2007 MLB Free Agents: Hitters

I'll begin work on my Top 50 Free Agents list soon.  I made one last year; it had its ups and downs.  A lot of fun.

Today, though, we'll take a look at the best the free agent market has to offer depending on your offensive needs.

Need power?  Teams like the Astros, A's, and Padres could use some pop.  Here are the 2007 MLB free agents with the highest slugging percentages this year.

Moises Alou - .571
Aramis Ramirez - .561
Alfonso Soriano - .560
Barry Bonds - .545
Frank Thomas - .545
Carlos Lee - .540
Ray Durham - .538
David Dellucci - .530
Greg Norton - .520
Rich Aurilia - .518
Nomar Garciaparra - .505
Mike Piazza - .501

I drew the line at 300 plate appearances; that's why Wes Helms didn't make the cut.  I think the above list shows that you can find some power on the free agent market without spending $60MM+.  Old, undependable power, but still.

How about on-base percentage?  The Cubs, Giants, and Mariners could use some guys who clog up the bases.

Barry Bonds - .454
Frank Thomas - .381
Frank Catalanotto - .376
Greg Norton - .374
Kevin Millar - .374
Trot Nixon - .374
Gary Matthews Jr. - .371
David Dellucci - .369
Nomar Garciaparra - .367
Scott Spiezio - .366
Gregg Zaun - .363
Ray Durham - .360
Kenny Lofton - .360
Dave Roberts - .360

But what if you don't buy all those OBPs, because of the fluctuation of batting averages?  These guys had the best walk rates.

Barry Bonds - 23.3%
Frank Thomas - 14.5%
Trot Nixon - 13.3%
Jim Edmonds - 13.0%
Gregg Zaun - 12.1%
Kevin Millar - 11.7% (also gets hit by pitches!)
Scott Spiezio - 11.5%
Todd Walker - 10.9%
Travis Lee - 10.8%
Greg Norton - 10.5%
Frank Catalanotto - 10.4%
Luis Gonzalez - 10.3%

Maybe your GM has some misguided desire to add speed?  These are the guys who stole at least ten bags.

Juan Pierre - 58
Dave Roberts - 49
Alfonso Soriano - 41
Kenny Lofton - 32
Julio Lugo - 24
Adam Kennedy - 16
Craig Counsell - 15
Miguel Cairo - 13
Carlos Lee - 12
Gary Matthews Jr. - 10
Alex Cintron - 10

Comments

[Kramerica Industries]

"I think the above list shows that you can find some power on the free agent market without spending $60MM+. Old, undependable power, but still."

And that's seems to be the problem all they guys that are younger power hitters (soriano) will be paid a ridiculous amount of money!
And anyone that would be paid less sucks at fielding or cant even play the field,very old,Ingured all teh time or one time wonders. Thats why i think there will be more trades this offseason

[was385]

wouldn't exactly use Soriano as an example since he can't really field well either. Power or Defense is usually a trade off. Very few can do both. A. Jones, Pujols, Dye, and the A-Rod of old were a very small group of power hitters who can field.

[Kramerica Industries]

I see what your saying about Soriano but he is getting better while these older players can only get worse

[cubfever7]

You made a comment about a gm who has a "misguided desire for speed". Do you really believe that? If so, why? I'd be interested to know. I fear Jim Hendry resigning ARam and then going after Carlos Lee. The thought of those 2 snails on the bases frightens me.

[RotoAuthority]

I do. I believe it was the book Baseball Between the Numbers that outlined in detail how little speed contributes to success.

[was385]

Stat guys can tell me how speed is useless, but they are still wrong. Do you know how many times I have seen guys like Todd Pratt, Bengie Molina, and Jason Giambi on like second base with a runner behind them. Not only can they not score on a single, they will hold the runner from going to third or the batter from potentialy making it a double. When guys like Jose Reyes are on base, you see a lot more balls being thrown, because even though stats dont show it, they have to be quick to the plate, and worry about the runner all the time. Not everything can be measured in baseball by stats.

[RotoAuthority]

Speed can...you go with the anecdotal evidence, I'll go with the facts.

[Kyle]

The ability to go from first to third is a valuable thing...but is it more valuable than the ability to take a walk? Sure Giambi may clog up the bases but he is there all the time. If you are deciding between two people with about even on base percentages and power, sure decide by speed but I personally would rather have Youkilis as my leadoff hitter over Pierre.

Speed only have value if the guy is on base enough to use it. That is why guys like Patterson, Pierre, and Taveras arent that valuable. Speed can't make up for a lack of OBP or power