2007 MLB Free Agents Rumors

Torre: A-Rod to Dodgers?

The hot stove buzz this morning is Joe Torre's coy remarks about Alex Rodriguez ending up in Dodger blue. Said Torre, "It's possible. It's possible. It's possible." There are a number of articles, but Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant reminds readers that Torre and A-Rod have been exchanging phone messages. In Amore's article Torre adds that "you've got four or five clubs that figure to be in the sweepstakes." The Dodgers were on Jon Heyman's list of possible teams. If the Yankees offer Rodriguez arbitration, which he would decline, and he signs with the Dodgers, the Yankees would not..   Continue Reading

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Could A-Rod Save the O's?

Update: Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec reports that yesterday Miguel Tejada told O's President of Baseball Operations Andy McPhail, "I don't care about changing positions if we're going to be a winner, and I want to be on a team that is going to compete and win." That is a change of tune from the once stubborn shortstop. Orioles Manager Dave Trembley also said, "I fully expect that he'll be a major part of this team next season." The Orioles pitchers have been going the extra mile to make Alex Rodriguez feel at home in Camden Yards this weekend, writes Peter..   Continue Reading

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Andruw Likely Gone

Update: Keith Law just predicted Torii Hunter will make 16MM/year in Texas. That gels with what Andruw's seeking. Tim discussed The Andruw Jones Situation recently and whether he'd accept a 1-year deal or a 5-year hometown discount. Now, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the inevitable departure of Andruw Jones here and here. Despite Andruw coming off career-worst season of hitting .222 with 26 homeruns and 94 RBIs, Scott Boras has said there's "no way" he'll accept a 1-year deal. Instead, he's seeking a contract at the "fair-market value" of $17-20 million per year. That's Vernon Wells-esque. And why not? Wells has..   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Leftovers

Taking a look at my Top 50 Free Agents list from November 2nd, only nine players remain. So far I've guessed correctly on 14 of the 41 signees (34%). That's already an improvement on last year, but I have to admit there were a lot of no-brainers. More importantly, let's take a look at the nine leftovers and assess the possibilities. 4. Barry Zito - The Mets will meet with Zito this week. The Angels recently dropped out of the bidding. The Rangers have already made an offer, and the Giants seem to be on the fringe. If Zito craves..   Continue Reading

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2007 MLB Free Agents: Tomo Ohka

With seven teams seriously interested, it's time to take a closer look at free agent starter Tomo Ohka. Ohka made $4.53MM this year. He turns 31 in March and is seeking a three-year commitment. RotoWorld names the Nationals, Mariners, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Pirates as interested parties. I've also heard the Cardinals mentioned; they seem to succeed with this type of pitcher. Ohka is a guy who pitches to contact and typically shows good command. He's a flyball pitcher who mostly throws fastballs and sliders. Some past history on Tomokazu Ohka (source: RotoWire): 1998: The Red Sox purchased the 22..   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Spending By Team

I've had a few people ask how much money has been spent so far on free agents so I compiled a list at my blog showing the values for the first 28 players that have signed. Here's the link: http://buccoblog.mlblogs.com How's your team doing? Sinking, swimming, or not even close to the water yet? By Jake at Bucco Blo   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Class Ranks 2006

This isn't a major concern for most teams, (especially in the current market) but sandwich picks and other compensation in the rule 4 (amateur) draft are determined by a cockamamie formula developed by the Elias Sports Bureau. Teams that lose a Type A free agent are compensated with two draft picks. Teams that lose a Type B free agent get one pick in return. The other particulars, along with the entire list of this year's FA Class Rankings, can be found here. The entire list of Elias rankings (everybody, not just FAs) can be seen here. (The formula takes into..   Continue Reading

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Tim Getting Married? Oh my..

Tim invited me to post a few comments while he is off on his honeymoon. I suppose my first post should be titled "Why, Tim?" but I'll leave that alone. Instead, I'll throw you a few general tidbits today so you have some reading material over the weekend. The Rockies and Marlins have had some interest in acquiring Chris Duffy from the Pirates but word out of Pittsburgh is, Duffy isn't available. I posted a new article at Bucco Blog: Marginal $/Marginal Wins: 1999 - 2006 which tends to show the front office efficiency of MLB teams over the last..   Continue Reading

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Tier 2 Starting Pitchers

Jason Jennings certainly isn't a free agent, but he may be the best starter available through trade. Let's take a look at how he stacks up against some of the other "Tier 2" guys being bandied about by half the clubs in baseball. Stats are from 2006 except for Randy Wolf, for whom I used '05. Strikeouts per nine innings: Ted Lilly - 7.93 Gil Meche - 7.52 Vicente Padilla - 7.02 Randy Wolf - 6.86 Jason Jennings - 6.03 Jeff Weaver - 5.60 Jeff Suppan - 4.93 Miguel Batista - 4.80 Woody Williams - 4.46 Lilly, Meche, and Padilla..   Continue Reading

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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   Continue Reading

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