Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome highlight the remaining free agent designated hitters. Throw in first basemen Russell Branyan Jorge Cantu, Troy Glaus and Nick Johnson and the list of DH candidates continues to grow. The number of opportunities, however, continues to shrink. Here's a look at the American League teams with possible DH openings:
- Rays – The Rays seem likely to add a DH. They've been linked to Damon, Andruw Jones, Guerrero and others.
- Blue Jays – The Blue Jays signed Edwin Encarnacion to be a first baseman/DH, but they could shuffle the lineup to accomodate a big bat if they find one at a price they like.
- Orioles – The O's have been linked to Vladimir Guerrero, though adding a DH would create congestion with Luke Scott and the team's collection of outfielders.
- Twins – The Twins have expressed interest in bringing Thome back, but could add someone else if he signs elsewhere.
- Rangers – The Rangers are pursuing Thome and have discussed potential deals with Guerrero.
- Yankees – Jorge Posada will be the team's full-time DH, so the Yankees would need any newcomer to be able to handle the outfield. Damon and Jones are among the team's targets.
- Angels – Like the Yankees, the Angels have DH candidates in-house. Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera figure to pick up at bats at DH, so any addition would probably have to be able to handle the outfield or third base. That makes a reunion with Vlad seem unlikely.
The players above aren't limited to American League clubs, of course. Giambi took on a pinch hitting role with the Rockies last year, Damon has been linked to the Dodgers and Cantu and Glaus both played in the NL last year and have been linked to the Padres. But it's safe to say that AL teams in search of DHs have lots of selection.
Twins should go for Glaus because of his superior splits against LHP and platoon at DH with Kubel, can back up at 1B and 3B, and can be had on an affordable 1-year deal
As long as his knees hold up, he’d be a great option for the Twins.
What about Wily Aybar? According to the FA list, and FA tracker he is still available. The Padres could be a good fit.
The jays should platoon Thome with E5 or w/e his new nickname will be. then they have back up if lind/E5/Thome gets hurt as well as bat off the bench to pinch hit since only two will start a game.
The only issue is that if Lind can’t stick at first .. EE will be moved to 1st base, then you’ll have thome and Lind as DH.
Giving E5 a job over Manny & Thome is a crazyperson move.
Can’t wait to see who manny ends up with. Most clubs seem to want to look at other players 1st. He is poison.
Cantu is not a DH. He should go to the Padres and be in a platoon with Hawpe
I believe Glaus is more realistic for San Diego because of his ties with Jeff Moorad, and the fact that he (IMO) could cost less then Cantu.
I believe Glaus is more realistic for San Diego because of his ties with Jeff Moorad, and the fact that he (IMO) could cost less then Cantu.
Cantu is not a DH. He should go to the Padres and be in a platoon with Hawpe
The 2 teams that need’em the most. Rays & Rangers. Everybody except Manny makes sense for both teams. The 3 determining factors are PT, $$$$, & health.
The 2 teams that need’em the most. Rays & Rangers. Everybody except Manny makes sense for both teams. The 3 determining factors are PT, $$$$, & health.
What about the possibility of Thome signing with the Angels? LAA has had a terrible offseason and their lineup is deplete of lefties except for Abreu. Then the Angels could shop Napoli (catchers are pricing high in the off-season market) for some of the salary relief and they could pick up a speedy infielder like Everth Cabrera from SD.