2007 MLB Free Agents: Hitters

I’ll begin work on my Top 50 Free Agents list soon.  I made one last year; it had its ups and downs.  A lot of fun.

Today, though, we’ll take a look at the best the free agent market has to offer depending on your offensive needs.

Need power?  Teams like the Astros, A’s, and Padres could use some pop.  Here are the 2007 MLB free agents with the highest slugging percentages this year.

Moises Alou – .571
Aramis Ramirez – .561
Alfonso Soriano – .560
Barry Bonds – .545
Frank Thomas – .545
Carlos Lee – .540
Ray Durham – .538
David Dellucci – .530
Greg Norton – .520
Rich Aurilia – .518
Nomar Garciaparra – .505
Mike Piazza – .501

I drew the line at 300 plate appearances; that’s why Wes Helms didn’t make the cut.  I think the above list shows that you can find some power on the free agent market without spending $60MM+.  Old, undependable power, but still.

How about on-base percentage?  The Cubs, Giants, and Mariners could use some guys who clog up the bases.

Barry Bonds – .454
Frank Thomas – .381
Frank Catalanotto – .376
Greg Norton – .374
Kevin Millar – .374
Trot Nixon – .374
Gary Matthews Jr. – .371
David Dellucci – .369
Nomar Garciaparra – .367
Scott Spiezio – .366
Gregg Zaun – .363
Ray Durham – .360
Kenny Lofton – .360
Dave Roberts – .360

But what if you don’t buy all those OBPs, because of the fluctuation of batting averages?  These guys had the best walk rates.

Barry Bonds – 23.3%
Frank Thomas – 14.5%
Trot Nixon – 13.3%
Jim Edmonds – 13.0%
Gregg Zaun – 12.1%
Kevin Millar – 11.7% (also gets hit by pitches!)
Scott Spiezio – 11.5%
Todd Walker – 10.9%
Travis Lee – 10.8%
Greg Norton – 10.5%
Frank Catalanotto – 10.4%
Luis Gonzalez – 10.3%

Maybe your GM has some misguided desire to add speed?  These are the guys who stole at least ten bags.

Juan Pierre – 58
Dave Roberts – 49
Alfonso Soriano – 41
Kenny Lofton – 32
Julio Lugo – 24
Adam Kennedy – 16
Craig Counsell – 15
Miguel Cairo – 13
Carlos Lee – 12
Gary Matthews Jr. – 10
Alex Cintron – 10