, which ones are actually the best in the league?
The following list ranks the top 50 players who are on a new team in 2011, or will be shortly.
50. Brandon Webb
1 of 50
To start off the list, we have a former Cy Young winner who's had shoulder trouble. On the one hand, he could be rated much higher due to his huge upside, but on the other hand, he could be off the list because he hasn't pitched since 2008 (unless you count his one appearance in 2009).
49. Vin Mazzaro
2 of 50
Mazzaro has shown promise with the Oakland A’s, and could either prosper under the Royals or completely fall apart. I may end up being the latter, since I’d trust A’s pitching over Royals pitching, but hopefully that’s not the case.
48. D.J. Carrasco
3 of 50
Somehow, Carrasco managed to keep a sub-4.00 ERA both in Pittsburgh and Arizona. That’s an accomplishment and worthy of a pickup by another team.
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47. Edward Mujica
4 of 50
Mujica is the first of a sizeable group of relievers who have played well enough over a couple years to be of value in many bullpens.
46. Ryan Webb
5 of 50
Webb is the second of a sizeable group of relievers who have played well enough over a couple years to be of value in many bullpens.
45. Scott Linebrink
6 of 50
Linebrink is the third of a sizeable group of relievers who have played well enough over a few years to be of value in many bullpens.
44. David Hernandez
7 of 50
Hernandez is an emerging prospect who is hoping to make a splash with the Diamondbacks. He was a decent pitcher last year, and Arizona is naturally hoping he’ll continue to improve with time.
43. Cameron Maybin
8 of 50
Maybin still has a lot of upside since he’s only 23, but he’s not the star he was expected to be. Now that he’s on a third team, hopefully he can finally break out, though as a member of the Padres that does not seem very likely.
42. Hisanori Takahashi
9 of 50
Takahashi’s first season in the Major Leagues playing with the Mets went quite well. He’s looking to continue that as a member of the Angels, where he will likely be in the bullpen. Luckily, he can work as both a starter and reliever.
41. Ty Wigginton
10 of 50
This journeyman free agent has always had some power. As a result, where better to end up than with the Rockies? It fits perfectly for him and his hitting.
40. Melvin Mora
11 of 50
Mora will soon be a 39-year-old player who can still hit and field well enough to be a decent pickup this year. Likely his last year, so he’ll make it count.
39. George Sherrill
12 of 50
Of the various “good players that had a bad year,” Sherrill is the worst offender, going from great reliever to bad with a 6+ ERA. A change of scenery could turn him into a good reliever again.
38. Miguel Tejada
13 of 50
While he may not have much left in the tank, Tejada can certainly still produce. If nothing else, becoming a part of the defending champions should help him find his old self again.
37. Javier Vazquez
14 of 50
Even when Vazquez is having an off year, he’ll give you 200 innings of work, so that’s certainly something. That and he’ll want to put that season as a Yankee behind him. It’s a good low-risk, high-reward situation.
36. Grant Balfour
15 of 50
You can discount some relievers when they're not and cold, as their signings can be crapshoots. When they've been good and had great years, like Grant Balfour, those are going to be a treat for whoever signs. A 1.54 ERA in 2008 and 2.28 ERA in 2010 can't be discounted.
35. Brendan Ryan
16 of 50
The Mariners need offensive production, yet trade a defensive specialist. As such, he's ranked lower than he could be, since he's the last sort of piece the Mariners really needed. Nonetheless, he has the potential to grab a couple Gold Gloves, and that can't be looked down at.
34. Mark Reynolds
17 of 50
This trade could be looked at as both a waste and as an amazing deal for the Orioles. There's one simple fact in this trade, however. With Mark Reynolds, you know what you're getting. He's never going to be a .300 hitter, or even a .250 hitter. He will hit 35 home runs, and will probably get 200 strikeouts too.
33. Aaron Harang
18 of 50
Harang's a guy who still has the tools to be a very solid pitcher, but at this point needed a change of scenery.If he can tap into his 2006 or 2007 self then this will end up being a great pickup. He gets bumped higher a few spots because he joined the Padres, who always seem to turn pitchers great.
32. John Buck
19 of 50
Over a few so-so seasons with the Royals, Buck had a career year last year with Toronto. He turned that into a three-year deal with the Marlins, and will hopefully be able to continue the production he's had the past year.
31. J.J. Hardy
20 of 50
Much like Harang, Hardy's had a couple down years, but at 28, he should be ready to hit his prime right about now, and as such has plenty of upside with Baltimore. He has the power where the left side duo of him and Mark Reynolds could be very powerful.
30. Michael Dunn
21 of 50
The first of two people traded for Dan Uggla, he’s likely a too-soon-to-tell player, but if his 2010 outing is any indication, he’ll be a great reliever for many years.
29. Lance Berkman
22 of 50
Berkman has struggled the past couple seasons, however there is always hope of a comeback year, as is likely the case for most veterans in his shoes. To go from an All-Star in Houston to a non-factor with the Yankees is tough.
28. Carlos Pena
23 of 50
Much like Berkman, Pena is low-risk, high reward after a very bad 2010 where he hit under .200. If he can get at least that up, even if his power numbers remain similar, then he should be worth his value.
27. Jonathan Papelbon
24 of 50
It’s probably better for both Papelbon and the Red Sox if he waits another year, but there’s still the chance that he leaves before the 2011 season begins. After his off 2010 year, the question becomes whether that was an anomaly or whether it’s a slippery slope to obscurity.
26. Jason Bartlett
25 of 50
Bartlett has had several good years with Tampa Bay, but had an off year last year. He’s one of the many hoping to rebound with a new club, in his case San Diego. He has the possibility of taking over the reins of the team, which could help.
25. Scott Downs
26 of 50
Downs has been a longtime solid reliever. Consistent relievers such as him are much harder to find than you would think, so the Angels made a great pickup here.
24. Russell Martin
27 of 50
Martin had had a couple down years, but has shown that he has the tools to be a great pitcher. If he lands with the team that can bring them back out, then he should be a breakout performer for the next few years.
23. J.J. Putz
28 of 50
Putz has been one of the best closers in baseball if you discount 2009, and Arizona acquired him in what’s not only a potential bargain, but a vast improvement over Chad Qualls. He could quietly produce a great 2011.
22. Joaquin Benoit
29 of 50
Yes, relief pitching is a crapshoot most of the time, and as we've seen on this list so far. Having said that, if you have the opportunity to pick up a player who had a 1.34 ERA last year, you take him.
21. Omar Infante
30 of 50
Infante had an amazing year last year, but now could be the time where we have to see how he can place when it’s on a daily basis. What we saw last year was good, but it’s still wait-and-see with him.
20. Josh Willingham
31 of 50
If Willingham could actually play 160 games then he would be such a big drawing card. He has great plate discipline and doesn’t have any glaring problems outside of just not playing every day.
19. Miguel Olivo
32 of 50
Here’s the opposite of another catcher who appears later. He is only okay offensively, hitting enough to manage, but defensively he’s one of the best in the league. He’d probably be a multi-Gold Glove winner if he didn’t have to go against Yadier Molina.
18. Jose Lopez
33 of 50
He should be entering his prime right about now, but had a rather poor 2010. Nonetheless, being traded to the Rockies is the cure for that, and Lopez has already proven he can hit for some power, so this could be a great year for him.
17. Hideki Matsui
34 of 50
He may be getting up there in years, but he proved last season that he can still hit the ball; the Oakland A’s bringing him in as a DH may be exactly what he needs. He may not get another 100 RBI season, but he’ll have a great 2011.
16. Matt Garza
35 of 50
Garza has only recently been placed on the trading block, and so far in his career he’s shown that he has the tools to be a solid pitcher. He’s consistent if nothing else, keeping that ERA under 4.00.
15. Juan Uribe
36 of 50
He had a career year last year, and the lack of depth at his position in the free agent marked boosted his rank here. He hits for power like few other shortstops, but at the same time is actually good with his glove. Not a common combination.
14. Derrek Lee
37 of 50
He had a rough 2010, but there’s no question that he can play baseball. He’ll be a great pickup for whoever signs him, as at his best he can be a 100-RBI guy. He likely is not of that quality anymore, but he is still a great ballplayer.
13. Jon Garland
38 of 50
Garland is a pickup that doesn’t sound like a big deal to the casual fan, but a close look shows that this is a great move. He’s guaranteed to get 200 innings of work in a season and can get you 14 wins in the process. Maybe a bit high ranked, but that’s due to a weak free agency class.
12. Shaun Marcum
39 of 50
I think the Blue Jays lost something big and the Brewers made a great move getting Marcum. He’s a rising star in the league with ace pitcher potential, and currently would make a great number two behind Yovani Gallardo, especially if he pitches like he’s been doing of late.
11. David DeJesus
40 of 50
The acquisition of David DeJesus was relatively quiet since it involved small market teams, but it’s a big pickup. A .300 hitter who can play some solid baseball and carry a team, DeJesus’ glove also helps. Top 10 might be a stretch, but I again blame that on a weak free agency class.
10. Victor Martinez
41 of 50
While Victor Martinez may be a poor catcher, he’s one of the best hitting catchers in the league, which made him a very valuable commodity. He can fit right into the power void from the loss of Magglio Ordonez and be very productive in his new role.
9. Rafael Soriano
42 of 50
A fairly deep closer market has actually hurt Soriano’s value quite a bit; the market for elite closers is always tough to determine, and that is what Soriano has molded himself into these past couple years. One of the few on the list, certainly the only one on the top 10, who will end up underpaid in 2011.
8. Adrian Beltre
43 of 50
Maybe I’m cynical, but I’m not buying it. Beltre strikes me as a contract player, who only suddenly gets great in that last year, and would be dangerous to sign long term. Having said that, he’s the best left side infielder out there by a mile; only other one in his league would have been Juan Uribe.
7. Dan Uggla
44 of 50
Here’s a pickup that likely surprised most. By acquiring Uggla, the Braves acquire a second baseman that can drive in 30/100, and serve as someone to combine with Jason Heyward in the middle. Since the two players he was traded for appeared earlier, this seems to be a win-win deal.
6. Adam Dunn
45 of 50
Anybody who can guarantee not only 40 HR and 100 RBI, but a good deal of walks to help cancel out a naturally high strikeout total, is a must-have in a mediocre free agent pool. Three-tool players are a dime a dozen, those that can play a position well enough and hit 100 walks are much rarer.
5. Zack Greinke
46 of 50
If Greinke can return to his Cy Young form, then this will be a great pickup for the team that grabs him. I still say he’s leaving Kansas City before 2011 starts; the only question becomes which team will land him. Texas could, as well as many others.
4. Jayson Werth
47 of 50
It seems like many of the marquee free agents this year have come with baggage. Even Werth, who is in the top four here, isn’t perfect. He had a career year last year, but has only recently become a star. Nonetheless, if he plays like he did for Philadelphia this past year, the Nationals’ investment will work out.
3. Adrian Gonzalez
48 of 50
Putting Adrian Gonzalez in the first base spot gives the Red Sox a very potent lineup. There’s a reason Gonzalez was a top-five vote getter in MVP balloting this past season; his bat is amazing and he can single-handedly carry a team if he needs to; he pretty much did with the Padres on the hitting end.
2. Carl Crawford
49 of 50
The marquee free agent outside of Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford almost fell out of this spot by being signed with the Red Sox, just because playing in Fenway Park 81 games a year doesn’t exactly do him any favors with the way he hits and fields. Nonetheless, he can hit, he can throw and he can run.
1. Cliff Lee
50 of 50
I went into writing this figuring it’s pretty much 50-50 at this point whether he’ll sign with the Yankees or Rangers. He’d be the number one pitcher moving if he becomes a Yankee, but of course would not be on this list if he signs with the Rangers.
Then he goes and signs with the Phillies and throws this whole chart out of whack and gives the Phillies an all-time best rotation.
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