2010 MLB Free Agents: Key Players

I’m not going to roll out a comprehensive list quite yet, but let’s take a look at some of the bigger names who will be eligible for free agency after the 2009 season.  Some of these players may be trade candidates this winter.  Reminder: these players can be free agents after the 2009 season, not this winter.

Catchers
Ramon Hernandez – $8.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Victor Martinez – $7MM club option with a $250K buyout
Bengie Molina

First basemen
Carlos Delgado
Adam LaRoche

Second basemen
Mark DeRosa
Placido Polanco
Brian Roberts
Freddy Sanchez – $8MM club option with a $600K buyout

Shortstops
Bobby Crosby
Khalil Greene
Miguel Tejada
Jack Wilson

Third basemen
Adrian Beltre
Chone Figgins
Chipper Jones
Melvin Mora
Ty Wigginton

Left fielders
Jason Bay
Carl Crawford – $10MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout
Johnny Damon
Matt Holliday
Hideki Matsui

Center fielders
Rick Ankiel
Coco Crisp – $8MM club option with a $500K buyout

Right fielders
Jermaine Dye – $12MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Brian Giles
Ken Griffey Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero
Xavier Nady
Magglio Ordonez – $15MM club/vesting option with a $3MM buyout

DHs
Jason Giambi
Aubrey Huff
Gary Sheffield

Starting pitchers
Josh Beckett – $12MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Erik Bedard
Justin Duchscherer
Rich Harden
Tim Hudson – $12MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
John Lackey
Cliff Lee – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Brett Myers
Brandon Webb – $8.5MM club option with a $500K+ buyout
Todd Wellemeyer

Closers
Mike Gonzalez
Kevin Gregg
Troy Percival
J.J. Putz – $8.6MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Fernando Rodney
Rafael Soriano
Salomon Torres
Jose Valverde
Billy Wagner – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout

Obviously it’s tough to say who will hit the market.  Sluggers like Bay, Holliday, and Ankiel stand a good chance.  Among starters, Bedard, Myers, and Harden are possibilities.