2007 MLB Free Agents: Designated Hitters

Updated 12/23/06

There are a few players I haven’t covered in my free agent position breakdowns yet – those who are purely designated hitters.

2007 League Averages
AL: .264/.349/.469

In other words, your DH should hit something like Ryan Zimmerman did this year at the least.  I’m going to leave out DH candidates like Barry Bonds and Mike Piazza, as I’ve covered them elsewhere.

Carl Everett – The Mariners made the laughable decision to sign Everett for essentially $4MM to be their DH in 2006.  He was terrible, posting a .657 OPS in 92 games before being waived in August.  Everett may retire.

Dmitri Young – Before the season began, Young lost some weight and hoped to spend time in the corner outfield positions and maybe even third base.  He strained his quad in spring and was on the DL in April.  He came back in May, but the quad was still hurting him. 

Then his misdemeanor domestic violence charge came down on May 18th.  Young had choked his 21 year-old girlfriend.  He went back on the DL a few days later.  He missed his court date in June and a warrant was issued.  He eventually turned himself in and spent some time in AA.  Both Alcoholics Anonymous and Double A. Young came off the DL in late July.  Despite hitting well, Young was released in September and later described as a clubhouse cancer.  I wonder what his World Series share will be.  He’s taken the rest of the year off and will come cheap for his age 33 season in ’07.