Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the 2010 free agent class by team. I’ll list all of the free agents along with their Free Agent Status (A/B).
Part 4…
NL East
Atlanta Braves
Garret Anderson – B
Mike Gonzalez – A
Tim Hudson (Option)
Adam LaRoche – B
Greg Norton
Rafael Soriano – A
Max Potential Picks Added: 6
The Braves will retain one of their closers; my guess is Gonzalez. Soriano will probably be offered arbritration with the hope that he declines. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garret Anderson back; he made a good platoon partner for Matt Diaz. They also said they’d want LaRoche back, so an arbitration offer wouldn’t surprise me. Hudson’s option will be picked up with the hope that he can build his value. Norton has hinted at retirement.
Florida Marlins
Luis Ayala
Kiko Calero – B
Brendan Donnelly
Ross Gload (Option)
Nick Johnson – B
Max Potential Picks Added: 2
With all the talent in the Marlins’ system, I’d be surprised if they tried to keep Johnson. I could see an arbitration offer though, because Johnson has said he wants a multi-year deal and would most likely decline arbitration. I could also see them offering arbitration to Calero; if he accepts, he wouldn’t make a ton. Gload’s option will probably be declined, for the same reason they’ll pass on Johnson. The other relievers are done with the Fish.
New York Mets
Alex Cora
Carlos Delgado – B
Elmer Dessens
Ramon Martinez
J.J. Putz (Option)
Brian Schneider – B
Gary Sheffield – B
Fernando Tatis
Max Potential Picks Added: 3
The Mets will have a lot of work to do in the offseason, but I don’t see anyone here that would be brought back. Delgado has said that he wants to come back, but I don’t know if it’ll happen. He’s the only one I see getting an arbitration offer. I think Putz’s option will be declined, since they can get more reliable options for less money.
Philadelphia Phillies
Paul Bako
Miguel Cairo
Scott Eyre – B
Pedro Feliz – B (Option)
Cliff Lee – A (Option)
Brett Myers
Chan Ho Park – B
Matt Stairs
Max Potential Picks Added: 5
Before any deal is made, the Phillies will pick up Lee’s option. They gave up too much to let him walk. Eyre has been hinting at retirement, so I don’t see him back or getting arbitration. I would think Feliz’s option would be declined, since he’s not even playing full time. Park probably won’t be back either, but I’m torn as to whether he’ll be offered arbitration; there are better options available, but he wouldn’t cost much if he accepted. The rest will be replaced outside of the organization.
Washington Nationals
Josh Bard
Livan Hernandez
Austin Kearns (Option)
Ron Villone
Dmitri Young (Option)
Max Potential Picks Added: 0
The only one I see coming back is Livan Hernandez, and it’s because the Nationals think he can mentor their young pitching. The options for Kearns and Young will be declined. I don’t think most of these guys will get Major League jobs next spring.
