Notable Free Agents

[BrentD22]

Notable free agents at the end of this year. Some have options. I've only listed ones that are not the bottom of the barrel players. I may have missed someone so feel free to add to this list.

 

What players should we get? What players do you think we are after? What player do you think we sign for next year?

 

Los Angeles: Lou Merloni, Jarrod Washburn,

Arizona: Tim Worrell, Royce Clayton,

Atlanta: Rafael Furcal, Brian Jordan,

Baltimore: Rafael Palmeiro, B.J. Surhoff, Sammy Sosa (Team Option), B.J. Ryan, Jason Grimsley

Boston: Tony Graffanino, Gabe Kapler, John Olerud, Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, Johnny Damon, Mike Myers, Mike Timlin, Roberto Petagine

Chicago: Todd Walker (Team + Player options), Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Maddux (Vesting Option), Scott Williamson (Team Option), Ryan Dempster

Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas (Player + Team option), Paul Konerko, Carl Everett (Team Option),

Cincinnati: Luis Lopez, Jacob Cruz

Cleveland: Jose Hernandez, Juan Gonzalez, Bob Wickman, Kevin Millwood, Scott Sauerbeck

Colorado: Jamey Wright

Detroit: Ivan Rodriguez (Poss. Team Void Option), Dimitri Young (Team Option), Fernando Vina, Ramon Martinez, Rondell White

Florida: Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine, Juan Encarnacion, A.J. Burnett,

Houston: Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens, John Franco

Kansas City: Matt Stairs, Jose Lima, Brian Anderson,

Los Angeles: Jose Cruz Jr., Jose Valentin, Jeff Weaver, Scott Erickson,

Milwaukee:

Minnesota: Jacque Jones, Joe Mays (Team Option), Terry Mulholland

New York Mets: Mike Piazza, Jose Offerman, Doug Mientkiewicz (Vesting Option), Steve Trachsel (Team Option), Tom Glavine (Mutual Option), Felix Heredia (Team Option), Danny Graves (Team Option)

New York Yankees: Matt Lawton, Alan Embree, Hideo Nomo, Al Leiter, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez (Team Option), Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez, Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Felix Rodriguez, Tom Gordon

Oakland: Jay Payton (Team Option), Scott Hatteberg (Team Option),

Philadelphia: Kenny Lofton, Billy Wagner, Ugueth Urbina,

Pittsburgh: Jose Mesa (Team Option),

San Diego: Brian Giles, Trevor Hoffman,

San Francisco: Randy Winn (Mutual Option), J.T. Snow, Ray Durham (Player Option), Moises Alou (Player Option), Jason Schmidt (Team Option),

Seattle: Pokey Reese (Team Option), Jamie Moyer,

St. Louis: Larry Walker (Team Option), Jeff Suppan (Team Option),

Tampa Bay: Travis Lee,

Texas: Kenny Rogers,

Toronto: Ted Lilly

Washington: Carlos Baerga

[Optimist]

New York Yankees: Matt Lawton, Alan Embree, Hideo Nomo, Al Leiter, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez (Team Option), Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez, Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Felix Rodriguez, Tom Gordon

 

People in bold are definitely gone next year.

[Hyrax]

Since when was Roberto Petagine not a bottom of the barrel player?

[yankeessuck013]

i think we should look at jarrod washburn, bj ryan, aj burnett, paul konerko, aubrey huff, kyle farnsworth, jacque jones (if we dont resign damon), billy wagner

[BrentD22]

1st Base - Paul Konerko, JT Snow

2nd Base - Carlos Baerga, Todd Walker, Miguel Cairo, Enrique Wilson

3rd Base - Re-sign Bill Mueller, Joe Randa is all that's av. so we really need to sign BM

SS - Rey Ordonez, Royce Clayton, Jose Valentin, Rafael Furcal, maybe even Nomar

C - Even though we don't need - Ramon Hernadez

OF - Resign Johnny Damon, Jacque Jones, Matt Lawton, Brian Giles, Richard Hidalgo, Juan Gonzalez, Matt Stairs, Brian Jordan, Moises Alou, ect......

SP - AJ Burnett, Jeff Weaver, Jason Schmidt, Kevin Millwood, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Kenny Rogers, Jarrod Washburn

RP - Resign Mike Myers, Resign Mike Timlin, BJ Ryan, Danny Graves, Kyle Farnsworth, Julian Tavares, Tim Worrell, Tom Gordaon (or closer).

Closer - Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, Jose Mesa, Bob Wickman, Ugeuth Urbina, Matt Mantei

 

We also need to resign Theo Epstein. I believe his contract is expiring as well.

[BrentD22]

Since when was Roberto Petagine not a bottom of the barrel player?

 

I listed several "other" notable players for the Red Sox. The Red Sox list of notable non-bottom of barrel players should read - Bill Mueller, Johnny Damon, Mike Myers, Mike Timlin.

 

Hyrax are you going to contribute to this post or just find things wrong with it? Come on make some comments on players you want or we should go after.

[yankeessuck013]

1st Base - Paul Konerko, JT Snow

2nd Base - Carlos Baerga, Todd Walker, Miguel Cairo, Enrique Wilson

3rd Base - Re-sign Bill Mueller, Joe Randa is all that's av. so we really need to sign BM

SS - Rey Ordonez, Royce Clayton, Jose Valentin, Rafael Furcal, maybe even Nomar

C - Even though we don't need - Ramon Hernadez

OF - Resign Johnny Damon, Jacque Jones, Matt Lawton, Brian Giles, Richard Hidalgo, Juan Gonzalez, Matt Stairs, Brian Jordan, Moises Alou, ect......

SP - AJ Burnett, Jeff Weaver, Jason Schmidt, Kevin Millwood, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Kenny Rogers, Jarrod Washburn

RP - Resign Mike Myers, Resign Mike Timlin, BJ Ryan, Danny Graves, Kyle Farnsworth, Julian Tavares, Tim Worrell, Tom Gordaon (or closer).

Closer - Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, Jose Mesa, Bob Wickman, Ugeuth Urbina, Matt Mantei

 

We also need to resign Theo Epstein. I believe his contract is expiring as well.

 

we dont need a SS and for 2B pedroia should be here next year and we should resign graffanino and have tony. g back him up or vice versa

[yankeessuck013]

I dont know where you got your free agent list from brent but here's the best site I have found so far for that information.

 

http://www.mlb4u.com/index.html

[BrentD22]

we dont need a SS and for 2B pedroia should be here next year and we should resign graffanino and have tony. g back him up or vice versa

 

 

Right I should have said Resign Edgar on my SS list, I just forgot.

 

 

I got my list from that site too. Although the site give props to some players I would not and doesn't give any to others that I think deserve. Other than that it's a pretty good site for lots of info around the league.

[riverside sluggers]

Edgar doesnt need to be resigned, because he signed a 4 season contract in december to 2008, with a club option for 2009----the 3rd baseman of 2006 will be Kevin Youkilis, even if Billy is resigned Billy would be demoted to backup to make way for Youk, its only right.

[BrentD22]

s*** it's late your right Edgar is here for 3 more - Unless we trade him or...

 

I'm not saying your wrong about Youk, cause he is going to be a great 3b. I'm just not sure about letting Youk go or have him as a bench guy. It's tuff. Can Youk play 2b or even 1st?

[MC Hammer]

He can play 1st. Don't think he can play 2nd though.

[Sizzlin22]

i think we should look at jarrod washburn, bj ryan, aj burnett, paul konerko, aubrey huff, kyle farnsworth, jacque jones (if we dont resign damon), billy wagner

Who do you tihnk we are the Yankees? We can't afford all that. I could see Huff maybe Burnett, but nobody else on that list. Jones will resign with the Twins.

[riverside sluggers]

Id say very much no to trading Edgar, he is starting to bring his offense around, be a .300 hitter by season's end. And even though it doesnt seem like it, his errors are also down. From April to all star game he had committed 16 errors. So far since the all star break he has committed 6. I think its just had to do with him getting used to the Al, new team, new ballpark, etc.

[yankeessuck013]

Who do you tihnk we are the Yankees? We can't afford all that. I could see Huff maybe Burnett, but nobody else on that list. Jones will resign with the Twins.

 

I didn't say get them, I said LOOK....theres a big difference

[ARod2212]

I believe Matsui and Sheffield are both free agents this year.

[elsrbueno]

If I'm the Red Sox I resist the tempation to sign a high priced slugger to play first. With the offense that we'll be packing in 2006 it's MUCH MUCH more important to bring in some players who can PREVENT runs from scoring.

 

Try to sign:

EITHER Billy Wagner or BJ Ryan

AJ Burnett

 

Re-Sign:

Billy Mueller

Johnny Damon (IF he'll accept a 3 year deal).

Graffanino (to a reserve role)

 

I say resign Mueller to a 1 year deal and put Youkilis at first base fulltime next year. Olerud (or someone comprable, maybe JT Snow?) can be signed cheaply to share duties, but give the job to Youk. Will be a MAJOR upgrade over the 2005 first baseman, who will remain nameless. If Damon comes back, the offense is basically the same. If Graff doesn't come back, why not Pokey Reese? I loved that guy.

 

IMO, this team doesn't need to overspend this offseason on the likes of Konerko or Huff. Youkilis has proven that he can hold his own at first base, and we're a devastating offensive team DESPITE Millar... so we don't NEED a masher there.

 

Any offseason spending should focus on the pitching staff. As I see it, next year we'll have Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, MAYBE Wells (if he doesn't retire) in the rotation. I really think Arroyo will be sent to the bullpen for good relatively soon. Wade Miller has an option we should pick up, and Burnett would fill that other spot.

 

That would give us a rotation of Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, Miller, Burnett. If Wells comes back, keep 6 starters. 2005 proved that 6 is by no means too many.

 

If Foulke of 2006 is the Foulke of 2004, the bullpen should be good. The one thing it needs is a dominant lefty to complement Myers, that's why I said Wagner or Ryan.

 

CL: Foulke

SU: Wagner

SU: Hansen

SU: Delcarmen

LS: Myers

RS: Bradford

 

A bullpen with these arms in it should be pretty good (and assuming Foulke's healthy and effective return, MUCH MUCH better than this year).

[riverside sluggers]

The Angels say they are interested if Barry Bonds asks the Giants to trade him to an AL team, where he can end his career as a designated hitter

 

The Dodgers, upset with starter Derek Lowe's off-field behavior, will place him on the trading blocking at season's end.

 

The Diamondbacks' negotiations with No. 1 pick Justin Upton have turned nasty, which could cause them to become the first team in 22 years to lose the top pick in the draft

 

The Pirates will turn to either former Pirates manager Jim Leyland or A's manager Ken Macha if they decide not to renew manager Lloyd McClendon's contract this winter

 

Reds interim manager Jerry Narron is expected to become permanent now that the Reds are playing their best baseball of the season

 

The Cubs are targeting Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal as one of their top free-agent priorities

 

The Phillies want to re-sign closer Billy Wagner before he hits the free-agent market this winter. He is seeking at least a three-year, $24 million deal

 

The Marlins, deciding they can't afford to be patient any longer, have benched third baseman Mike Lowell and shifted Miguel Cabrera to third base

 

The Mariners have absorbed $13.5 million in salary in dumping all four of their starting infielders from the 2004 team, the latest being third baseman Scott Spiezio. He is owed $3.35 million next season

 

The 6.24 ERA by the Diamondbacks' bullpen is on pace to rank as the worst since the 1950 St. Louis Browns (6.62)contract after his latest arrest.

[stocker323]

If I'm the Red Sox I resist the tempation to sign a high priced slugger to play first. With the offense that we'll be packing in 2006 it's MUCH MUCH more important to bring in some players who can PREVENT runs from scoring.

 

Try to sign:

EITHER Billy Wagner or BJ Ryan

AJ Burnett

 

Re-Sign:

Billy Mueller

Johnny Damon (IF he'll accept a 3 year deal).

Graffanino (to a reserve role)

 

I say resign Mueller to a 1 year deal and put Youkilis at first base fulltime next year. Olerud (or someone comprable, maybe JT Snow?) can be signed cheaply to share duties, but give the job to Youk. Will be a MAJOR upgrade over the 2005 first baseman, who will remain nameless. If Damon comes back, the offense is basically the same. If Graff doesn't come back, why not Pokey Reese? I loved that guy.

 

IMO, this team doesn't need to overspend this offseason on the likes of Konerko or Huff. Youkilis has proven that he can hold his own at first base, and we're a devastating offensive team DESPITE Millar... so we don't NEED a masher there.

 

Any offseason spending should focus on the pitching staff. As I see it, next year we'll have Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, MAYBE Wells (if he doesn't retire) in the rotation. I really think Arroyo will be sent to the bullpen for good relatively soon. Wade Miller has an option we should pick up, and Burnett would fill that other spot.

 

That would give us a rotation of Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, Miller, Burnett. If Wells comes back, keep 6 starters. 2005 proved that 6 is by no means too many.

 

If Foulke of 2006 is the Foulke of 2004, the bullpen should be good. The one thing it needs is a dominant lefty to complement Myers, that's why I said Wagner or Ryan.

 

CL: Foulke

SU: Wagner

SU: Hansen

SU: Delcarmen

LS: Myers

RS: Bradford

 

A bullpen with these arms in it should be pretty good (and assuming Foulke's healthy and effective return, MUCH MUCH better than this year).

Who do you propose as full time 2B next year? Pedroia?

[riverside sluggers]

Id say def resign Tony G, with him and Pedroia competing for the starting bid in the spring training of 2006. with the latter becoming the backup

[elsrbueno]

Who do you propose as full time 2B next year? Pedroia?

 

Pedroia or Graffanino if Dustin fails....

 

My proposal: (reserves in parenthesis)

outfield: Manny Damon Nixon (Kapler, Stern)

infield: Mueller Renteria Pedroia Youkilis (Graffanino, Olerud/Snow, Cora?!? Maybe Machado fits in here next season)

Catcher: Varitek and Mirabelli

 

Rotation (with Wells): Schilling Wells Burnett Clement Wakefield

Rotation (without Wells): Schilling Burnett Clement Wakefield Miller

 

Bullpen as listed above-- Except add in Arroyo as Setup man to backup Delcarmen/Hansen

 

Additions: Burnett, Wagner/Ryan

Resign: Damon, Kapler, Graffanino

[eZ_d0eS_iT]

As for SP, if the $$ is right, I'd take a look at Schmidt. He's had a rocky year and a half so he could be a bargain at the right price, plus he has Ace stuff when he's on. Weaver is having a good year considering he's playing for the Dodgers (13-8), and if that team had given him a little more run support he'd easily have a couple more wins at least. (BTW, anyone see that pitchers duel over the weekend between him and Clemens? Awesome! :thumbsup: ). AJ has turned it around since a couple of weeks before heading into the all star break, but overall he's been either injury prone or inconsistent (Pavano anyone?)...

 

As for position players, if there is a chance Manny doesn't come back and is traded in the offseason, we're gonna need to replace that offensive production with either a Konerko or Dunn (via trade) type player. I like Dunn's upside, at only 25 he can only get better and he has a ton of raw power...Randa isn't bad at third for the time being, and I definitely like Tavares in the pen. Outside of Damon, I don't really like FA in the outfield...

[riverside sluggers]

Randa isn't bad at third for the time being

 

Sox wont need to look for a new 3rd baseman, it will either be Youk or Mueller in 2006

[elsrbueno]

As for SP, if the $$ is right, I'd take a look at Schmidt. He's had a rocky year and a half so he could be a bargain at the right price, plus he has Ace stuff when he's on. Weaver is having a good year considering he's playing for the Dodgers (13-8), and if that team had given him a little more run support he'd easily have a couple more wins at least. (BTW, anyone see that pitchers duel over the weekend between him and Clemens? Awesome! :thumbsup: ). AJ has turned it around since a couple of weeks before heading into the all star break, but overall he's been either injury prone or inconsistent (Pavano anyone?)...

 

As for position players, if there is a chance Manny doesn't come back and is traded in the offseason, we're gonna need to replace that offensive production with either a Konerko or Dunn (via trade) type player. I like Dunn's upside, at only 25 he can only get better and he has a ton of raw power...Randa isn't bad at third for the time being, and I definitely like Tavares in the pen. Outside of Damon, I don't really like FA in the outfield...

 

Obviously the Sox will need to do something if Manny's gone, but otherwise I don't think a major upgrade is necessary.

 

Also, I don't think Randa is a good option because he's basically an older version of Youkilis.....

 

I don't think AJ Burnett and Carl Pavano are really comprable pitchers. Sure, Pavano was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in his last season as a Marlin, but like I've said before, he doesn't have swing and miss stuff. He averaged just 5.6 K's/9 with the Marlins and allowed a .253 average despite playing in front of a very good defensive team. So going to the Yankees (or the Red Sox for that matter) was going to expose the fact that he relies heavily on his defense to get outs... which with either of our defensive teams is not good.

 

Burnett on the other hand has struck out over 8 batters per 9 each of the past 4 years. That's almost a batter per inning. In my mind, a strikeout is the ultimate dominance, and Burnett has that ability to dominate hitters better than Pavano does. His injury issues in the past are a major concern, but I don't think that pitching wise, there is really a good comparison here.

[ORS]

I like several of elsrbueno's ideas, particularly the idea of keeping Bill M. and starting Youk at first. Youk's an upgrade over who is currently at 1B, and the Sox already have the best offense in MLB.

 

Pitching is the key. I say pursue Burnett, but if you can't get him it's okay because everyone has left someone off their rotation and bullpen assignments for next year. I think the missing name, Papelbon, should and will make the starting rotation next year.

 

Wagner is a premium closer and is unlikely to go anywhere that wants to demote him to setup guy. Ryan's not quite in the same category as Wagner, but I would expect the same situation with him.

[yankeessuck013]

I am going to keep this short....

 

1. Sign Damon unless he wants too much and too many years ala Pedro.

 

2. Keep Manny if at all possible. UNLESS they can get Dunn to replace him. This whole Cameron deal stinks...Cameron can not come close to Manny's production.

 

3. Pedroia comes in to play 2B...get rid of all our other 2B except for Graff or Cora. Keep one of those guys.

 

4. Go hard after AJ Burnett. Here is my quandary...if we (I do) expect Paplebon to enter the rotation next year then we will have too many STARTERS...get that clear. You can never have too much pitching, but you can have too many starters. I think Wakefield goes to middle relief or gets thrown under the bus. Keep Wade Miller.

 

5. Hopefully we will get a good feel for Delcarmen's abilities in the next few weeks. We need find a power lefty arm for middle relief if Delcarmen or DiNardo don't work out..

 

6. If Foulke can not get back to form we must look to Billy Wagner as a free agent. The kids we just signed can also be used as a set up man until he is ready to be a big league closer.

 

7. first base- huff, konerko, or overbay...overbay has good numbers in his career

 

.362 OBP (.371 career)

.445 SLG (.449 career)

.807 OPS (.820 career)

16 HR

[riverside sluggers]

Billy Wagner is gonna be really pricey. he is asking for 3 years ($27 million) and right now Phillies are hard at work negotiating with him

[riverside sluggers]

Wakefield is here to stay for 3 more seasons. he signed a contract extension on April 19

[ORS]

Wake needs to be in the rotation because Mirabelli catches him. If he comes out of the BP they will have to risk Tek catching him, or make a substitution, taking their only backup catcher off the bench. That is not a smart move considering the drop in offensive production going into late innings and the risk of the backup getting hurt with no replacement to finish the game. Also, catchers typically need one bench day through the rotation. It makes more sense to keep Wake in the rotation and give Tek the needed day off when Mirabelli catches him.

[Sizzlin22]

Have the Yankees resigned Matsui yet?