A Look At The 2010 Free Agent Class
Since it’s more of a reference, I didn’t allow comments on our 2010 MLB Free Agents post. This post will be the place for readers to comment on these players, who we’ll be talking about constantly a year from now (although some will sign extensions). Random thoughts:
- Scott Boras’ top guys for the 2009-10 offseason: Adrian Beltre, Johnny Damon, Matt Holliday, Rick Ankiel, and Ryan Madson. He’s weak in the starting pitching category with Jarrod Washburn and Kevin Millwood.
- The group feels older than this year’s. Players who will be under 30 in 2010: Omar Infante, Hank Blalock, Wily Mo Pena, Rich Harden, Brett Myers, and Madson.
- John Lackey heads the starting pitchers, though he may sign an extension. After him it’s Myers, unless Erik Bedard or Harden have huge, healthy years. Of course, there’s always guys you don’t see coming, like Ryan Dempster this year.
- If you want a big bat, you’re looking at whoever’s left of Carlos Delgado, Troy Glaus, Chipper Jones, Jason Bay, Holliday, Ankiel, Jermaine Dye, Vladimir Guerrero, Aubrey Huff, and Jim Thome.
- Forget about these guys, whose options will likely be exercised: Victor Martinez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Webb.
2010 MLB Free Agents
2010 MLB free agents – MLBTR's up-to-date list is below. These are players who are currently free agents. The player's 2010 age is in parentheses and Scott Boras clients are bolded. I've included Type A or B status. If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us.
Updated 9-21-10
Catchers
Paul Bako (38)
Chris Coste (37)
Toby Hall (34)
Paul Lo Duca (38)
Mike Rabelo (30)
Mike Redmond (39)
Shawn Riggans (30)
First basemen
Garrett Atkins (30)
Hank Blalock (29)
Robb Quinlan (33)
Second basemen
Mark Grudzielanek (40)
Felipe Lopez (30)
Shortstops
Bobby Crosby (30)
Adam Everett (33)
Third basemen
Hank Blalock (29)
Joe Crede (32)
Ramon Vazquez (33)
Left fielders
Garret Anderson (38)
David Dellucci (36)
Gary Sheffield (41)
Cory Sullivan (30)
Center fielders
Joey Gathright (29)
Gary Matthews Jr. (35)
Right fielders
Jermaine Dye (36) – Type A, not offered arb
Designated hitters
Gary Sheffield (41)
Starting pitchers
Brandon Backe (32)
Paul Byrd (39)
Bartolo Colon (37)
Adam Eaton (32)
Braden Looper (35) – Type B, not offered arb
Noah Lowry (29)
Pedro Martinez (38)
Eric Milton (34)
Odalis Perez (33)
Jason Schmidt (37)
John Smoltz (43)
Josh Towers (33)
Jarrod Washburn (35)
Todd Wellemeyer (31)
Right-handed relievers
Chad Bradford (35)
Mike Burns (31)
Kiko Calero (35)
Juan Cruz (31)
Brendan Donnelly (38)
Edgar Gonzalez (27)
Tom Gordon (42)
Bob Howry (36)
Seth McClung (29)
Russ Ortiz (36)
David Riske (33)
Rudy Seanez (41)
Julian Tavarez (37)
Luis Vizcaino (35)
David Weathers (40) – Type B, not offered arb
Left-handed relievers
Alan Embree (40)
Eddie Guardado (39)
Hunter Jones (26)
John Parrish (32)
Glendon Rusch (35)
Scott Schoeneweis (36)
Jamie Walker (38)
Cot's Baseball Contracts and MLB4U were used in the creation of this list.
Tigers Sign Matt Treanor
THURSDAY, 11:03am: This deal is done, according to the AP. The Tigers will go with a Gerald Laird–Matt Treanor tandem at catcher for ’09.
WEDNESDAY, 2:13pm: Dan Connolly learned that Orioles president Andy MacPhail has been informed that Treanor agreed to a contract with the Tigers.
TUESDAY, 11:38pm: Morosi says the Tigers are close to signing Treanor to a one-year deal.
4:40pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have had recent talks for free agent catcher Matt Treanor. They’d discussed a trade with the Marlins for him prior to his release. The Orioles are also known to be in discussions with Treanor.
Treanor, 33 in March, hit .238/.306/.301 in 234 plate appearances (the highest total of his career). He threw out 25.4% of attempted basestealers in ’08, 14.3% in ’07.
Twins Still Exploring Shortstop Options
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins are still exploring shortstop options despite signing Nick Punto.
Two of the team’s targets do not seem available – J.J. Hardy and Yunel Escobar. The Braves were hard-pressed to discuss Escobar even when they thought they had Rafael Furcal, though the Twins inquired. And Doug Melvin is sticking to his stance on Hardy.
We talked about other failed Twins infield pursuits yesterday.
Peavy-Boston Possibility
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discusses the possibility of Jake Peavy being traded to the Red Sox:
The Red Sox have "some" interest in Peavy, but as of a few days ago the teams had not entertained any substantive trade talks as Padres GM Kevin Towers knew that Boston was not on Peavy’s wish list. But now that talks with Atlanta and the Cubs have broken down, Towers needs a new team to deal with and the 27-year-old Peavy, according to his agent, Barry Axelrod, probably would OK a deal to Boston. But if there’s a Mark Teixeira splash, the Red Sox might not have the money to entertain it.
Padres CEO Sandy Alderson recently said the team is no longer actively pursuing a Peavy trade, but left the door open in case a team approaches them. While the Red Sox easily have the young pitching to get it done, they’d also have the leverage to shoot for a bargain in a trade with San Diego. Kevin Towers has historically been Theo Epstein’s most frequent trade partner, but keep in mind that Peavy is in control.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
Hoping the Yankees sign Manny Ramirez? Ken Davidoff of Newsday gives it about a 20% chance. As for Manny signing with the Mets, Davidoff gives it no chance.
Davidoff’s colleague Kat O’Brien paints a similar picture, suggesting that the Yankees’ baseball operations people "have not even discussed Ramirez at any length." O’Brien says the Yanks are more interested in Mark Teixeira, who is also a long shot. Tex is expected to sign before Manny.
Did the Mike Cameron talks fizzle to allow for a Yankees pursuit of Manny? Mark Feinsand’s source says there’s no connection. Still, Feinsand believes Hank Steinbrenner is pushing for Ramirez.
Pirates Close To Extension With Doumit, Not McLouth
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are close to signing catcher Ryan Doumit to an extension. Doumit, 28, had a breakout year with a .318/.357/.501 line in 465 plate appearances. He’s arbitration-eligible for the first time.
Kovacevic learned that talks with Nate McLouth‘s agent for an extension are "close to dead," according to his agent. The two sides were never close on the dollars. McLouth is under team control through 2011 anyway.
Derrick Turnbow Derby
We learned yesterday from Dejan Kovacevic that five teams are in serious talks for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow. One large-market team (not the Pirates) made a Major League offer.
Jon Paul Morosi talked to Turnbow’s agent Damon Lapa, who said the Tigers called him this week to reaffirm their interest. The Tigers have Turnbow’s medical records (he dealt with a slight labrum tear this year). Lapa expects his client to sign somewhere by the end of the year.
According to Morosi, the Pirates, Marlins, Rays, Rangers, and Phillies have also shown interest in Turnbow. The last three are new, while the Rockies and Giants have been linked to Turnbow in the past as well.
Padres Eyeing Vizquel, Eckstein, Grudz
Tom Krasovic talked to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who is looking for help in the middle infield via the free agent market. Three players on the radar: Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein, and Mark Grudzielanek. Towers is looking for bargains. San Diego might be a tough sell for Grudzielanek, who left Kansas City to sign with a team with a better chance of reaching the World Series.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Markakis, Johnson
We have a new column from Ken Rosenthal this evening.
- Mark Teixeira is holding up many areas of the free agent market, as guys like Brian Fuentes and Milton Bradley know the Angels will be interested if Tex signs elsewhere.
- Rosenthal believes the Yankees should continue to be aggressive and make a competitive bid for Teixeira.
- The "poor working conditions and occasionally unruly crowd behavior" make it hard for the A’s to attract free agents. Their move in 2012 should help.
- Rosenthal believes Chase Utley‘s seven year, $85MM deal could provide a framework for a Nick Markakis extension.
- The A’s will wait for free agent bargains now that they’ve lost Rafael Furcal.
- The Red Sox and Mets are the main suitors for Derek Lowe, with the Yankees less likely.
- The Braves have been shopping Kelly Johnson for an outfielder. Attempts to acquire Ryan Ludwick or Corey Hart did not work out.