Posted on 11/16/2005 3:32:43 PM PST by NapkinUser
After the World Series, baseball fans still have football, basketball, and hockey to watch. But the winter months bring about free agency and trade rumors for Major League Baseball and that is always exciting. This year's free agent crop is not as deep as past years. There are no real super-superstars waiting for gargantuan contracts. Not only is the market shallow, trades will be a tie-in with free agents.
So with that in mind, here are the top 10 free agents available.
There are two leadoff hitters in demand this year, the Atlanta Braves SS Rafael Furcal and the Boston Red Sox' CF Johnny Damon.
Furcal started the 2005 season slow with a .220 average then took off with a .333 average the second half of the season. Furcal also set a career high in stolen bases with 46. Not only has his hitting improved, but also his defense at shortstop this past season was stellar. Furcal committed only 15 errors compared to 24 in 2004 and also brings speed and a cannon for an arm to the table.
He should be able to command a big salary, around $10 million per year according to his agent. Possible suitors for Furcal's services include the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and the New York Mets. Furcal will more than likely end up with the Cubs, due to the fact that they have told incumbent shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to hit the road.
Johnny Damon had another stellar year for the Boston Red Sox, hitting .316 with 10 home runs and 75 RBI. Damon also scored 117 runs for the defending world champs. While Damon won't win any Gold Gloves in center field, he still is a dependable defensive outfielder. Top suitors for Damon are the Boston Red Sox and of course, the New York Yankees. Damon can definitely expect a big contract, but will more than likely return to Boston.
The market for closers this year is rich, with B.J Ryan, Billy Wagner and Todd Jones on the market. Many teams need a closer, and out of the three, Billy Wagner can expect the most money. Ryan converted 36 out of 41 save opportunities for the Baltimore Orioles, and also sported a 2.43 ERA. You can expect the Orioles to re-sign Ryan what with their focus changing to pitching with the addition of pitching coach guru Leo Mazzone.
Billy Wagner had another All-Star year for the Philadelphia Phillies with a 1.51 ERA and 38 out of 41 save chances. The Atlanta Braves, Phillies, Mets and possibly Red Sox are in the mix for Wagner, but depending on whether they can re-sign Furcal, the Atlanta Braves will land Wagner.
Veteran shortstop Nomar Garciaparra was told by the Chicago Cubs to seek out other options, but the past few years have seen Nomar on the disabled list. Last season he was out for three and a half months but still hit .318 in 48 games. If, and that is a big if, he can stay healthy, Garciaparra can still hit and can still play short, but apparently there is not the big of an interest in him at the moment. He could possibly end up traded.
World Series Champion Paul Konerko is the big power hitter on the market this year. Konerko hit 40 HRs and drove in 100 for the champion Chicago White Sox. The White Sox are definitely the number one contender for Konerko, and he will more than likely re-sign.
Of starting pitchers on the market, the top guy has to be ex-Florida Marlin A.J Burnett. Though 12-12, Burnett struck out 198 in 209 innings pitched and posted a 3.48 ERA in 2005. Burnett is only 28 years old, and still has plenty of years left. The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and the New York Mets are possible buyers. Burnett will ink a deal with either Baltimore or Toronto.
Jarrod Washburn of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, is another of the top starters on the market. Washburn helped lead the Angels to the AL West division title and an appearance in the American League Championship Series. With a 3.20 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 177.1 innings, Washburn won't see Randy Johnson type money, but will be a key addition to any starting staff, what with his postseason experience. The Angels will probably keep Washburn.
Brian Giles of the San Diego Padres, would be a great fit for any team with a hole in the power department. Giles hit .301 with 15 HRs and drove in 83. Though his power numbers are low, you can't fault him for that, because he has spent the past three years in Petco Park, which has a very cavernous outfield. The Padres are the likely choice for Giles, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing for the San Francisco Giants.
As a Houston Astros fan, I hope that there can be some trade made to get Adam Dunn. He wants to play here and we want him to play here. I'm not sure who we'd have to give up, though--probably a lot of arms (Rodriguez and Astacio and some prospects), maybe even Burke. Dunn is a FA after next season, and his price is only going to go up up up.
Should read: "playing for the St. Louis Cardinals." Giles is Larry Walker healthy and four years younger.
So between Berkman and Dunn, who's in left and who's on first? IOW, which is less of a liability in the outfield? I'm assuming Baggy is gone (AL DH?). And while Biggio still has some gas in the tank, if you move Burke, who will eventually take over at second?
Dunn makes sense going back to hometown Houston, and Burke is from Reds' Country in Kentucky. But for Dunn, I'm sure the Reds would want PITCHING. Would the 'Stros package Burke and Qualls for Dunn?
Don't be entranced by the power. He recently went well over a year without hitting a single sac fly because of his huge # of strikeouts, and his glove is made of solid iron.
With Bernie Williams centerfield playing days about over and with Yankee starters not getting the job done, Johnny Damon and AJ Burnett would look great in Yankee pinstripes.
Somebody will want Nomah, but I doubt at short. I think his future is at third, or even first. Angels?
I will be surprised if the Evil Empire does not make a play for those two.
Would be interesting to see what his face really looks like, ehhh ? /grin
Remember, by General Steinbrenner edict: NO long hair and/or beards on the Bombers squad!
Otherwise, would love to see Damon in pinstripes ... his hustle and all around enthusiasm would play well with Yankee fans :)
Mets traded Mike Cameron to the Padres for Xavier Nady today.
Reagan whopped the Evil Empire. Besides, the Soviet Union never had a baseball team. ;^)
If I'm Walt Jocketty, I let Morris walk and keep the younger Marquis. But Tony likes veterans, he's loyal to Morris, and he doesn't like Marquis.
I have seen no indication that the Yankees are interested in Damon, and as a Yankees fan I hope they are not. The Sox supposedly offered him a three-year, $27 million contract, which is well below what he is seeking. He wants four or five years, and you can be sure that at least the last two of those will be part of the downhill slide. The Sox won't overpay him, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go elsewhere. The Yanks have also been burned enough signing over-hyped National League pitchers (Pavano, Wright) that I doubt they will move seriously toward Burnett. I think the only guy on this list they might be interested in is Ryan, and only if he will agree to be a setup guy, which I would doubt he would. The guy who wrote this article talked about Nomar being traded -- I thought he was a free agent, how can he be traded?
When you're the owner, you run the show and you make the rules. Since George took control, I don't remember anyone turning down an opportunity to play for the Yankees based on the requirement to be clean shaven/clean cut. Always did like Johnny Damon and he would make a solid addition to the Yanks.
I like Johnny Damon as a player, always have, but I think he is at the start of a downhill slope. He already said he'd be willing to go clean-cut (which he was anyway until about three years ago) if the Yanks offered enough $$$.
Didn't need to read past this.
My favorite time of year, which will give you an idea of how my team has been doing of late. Let the rumor mill begin to turn!
Bags isn't officially done, but he probably will be. If that's the case, then move Berkman to 1st. No one is as big a defensive liability as Twinkie is. He had some hilarious moves, such as his attempt to bluff catching a ball over his head in order to fool the runners--the problem was, there were 2 outs. Plus he's actually a really good 1st baseman.
This will be Biggio's last full year at 2nd--he will stay until he gets 3000 hits, so it might take the 2007 season as a bench player. I think the club is willing to trade Burke, especially after his great postseason--his trade value will never be higher. The 'Stros may package Burke, Astacio, some prospects, etc. for Dunn. Maybe even Qualls. I'd be willing to give up a lot for Dunn. Of course, it's not my decision. I'd consider it a dealbreaker if the Reds wanted Backe.
Dunn's K's are bad, but he's still young. Plus, most of his K's are called, not swinging. He can learn to be less selective with 2 strikes. And although his average is pretty low, he draws a huge number of walks. About his glove, well, he'd be an upgrade over Fat Elvis in left.
The Yanks have the big guns in place with ARod, Shefield, Matsui and Giambi making a comeback of sorts. So Torre doesn't need more power hitters. With Jeter and Damon, Torre could see who'd be better at batting leadoff and filling the second slot in the order. Damon is only 32 years old. He has slowed down in base stealing, but is coming off 8 straight years with 100+ runs scored and is a good contact hitter. I think Damon would be a perfect fit in NY.
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