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Best Of The Non-Tenders
Here's MLB.com's official list of all the players who were non-tendered. These players are all free agents now. Any interesting names?
Josh Towers can at least eat innings for someone. He'll be 31 in February. His control is incredible, but in turn he's very hittable. Throw him in a big NL park with a strong defense, he could post a sub-4.00 ERA.
Mark Prior, just 27, is one of the more intriguing names out there. He was drafted by the Yankees in '98 but went to college instead. Back in August, he was talking about being ready for Opening Day following April shoulder surgery. However he was supposed to be thinking about throwing around late October and I haven't heard anything about that. Four league months might from him might be the best case scenario. But he could be solid in 2009 if the shoulder is truly repaired.
Kiko Calero turns 33 in January. He was lousy in '07, but he had shoulder problems for much of the year and expects to be healthy for Spring Training. He was a solid reliever from 2003-06. 32 year-old Matt Wise isn't dominant but you could do worse for your sixth inning guy.
Akinori Otsuka turns 36 in January. Last we heard, he was throwing pain-free. If his elbow looks good upon review, he could be a nice late-inning addition hopefully on a one-year deal.
Emil Brown will be 33 years old soon. He never found his groove in '07 and may never again. But he had over 1,000 ABs of an OPS over .800 from 2005-06 and deserves a shot.
Kevin Mench, 30 in January, still owns lefties. With the right platoon partner, say, Shawn Green, they could do some damage.
Adam Everett, 31 in February, may be the only somewhat viable free agent shortstop now. His .299 career OBP is ghastly, but he's among the best defensive shortstops in the game.
Miguel Olivo and Johnny Estrada are the two viable free agent catching options. Both have shown the ability to be above average hitters for their position. Olivo gunned down 33% of attempted thieves, but Estrada was the worst in the game at 13%. Olivo, however, cannot get on base to save his life.
Morgan Ensberg, 32, hit 36 home runs in 2005. He's had injuries and plain ineffectiveness since, but he's worthy of consideration in a weak third base market. Another former Astro, Jason Lane, turns 31 soon. He can play all three outfield positions and socked 26 HR in '05. Maybe there was something in Houston's water that year.
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Ensberg and Lane are done. I'm guessing they will never be that good again. It was a miracle season for the Astros...and miracles happened for Ensberg and Lane.
Posted by: ranholland | December 13, 2007 at 09:10 AM
"Maybe there was something in Houston's water that year."
roids.
Posted by: X-Factor | December 13, 2007 at 09:31 AM
I think Omar should definitely look at Otsuka, Wise, probably calero, mench, and maybe even prior. They could solidify the pen a bit and get a lefty masher to platoon with Church out of these guys.
Posted by: nrmax88 | December 13, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Of course, you cabal of Cub fans have to rip on the Astros every time you get.
There wasn't something in the water: Lane and Ensberg stink.
I'm surprised the Astros got a bad of balls and a month's supply of icy-hot for both of them.
It's unfortunate that Everett got Non-tendered, but I don't see anyone picking up a horrible-hitting defensive fielder who has defensive question marks after a broken leg.
Posted by: astrosfan | December 13, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Everett and Twins agree on 1 yr deal as per ESPN
Posted by: Torii_48_Danny | December 13, 2007 at 10:44 AM
After Aki tried to sell Fukudome on going to SD, maybe the Padres should sign him as a thank you.
Posted by: tolo316 | December 13, 2007 at 10:58 AM
We will take Aki and Towers, thank you.
Love Cheap Signings Always,
Kevin Towers
Posted by: UCSDPadsFan | December 13, 2007 at 11:12 AM
I think Chad Durbin should have been on that list if you are including Calero.
Posted by: tigersfanforum.com | December 13, 2007 at 03:05 PM
A's have re-signed Calero (it's on there web site).
The Giants should take a chance on an incentive deal with Morgan Ensberg, for them, could it possibly hurt? They don't have any young players they'd be blocking at 3B.
Posted by: Droptop | December 13, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Morgan Ensberg could sign a one year deal with the Giants if they cannot acquire a third baseman. Ensberg could make a nice comeback with someone if he could regain his swing from 2005 and get some more playing time.
Posted by: Nick_Swisher_For_MVP | December 14, 2007 at 10:27 PM