Thursday, August 31, 2006
Major League Baseball - Free Agents that will be interesting to watch
Tomorrow it turns to September, but for many teams, the season is already over. While some teams try to make waiver trades for relatively useless players (when a guy who's retiring next month is the top prize, that's bad), the offseason has some highlights available, particularly among position players. Truly quality players are scarce, but here are the best guys out there, from the after 2006 Free Agent List at MLB4u.com
Outfielders
Dave Roberts, Padres - Roberts has had an outstanding year. His speed has never really been a question mark, but his on-base percentage has been troublesome. His isolated patience (OBP-BA) has been rather consistent, around .070-.080, so it's largely a function of a jump in batting average. He's not a power hitter, but is an excellent leadoff man with great speed. Paul DePodesta's presence in the Padres' front office would certainly arouse suspicion that Roberts would not be long for the Padres organization, particularly since he practically gave him away in 2004 for a 29 year old minor leaguer. That he's played left field recently would certainly get the attention of the Atlanta Braves, who have not been strong at that position and could use a leadoff man.
Alfonso Soriano, Nationals - The question is whether Washington will build their franchise around this superstar. He seems to have adjusted well, but he would require a no-trade clause and a lot of money, and it is unlikely the Lerners would blow the Nats' payroll wide open so soon. Don't expect him to be a marketable second baseman, because of his defense, but he's a plus defensive outfielder because he can actually use his speed and monster arm without having to charge ground balls as often.
Jose Guillen, Nationals - Anyone want to pick up an outfielder who came off a terrible year and Tommy John surgery? Well, he'll be cheap because of the uncertainty, and he can deliver some power. One year deal likely, but not a bad option for someone who needs a little something extra in the outfield, especially someone hoping that he still can hit for a bit of power.
Carlos Lee, Rangers - Don't know if he'll stay with Texas or not. Looking at it now, if any of the players they trade for him turn out worthwhile they'll feel really stupid as their postseason plans backfired. Lee has mysteriously had a relative power slump, averaging a homer every 43.3 at bats as a Ranger, down from one every 13.9 at bats. It's amazing what not facing NL Central pitching will do, as that division alone has the Pirates, Reds, and Cubs to go up against. Someone looking for a guy to whack a few out of the park might be interested. He has some decent speed on the basepaths, too.
Frank Catalanotto, Blue Jays - Another lefty bat, a good overall hitter. His .316/.397/.460 line is not overwhelming, but certainly pretty good. The Blue Jays might keep him though, as he does have some use for that lineup. Not much of a speedster, though.
Kenny Lofton - If you want a platoon player lefty centerfielder with speed and a .300 bat, here ya go. Even at his age he's still producing, although his defense has gone from a + to a -.
Torii Hunter - $12 million is a lot of money, and that's how much the Twins would have to shell out to hold onto him. Don't know where he might end up.
Jim Edmonds - Interesting mainly to see if he calls it quits at age 36 or keeps going for a little longer, especially with the post-concussion syndrome.
Catchers
Bengie Molina - He's slow, and his OBP dropped this year to a weak .309, though his slugging is still decent. His CS % is fading, but who else are you gonna get?
Mike Piazza - He's old, and he's headed to the hall of fame, but he can still hit home runs. The Padres may not be as well off without him, given how hard it is to hit for power in that ballpark.
First Base
Nomar Garicaparra - He's played the position well, and can stay healthy longer, or at least it seems that way. He will regress this year, probably ending with a .290-.300 BA because of a nagging injury, which will heal in the offseason. Not a power guy in the sense of hitting home runs, but he's a line drive hitter with an .889 OPS. Is also a defensive plus player at first. Will likely be available, though, due to the improvements James Loney has made.
Shea Hillenbrand - yep, it's a thin market. Hillenbrand is certainly an "extra bat" type guy, not a guy to bank on.
Craig Wilson - Will someone please give the poor guy some playing time? He's an outfielder too, and with moderate power.
Second Base
Ray Durham - Kind of old, but he's got some pop in his bat, and you don't get that a whole lot at second base. Offensively, he's the best second baseman on the free agent market unless you count Soriano.
Shortstop
Julio Lugo - While he's shown limited value as a Dodger, he's a pretty good offensive shortstop. Good speed, a little bit of power. He's versatile, but he won't take to playing other positions easily. The best shortstop available as a free agent unless you count Nomar.
Third Base
Pedro Feliz - The guy is the most important guy on the Giants offense other than Durham with 85 RBI and 21 HR. San Francisco would be wise to retain him, though the Padres may get in a bidding war in their quest to get a third baseman.
Aubrey Huff - Available in the offseason, he's put up decent power, although he's not quite the Aubrey Huff of 2003.
***********
Another post coming later on which teams will have holes, and I'll address pitchers eventually too.
Outfielders
Dave Roberts, Padres - Roberts has had an outstanding year. His speed has never really been a question mark, but his on-base percentage has been troublesome. His isolated patience (OBP-BA) has been rather consistent, around .070-.080, so it's largely a function of a jump in batting average. He's not a power hitter, but is an excellent leadoff man with great speed. Paul DePodesta's presence in the Padres' front office would certainly arouse suspicion that Roberts would not be long for the Padres organization, particularly since he practically gave him away in 2004 for a 29 year old minor leaguer. That he's played left field recently would certainly get the attention of the Atlanta Braves, who have not been strong at that position and could use a leadoff man.
Alfonso Soriano, Nationals - The question is whether Washington will build their franchise around this superstar. He seems to have adjusted well, but he would require a no-trade clause and a lot of money, and it is unlikely the Lerners would blow the Nats' payroll wide open so soon. Don't expect him to be a marketable second baseman, because of his defense, but he's a plus defensive outfielder because he can actually use his speed and monster arm without having to charge ground balls as often.
Jose Guillen, Nationals - Anyone want to pick up an outfielder who came off a terrible year and Tommy John surgery? Well, he'll be cheap because of the uncertainty, and he can deliver some power. One year deal likely, but not a bad option for someone who needs a little something extra in the outfield, especially someone hoping that he still can hit for a bit of power.
Carlos Lee, Rangers - Don't know if he'll stay with Texas or not. Looking at it now, if any of the players they trade for him turn out worthwhile they'll feel really stupid as their postseason plans backfired. Lee has mysteriously had a relative power slump, averaging a homer every 43.3 at bats as a Ranger, down from one every 13.9 at bats. It's amazing what not facing NL Central pitching will do, as that division alone has the Pirates, Reds, and Cubs to go up against. Someone looking for a guy to whack a few out of the park might be interested. He has some decent speed on the basepaths, too.
Frank Catalanotto, Blue Jays - Another lefty bat, a good overall hitter. His .316/.397/.460 line is not overwhelming, but certainly pretty good. The Blue Jays might keep him though, as he does have some use for that lineup. Not much of a speedster, though.
Kenny Lofton - If you want a platoon player lefty centerfielder with speed and a .300 bat, here ya go. Even at his age he's still producing, although his defense has gone from a + to a -.
Torii Hunter - $12 million is a lot of money, and that's how much the Twins would have to shell out to hold onto him. Don't know where he might end up.
Jim Edmonds - Interesting mainly to see if he calls it quits at age 36 or keeps going for a little longer, especially with the post-concussion syndrome.
Catchers
Bengie Molina - He's slow, and his OBP dropped this year to a weak .309, though his slugging is still decent. His CS % is fading, but who else are you gonna get?
Mike Piazza - He's old, and he's headed to the hall of fame, but he can still hit home runs. The Padres may not be as well off without him, given how hard it is to hit for power in that ballpark.
First Base
Nomar Garicaparra - He's played the position well, and can stay healthy longer, or at least it seems that way. He will regress this year, probably ending with a .290-.300 BA because of a nagging injury, which will heal in the offseason. Not a power guy in the sense of hitting home runs, but he's a line drive hitter with an .889 OPS. Is also a defensive plus player at first. Will likely be available, though, due to the improvements James Loney has made.
Shea Hillenbrand - yep, it's a thin market. Hillenbrand is certainly an "extra bat" type guy, not a guy to bank on.
Craig Wilson - Will someone please give the poor guy some playing time? He's an outfielder too, and with moderate power.
Second Base
Ray Durham - Kind of old, but he's got some pop in his bat, and you don't get that a whole lot at second base. Offensively, he's the best second baseman on the free agent market unless you count Soriano.
Shortstop
Julio Lugo - While he's shown limited value as a Dodger, he's a pretty good offensive shortstop. Good speed, a little bit of power. He's versatile, but he won't take to playing other positions easily. The best shortstop available as a free agent unless you count Nomar.
Third Base
Pedro Feliz - The guy is the most important guy on the Giants offense other than Durham with 85 RBI and 21 HR. San Francisco would be wise to retain him, though the Padres may get in a bidding war in their quest to get a third baseman.
Aubrey Huff - Available in the offseason, he's put up decent power, although he's not quite the Aubrey Huff of 2003.
***********
Another post coming later on which teams will have holes, and I'll address pitchers eventually too.
Labels: MLB
