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« 2007 Colorado Rockies | Main | Lugo A Center Field Option? »
2007 Free Agent Market: Third Basemen
With the Cubs signing both Mark DeRosa and Aramis Ramirez, and the D-Rays winning the rights to Akinori Iwamura, the free agent market for third basemen is shrinking. Check it out.
There are basically six viable candidates, and that's if we include questionable third base defenders like Garciaparra, Huff, Hillenbrand, Rich Aurilia, and Helms. The demand for Mike Lowell, Morgan Ensberg, and Joe Crede should be strong.
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Could you remind us which teams need third basemen. Also why do you think the D-rays went with Iwamura? I had thought the infield (and outfield for that matter) was pretty crowded with promising young players.
Posted by: dave | November 15, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Nomar looks like the logical 3B for the Phillies right now. I've read they like Helms, but can't figure out why. But will Nomar want to leave Mia and the west coast...not me.
Posted by: Havok1517 | November 15, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Where would Mark Teahen slot in as an available 3rd baseman?
I'm sure the Royals are shopping him if they feel Gordon will be ready on opening day.
Posted by: SBE | November 15, 2006 at 09:41 AM
Someone please.... Take Mike Lowell.. PLEASE!!!!
Posted by: DMeloDesigns | November 15, 2006 at 09:54 AM
I thought there was talk about moving positions for either Teahen or Gordon to LF or 1st....they can use all the bats they can get. Also I'm pretty sure the DH position will be open.
Posted by: Darin | November 15, 2006 at 10:21 AM
Sure, there has been talk of moving Teahen to left field, but he is more valuable as a 3rd baseman.
While they could certainly use bats, they could use pitching a lot more. They may be able to acquire a solid starter or prospect for Teahen in this weak 3rd base market.
So where would Teahen slot in available 3rd baseman? Would Crede, Lowell, and Ensberg all slot ahead of him, or would he be more valuable considering he is still cheap?
Posted by: SBE | November 15, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Teahen will play the OF in 2007.
http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2006/11/7/112916/588
Posted by: Havok1517 | November 15, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Mike Lowell will be interesting to a few teams, although the $9 million for just one season is kind of iffy. Joe Crede might be a good risk, considering the fantastic year he had with HR's and RBI's (OBP was pretty poor, though), though Kenny Williams may ask for quite a bit for him.
Posted by: Guardo369 | November 15, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Again, i'm not debating that Teahen will play the OF if he is on the team in 07.
However, Teahen's name has also come up in trade rumors, and his value is higher as a 3rd baseman than as an OF. Moore is certainly gauging interest in him to try and acquire more pitching.
Where does Teahen slot as an available 3rd baseman this offseason?
Posted by: SBE | November 15, 2006 at 10:54 AM
I think Lowell would be a good fit with Philly, that's just me though. Would be a decent way for them to try to get rid of Burrell. If Burrell's willing and able to play 1st, makes some sense.
Posted by: Darin | November 15, 2006 at 10:57 AM
SBE - career wise, Ensberg is probably the best of the group, his career OPS is over 50 points higher than the next (Lowell) and he plays above average (not quite gold glove) defense. But he just came off a dissapointing season, so the 'Stros would have to sell him using the "change of scenery" marketing scheme, which could drive his price down considerably. The buyer would have to hope he produces closer to the '05 Ensberg than the '06 version.
I'd then say Lowell is the 2nd best option, and Crede and Teahen would be a toss-up. Crede has a more proven track record, but Teahen is cheap, but would probably cost more in prospects than Crede.
Posted by: Darin | November 15, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Joe Crede had the best year out of the group last year. His numbers were 283 30 and 94. Remember that Crede is only 28 as an added bonus. He would cost any team the most as far as compensation. Teahen is 25 and his stats were 290 18 and 69. Good but not in Credes' class last year. Ensberg wouldn't cost as much as those two. Ensberg is 31 and had bad numbers last year .235 23 and 58. Lowell isn't anywhere near the others as far as marketability in a trade. The contract kills all potential value, he is 32. His numbers were not in that 9 mil range. I mean 284 20 80 are respectable, but I can see much better ways to spend 9MM on a third baseman.
Posted by: allabouthephils | November 15, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Crede is young, and did have the best year, but he's one year away from FA and his agent is Scott Boras, which means he's going on the open market, resulting in a possible one year rental for his services. He'll also receive a substantial raise from the just under $3mil he made this year, probably closer to the $7-8mil range. All this makes him unlikely to be targeted to by mid to small market teams. The buyer would also hope that his '06 season wasn't a fluke, because he's has lifetime .763 OPS, which really isn't that good (not compared to Ensberg's .858 - who'll probably make less).
Posted by: Darin | November 15, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Granted, I'm a little biased...but I think Lowell is pretty close to worth the one year at $9MM. Given his defense and durability, I'd say he was at least worth $7MM. But teams are going to have to overpay a little if they don't want to choose from Rich Aurilia and Nomar. Ensberg is intriguing, though...I am curious about what he does next year. Anyway if a team wants to make the push this year and has a gaping hole at 3rd, next to Crede, whose availability is a bit of a question, he seems like the best option for a trade.
Posted by: desturbd1 | November 15, 2006 at 12:26 PM
There's always Aaron Boone......
Posted by: Rayman | November 15, 2006 at 02:10 PM