Free-Agent Rankings
Jim Beam
Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183.
The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each
player’s history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as
to how free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses,
Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on
the other free agents.
1) CC Sabathia, SP: Short-term, Sabathia is unquestionably No. 1,
though the risk of a six-plus-year deal can’t be understated.
2) Mark Teixeira, 1B: Switch-hitting, power-hitting, Gold Glove-
winning, in-the-middle-of-his-prime, Scott Boras-represented first
baseman. Has there ever been a better nine-figure recipe?
3) Manny Ramirez, OF: That $100 million he was telling his buddies in
Boston about doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore, even though it would
be miserably ill-advised.
4) A.J. Burnett, SP: Who cares if his ERA was 4.07 in 2008? With stuff
this filthy, a feeding frenzy has already begun.
5) Francisco Rodriguez, RP: Yes, he notched a record 62 saves in 2008,
but he wants about $200,000 an inning for five years.
6) Rafael Furcal, SS: With nearly a dozen teams in need of a
shortstop, he’s in prime position as the best of a shortstop class
that bottoms out after the first three.
7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know you’re getting 40 home runs and 100 walks,
and that’s worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive
inefficiencies and strikeouts.
8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn’t made his full complement of starts
since 2004. But if healthy, he’s better than Burnett and nearly
Sabathia’s equivalent.
9) Orlando Hudson, 2B: A slight defensive drop-off isn’t a killer. Any
time a second baseman can pick it well and post an .825 on-base-plus-
slugging, he’s going to strike rich.
10) Derek Lowe, SP: The best pitcher in baseball over the season’s
final six weeks has one number working against him: 35, his opening
day age and risky territory for a long-term deal.
11) Pat Burrell, OF: May the winner of these sweepstakes receive first-
half-‘08 Burrell (23 home runs, .979 OPS) instead of the second half
(10 home runs, .725 OPS).
12) Ryan Dempster, SP: SIGNED Making the most of coming off a
career year (17-6 record, 2.96 ERA), Dempster re-signed with the Cubs
for four years and $52 million. Story
13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but
the disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
14) Brian Fuentes, RP: Regained his closer role, struck out 11.8
hitters per nine innings and is primed to cash in big, even though
he’s 33.
15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of ‘09: Is he the
guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A
bound the next?
16) Raul Ibanez, OF: Late bloomer didn’t play full time until he was
30, and now, seven years later, he’s a .290-hitting, 20-homer, 100-RBI
guy with character to match the numbers.
17) Kerry Wood, RP: Reinvention as a closer went well enough to ease
worries about a right arm with an awful lot of mileage.
18) Milton Bradley, OF/DH: Should get the multiyear deal he covets,
but no chance anyone goes four years for $40 million because of health
concerns – physical and mental.
19) Brad Penny, SP: The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million
option, but some team will give Penny a deal based solely on his past
production, even if his arm isn’t 100 percent.
20) Edgar Renteria, SS: Lost a step, certainly, though his offensive
numbers should pick back up. He had a .290 average on batted balls in
play despite nearly the same line-drive percentage.
21) Jon Garland, SP: The archetype is-what-he-is pitcher – gives up
lots of hits, strikes out no one but logs a guaranteed 200 decent
innings.
22) Casey Blake, 1B/3B/OF: Consistently good and perpetually versatile
adds up to a multiyear deal and nice chunk of change.
23) Juan Cruz, RP: This year’s version of gonna-try-to-make-him-a-
closer. Certainly has the stuff, with an NL-best 12.4 strikeouts per
nine.
24) Junichi Tawaza, SP: The 22-year-old right-hander eschewed the
Japanese major leagues and is drawing considerable interest from
Atlanta, Boston and Seattle.
25) Joe Crede, 3B: A little high for someone with chronic back issues,
but he’s only 30 and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense when healthy.
26) Orlando Cabrera, SS: Still good with the glove, but he simply
can’t hit well. Only once in his 11 full seasons has his OPS been
better than league average.
27) Mike Mussina, SP: RETIRED Moose calls it quits after an
illustrious 18-year career that could land him in the Hall of Fame.
Story
28) Andy Pettitte, SP: Might join his, uh, buddy Roger Clemens on a
Texas golf course. Otherwise, Pettitte is a lock to return to the
Yankees.
29) Randy Johnson, SP: Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of
300), but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he
struck out 91 in 98 1/3 innings.
30) Koji Uehara, SP/RP: Offered $3 million a decade ago by the Angels,
he turned it down and has dominated with the Yomiuri Giants as a
starter and closer.
31) Jason Giambi, DH: After years as a bust, he could prove a power-
hitting bargain to a team in need of a designated hitter.
32) Garret Anderson, OF: He still will hit .300 with 15 home runs, not
take any walks and look like Grandpa Abe Simpson when he’s running.
33) Juan Rivera, OF: After a phenomenal 2006 for the Angels, the
question is: Does he have any of that in reserve?
34) Randy Wolf, SP: Killer stretch for Houston (2.23 ERA in September)
might have bought him a third year on a contract.
35) Ivan Rodriguez, C: The paucity of catchers increases his value
significantly, because otherwise, teams would be more concerned with
18 years of major league squatting.
36) Jamie Moyer, SP: Moyer wants to pitch until he’s 50, and the
Phillies may be inclined to give him a two-year deal.
37) Braden Looper, SP: Solid, if not overwhelming, and he can always
shift back to the bullpen if need be.
38) Jason Varitek, C: Has value, but the intimation by Boras that an
over-the-hill Varitek deserves Jorge Posada money (four years, $52.4
million) is ludicrous.
39) Mark Grudzielanek, 2B: High batting average and above-average
fielding make up for Grudzielanek’s lack of power and patience.
40) Brian Shouse, RP: The good: .180 batting average and .486 OPS
against, 28-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio against lefties. The bad:
1.27 ERA at Miller Park vs. 4.70 on the road.
41) Trevor Hoffman, RP: Should return for a farewell tour with the
Padres– if they don’t completely gut the team and fill that tour with
losses.
42) Rocco Baldelli, OF: Mitochondrial disease will prevent a team from
throwing too long-term a deal at him, so he could be a steal.
43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. It’s just
limited and needs to be at DH.
44) Jim Edmonds, OF: He looked cooked before a renaissance in Chicago.
At 38, Edmonds won’t get anything more than an incentive-laden one-
year deal.
45) Kenshin Kawakami, SP: Previously among the best pitchers in Japan,
he lost some zip on his fastball and profiles as a No. 5 starter.
46) Greg Maddux, SP: Likely to retire, which is a shame, because he
remains a treat to watch.
47) Paul Byrd, SP: The pitcher equivalent to David Eckstein – and 26
spots higher than Eckstein because pitching scrappiness yields league-
average performance.
48) Ray Durham, 2B: Can’t run much and is slow in the field, too, but
high on-base percentage and doubles power make him a nice one-year
fill-in.
49) Russ Springer, RP: Consecutive lockdown seasons out of the St.
Louis bullpen are part of Springer’s late-career revival.
50) Joe Beimel, RP: Great ERA (2.02) is a bit misleading – 20 of 60
inherited runners scored.
51) John Smoltz, SP/RP: Labrum surgery could render this moot, as
retirement beckons. Smoltz may have one more go at it, and four
previous elbow surgeries haven’t stopped him.
52) Darren Oliver, RP: Even worse than Beimel with inherited runners
(41 percent scored). Still, second-half ERA of 1.95 and nearly equal
righty/lefty splits make him valuable.
53) Pedro Martinez, SP: Hasn’t looked like Pedro since 2005, and to be
even a facsimile, he can’t walk nearly four batters per nine innings
like he did in ‘08.
54) Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B: Ability to play three positions and hit home
runs – well, from 2004-07, at least – makes him worth the risk.
55) Doug Brocail, RP: Would be of more value were he not a Type A free
agent, which means any team outside of the top 15 draft picks that
signs him loses its first rounder.
56) Damaso Marte, RP: SIGNED After declining Marte’s option, the
Yankees signed the 33-year-old left-hander to a three-year, $12
million deal. Story
57) Jeff Kent, 2B: Probably best suited as a DH, and since he’s
unlikely to accept such a role, he may opt to retire.
58) Chan Ho Park, RP: He once got a $65 million contract. Just saying.
59) Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF: He doesn’t cover much ground in center field
and doesn’t hit enough to play first regularly. Nonetheless, good-guy
reputation will help him land a solid gig.
60) Eric Hinske, 1B/OF: Huge power and little else, even if he did
steal 10 bases in ‘08.
61) Freddy Garcia, SP: Pitched well enough in his September return
from surgery, and he should sign a one-year make-good deal to show
himself off for one last big contract.
62) Jeremy Affeldt, RP: SIGNED The Giants filled a bullpen void by
making the left-hander the first free agent to sign with a new team,
giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. Story
63) Dennys Reyes, RP: Nearly unhittable against lefties (.537 OPS),
too, but value drops because he’s mostly a one-out guy.
64) Nomar Garciaparra, UT: Another injury-filled season begs the
question of whether the 35-year-old can return to two-years-ago form,
let alone that of his prime.
65) Will Ohman, RP: Workhorse’s 83 games pitched ranked second in
baseball in 2008.
66) Arthur Rhodes, RP: Absolute murder on lefties, who hit .157 and
slugged .200 against him.
67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and
a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in
2008.
68) Brandon Lyon, RP: Lyon’s numbers through June 12 last season: 2-1,
1.29 ERA, 14 saves. After: 0-4, 8.01 ERA, no more closer’s job.
69) Eddie Guardado, RP: Still going strong at 38. Years old, not mph.
70) Tom Glavine, SP: Arm surgery is one thing. But elbow and shoulder?
That’s tough for anyone, let alone a 43-year-old.
71) Kevin Millar, 1B: Pulled off the rare 20-homer, sub-.400 slugging
percentage season, achieved this decade by such luminaries as Richie
Sexson, Tony Batista and Uribe.
72) Kyle Farnsworth, RP: Another who should improve now that he’s out
of the Yankee vacuum, although a trade to Detroit last year didn’t
help much.
73) David Eckstein, SS/2B: Shopping himself as a second baseman, so he
can look like only a half-wimp on his throws to first base.
74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
75) Cliff Floyd, DH: Great in a 250-at-bat role. Anything more will
expose him as old and slow.
76) Cesar Izturis, SS: Extra infielder and defensive replacement whose
bat has no place in an everyday lineup. Probably will end up there
anyway.
77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good
splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements
his personality.
78) Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS: His revival in St. Louis is offset by small
sample size. Still an average hitter and terrible fielder.
79) Nick Punto, UT: High-energy guy who steals bases and plays stellar
defense. Won’t ever hit, but then he’s best as a 300-at-bat utility
guy.
80) Rich Aurilia, 1B: Great against left-handed pitching, Aurilia is
pretty much mediocre everywhere else.
81) Omar Vizquel, SS: Remains in phenomenal shape, physically and with
his glove. The issue: Vizquel hasn’t had a league-average OPS since
2002.
82) Kenny Rogers, SP: Decent option if he does decide to play. Second-
half ERA (7.93) could scare teams away.
83) Moises Alou, OF: Even at 42, he can still rake. When healthy.
Which, unfortunately, is never.
84) Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B/OF: After consecutive Mendoza-flirting
seasons, hit .326, slugged .487 and stole 15 bases in 261 at-bats. Not
a bad way to enter free agency.
85) Ramon Vazquez UT: Breakout candidate? He was good last year, but
a .349 average on balls in play makes a regression likely.
86) Trever Miller, RP: Good lefty one-out guy who gets into deep
trouble when managers try to keep him in against righties.
87) Mike Hampton, SP: Suffice to say he won’t get a seven-year, $121-
million deal this time around.
88) Odalis Perez, SP: The truest sign of how bad Washington was in
‘08: Perez started on opening day.
89) Frank Thomas, DH: No need to Willie Mays it anymore.
90) Gabe Kapler, OF: Took off 2007 to manage, returned and hit .301
with an .838 OPS. Could be a fourth outfielder anywhere.
91) Russell Branyan, 3B: Almost always starts the year in the minors,
only to get recalled and crank home runs. Hit 12 in 132 at-bats for
Milwaukee, and wasn’t half bad on defense, either.
92) David Ross, C: Lots of raw power (38 home runs between ‘06 and
‘07) disappeared in ‘08. He did show improved plate discipline,
though, and could be a sleeper signing.
93) Emil Brown, OF: Nice counting stats (13 home runs, 59 RBIs) belie
his terrible on-base percentage, bad baserunning instincts and
laughable defense.
94) Mark Loretta, UT: Still a decent on-base guy who can play all four
infield positions.
95) Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF: Hit 30 home runs and walked 100 times only
four years ago, so someone is bound to take a flyer.
96) Aaron Boone, UT: Never learned to draw a walk, though his
versatility should land him somewhere.
97) Chad Cordero, RP: Former NL saves leader could miss all of 2009
recovering from a labrum tear. Would likely sign an incentive-loaded
multiyear deal.
98) Luis Ayala, RP: Mercifully will not close wherever he lands.
99) Alan Embree, RP: On his way to being the Jesse Orosco of this
generation?
100) Curt Schilling, SP: Oh, what the hell.
101) Rudy Seanez, RP: As this so dutifully points out, Seanez is two
years from being a four-decade pitcher.
102) Damion Easley, UT: He can play every position but catcher.
Biggest issue at 39 is his speed: grounded into 15 double plays in 316
at-bats.
103) John Parrish, RP: The rare left-handed reliever who’s better
against right-handed hitters. A nice one-year option for a team that
needs to plug a lefty hole.
104) Gregg Zaun, C: Zaun used to play every day, and wasn’t half bad.
But 37-year-old catchers don’t get many opportunities to start.
105) Guillermo Mota, RP: The only older players who aren’t casualties
of teams’ sprint toward youth are relief pitchers, and the 35-year-old
should have a few suitors.
106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with
an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
107) Mike Lamb, 1B/3B: Certainly not the 26th-best player of his
class, as some moron suggested last year.
108) Luis Gonzalez, OF: This year’s best candidate for 40-something to
get squeezed by youth movement.
109) Craig Counsell, UT: Is he Punch or Judy?
110) Tony Clark, 1B: Good guy struggled last year, first in San Diego,
then Arizona. If he wants to play, he’ll end up somewhere.
111) Keith Foulke, RP: Rather good in his return from retirement,
particularly in short stints. His ERA through 15 pitches was 2.14, and
after was 8.68.
112) Jason Isringhausen, RP: Not close to the Izzy of old after hip
surgery.
113) Eric Gagne, RP: Not close to the Gagne of old after he stopped
pumping himself full of performance-enhancing drugs.
114) Daryle Ward, 1B/OF: After two standout pinch-hitting seasons,
regressed to a .216 average last year.
115) Jacque Jones, OF: Plans a comeback after taking almost all of
last season off, and with the ability to play all three outfield
positions, should get a shot somewhere.
116) Sidney Ponson, SP: For being on his 115th chance.
117) Richie Sexson, 1B: From consistent 30-homer masher to … below
Sidney Ponson. Oy.
118) Carl Pavano, SP: Hehe.
119) Bob Howry, RP: How is he only 35? Aren’t he and Mike Timlin
twins? Timlin is 42.
120) Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Showed tremendous plate discipline with 44
walks to 28 strikeouts, even if all his power is sapped.
121) Jorge Julio, RP: Reinvigorated himself during September in
Atlanta, finishing with 11 1/3 scoreless innings and 17 strikeouts.
122) Ben Broussard, 1B: Another whatever-happened-to-him case. He went
from a consistent 15-homer, 60-RBI guy to nothing overnight.
123) Alex Cora, UT: Good for a walk and has decent range in the field
– though to think, some were clamoring for him over Dustin Pedroia in
May ‘07.
124) Jason Michaels, OF: The Pirates declined his option, and it’s not
difficult to see why.
125) Julian Tavarez, RP: Hey, he’s always up for throwing at batters,
if nothing else.
126) Jay Payton, OF: Sub-.300 OBP for consecutive seasons isn’t
exactly a résumé booster.
127) Adam Everett, SS: It’s been four years since he cracked the
elusive .300 on-base percentage.
128) Casey Fossum, RP: He could be an effective lefty specialist (.674
OPS vs. .920 against righties)
129) Mark Hendrickson, SP/RP: Hendrickson thrived in a second-half
relief role after posting a 6.09 ERA in the first half.
130) Michael Barrett, C: He hasn’t been the same since Carlos Zambrano
whaled on him in the clubhouse.
131) Jon Lieber, SP/RP: Is there another season left in the arm? He
turns 39 right before opening day.
132) Orlando Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he’d
still throw the same stuff he does now at 43. He’ll get a look
somewhere if he wants it.
133) Livan Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he
might have a difficult time fitting through the doorway. As is, he’s
not very good at 33.
134) Mike Lincoln, RP: Workmanlike return to the major leagues after a
four-year absence buys him another shot.
135) Greg Norton, UT: He can hit right-handers well (.841 OPS last
year, .792 career), and that should find him a paying gig until he
wants it no more.
136) Alex Cintron, UT: Never developed into an everyday guy, but
Cintron is serviceable in a utility role.
137) Matt Herges, RP: He returned to form after a career year in 2007,
allowing 79 hits in 64 1/3 innings.
138) Chris Gomez, UT: The consummate journeyman, Gomez is looking for
his ninth team after cracking 1,500 career games last season.
139) Ron Villone, RP: Truly an anomaly: survived Joe Torre and lived
to tell about it without a scar on his pitching arm.
140) Mark Sweeney, 1B/OF: Sweeney lost his pinch-hitting touch last
year, going 12 for 78 with only three extra-base hits, all doubles.
141) Ramon Martinez, UT: Three more seasons and he’ll actually have
had as long of a career as the good Ramon Martinez.
142) Mike Timlin, RP: Wait. He’s really not Bob Howry’s twin?
143) Josh Fogg, SP: Penance for accepting the nickname "The Dragon
Slayer" is a 7.58 ERA the next season.
144) Horacio Ramirez, RP: The White Sox actually gave up a player to
trade for him in ‘08.
145) Bartolo Colon, SP: Ate himself into oblivion. A sad story,
actually.
146) Mark Mulder, SP: Also a sad story: The victim of injuries has
thrown only 17 1/3 innings since June 20, 2006. He probably will end
up with a minor-league deal.
147) Jason Jennings, SP: Flexor-tendon surgery in consecutive years is
the stuff of which minor-league contracts are made.
148) Tom Gordon, RP: Flash missed most of the season with elbow
surgery, and at 41 later this month could be a long shot to play
again.
149) Paul Lo Duca, C: It’s bad when you’re below a bunch of guys
recovering from injuries.
150) Kevin Mench, OF: He could end up in Japan.
151) Jamey Wright, SP/RP: Another candidate for Japan, unless he wants
to do the whole stay-in-the-minors-waiting-for-an-injury thing again.
152) Corey Patterson, OF: He turned in one of the truly awful seasons
in history for a full-time outfielder. Safe to say greatness isn’t in
the stars.
153) Marcus Giles, 2B: From MVP votes three years ago to unemployed
last season, he’ll try to make it back once again.
154) Glendon Rusch, RP: Some lucky team will get to celebrate the
momentous 100th loss of Rusch’s career. Yippee.
155) Kip Wells, SP/RP: So promising once, he hasn’t finished with an
ERA under 5.00 since 2004.
156) Juan Rincon, RP: Used to be a great setup man. Used to take
steroids. Any correlation?
157) Jose Vidro, 1B/DH: Coming off the third-worst DH season of all
time for players with at least 300 at-bats, his .612 OPS was
unfathomably bad.
158) Willie Bloomquist, UT: Part of an illustrious group that includes
Manny Alexander, Mark Lemke, Freddie Patek and others to have somehow
received 1,200 career at-bats with a slugging percentage of .324.
159) Miguel Cairo, UT: Seattle gave Cairo, Bloomquist and Vidro nearly
700 at-bats combined last season. Is it any wonder the Mariners lost
100 games?
160) Pablo Ozuna, UT: Only five players in history have had as many at-
bats as Ozuna (677) and drawn fewer walks than his 23. So why, again,
is Tony Pena Jr. (18 in 778) a major leaguer?
161) Scott Podsednik, OF: Gone is his speed on the basepaths and range
in center field. Which renders him … a minor leaguer.
162) Brendan Donnelly, RP: Gave up as many earned runs (13) last
season in 13 2/3 innings as he did over 74 innings in his 2003 All-
Star season.
163) Henry Blanco, C: And the annual run on backup catchers begins.
164) Toby Hall, C: He is better known in the White Sox clubhouse for
his facial hair than his talent.
165) Paul Bako, C: Rather Dunnian – perhaps even Howardian – in his
strikeout prowess: 90 in 299 at-bats.
166) Javier Valentin, C: Actually isn’t half-bad.
167) Gary Bennett, C: Actually is.
168) Adam Melhuse, C: He holds the lowest batting average among
available catchers at .167. A mark of honor in these quarters.
169) Luis Rivas, 2B/SS: One of the rare cases of Minnesota rushing a
player, Rivas never recovered from early failures and is little more
than a bounce-around guy.
170) Tony Armas Jr., SP: For all of his talent and hype, Armas is one
of the great disappointments of the past decade.
171) Rob Mackowiak, UT: The Odalis Perez corollary: Couldn’t even cut
it with the Nationals.
172) Trot Nixon, OF: Those who leave Boston tend to hit quite rapid
descents, huh?
173) Kent Mercker, RP: Drink that Goose in peace, kind sir.
174) Matt Wise, RP: Wise missed almost the whole season with a
shoulder problem, and already has had two surgeries on his right arm.
175) Jason Johnson, RP: Eleven big-league seasons. What’s the lesson?
Sometimes it pays to be just a warm body.
176) Ricardo Rincon, RP: And its cosmic counterpart: left-handed, has
pulse.
177) Sal Fasano, C: Hey, Joe, you’re passé. This country needs Sal the
Plumber.
178) Juan Encarnacion, OF: The saddest case of all: Freak injury –
struck by a batted ball while in the on-deck circle – will, in all
likelihood, end his career.
179) Chad Moeller, C: Here’s to franchise No. 7 being the lucky one.
180) Juan Castro, UT: How is he not nicknamed the Twinkie? Castro has
inexplicably survived for 14 major-league seasons despite a .579
career OPS.
181) Elmer Dessens, RP: He finished fifth-worst in last season’s
rankings. Moving down in the world.
182) Chad Fox, RP: Fox has pitched a grand total of 22 innings in the
majors since 2004.
183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasn’t played in the
major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on
MLB’s official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons.
Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so
congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go
out.
Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Ruben
I'm not interested in any free agents but if Wilpon is insisting here is
my signings....
> By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
>
>
> Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183. The
> rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s
> history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as to how
> free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
>
>
> 6) Rafael Furcal, SS: With nearly a dozen teams in need of a shortstop,
> he’s in prime position as the best of a shortstop class that bottoms
> out after the first three.
>
If he would move to secind base....
> 7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know you’re getting 40 home runs and 100 walks,
> and that’s worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive
> inefficiencies and strikeouts.
>
yes - replacement for Delgado....and OF platoon backup
> 8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn’t made his full complement of starts
> since 2004. But if healthy, he’s better than Burnett and nearly
> Sabathia’s equivalent.
>
Yes - bang for the buck...
> 13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but the
> disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
>
Maybe
>
> 15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of ‘09: Is he the
> guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A
> bound the next?
>
It cost no talent to resign...
> 17) Kerry Wood, RP: Reinvention as a closer went well enough to ease
> worries about a right arm with an awful lot of mileage.
>
Ballpen help
> 19) Brad Penny, SP: The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million
> option, but some team will give Penny a deal based solely on his past
> production, even if his arm isn’t 100 percent.
>
If cheap ... middle reliever...
29) Randy Johnson, SP: Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of 300),
> but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he struck
> out 91 in 98 1/3 innings.
>
LOL - Ballpen closer ;)
> 43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. It’s just
> limited and needs to be at DH.
>
This is the kind of guy who in the 1950's would be a great bench player on
a powerhouse team.
Not happening today....too bad.
>
> 67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and
> a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in
> 2008.
>
Worht a look at the right price
>
> 74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
>
I like gambling on these kinds of pitchers. Maybe the next Erckersly
> 77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good
> splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements
> his personality.
>
IF CHEAP - good influence for David Wright. Was this a steroids guy?
> 106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with
> an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
>
worth a look
> 183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasn’t played in the
> major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on
> MLB’s official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons.
> Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so
> congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go
> out.
>
why the cyniciam?
Ruben
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Matt
> On Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:41:21 -0800, Jim Beam wrote:
>
> I'm not interested in any free agents but if Wilpon is insisting here is
> my signings....
>
> > By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
>
> > Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183. The
> > rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s
> > history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as to how
> > free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
>
> > 6) Rafael Furcal, SS: With nearly a dozen teams in need of a shortstop,
> > he’s in prime position as the best of a shortstop class that bottoms
> > out after the first three.
>
> If he would move to secind base....
No thank you. I'll give Castillo a chance to prove he deserves a big
contract from someone else.
>
> > 7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know you’re getting 40 home runs and 100 walks,
> > and that’s worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive
> > inefficiencies and strikeouts.
>
> yes - replacement for Delgado....and OF platoon backup
Not a chance. Delgado proved he deserves a shot at the year.
>
> > 8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn’t made his full complement of starts
> > since 2004. But if healthy, he’s better than Burnett and nearly
> > Sabathia’s equivalent.
>
> Yes - bang for the buck...
Maybe. Sheets has been injured so often its hard to say, but if he's
cheap...
>
> > 13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but the
> > disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
>
> Maybe
No thanks.
> > 15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of ‘09: Is he the
> > guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A
> > bound the next?
>
> It cost no talent to resign...
And isn't worth the money to sign. What did he really do for the team?
>
> > 17) Kerry Wood, RP: Reinvention as a closer went well enough to ease
> > worries about a right arm with an awful lot of mileage.
>
> Ballpen help
I'll assume you meant bullpen :)
I'm thinking no, he would be a third choice at best.
>
> > 19) Brad Penny, SP: The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million
> > option, but some team will give Penny a deal based solely on his past
> > production, even if his arm isn’t 100 percent.
>
> If cheap ... middle reliever...
I agree, oddly enough. Saw him listed in the paper the other day and
thought
.. middle relief, spot starter unless he proves his worth.
>
> 29) Randy Johnson, SP: Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of 300),
>
> > but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he struck
> > out 91 in 98 1/3 innings.
>
> LOL - Ballpen closer ;)
I disagree. If Randy would sign for, say, $5M, I'd take him. I was
very impressed
by him the latter half of the year.
>
> > 43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. It’s just
> > limited and needs to be at DH.
>
> This is the kind of guy who in the 1950's would be a great bench player on
> a powerhouse team.
>
> Not happening today....too bad.
Agreed.
> > 67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and
> > a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in
> > 2008.
>
> Worht a look at the right price
No, not really. Too old, too injury prone. Stick with the kids.
> > 74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
>
> I like gambling on these kinds of pitchers. Maybe the next Erckersly
No arguments here, but I won't be upset if they don't sign him either.
>
> > 77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good
> > splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements
> > his personality.
>
> IF CHEAP - good influence for David Wright. Was this a steroids guy?
Not that I know of. but nobody I would sign either.
>
> > 106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with
> > an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
>
> worth a look
No thanks. Been there, done that, too old.
>
> > 183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasn’t played in the
> > major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on
> > MLB’s official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons.
> > Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so
> > congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go
> > out.
>
> why the cyniciam?
Because poor Vance never quite caught on anywhere. One time Met, he
did
a nice job for them, but never managed to make a case for keeping him.
Matt
tmp
>
>
>> 19) Brad Penny, SP: The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million
>> option, but some team will give Penny a deal based solely on his past
>> production, even if his arm isn’t 100 percent.
>>
>
> If cheap ... middle reliever...
>
Career vs Mets:
G W L IP H ERA
21 5 13 120 150 6.38
This is a guy the Mets want....on a team they play.
Harlan Lachman
<4aa81e4f-182f-40ce...@f20g2000yqg.googlegroups.com>,
Jim Beam <Tenbee...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
>
>
> Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183.
> The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each
> playerąs history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as
> to how free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
>
> Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses,
> Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on
> the other free agents.
>
> 1) CC Sabathia, SP: Short-term, Sabathia is unquestionably No. 1,
> though the risk of a six-plus-year deal canąt be understated.
>
> 2) Mark Teixeira, 1B: Switch-hitting, power-hitting, Gold Glove-
> winning, in-the-middle-of-his-prime, Scott Boras-represented first
> baseman. Has there ever been a better nine-figure recipe?
>
> 3) Manny Ramirez, OF: That $100 million he was telling his buddies in
> Boston about doesnąt seem so far-fetched anymore, even though it would
> be miserably ill-advised.
>
> 4) A.J. Burnett, SP: Who cares if his ERA was 4.07 in 2008? With stuff
> this filthy, a feeding frenzy has already begun.
>
> 5) Francisco Rodriguez, RP: Yes, he notched a record 62 saves in 2008,
> but he wants about $200,000 an inning for five years.
>
> 6) Rafael Furcal, SS: With nearly a dozen teams in need of a
> shortstop, heąs in prime position as the best of a shortstop class
> that bottoms out after the first three.
>
> 7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know youąre getting 40 home runs and 100 walks,
> and thatąs worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive
> inefficiencies and strikeouts.
>
> 8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasnąt made his full complement of starts
> since 2004. But if healthy, heąs better than Burnett and nearly
> Sabathiaąs equivalent.
>
> 9) Orlando Hudson, 2B: A slight defensive drop-off isnąt a killer. Any
> time a second baseman can pick it well and post an .825 on-base-plus-
> slugging, heąs going to strike rich.
>
> 10) Derek Lowe, SP: The best pitcher in baseball over the seasonąs
> final six weeks has one number working against him: 35, his opening
> day age and risky territory for a long-term deal.
>
> 11) Pat Burrell, OF: May the winner of these sweepstakes receive first-
> half-Ś08 Burrell (23 home runs, .979 OPS) instead of the second half
> (10 home runs, .725 OPS).
>
> 12) Ryan Dempster, SP: SIGNED Making the most of coming off a
> career year (17-6 record, 2.96 ERA), Dempster re-signed with the Cubs
> for four years and $52 million. Story
>
> 13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but
> the disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
>
> 14) Brian Fuentes, RP: Regained his closer role, struck out 11.8
> hitters per nine innings and is primed to cash in big, even though
> heąs 33.
>
> 15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of Ś09: Is he the
> guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A
> bound the next?
>
> 16) Raul Ibanez, OF: Late bloomer didnąt play full time until he was
> 30, and now, seven years later, heąs a .290-hitting, 20-homer, 100-RBI
> guy with character to match the numbers.
>
> 17) Kerry Wood, RP: Reinvention as a closer went well enough to ease
> worries about a right arm with an awful lot of mileage.
>
> 18) Milton Bradley, OF/DH: Should get the multiyear deal he covets,
> but no chance anyone goes four years for $40 million because of health
> concerns physical and mental.
>
> 19) Brad Penny, SP: The Dodgers didnąt exercise a $9.25 million
> option, but some team will give Penny a deal based solely on his past
> production, even if his arm isnąt 100 percent.
>
> 20) Edgar Renteria, SS: Lost a step, certainly, though his offensive
> numbers should pick back up. He had a .290 average on batted balls in
> play despite nearly the same line-drive percentage.
>
> 21) Jon Garland, SP: The archetype is-what-he-is pitcher gives up
> lots of hits, strikes out no one but logs a guaranteed 200 decent
> innings.
>
> 22) Casey Blake, 1B/3B/OF: Consistently good and perpetually versatile
> adds up to a multiyear deal and nice chunk of change.
>
> 23) Juan Cruz, RP: This yearąs version of gonna-try-to-make-him-a-
> closer. Certainly has the stuff, with an NL-best 12.4 strikeouts per
> nine.
>
> 24) Junichi Tawaza, SP: The 22-year-old right-hander eschewed the
> Japanese major leagues and is drawing considerable interest from
> Atlanta, Boston and Seattle.
>
> 25) Joe Crede, 3B: A little high for someone with chronic back issues,
> but heąs only 30 and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense when healthy.
>
> 26) Orlando Cabrera, SS: Still good with the glove, but he simply
> canąt hit well. Only once in his 11 full seasons has his OPS been
> better than league average.
>
> 27) Mike Mussina, SP: RETIRED Moose calls it quits after an
> illustrious 18-year career that could land him in the Hall of Fame.
> Story
>
> 28) Andy Pettitte, SP: Might join his, uh, buddy Roger Clemens on a
> Texas golf course. Otherwise, Pettitte is a lock to return to the
> Yankees.
>
> 29) Randy Johnson, SP: Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of
> 300), but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he
> struck out 91 in 98 1/3 innings.
>
> 30) Koji Uehara, SP/RP: Offered $3 million a decade ago by the Angels,
> he turned it down and has dominated with the Yomiuri Giants as a
> starter and closer.
>
> 31) Jason Giambi, DH: After years as a bust, he could prove a power-
> hitting bargain to a team in need of a designated hitter.
>
> 32) Garret Anderson, OF: He still will hit .300 with 15 home runs, not
> take any walks and look like Grandpa Abe Simpson when heąs running.
>
> 33) Juan Rivera, OF: After a phenomenal 2006 for the Angels, the
> question is: Does he have any of that in reserve?
>
> 34) Randy Wolf, SP: Killer stretch for Houston (2.23 ERA in September)
> might have bought him a third year on a contract.
>
> 35) Ivan Rodriguez, C: The paucity of catchers increases his value
> significantly, because otherwise, teams would be more concerned with
> 18 years of major league squatting.
>
> 36) Jamie Moyer, SP: Moyer wants to pitch until heąs 50, and the
> Phillies may be inclined to give him a two-year deal.
>
> 37) Braden Looper, SP: Solid, if not overwhelming, and he can always
> shift back to the bullpen if need be.
>
> 38) Jason Varitek, C: Has value, but the intimation by Boras that an
> over-the-hill Varitek deserves Jorge Posada money (four years, $52.4
> million) is ludicrous.
>
> 39) Mark Grudzielanek, 2B: High batting average and above-average
> fielding make up for Grudzielanekąs lack of power and patience.
>
> 40) Brian Shouse, RP: The good: .180 batting average and .486 OPS
> against, 28-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio against lefties. The bad:
> 1.27 ERA at Miller Park vs. 4.70 on the road.
>
> 41) Trevor Hoffman, RP: Should return for a farewell tour with the
> Padres if they donąt completely gut the team and fill that tour with
> losses.
>
> 42) Rocco Baldelli, OF: Mitochondrial disease will prevent a team from
> throwing too long-term a deal at him, so he could be a steal.
>
> 43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. Itąs just
> limited and needs to be at DH.
>
> 44) Jim Edmonds, OF: He looked cooked before a renaissance in Chicago.
> At 38, Edmonds wonąt get anything more than an incentive-laden one-
> year deal.
>
> 45) Kenshin Kawakami, SP: Previously among the best pitchers in Japan,
> he lost some zip on his fastball and profiles as a No. 5 starter.
>
> 46) Greg Maddux, SP: Likely to retire, which is a shame, because he
> remains a treat to watch.
>
> 47) Paul Byrd, SP: The pitcher equivalent to David Eckstein and 26
> spots higher than Eckstein because pitching scrappiness yields league-
> average performance.
>
> 48) Ray Durham, 2B: Canąt run much and is slow in the field, too, but
> high on-base percentage and doubles power make him a nice one-year
> fill-in.
>
> 49) Russ Springer, RP: Consecutive lockdown seasons out of the St.
> Louis bullpen are part of Springerąs late-career revival.
>
> 50) Joe Beimel, RP: Great ERA (2.02) is a bit misleading 20 of 60
> inherited runners scored.
>
> 51) John Smoltz, SP/RP: Labrum surgery could render this moot, as
> retirement beckons. Smoltz may have one more go at it, and four
> previous elbow surgeries havenąt stopped him.
>
> 52) Darren Oliver, RP: Even worse than Beimel with inherited runners
> (41 percent scored). Still, second-half ERA of 1.95 and nearly equal
> righty/lefty splits make him valuable.
>
> 53) Pedro Martinez, SP: Hasnąt looked like Pedro since 2005, and to be
> even a facsimile, he canąt walk nearly four batters per nine innings
> like he did in Ś08.
>
> 54) Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B: Ability to play three positions and hit home
> runs well, from 2004-07, at least makes him worth the risk.
>
> 55) Doug Brocail, RP: Would be of more value were he not a Type A free
> agent, which means any team outside of the top 15 draft picks that
> signs him loses its first rounder.
>
> 56) Damaso Marte, RP: SIGNED After declining Marteąs option, the
> Yankees signed the 33-year-old left-hander to a three-year, $12
> million deal. Story
>
> 57) Jeff Kent, 2B: Probably best suited as a DH, and since heąs
> unlikely to accept such a role, he may opt to retire.
>
> 58) Chan Ho Park, RP: He once got a $65 million contract. Just saying.
>
> 59) Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF: He doesnąt cover much ground in center field
> and doesnąt hit enough to play first regularly. Nonetheless, good-guy
> reputation will help him land a solid gig.
>
> 60) Eric Hinske, 1B/OF: Huge power and little else, even if he did
> steal 10 bases in Ś08.
>
> 61) Freddy Garcia, SP: Pitched well enough in his September return
> from surgery, and he should sign a one-year make-good deal to show
> himself off for one last big contract.
>
> 62) Jeremy Affeldt, RP: SIGNED The Giants filled a bullpen void by
> making the left-hander the first free agent to sign with a new team,
> giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. Story
>
> 63) Dennys Reyes, RP: Nearly unhittable against lefties (.537 OPS),
> too, but value drops because heąs mostly a one-out guy.
>
> 64) Nomar Garciaparra, UT: Another injury-filled season begs the
> question of whether the 35-year-old can return to two-years-ago form,
> let alone that of his prime.
>
> 65) Will Ohman, RP: Workhorseąs 83 games pitched ranked second in
> baseball in 2008.
>
> 66) Arthur Rhodes, RP: Absolute murder on lefties, who hit .157 and
> slugged .200 against him.
>
> 67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever and
> a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in
> 2008.
>
> 68) Brandon Lyon, RP: Lyonąs numbers through June 12 last season: 2-1,
> 1.29 ERA, 14 saves. After: 0-4, 8.01 ERA, no more closerąs job.
>
> 69) Eddie Guardado, RP: Still going strong at 38. Years old, not mph.
>
> 70) Tom Glavine, SP: Arm surgery is one thing. But elbow and shoulder?
> Thatąs tough for anyone, let alone a 43-year-old.
>
> 71) Kevin Millar, 1B: Pulled off the rare 20-homer, sub-.400 slugging
> percentage season, achieved this decade by such luminaries as Richie
> Sexson, Tony Batista and Uribe.
>
> 72) Kyle Farnsworth, RP: Another who should improve now that heąs out
> of the Yankee vacuum, although a trade to Detroit last year didnąt
> help much.
>
> 73) David Eckstein, SS/2B: Shopping himself as a second baseman, so he
> can look like only a half-wimp on his throws to first base.
>
> 74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
>
> 75) Cliff Floyd, DH: Great in a 250-at-bat role. Anything more will
> expose him as old and slow.
>
> 76) Cesar Izturis, SS: Extra infielder and defensive replacement whose
> bat has no place in an everyday lineup. Probably will end up there
> anyway.
>
> 77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good
> splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements
> his personality.
>
> 78) Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS: His revival in St. Louis is offset by small
> sample size. Still an average hitter and terrible fielder.
>
> 79) Nick Punto, UT: High-energy guy who steals bases and plays stellar
> defense. Wonąt ever hit, but then heąs best as a 300-at-bat utility
> guy.
>
> 80) Rich Aurilia, 1B: Great against left-handed pitching, Aurilia is
> pretty much mediocre everywhere else.
>
> 81) Omar Vizquel, SS: Remains in phenomenal shape, physically and with
> his glove. The issue: Vizquel hasnąt had a league-average OPS since
> 2002.
>
> 82) Kenny Rogers, SP: Decent option if he does decide to play. Second-
> half ERA (7.93) could scare teams away.
>
> 83) Moises Alou, OF: Even at 42, he can still rake. When healthy.
> Which, unfortunately, is never.
>
> 84) Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B/OF: After consecutive Mendoza-flirting
> seasons, hit .326, slugged .487 and stole 15 bases in 261 at-bats. Not
> a bad way to enter free agency.
>
> 85) Ramon Vazquez UT: Breakout candidate? He was good last year, but
> a .349 average on balls in play makes a regression likely.
>
> 86) Trever Miller, RP: Good lefty one-out guy who gets into deep
> trouble when managers try to keep him in against righties.
>
> 87) Mike Hampton, SP: Suffice to say he wonąt get a seven-year, $121-
> million deal this time around.
>
> 88) Odalis Perez, SP: The truest sign of how bad Washington was in
> Ś08: Perez started on opening day.
>
> 89) Frank Thomas, DH: No need to Willie Mays it anymore.
>
> 90) Gabe Kapler, OF: Took off 2007 to manage, returned and hit .301
> with an .838 OPS. Could be a fourth outfielder anywhere.
>
> 91) Russell Branyan, 3B: Almost always starts the year in the minors,
> only to get recalled and crank home runs. Hit 12 in 132 at-bats for
> Milwaukee, and wasnąt half bad on defense, either.
>
> 92) David Ross, C: Lots of raw power (38 home runs between Ś06 and
> Ś07) disappeared in Ś08. He did show improved plate discipline,
> though, and could be a sleeper signing.
>
> 93) Emil Brown, OF: Nice counting stats (13 home runs, 59 RBIs) belie
> his terrible on-base percentage, bad baserunning instincts and
> laughable defense.
>
> 94) Mark Loretta, UT: Still a decent on-base guy who can play all four
> infield positions.
>
> 95) Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF: Hit 30 home runs and walked 100 times only
> four years ago, so someone is bound to take a flyer.
>
> 96) Aaron Boone, UT: Never learned to draw a walk, though his
> versatility should land him somewhere.
>
> 97) Chad Cordero, RP: Former NL saves leader could miss all of 2009
> recovering from a labrum tear. Would likely sign an incentive-loaded
> multiyear deal.
>
> 98) Luis Ayala, RP: Mercifully will not close wherever he lands.
>
> 99) Alan Embree, RP: On his way to being the Jesse Orosco of this
> generation?
>
> 100) Curt Schilling, SP: Oh, what the hell.
>
> 101) Rudy Seanez, RP: As this so dutifully points out, Seanez is two
> years from being a four-decade pitcher.
>
> 102) Damion Easley, UT: He can play every position but catcher.
> Biggest issue at 39 is his speed: grounded into 15 double plays in 316
> at-bats.
>
> 103) John Parrish, RP: The rare left-handed reliever whoąs better
> against right-handed hitters. A nice one-year option for a team that
> needs to plug a lefty hole.
>
> 104) Gregg Zaun, C: Zaun used to play every day, and wasnąt half bad.
> But 37-year-old catchers donąt get many opportunities to start.
>
> 105) Guillermo Mota, RP: The only older players who arenąt casualties
> of teamsą sprint toward youth are relief pitchers, and the 35-year-old
> should have a few suitors.
>
> 106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with
> an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
>
> 107) Mike Lamb, 1B/3B: Certainly not the 26th-best player of his
> class, as some moron suggested last year.
>
> 108) Luis Gonzalez, OF: This yearąs best candidate for 40-something to
> get squeezed by youth movement.
>
> 109) Craig Counsell, UT: Is he Punch or Judy?
>
> 110) Tony Clark, 1B: Good guy struggled last year, first in San Diego,
> then Arizona. If he wants to play, heąll end up somewhere.
>
> 111) Keith Foulke, RP: Rather good in his return from retirement,
> particularly in short stints. His ERA through 15 pitches was 2.14, and
> after was 8.68.
>
> 112) Jason Isringhausen, RP: Not close to the Izzy of old after hip
> surgery.
>
> 113) Eric Gagne, RP: Not close to the Gagne of old after he stopped
> pumping himself full of performance-enhancing drugs.
>
> 114) Daryle Ward, 1B/OF: After two standout pinch-hitting seasons,
> regressed to a .216 average last year.
>
> 115) Jacque Jones, OF: Plans a comeback after taking almost all of
> last season off, and with the ability to play all three outfield
> positions, should get a shot somewhere.
>
> 116) Sidney Ponson, SP: For being on his 115th chance.
>
> 117) Richie Sexson, 1B: From consistent 30-homer masher to Š below
> Sidney Ponson. Oy.
>
> 118) Carl Pavano, SP: Hehe.
>
> 119) Bob Howry, RP: How is he only 35? Arenąt he and Mike Timlin
> twins? Timlin is 42.
>
> 120) Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Showed tremendous plate discipline with 44
> walks to 28 strikeouts, even if all his power is sapped.
>
> 121) Jorge Julio, RP: Reinvigorated himself during September in
> Atlanta, finishing with 11 1/3 scoreless innings and 17 strikeouts.
>
> 122) Ben Broussard, 1B: Another whatever-happened-to-him case. He went
> from a consistent 15-homer, 60-RBI guy to nothing overnight.
>
> 123) Alex Cora, UT: Good for a walk and has decent range in the field
> though to think, some were clamoring for him over Dustin Pedroia in
> May Ś07.
>
> 124) Jason Michaels, OF: The Pirates declined his option, and itąs not
> difficult to see why.
>
> 125) Julian Tavarez, RP: Hey, heąs always up for throwing at batters,
> if nothing else.
>
> 126) Jay Payton, OF: Sub-.300 OBP for consecutive seasons isnąt
> exactly a résumé booster.
>
> 127) Adam Everett, SS: Itąs been four years since he cracked the
> elusive .300 on-base percentage.
>
> 128) Casey Fossum, RP: He could be an effective lefty specialist (.674
> OPS vs. .920 against righties)
>
> 129) Mark Hendrickson, SP/RP: Hendrickson thrived in a second-half
> relief role after posting a 6.09 ERA in the first half.
>
> 130) Michael Barrett, C: He hasnąt been the same since Carlos Zambrano
> whaled on him in the clubhouse.
>
> 131) Jon Lieber, SP/RP: Is there another season left in the arm? He
> turns 39 right before opening day.
>
> 132) Orlando Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and heąd
> still throw the same stuff he does now at 43. Heąll get a look
> somewhere if he wants it.
>
> 133) Livan Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he
> might have a difficult time fitting through the doorway. As is, heąs
> not very good at 33.
>
> 134) Mike Lincoln, RP: Workmanlike return to the major leagues after a
> four-year absence buys him another shot.
>
> 135) Greg Norton, UT: He can hit right-handers well (.841 OPS last
> year, .792 career), and that should find him a paying gig until he
> wants it no more.
>
> 136) Alex Cintron, UT: Never developed into an everyday guy, but
> Cintron is serviceable in a utility role.
>
> 137) Matt Herges, RP: He returned to form after a career year in 2007,
> allowing 79 hits in 64 1/3 innings.
>
> 138) Chris Gomez, UT: The consummate journeyman, Gomez is looking for
> his ninth team after cracking 1,500 career games last season.
>
> 139) Ron Villone, RP: Truly an anomaly: survived Joe Torre and lived
> to tell about it without a scar on his pitching arm.
>
> 140) Mark Sweeney, 1B/OF: Sweeney lost his pinch-hitting touch last
> year, going 12 for 78 with only three extra-base hits, all doubles.
>
> 141) Ramon Martinez, UT: Three more seasons and heąll actually have
> had as long of a career as the good Ramon Martinez.
>
> 142) Mike Timlin, RP: Wait. Heąs really not Bob Howryąs twin?
>
> 143) Josh Fogg, SP: Penance for accepting the nickname "The Dragon
> Slayer" is a 7.58 ERA the next season.
>
> 144) Horacio Ramirez, RP: The White Sox actually gave up a player to
> trade for him in Ś08.
>
> 145) Bartolo Colon, SP: Ate himself into oblivion. A sad story,
> actually.
>
> 146) Mark Mulder, SP: Also a sad story: The victim of injuries has
> thrown only 17 1/3 innings since June 20, 2006. He probably will end
> up with a minor-league deal.
>
> 147) Jason Jennings, SP: Flexor-tendon surgery in consecutive years is
> the stuff of which minor-league contracts are made.
>
> 148) Tom Gordon, RP: Flash missed most of the season with elbow
> surgery, and at 41 later this month could be a long shot to play
> again.
>
> 149) Paul Lo Duca, C: Itąs bad when youąre below a bunch of guys
> recovering from injuries.
>
> 150) Kevin Mench, OF: He could end up in Japan.
>
> 151) Jamey Wright, SP/RP: Another candidate for Japan, unless he wants
> to do the whole stay-in-the-minors-waiting-for-an-injury thing again.
>
> 152) Corey Patterson, OF: He turned in one of the truly awful seasons
> in history for a full-time outfielder. Safe to say greatness isnąt in
> the stars.
>
> 153) Marcus Giles, 2B: From MVP votes three years ago to unemployed
> last season, heąll try to make it back once again.
>
> 154) Glendon Rusch, RP: Some lucky team will get to celebrate the
> momentous 100th loss of Ruschąs career. Yippee.
>
> 155) Kip Wells, SP/RP: So promising once, he hasnąt finished with an
> ERA under 5.00 since 2004.
>
> 156) Juan Rincon, RP: Used to be a great setup man. Used to take
> steroids. Any correlation?
>
> 157) Jose Vidro, 1B/DH: Coming off the third-worst DH season of all
> time for players with at least 300 at-bats, his .612 OPS was
> unfathomably bad.
>
> 158) Willie Bloomquist, UT: Part of an illustrious group that includes
> Manny Alexander, Mark Lemke, Freddie Patek and others to have somehow
> received 1,200 career at-bats with a slugging percentage of .324.
>
> 159) Miguel Cairo, UT: Seattle gave Cairo, Bloomquist and Vidro nearly
> 700 at-bats combined last season. Is it any wonder the Mariners lost
> 100 games?
>
> 160) Pablo Ozuna, UT: Only five players in history have had as many at-
> bats as Ozuna (677) and drawn fewer walks than his 23. So why, again,
> is Tony Pena Jr. (18 in 778) a major leaguer?
>
> 161) Scott Podsednik, OF: Gone is his speed on the basepaths and range
> in center field. Which renders him Š a minor leaguer.
>
> 162) Brendan Donnelly, RP: Gave up as many earned runs (13) last
> season in 13 2/3 innings as he did over 74 innings in his 2003 All-
> Star season.
>
> 163) Henry Blanco, C: And the annual run on backup catchers begins.
>
> 164) Toby Hall, C: He is better known in the White Sox clubhouse for
> his facial hair than his talent.
>
> 165) Paul Bako, C: Rather Dunnian perhaps even Howardian in his
> strikeout prowess: 90 in 299 at-bats.
>
> 166) Javier Valentin, C: Actually isnąt half-bad.
>
> 167) Gary Bennett, C: Actually is.
>
> 168) Adam Melhuse, C: He holds the lowest batting average among
> available catchers at .167. A mark of honor in these quarters.
>
> 169) Luis Rivas, 2B/SS: One of the rare cases of Minnesota rushing a
> player, Rivas never recovered from early failures and is little more
> than a bounce-around guy.
>
> 170) Tony Armas Jr., SP: For all of his talent and hype, Armas is one
> of the great disappointments of the past decade.
>
> 171) Rob Mackowiak, UT: The Odalis Perez corollary: Couldnąt even cut
> it with the Nationals.
>
> 172) Trot Nixon, OF: Those who leave Boston tend to hit quite rapid
> descents, huh?
>
> 173) Kent Mercker, RP: Drink that Goose in peace, kind sir.
>
> 174) Matt Wise, RP: Wise missed almost the whole season with a
> shoulder problem, and already has had two surgeries on his right arm.
>
> 175) Jason Johnson, RP: Eleven big-league seasons. Whatąs the lesson?
> Sometimes it pays to be just a warm body.
>
> 176) Ricardo Rincon, RP: And its cosmic counterpart: left-handed, has
> pulse.
>
> 177) Sal Fasano, C: Hey, Joe, youąre passé. This country needs Sal the
> Plumber.
>
> 178) Juan Encarnacion, OF: The saddest case of all: Freak injury
> struck by a batted ball while in the on-deck circle will, in all
> likelihood, end his career.
>
> 179) Chad Moeller, C: Hereąs to franchise No. 7 being the lucky one.
>
> 180) Juan Castro, UT: How is he not nicknamed the Twinkie? Castro has
> inexplicably survived for 14 major-league seasons despite a .579
> career OPS.
>
> 181) Elmer Dessens, RP: He finished fifth-worst in last seasonąs
> rankings. Moving down in the world.
>
> 182) Chad Fox, RP: Fox has pitched a grand total of 22 innings in the
> majors since 2004.
>
> 183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasnąt played in the
> major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on
> MLBąs official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons.
> Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so
> congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go
> out.
>
>
>
> Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
All things being equal, its better to be rich. 3 of the top 4 ranked FA.
Who cares about payroll or luxury taxes.
I just hope they don't win another serious.
The luxury tax is the right approach. The ceiling is at more or less the
right place. It is just too low. The Skanks should pay much more to be
so irresponsible.
harlan