13 Free Agent Hitters to Watch

Everyone knows that when the dust settles and the millions upon millions of dollars that get rained on the power hitter or base stealing phenoms like a perfect storm that most people wish they were a part of, there are only 3 names that truly matter among hitters this off-season. "Hey where did Manny, Teixeira and Dunn end up?"

Those answers come at the end of the 13, but there are nine more ballers worthy of the top thirteen list. This time (for everyone's sake) in order, the Top Thirteen that dollar dropping GM's look to give paychecks for playoff births to this off-season.

13.Rafael Furcal

2008 Team—Dodgers

Projected 2009 Team—Royals

I think the Royals make a crafty decision and go after two of the top 13 this year and try to take the AL Central, which next year is within their grasp. This shorty would fit perfectly in their small ball approach if he's healthy and gets on base.

Let's face it, the market for an injured leadoff hitter isn't going to be huge. The Cubs might make a run at him as a utility player.

12.Jason Giambi

2008 Team—Yankees

Projected 2009 Team—Oakland

Even if only for a season. Giambi is finally back in Oakland's price range. 25 homers for the 38 year old is reasonable. Retiring with the A's would bring some luster back to his career.

11.Edgar Renteria

2008 Team—Detroit

Projected 2009 Team—St. Louis

Remember this guy? Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, he used to get mentioned in the same sentence with Jeter and A-Rod (when A-Rod was a shortstop) and now, no one knows what happened to his career.

I look for him to try a revival worthy of Josh Hamilton's career, only to fall shorter than Sarah Palin's vice presidential hopes, but at least a guy can try and he will make St. Louis's infield better, or at least, less bad.

10.Felipe Lopez

2008 Team—Nationals

Projected 2009 Team—Tampa Bay

This guy has veteran utility guy written all over him.

9.Corey Patterson

2008 Team—Reds

Projected 2009 Team—Royals

Like I said to start the show, the Royals should go after two of the top 13. Patterson is only 29 and the former Cub might fetch the interest of his former team. Hmmm, the Royals might win a bidding war with the Cubs. Thank Tampa Bay, cause small market dreams can come true.

8.Milton Bradley

2008 Team—Texas

Projected 2009 Team—Yankees

I love New York, I hate the world might be with Milton Bradley's new attitude after the Yankees show his some dollars. He's a capable DH and might be a cheap add, but you know the Yankees will over-pay, under-play, and Bradley will wear out his welcome quicker than John Rocker at a Human Rights convention.

7.Casey Blake

2008 Team—Cleveland/LA-Dodgers

Projected 2009 Team—Detroit

I think the Tigers hand out some cash to the team minded veteran. He's a good player, great leader and knows division rival Cleveland like the back of his hand. This is a good move.

6.Rocco Baldelli

2008 Team—Tampa Bay 

Projected 2009 Team—Rockies

He's injured, but he's still a young guy. 27 is too young to give up on someone and the friendly air in Coors Field might revive his career. Baldelli is my pick for Comeback Player of the Year next year. Mark it!

5.Bobby Abreu

2008 Team—Yankees

Projected 2009 Team—Phillies

Who says you can't go home? Not Bobby Abreu.

Expect the former Phillies star to go home and be the extra bit of leadership to get Utley, Rollins, and Ryan Howard on track to being the best long term infield around. Abreu was Philly when it wasn't cool to be Philly, and they will welcome back the former right fielder with open arms and a tidy $10-12 million a year paycheck.

4.Pat Burrell

2008 Team—Philadelphia

Projected 2009 Team-Cleveland

I like Burrell and I expect Cleveland to like him, too. At 32, he won't fetch Manny money, but $15-17 million is reasonable. He's got his ring and now he can leave to be the centerpiece of a team. An Indians line-up featuring "Pat the Bat" most certainly makes Travis Hafner expendable.

3.Adam Dunn

2008 Team—Reds/D'Backs

Projected 2009 Team—White Sox

South-Siders, wave bye bye to Konerko, and say hey to your new best friend, drinking partner, and resident DH/1st Baseman. Adam Dunn is a likable guy and will bring lots of laughs, homers, and yeah, the occasional (if every game is occasional) strike out to US Cellular.

Take the K's with the good. This guy has leader tattooed in like seven places on his body and signing him might be the difference between an October of South-Siders cheering for the Cubs or watching the Sox pull a Red Sox and win the World Series.

2.Manny Ramirez

2008 Team—Boston/Dodgers

Projected 2009 Team—Dodgers

What, Manny isn't Number 1?

Manny might have Hall of Fame written all over his body, but that is a 37 year old body. Markie Mark is 29 and it's not always about the name, it's about who is the best player on the market. Mark Teixiera simply put has to be thought of first this time.

That being said, I think the Dodgers cave and give ManRam three years and more then enough money for the 35-40 homers 115-130 RBIs he plans to smash next season. I wouldn't doubt Manny would ask for the equivalent of $1 million per home run and $32-36 million sounds about right for Manny.

1.Mark Teixiera

2008 Team-Atlanta/Angels

Projected 2009 Team—Yankees or White Sox

Brian Cashman is drooling over his latest "man crush" and Mark Teixeira is probably the most composed hitter in the game.

The bright lights, big city, win or you're a failure aura around the Bronx won't get to Big Tex. No stranger to a guy named A-Rod, they were teammates in Texas and A-Rod has already reportedly dialed his former clean-up hitter. A-Rod won an MVP with Teixiera behind him in the line-up.

This time A-Rod could be cleaning up the spills Teixeira leaves behind. Texeira's signing and new pinstriped uniform are probably only weeks away, but let's not start calling A-Rod "bounty" yet, because Teixeira doesn't leave many spills for the clean-up hitters that are lucky enough to bat behind him.

Six years, $140 million. Big Tex, gets a Texas sized contract.

Side Note-To All you Nomar or Orlando Cabrera fans out there. I expect Nomar to be a back up somewhere and Orlando to keep chugging along with the Chi-Sox.