Headlines

  • Astros Sign Jake Odorizzi
  • Brewers Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.
  • Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez
  • No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021
  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Free Agent And Trade Market For Designated Hitters

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 4, 2011 at 10:20am CDT

Supply always seems to exceed demand for designated hitters. Only 14 jobs exist, which tends to create a late-developing buyers' market. Here's a look ahead to this offseason's available and potentially available DHs:

Starting Designated Hitters Available In Free Agency

David Ortiz, arguably the league's top designated hitter, hits free agency in search of a three-year deal. He hit 29 homers and posted a .309/.398/.554 line for the Red Sox in 2011, so he has an excellent case for a multiyear deal. Assuming the Red Sox offer arbitration, the Type A free agent will cost a top pick in the 2012 draft for all teams but Boston. Ortiz's former teammate, Johnny Damon, and Jason Kubel are other free agent DHs who produced in everyday roles this past season.

Quality Backups

Vladimir Guerrero hit .290/.317/.416 in 2011, but teams will want more than a league-average hitter for their DH spots (Guerrero's OPS+ was 101). Hideki Matsui was a below-average offensive player in 2011 and Oakland's interest in retaining him appears to be waning. Jorge Posada and, to a lesser extent, Jack Cust can hit right-handed pitching, while Wily Mo Pena has hit lefties in the past. Jim Thome still has pop, but he's probably not an everyday option at the age of 41.

Non-Tender Candidates

The Orioles could non-tender Luke Scott, depending on who their new general manager is and the health of Scott's right shoulder.

Thinking Outside The Box

Ryan Doumit, Carlos Quentin and Mark Reynolds can hit and they aren't known for their defensive ability. Doumit's a free agent, while Quentin and Reynolds may become available in trades. It wouldn't be easy to pry Jesus Montero away from the Yankees, but his name may come up as a potential trade chip and few doubt his ability to hit. Josh Willingham has been an outfielder to this point in his career, but may appeal for teams looking for offense.

Other Trade Candidates

It's hard to imagine takers for Adam Dunn after his dismal 2011 season. Perhaps new Angels GM Jerry Dipoto will consider moving Bobby Abreu. Billy Butler can hit, but he's getting expensive ($8MM salary for 2012-14), so it'd be interesting to see how much trade value he has. Carlos Lee could be available in trades.

Check out our full free agent list, as well as our articles on the markets at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field and center field.

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

2012 Free Agent And Trade Market

Morosi On Lincecum, Cameron, Renteria, Carroll
Main
Rockies Notes: Cuddyer, Ramirez, Sizemore
0 comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Astros Sign Jake Odorizzi

    Brewers Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Recent

    Jose Martinez Suffers Torn Meniscus

    MLBTR Poll: Projecting The 2021 Blue Jays

    Astros Sign Jake Odorizzi

    COVID Notes: 3/8/21

    AL Health Notes: Rosenthal, Mariners, Long, Greiner

    Latest On Mets, Maikel Franco

    NL Notes: Jeffress, Nationals, Varsho, Howard

    MLB To Adopt Modified, Loan-Based Revenue Sharing Plan For 2021 Season

    Brewers Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Central Notes: Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Pirates

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version