Free agents will be able to negotiate with all major league teams this week, so I’m going to look at the available players by position and make some predictions. A lot of these will be off the wall predictions, but some are currently rumors.
Up first, the infielders.
Catchers
Front of the Class:
Jason Kendall – While Kendall has no power, he actually was better defensively than he’s been in a long time. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up back with Milwaukee.
Ivan Rodriguez – Pudge has been catching forever, but he’s still better defensively than most younger guys. He can still hit a little, so he’ll get at least a 1 year deal. I see him going back to Florida.
Questionable:
Michael Barrett – If he get’s healthy, he could move up to the Kendall/Pudge level. He’ll sign a one year deal with the Padres.
Toby Hall – He is what he is: a solid back up. The White Sox will bring him back.
Mike Redmond – I’d say he’s Hall-lite, just older. He’ll be back with the Twins.
David Ross – He’s got some power, so I’d see someone giving him a flier the Nationals.
Javier Valentin – Much like his former platoon partner, Valentin has some pop. He’s staying in Cincinnati.
Jason Varitek – I have him in questionable due to his recent decline. Scott Boras says he deserves a Posada-like deal, but he’ll get a 2 year deal in Boston to help breakin a young catcher.
Gregg Zaun – He’s old, but he can still hit decent. He’s a perfect complement to Brad Schnieder in New York.
Last Option:
Paul Bako
Gary Bennett
Henry Blanco
Sal Fasano
Chad Moeller
These guys are all interchangeable, 1 start a week (if that), backups. The normally aren’t even considered in pinch hitting roles. If they don’t get backup roles, they’ll at least get minor league deals.
Done:
Brad Ausmus
Paul LoDuca
Adam Melhuse
Vance Wilson
My guess is these guys will retire or will be without a job. They have nothing left.
Signed:
Jason LaRue – he’d go in the Last Option category, but the Cardinals already re-upped him for 1 year (they would have been my guess anyways).
First Basemen
Front of the Class:
Jason Giambi – He’ll pretty much be left to DH, but I see a reunion in Oakland for a year (possibly 2).
Mark Teixeira – Watch the bidding on this one. As much as I want to see him go somewhere else (Washington), he’ll end up with the Yankees.
Questionable:
Tony Clark – He’s more of a clubhouse power off the bench guys, but I could see him getting some at bats in Baltimore, especially if Millar leaves and Teixeira goes elsewhere.
Kevin Millar – He’s still got power, but that’s about it. Washington will need someone to cover first base when Nick Johnson gets hurt again.
Dmitri Young – I’m pretty sure he’s a free agent, since he was knocked off Washington’s 40-man roster. I could see him getting a shot with Tampa as a DH, in the Cliff Floyd role.
Last Option:
Rich Aurillia – He can hit lefties and play any infield position, so I see him coming off the St. Louis bench. Tony LaRussa loves players like him.
Sean Casey – Casey is left as a defensive replacement, since he doesn’t hit like he once did. I could see Florida giving him a shot to work with their young players.
Doug Mientkiewicz – He’s Casey, with worse hitting. He did a decent job with the Pirates, so I think they’ll bring him back.
Richie Sexson – He only can hit for power (and doesn’t do bad against lefties). Someone will give him a low dollar deal, like the Rangers.
Mike Sweeney – Sweeney will end up as a DH for some rebuilding team; my guess is Seattle.
Daryle Ward – He’s the anti-Casey: he can hit (decently, before this past season) with power but can’t field. He’ll get a minor league deal with spring training invite from the Reds.
Done:
Aaron Boone
Miguel Cairo
Mark Sweeney
All three have nothing left. Boone and Sweeney are fragile. I’m not surprised if any end up as a non-roster invitee, though.
Second Basemen:
Front of the Class:
Orlando Hudson – Hudson, known for his defense, has seen a shift in his game; he’s starting to hit a little better while his defensive game is starting to slide. While both New York teams like him, they both have second basemen. I think he’ll end up in St. Louis, a huge upgrade over Adam Kennedy.
Questionable:
Ray Durham – He can still hit doubles. He’s serviceable as a short-term solution for a team without a young second baseman. KC will give him a 1 year deal when they can’t sign Furcal.
Mark Grudzielanek – He can still defend, so someone will want him for a part time role. He’s perfect for the amount Arizona wants to spend.
Felipe Lopez – Agent Scott Boras is pushing him as the player with great stats in St. Louis (neglecting the small sample size and bad defense). I think Toronto will give him another shot, to split time with John McDonald at short.
Juan Uribe – Even with the struggles in ’08, someone will give him a 2-3 year deal. He can play multiple positions, so Washington would seem like a team that would throw him a somewhat bad deal.
Last Option:
David Eckstein – The “scrapper” is marketing himself as a second baseman this year. The Dodgers will sign him to share second with Blake DeWitt.
Mark Loretta – This utility player will go back to Milwaukee, to fill in wherever needed.
Ramon Martinez – He’ll get a minor league deal with the Rangers.
Pablo Ozuna – Ozuna will see a spring training invite from the Orioles, to fight for a bench role.
Done:
Damion Easley
Jeff Kent
Both have declined to the point of retirement. Kent could field offers as a DH, but I don’t see him doing it.
Signed:
Mark Ellis – He’s probably the best at the position. It was surprising to see him sign below market value with the A’s, but they were his first (and only) choice.
Third Basemen:
Front of the Class:
Joe Crede – In a weak field, Crede tops the list. If healthy, he could be a steal in a one year deal. I see Minnesota making it.
Questionable:
Casey Blake – Blake’s best years came in Cleveland, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end back up there.
Russell Branyan – I think he’s underrated; he’s got power and is an average defensive player. I think Oakland will sign him to be ready for a Eric Chavez injury.
Last Option:
Mike Lamb – He’s not good, but will get an invite to spring training with the Astros as a utility player, filling the Mark Loretta role.
Nick Punto – The Brewers will need an infield defensive replacement, so Punto will go their (primarily for second and third).
Ramon Vazquez – I think a minor league contract with the Yankees will happen.
Done:
Chris Gomez – I think he’ll retire, but some team could entice him to a utility role again.
Shortstops:
Front of the Class:
Rafael Furcal – Interest in re-signing with the Dodgers was mutual, so I see it happening.
Questionable:
Orlando Cabrera – Decline alert – his numbers have dropped, and his defense is following. Someone will still sign him, like Detroit.
Cesar Izturis – While he can’t bat, his defense makes up for it. He’ll be back in St. Louis for another year, if Hudson is signed.
Edgar Renteria – One of the most overrated players of the last 10 years, I see him signing with the Giants.
Last Option:
Alex Cintron – If they sign Crede, I’d see Cintron being brought in as a utility player (and potential fill in).
Alex Cora – A defensive specialist who make Izturis look like a great hitter. He’ll sign with the White Sox, to back up Alexei Ramirez.
Adam Everett – Another defensive specialist; after his terrible trip north, he’ll sign with the Rangers to back up the middle infield.
Nomar Garciaparra – Probably one of the best hitters of the late ’90s, he can’t seem to stay healthy. Someone will give him another change. My guess is the Orioles.
Jerry Hairston – The Reds will bring him back, after a great season off the bench.
Luis Rivas – I think he’ll get a spring training invite from the Pirates again, but will be in Indianapolis when the season starts.
Done:
Juan Castro – I didn’t even know he was still playing.
Craig Counsell – He could get a minor league deal, but that batting stance is reason enough to hang it up.
Omar Vizquel – While he can still defend, his getting to the point where the injuries will start mounting.
