2008 MLB Free Agents Rumors

Odds and Ends: Perez, Lowe, Garland, Swisher, Neshek

Some Tuesday evening links: Odalis Perez is waiting to sign a new contract this offseason, says MLB.com's Bill Ladson after a conversation with Perez' agent. Ladson also notes that Nats' GM Jim Bowden has expressed interest in resigning the lefty starter. Perez did start 30 games last season with Washington. The Braves have a significant interest in Derek Lowe, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Beyond Lowe, Atlanta may look next at Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, or Oliver Perez. Bowman categorizes the members of this group as potentially "profitable gambles." Nick Swisher will play almost exclusively at first base for the...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Interested In Beimel

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers are interested in LHP Joe Beimel, according to Beimel's agent. Biemel, 31, posted a 2.02 ERA for the Dodgers in 2008. He's only allowed one home run over the past two seasons, while pitching a combined 116.1 innings. However, he did give up 50 hits in 49 innings last year. Morosi mentions that the Tigers are also in the hunt for a closer, making it clear that Beimel isn't the answer for the 9th inning in Detroit. Darren Oliver and Arthur Rhodes also appear on the Tigers' short...   Continue Reading

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K-Rod Takes A Physical

MONDAY, 8:55am: Matthew Cerrone sorts through this mess at MetsBlog. Seems that K-Rod took a physical, but not for the Mets or any specific team. The whole thing is getting confusing, but it's safe to say he's not close to signing. SUNDAY, 7:34pm: A variety of sources, including MLB.com, have quoted Rodriguez' agent Paul Kinzer directly as saying that the following rumor, posted earlier this evening, is inaccurate. 7:25pm: According to a report issued by Venezuelan newspaper El Universal, Francisco Rodriguez has visited doctors in New York City for a physical. The move may be interpreted by some as a...   Continue Reading

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Closer Roundup: K-Rod, Fuentes, Wood, Hoffman

Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at the sudden surplus of potentially available closers in major league baseball, a situation that certainly benefits the Mets considering their need to upgrade the bullpen this offseason. Two free agent closers that seemed destined to retire with their 2008 teams, Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, now appear to be more available than was expected in October. That pair, along with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, give the Mets and other teams several options in free agency. Other relief pitchers with experience in the 9th inning have been recently mentioned...   Continue Reading

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Dayan Viciedo Defects From Cuba

12:45pm Baseball America's John Manuel has a solid write up on Viciedo and his free agent status. Agent Jamie Torres says, "He was processed at the end of May. To me, he was not drafted and should be an undrafted free agent. We’ll see if the union agrees with me." The catch here is whether or not Viciedo is subject to the rules of the draft now that he's in the U.S. Had he gone to the Dominican Republic, for example, he could be a free agent. Since teams weren't informed of his eligibility to be signed or drafted, his...   Continue Reading

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2008 MLB Free Agents

Here's a look at what's left of the 2008 free agent class. I've categorized them by position; the player's 2008 age is in parentheses. This post will be updated throughout the offseason and available as a permanent sidebar link. Updated 3-13-08 Catchers No starters available. First basemen No starters available. Second basemen No starters available. Shortstops No starters available. Third basemen Corey Koskie (35) Left fielders Barry Bonds (43) - Type A Reggie Sanders (40) Center fielders Kenny Lofton (41) - Type B Right fielders Reggie Sanders (40) DHs Barry Bonds (43) - Type A Mike Piazza (39) - Type...   Continue Reading

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Which Free Agents Will Retire?

Jerry Crasnick has a piece up on ESPN.com regarding the remaining free agents. Specifically, he looks at the possibilities for Barry Bonds, Kyle Lohse, Livan Hernandez, Tony Clark, Sean Casey, Mark Sweeney, Kris Benson, Pedro Feliz, and Shannon Stewart. These players have been talked about at length on MLBTR over the course of this off-season. The collective youth movement in MLB is really hurting these guys. Teams are beginning to replace them with younger, cheaper talent, and making vets work for their spots in the lineup and rotation. True, many of the remaining free agents are going to catch on..   Continue Reading

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2008 MLB Free Agents

Presenting...your 2008 free agent class. I've categorized them by position; the player's 2008 age is in parentheses. Also Type A or B status is included; otherwise there's no compensation. If I saw someone as a possibility at more than one position I put them at both. I'll keep this post updated throughout the offseason and make it a permanent sidebar link. Updated 2-22-08 Catchers No starters available. First basemen No starters available. Second basemen No starters available. Shortstops No starters available. Third basemen Corey Koskie (35) Left fielders Barry Bonds (43) - Type A Reggie Sanders (40) Shannon Stewart (34)..   Continue Reading

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Remaining Top 50 Free Agents

On November 5th, I posted my Top 50 Free Agents list. Let's take a spin through to see what remains. I've included my old predictions for reference. 7. Barry Bonds - Padres. The Friars seem content to go with Scott Hairston/Jason Lane/Chase Headley in left field; I doubt they'll be signing Bonds. With the A's effectively out of the picture I have no idea where he ends up. But that 3,000 hit milestone is lingering for him. 15. Mike Cameron - Astros. This won't happen; the 'Stros are set with Michael Bourn in center. Possible suitors: Twins, Brewers, Cardinals, Reds,..   Continue Reading

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Best and Worst Free Agent Signings

A mailbag question came in: So far what do you think are the three best free agent signings, and the three worst? - John Best 1. Alex Rodriguez - The best, most reliable player in the game. This contract will look better and better as salaries rise. 2. Andruw Jones - Low-risk two-year commitment to a possibly elite center fielder. 3. Mark Prior - Worst case, Prior fizzles and the Padres lose a million bucks. Best case, they pay four mil for three or even four decent months. Others I liked: Kosuke Fukudome, Mike Lamb, Masahide Kobayashi, Milton Bradley, Randy..   Continue Reading

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