The free agent market will feature an unusually strong class of outfielders this coming offseason, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes. Josh Hamilton leads a group that includes Michael Bourn, Andre Ethier, Melky Cabrera, Shane Victorino, B.J. Upton and Carlos Quentin. However, teams are looking to avoid unnecessary long-term commitments, so it may not be possible for all of these players to cash in. Here are more notes from Olney:
- Cole Hamels’ contract talks with the Phillies remain dormant, Olney reports. Hamels is on track for free agency after the season, when he’ll be the top starting pitcher available.
- One general manager suggested the Orioles could become aggressive bidders for Hamilton, who will likely command an annual salary of $20MM-plus. "But [at that price] I don't think he's got a lot of places to go," the GM told Olney.
- Some MLB officials guesstimate Quentin could be in line for a deal in the four-year, $48MM range if he stays healthy and keeps hitting. Four years and $60MM isn’t out of the question, according to those officials.
- Personally I see Quentin signing for two or three years at an average annual value of $6-9MM. He'll turn 30 before the offseason, his defense isn't particularly well-regarded and injury questions persist, so I believe he'd do well to match Josh Willingham's three-year, $21MM deal.
Nick Swisher is among that list too.
and Ichiro haha.
Some MLB officials guesstimate Quentin could be in line for a deal in the four-year, $48MM range if he stays healthy and keeps hitting. Four years and $60MM isn’t out of the question, according to those officials.
He’s played 8 games so far in 2012. They are telling us he can get 12 – 15 million for 8 games. I wish I could get the same pay rate.
Also, Hamilton to the Orioles, now that would be interesting. I just worry about injury for the long term contract. More so than his off the field issues. He would be a lot of fun if he came to “Charm City” and would definitely put fans in the seats!
He would pay for himself, believe me he would.
I am a life long Orioles’ fan but after Angelos shelling out money to Jones and having to pony up more money to Weiters in a few years. I doubt he will give hamilton 7-8yrs at 20+mil. Please prove me wrong.
You would really want your team to pay Hamilton for 7-8 years @ $20MM+ per year?? Good luck with that.
A productive stretch of games will not change the fact that Quentin is extremely injury prone. I still would like to see the Pirates trade for him, but teams should tread with caution when making up his next contract. 3/24 would probably be the max for me.
A few weeks back it was said that the Nats didn’t believe Harper was their long term solution for CF; welcome Victorino/Upton…. I am not sure the market for B.J. but I am sure the Nats will be in to the end. They may even make a run at Melky.
Phillies won’t trade Vic to Nats, that’s a guarantee.
Unless Rendon is on the table.
Assuming the Phillies re-sign/extend him I would agree. He hits the market you better believe the Nats will be calling.
I am curious what it would take to re-sign Melky midseason. His success that is carrying over from 2011 is appearing more and more sustainable every day. Would 3/$27M do it?
Ned would be all over a 3 year contract for an ex-giant. (Schmidt, Uribe)
I wish Hamilton and Texas could come to an agreement on years for a deal. Reports say Texas is willing to meet the dollar demand but that Hamilton wants too many years. They need to find a nice middle ground, such as a 5 year deal with an option for a 6th, that would work for both sides.
That’s a good call! I believe that’s what Hamilton will settle for after he tests the FA market and returns to Texas.
I’m thinking Corey Hart will move to 1B permanently, and Brewers will be in market for an OF with potentially a fair amount to spend. Ethier or Cabrera make a lot of sense. So would Hamilton for the right price with the Johnny Narron connection.
Ethier isn’t leaving
hmm
Was this the same “quality” source that linked the Orioles to Prince Fielder? Or Edwin Jackson? Or Pujols? Absurd. They haven’t signed a major player on the free agent market since Tejada in 2003. That’s a track record folks.