2009 MLB Free Agents
Presenting...your 2009 free agent class. It's fun to look ahead, even if many of these guys will be off the market a year from now. Just to clarify, the players below are eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.
I've categorized them by position; the player's 2009 age is in parentheses. If I saw someone as a possibility at more than one position I put them at both.
Updated 4-25-08
Catchers
Rod Barajas (33)
Michael Barrett (32)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Jason Kendall (35) - club option for '09; vests with 110 games played in '08
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38) - $3.75MM vesting option for '09; vests with 160 games played in '08
First basemen
Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $16MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Mark Ellis (32)
Marcus Giles (31)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Aaron Miles (32)
Jose Valentin (39)
Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Cristian Guzman (31)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Dallas McPherson (27)
Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Jacque Jones (34)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)
Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Jacque Jones (34)
Bobby Kielty (32)
Brad Wilkerson (32)
DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) - $10MM option for '09; vests with 376 PAs in '08
Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout
Jose Vidro (34) - vesting option for '09
Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Tony Armas Jr. (31)
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (32)
Chad Durbin (31)
Josh Fogg (32)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Esteban Loaiza (37) - $7.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.375MM buyout
Braden Looper (34)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Matt Morris (34) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09
Brett Tomko (36)
Josh Towers (32)
Steve Trachsel (38)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Woody Williams (42)
Randy Wolf (32)
Closers
Joe Borowski (38)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brad Lidge (32)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (28)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Keith Foulke (35)
Aaron Fultz (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Eddie Guardado (38)
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Steve Kline (36)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Stanton (42)
Mike Timlin (43)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
David Weathers (39)
Dan Wheeler (31)
Matt Wise (33)
Kerry Wood (32)
MLB4U and Cot's Baseball Contracts were used in the creation of this list.
I've definitely checked this a few times and shouldn't Carl "I sprained my Ass" Pavano be on the list as well? I sure hope so, the Yankees could stand to lose a lot of baggage, pick up K-Rod. K-Rod AND A-Rod?!
Posted by: Knucksey | March 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM
lol nice one...Well the Mets are going to see 3 of their starters walk after this season, only Santana, Maine, and Pelfrey will remain. I wonder which two starters will take the last 2 spots...i doubt they'll go for C.C. Sabathia (although i would love it) instead of Texeira. Ben Sheets? Burnett opt out?
Posted by: Zemonstar | March 30, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Why wouldn't the Mets resign Oliver Perez? The Yanks will get C.C.
Posted by: andagh | April 04, 2008 at 10:28 PM
i'm hesitant on the yanks gettin CC after his playoff performances lol
Best option for the Yanks-Mark Teixeira at 1B to replace Giambi
Posted by: mike923 | April 07, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Assuming the brewers don't re-sign ben sheets, I'd like to see the mets making a run at him and letting perez walk. With the numbers ollie put up last year, he should easily be a type a free agent, and even if the mets give up their own 1st rounder, I think the supplemental pick would help in rebuilding the farm. Sabathia would be a dream come true, but I think it's unlikely. Yu Darvish would be great for them if he gets posted.
Posted by: SkiBolton | April 11, 2008 at 08:58 AM
yanks take off mussina,giambi abreau & pavano-- petit 50/50
one year left on matsui/damon
texeira for giambi,cc for musina & petit
would be delicious if manny came home to bronx for left feild or dh replaces matsui/damon
& vlad for abreau
Posted by: nyrealestate | April 12, 2008 at 03:33 PM
mets/yanks bosox will battle for
texeira by by delgado
vlad g church doesn't have pray and a lou lou if he is staying (replaced by martinez)
cc money saved on perez
garland/burnett/penny lackey met backup or if PEDRO FINISHED
Posted by: nyrealestate | April 12, 2008 at 03:37 PM
sorry all you mets/yankees/red sox fans
money isn't everything and your teams can't continue to buy the world and still land in mediocrity as teams with players who care about the game continue to step up and upset the apple cart by knocking your teams out early
I will give credit to the Red Sox for their stellar play in both of their recent world series wins. On the other hand the Mets can't even buy a trip to the playoffs much less try to pry Teixeira away from his family in Atlanta and the Braves. That goes for you as well Yankee fans, why would Teixeira want to leave his family in the Atlanta area, it's not like Atlanta isn't going to offer him big money to stay, you guys just think Steindick will buy any player that looks good, well he has done that with Giambi, Sheffield, Abreu, Randy Johnson, and countless other players, but they all went downhill when they got to New York, I don't think many players want that. Money is great, but not everything, more or less the root of all evil. I truly beleive Teixiera will stay in Atlanta at the cost of few million to not have the hassle that comes with New York and stay here with his family.
I won't speak for the other teams players like Sabathia and Sheets, but with their injury history it sounds like the Yankees would be buying into another Randy Johnson with CC.
BRAVES FANATIC
**The Braves are going to beat the Mets all season like a rented mule**
Posted by: BRAVESRuNner7 | April 14, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Bravesrunner7...
If tex wants to stay with his family, he'll go to baltimore or washington since he is not from georgia and his family has not relocated. He is also a boras guy that turned down a huge 8 year extension from texas, why would you think he'd take a discount to stay in atlanta? Secondly, what injury history with cc? He only pitched 256 innings last year, I guess he's none too durable. And how can you compare a free agent in his 20's to a guy acquired by trade in his 40's. It doesn't make any sense at all. Sheffield was very good in his time in new york, and abreu has been worth well more than they gave up for him. That really is one of the dumber comments I've ever read.
Posted by: SkiBolton | April 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
The Yankees should get Mark Teixeira for the first baseman's position. They should not sign Jason Giambi. Rocco Baldelli should be signed as an extra outfielder. Mr. Baldelli has been injured quite a bit, but if he is cleared to play then he would be good for the Yankees as his name would play well with the Italian-American fan base. and has a lot of talent. Vladimir Guerrero should be had if he is available to replace Bobby Abreu. I would sign Bobby Abreu if you can’t get Vladimir Guerrero. Greg Maddux, and C.C. Sabbatha should be had even if Andy Pettite is signed to another contract since you can never have too many pitchers. And if Mr. Pettite retires, then you definitely need both of those pitchers. If Mr. Maddux and Mr. Pettite retires, then you would move Chamberlain into the starting role since he has four pitches. I would bring Kerry Wood, whether Mr. Chamberlain is a starter or a reliever, to be a reliever to replace Kyle Farnsworth.
Posted by: Paleolibertarian | April 29, 2008 at 03:24 AM
Atlanta Fanatic, I'm guessing you haven't learned yet - athletes are all talk, they ALWAYS take the most money. Enjoy your last year of Texeria.
Posted by: par72 | April 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM
the yankees should try to keep petite but get rid of mussina, igawa and sign two known number 1 starters and sign vladamir if they dont keep abreu but drop giambi and sign teixeira definitely as for joba keep him and farnsworth in the bullpen
Posted by: Rique | May 11, 2008 at 09:23 PM