Only 11 of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remain unsigned. Johnny Damon checks in at number 11 and here are the top ten, with their original rankings in parentheses and their rumored suitors to this point in the winter:
1. Rafael Soriano (7) – The Yankees might be in, but the White Sox, Rangers and Cardinals don't appear to have interest. Are the Angels going to step up after a relatively quiet winter?
2. Carl Pavano (13) – The Twins are closing in on a deal with the right-hander.
3. Jim Thome (18) – Thome will play in 2011, but it's hard to predict which team will sign him. To vote on the slugger's future, click here.
4. Vladimir Guerrero (19) – The Orioles, Angels and Rays are reportedly interested in Vlad.
5. Manny Ramirez (20) – Predicting Manny's next team isn't much easier than predicting his next quirky move. There's a good chance he ends up DHing on a one-year deal.
6. Andy Pettitte - (25) – The veteran lefty is still undecided about his future, so the Yankees are still in limbo.
7. Brian Fuentes (33) - The Pirates aren't pursuing Fuentes, but the Blue Jays and Rays are among the lefty's many suitors.
8. Kevin Millwood (38) – The Rockies, Cubs and Royals have been linked to Millwood this offseason.
9. Grant Balfour (42) – Balfour, a Type A free agent, will cost a draft pick. The O's expressed interest before signing Kevin Gregg, but it's not clear if the team is still considering Balfour.
10. Scott Podsednik (44) – The Angels are in on Podsednik and the Reds maintain interest, though they added the left-handed hitting Jeremy Hermida.
How is Millwood in the top ten remaining?
must mean that the crop is very, very thin…
I can’t see anyone giving up a 1st round pick for Belfore. I wouldn’t.
Balfour is in a tough position, I agree. Especially since this draft is supposed to be a very deep draft. This is one example where the rules hurt a player’s signability.
Balfour is in a tough position, I agree. Especially since this draft is supposed to be a very deep draft. This is one example where the rules hurt a player’s signability.
Being a Type A relief pitcher (when compensation is involved) is tough these days. Now that the new baseball analysis has shown their lack of value, teams do not seem inclined to sign them. It’s not worth a lost draft pick. It’s the curse of having pitched well in relief.
I suspect Balfour and Soriano will have to return to Tampa Bay…
Balfour sorry
Someone give Manny a deal already — worst case he sells some seats and excitement. Bring him to Toronto to DH, Lind can handle first and EE can take a seat.
Bring back Frank Thomas and Kevin Millar while you’re at it.
Ha, yeah… Thats a parallel. :S
How could Manny hurt the Jays? He would provide protection for an young meaty lineup. Comparing him to Kevin Millar is sad.
And for the record Big Hurts first year in Toronto was decent, the issue was the multi-year contract.
Its more of a comparison to a JP Ricciardi type of move…
Essentially adding Manny makes no sense, he’s lost his pop, sure he’ll still get on base, but he’ll almost offer nothing in return of value even if he has a semi decent year..
If you play encarnacion, and he has 23 dingers at the deadline, you can flip him in to prospects or let him walk as a type B free agent.
Encarnacion does not put up productive at bats. Look at this numbers last year, take away his best 3-5 games and thats a brutal line. I appreciate his raw power, free swinging ways… but only off the bench.
Manny’s OBP alone would help the Jays. Who is going to pitch around Jose to get to Manny, or the other way around? It’s a scary prospect.
I know it’s not happening as EE has the DH spot… but I would propose that if the Jays were comfortable having Lind at first (Cito’s fault they are not) then Manny would indeed be a Jay.
While I agree with you on the Lind aspect, the reality is they are not, and signed EE as a back up first baseman if Lind fails.
Here’s to Lind scooping up those errant throws — although with Bautista arm at 3bag, Yunel at short and Hill at second, not sure how many errant throws will need scooping.
Ha, yeah… Thats a parallel. :S
How could Manny hurt the Jays? He would provide protection for an young meaty lineup. Comparing him to Kevin Millar is sad.
And for the record Big Hurts first year in Toronto was decent, the issue was the multi-year contract.
Jays coulda used Manny’s OBP with all their 1 run dingers last year.
Here Here. Solo shot masters in 2010.
You know it’s bad when they hit 6 HR in a game and still lose.
Here Here. Solo shot masters in 2010.
Jays coulda used Manny’s OBP with all their 1 run dingers last year.
Poor Grant Balfour, that type A status in a strong reliever market is just killing him. The fact that he’s not a superstar also hurts. If no team is willing to surrender a draft pick for him, is he out of baseball for a year??
he wont be out of baseball, he will probably go back to Tampa. He will probably work some sort of clause in there that if he is a Type A again that he not be offered arb.
why would tampa just bend over and do that?
Cause they need him and if he sees no one else wants him he may re-sign at a discount.
to give tampa nothing back (forfeiting type A status if achieved) it would have to be a pretty big discount
I just can’t see anyone giving up a 1st rounder for him. He’s good but not that good. At this point it’s getting down to taking what’s out there. I’d like for him to stay in Tampa because he’s been successful here and we obviously could use him with all the pitching we’ve lost, but I can’t see paying him the kind of money he’s looking for considering the other arms available out there in the same price range.
well there’s 15 teams with protected picks.. and about 4 or 5 teams that have already lost their 1st round picks for signing other free agents. so 19-20 teams would not lose a 1st round draft pick for signing him..
True, but who wants to forfeit even a second round pick for a 33-year-old inconsistent reliever?
Especially if this upcoming draft is as deep as everyone says…
Well it could end up being a 3rd rounder.. it really depends on the situation. I agree with you, he should have accepted arb from the beginning. He should def fire his agent
I don’t think it’s fair to fire his agent but they way type A comp works and the way teams have valued their picks vs the value of middle relievers have in essense, and I say this for lack of better words, turned them into indentured servants who by defacto have almost a zero market anymore outside of the team they were w/ previously. Thus making it difficult for the better relievers to find employment thru FA.
I don’t think it’s fair to fire his agent but they way type A comp works and the way teams have valued their picks vs the value of middle relievers have in essense, and I say this for lack of better words, turned them into indentured servants who by defacto have almost a zero market anymore outside of the team they were w/ previously. Thus making it difficult for the better relievers to find employment thru FA.
Well it could end up being a 3rd rounder.. it really depends on the situation. I agree with you, he should have accepted arb from the beginning. He should def fire his agent
Cause they need him and if he sees no one else wants him he may re-sign at a discount.
A team with a protected pick will end up taking him, or a team that has already lost their first round draft pick… Texas maybe?
I can’t imagine that’s the only recourse… That’d be a damn shame.
He can’t be the first or only Type A who didn’t receive an offer…at what point does it somehow become easier to sign him?
I though Balfour was a pretty good reliever. What if a team has already had to hand over their first rounder i.e. The White Sox and Adam Dunn what happens if the Sox were to sign him?
Team gives up 1st rounder for highest ranked type A. 2nd rounder for next highest type A. And so on down the line. If Sox signed Soriano they give up 1st rounder for him, and 2nd rounder for Dunn.
I though Balfour was a pretty good reliever. What if a team has already had to hand over their first rounder i.e. The White Sox and Adam Dunn what happens if the Sox were to sign him?
I think the Nationals or the Orioles will end up signing him (or Soriano.)
Both of them have their first rounders protected.
I think the Nationals or the Orioles will end up signing him (or Soriano.)
Both of them have their first rounders protected.
Soriano-Yankees
Pavano-Twins
Thome-Twins
Vlad- Baltimore
ManRam-Rays
Pettitte- Retire
Fuentes-Jays
Millwood-Cubs
Balfour-Texas
Pods- Angels
why would Millwood sign with the cubs when they already have 6 starters?
perhaps they trade one? depth?
Silva and Wells aren’t exactly perfectly reliable.
Silva and Wells aren’t exactly perfectly reliable.
perhaps they trade one? depth?
why would Millwood sign with the cubs when they already have 6 starters?
Millwood will sign with the Padres or the Mets.
Getting out of the AL East and into an NL pitchers park will be a fountain of youth for the guy.
The Orioles would be close to having their own Murderer’s Row Lite if they sign Vlad.
emphasis on the Lite
maybe Manslaughter’s Row
There is a reason for why I included the word Lite…
Yep, caught that.. that was the joke.. Manslaughter is kind of a “lite” murder so to speak.. hence the Manslaughter’s Row joke.
Not as funny when you have to spell it out i guess.
Yeah I got that…sorry, it was sort of a response to all that are saying I was over the top…
To be honest, i really like what the O’s have done to their infield this year.
I dont think their pitching staff is quite ready enough to succeed in the East this year, but their lineup should be pretty decent, especially if you toss in Vlad.
When you think of it, besides boston, pitching isn’t a driving factor in the AL east. Tampa and Jays rotations are both good, but both had pretty substantial losses to their rotation and bullpen. Yankees rotation and bullpen looks thing, Sox should lead the way, but it could turn in to a last big hit wins the game division.
Vlad Would give the orioles a Killer Lineup to go with there Killer in the Pen.
Vlad Would give the orioles a Killer Lineup to go with there Killer in the Pen.
You’re absolutely right. Still, as its currently configured (offseason’s not over for anyone) I’d have to say the (projected) starting 5 of the other AL East clubs puts their respective teams at an advantage over Baltimore.
That said, i wouldnt be surprised if Baltimore is pushing for a WC slot come Sept.
When you think of it, besides boston, pitching isn’t a driving factor in the AL east. Tampa and Jays rotations are both good, but both had pretty substantial losses to their rotation and bullpen. Yankees rotation and bullpen looks thing, Sox should lead the way, but it could turn in to a last big hit wins the game division.
Haha I actually laughed at your explaining it out more
maybe Manslaughter’s Row
The “Murderer’s Row” thing is way over the top, but I’d love to see both Lee and Vlad in there with that young offense…
1. Roberts, 2b
2. Markakis, rf
3. Vlad, dh
4. Reynolds, 3b
5. Lee, 1b
6. Scott, lf
7. Jones, cf
8. Wieters, c
9. Hardy, ss
I don’t mind three righties in a row in the middle of the lineup because Vlad, Reynolds and Lee all hit lefties and righties very well.
Of course, if they sign Vlad, I expect that the O’s would try to trade Luke Scott for another starter or some more bullpen help. Such a trade would bump Jones and Wieters up a spot and put Felix Pie in left hitting eighth.
Looks interesting, but man is there a ton of K’s in that lineup!
Um… What?
Sure, Reynolds is there, but aside from that, Lee is the only one who has ever struck out more than 150 times (164 in 2002).
Vlad has never struck out more than 100 times. Neither has Hardy or Wieters. Jones has topped out at 119, Scott at 104, Markakis at 113, Roberts at 112.
I guess that might be a bit higher than normal, but nothing close to “a ton”.
Looks interesting, but man is there a ton of K’s in that lineup!
Anyway they can manage to hi-jack Adam Dunn into the lineup to complete it?
It’s funny to think Dunn and Reynolds used to be in the same lineup, striking out together like madmen.
I think everything u predicted is close except millwood, i think hes going to COL . Pods to CIN
Soriano-Yankees
Pavano-Twins
Thome-Twins
Vlad- Baltimore
ManRam-Rays
Pettitte- Retire
Fuentes-Jays
Millwood-Cubs
Balfour-Texas
Pods- Angels
I’d rather see them bring back Delgado if his hip is healed…
so it doesn’t matter that the cubs have 6 starters as it is? what will Millwood do for the Cubs?
well..ummm probably pitch 😉
Surrender more home runs.
so it doesn’t matter that the cubs have 6 starters as it is? what will Millwood do for the Cubs?
As much as I enjoyed the ‘stache with the Twins the last year and a half – is he worth the $$$ when Millwood can be had cheaper and is more consistent? Odd for the Twins to pay for a career year – first WAR over 1 since ’04 (5.1, 0.0, out in ’06, 0.0, -0.1, 0.5, 4.6)
And IP – (222, 100, out, 11, 34, 198, 221).
Millwood WAR ’05-’10 – 4.0, 3.1, 0.0, 0.7, 3.4, 0.5. Plus between 168-215 innings per.
Unless they really believe he’s back for good and won’t break the bank, Pavano seems an odd move, especially with arms in waiting.
I think I would rank Damon ahead of Manny. At least Johnny actually cares about winning and playing his heart out.
I think I would rank Damon ahead of Manny. At least Johnny actually cares about winning and playing his heart out.
For the Mets, Chris Young is #1. PLEASE sign him Sandy, I will be eternally grateful.
With the Tigers still having money left to spend and already surrendering their first round pick to Boston anyway, I wonder if the Tigers could sneak in and sign Soriano. They would have the best late-inning combo in the game with Soriano, Valverde, Benoit to finish it out. My guess is the Angels sign him however. No way they surrender their first round pick this offseason just to sign Scott Downs.
they are not giving up their first round pick for Downs, their pick is protected
The O’s signing vlad would give them leverage for sure, then trade scott, or someone else like pie, for a starter or at least bullpen help
Kevin millwood is probably the most underrated player on that list