Uncategorized

Today's discussion question: who's the best outfielder of the 2009-10 free agent class?  Is it still Matt Holliday, despite his slow start?  Manny Ramirez, despite the PED-suspension?  Does Jason Bay's quiet production get the nod?  Maybe you prefer a leadoff man like Johnny Damon or a center fielder such as Mike Cameron?  Make your case in the comments.

The MLB Trade Rumors RSS feed is for private, non-commercial use only.  Headlines and content may not be syndicated or reprinted without permission.

You hear about Super Twos, but who are they and what distinguishes them from other players? Here's a quick explanation, along with lists of Super Twos from the last few years. None of these lists could have been assembled without Jeff Euston of Cot's Baseball Contracts. 

• According to the MLBPA: Super Twos come from the group of players who have between two and three years service time and at least 86 days service time the previous year. The 17% of those players with the most service time become Super Twos.
• They go to arbitration four times, instead of the usual three. 
• This means Super Twos make more money than other players who have between two and three years of service time. Going to arbitration four times is much more lucrative than renewing a contract once and going to arb three times.
• They don't become free agents earlier than other players; six years of service time are still required.
• No Super Two had less than two years, 130 days service time any of the last three winters. Alex Rios, Randy Flores and Antonio Perez all went to arbitration for the first time with two years, 130 days service time before the 2007 season.
• The most service time a Super Two player could have is two years, 171 days. Any more than that and the player has three years.
• Since 2007, the average Super Two has had two years and 148 days of service time. 
• Players who started the 2009 season with a year and 140 days of service time have a good chance at becoming Super Twos with a full season of baseball, but we won't know who qualifies until the season's over.
• Service time is written: years.days. So if a player has three years and 145 days of service time, it's noted as 3.145.

2010 Super Twos
Matt Albers, Orioles 2.141
Mike Fontenot, Cubs 2.139
Tom Gorzelanny, Cubs 2.160
Jared Burton, Reds 2.165
Nick Masset, Reds 2.146
Rafael Perez, Indians 2.157
Jason Hammel, Rockies 2.153
Hunter Pence, Astros 2.156
Alex Gordon, Royals 2.162
Carlos Gomez, Brewers 2.141
Rajai Davis, A's 2.167
Joey Devine, A's 2.171
Tim Lincecum, Giants 2.148
Brian Wilson, Giants 2.169
Matt Garza, Rays 2.149
Dustin Nippert, Rangers 2.140
Jesus Flores, Nationals 2.158

2009 Super Twos
Willy Aybar
Brian Bannister
Taylor Buchholz
Melky Cabrera
Chris Duncan
Andre Ethier
Cole Hamels
Shawn Hill
Brandon League
Russell Martin
Mike Napoli
Ricky Nolasco
Angel Pagan
Humberto Quintero
Luke Scott
Jack Taschner

2008 Super Twos
Jose Bautista
Brian Bruney
Tim Byrdak
Robinson Cano
Ryan Church
Matt Diaz
Jonny Gomes
Brad Hennessey
Ryan Howard
Casey Kotchman
Dallas McPherson
Augie Ojeda
George Sherrill
Brian Tallet
Mark Teahen
Chien-Ming Wang

2007 Super Twos
Dave Borkowski
Eric Bruntlett
Daniel Cabrera
Randy Flores
Jason Frasor
Geoff Geary
Jimmy Gobble
Matt Miller
Justin Morneau
Antonio Perez
Alex Rios
Cory Sullivan
Mike Wood

This post was updated on June 25th, 2010.

The season is about 17% over at this point, and certain 2010 free agents have seen their stock rise dramatically.  A few examples: Jason Varitek, Russell Branyan, Nick Johnson, Orlando Hudson, Andruw Jones, Erik Bedard, and Danys Baez.  In your opinion, which future free agent has done the most to improve his value in the season's first month?

Let's hear your picks for the best signing under $1MM guaranteed this year.  Contenders may include Jamey Wright, Jason Isringhausen, Rocco Baldelli, and David Eckstein.  Click here and scroll down to see the full list.

When I looked back at April 2008 I was surprised by how much action there was. So why not take a look through the MLBTR archives now that we've begun another month? If last year is any indication, May could be filled with old players trying to find teams and young players getting extensions. Here's a look at what happened a year ago:

Which free agents are off to solid starts?  Let's take a look.

• Derek Lowe, Braves: 3.10 ERA in 29 innings.  Just what the doctor ordered.
• Manny Ramirez, Dodgers: .360/.489/.600 in 94 plate appearances.
• Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: 2.08 ERA in 8.6 innings, 4 saves in 4 tries.
• Raul Ibanez, Phillies: .359/.433/.718 in 90 plate appearances.  The signing received a healthy amount of criticism, but Ibanez has been incredible so far.
• Adam Dunn, Nationals: .324/.477/.632 in 88 plate appearances.  As a team, the Nationals have a .358 OBP.
• Juan Rivera, Angels: .311/.364/.410 in 66 plate appearances.  More power would be nice, but it's still been a solid April.
• Koji Uehara, Orioles: 4.50 ERA in 30 innings.  The O's will take that kind of performance from Koji.
• Jeremy Affeldt, Giants: 2.79 ERA in 9.6 innings.
• Willy Taveras, Reds: .262/.351/.338 in 80 plate appearances.  Doing a decent job getting on base.
• Juan Cruz, Royals: 1.86 ERA in 9.6 innings.
• Braden Looper, Brewers: 2.45 ERA in 22 innings.
• Andy Pettitte, Yankees: 2.96 ERA in 27.3 innings.
• Bobby Abreu, Angels: .363/.422/.425 in 90 plate appearances.  No home runs yet, though.
• Jason Varitek, Red Sox: .250/.348/.533 in 69 plate appearances.
• Randy Wolf, Dodgers: 4.31 ERA in 31.3 innings.
• Arthur Rhodes, Reds: 0.00 ERA in 8 innings.
• David Weathers, Reds: 0.00 ERA in 6.3 innings.
• Orlando Hudson, Dodgers: .330/.408/.505 in 103 plate appearances.
• Felipe Lopez, Diamondbacks: .309/.378/.481 in 90 plate appearances.
• Russ Springer, Athletics: 0.96 ERA in 9.3 innings.
• Willie Bloomquist, Royals: .333/.432/.433 in 38 plate appearances.
• Dennys Reyes, Cardinals: 2.57 ERA in 7 innings.
• Dave Ross, Braves: .321/.457/.643 in 35 plate appearances.  We'll cut it off here at $3MM, but Mike Hampton and Russell Branyan certainly deserve a mention.

It's way too early to label the busts of the 2008-09 free agent class.  We're only about 12% into the season.  But I still want to take a look at the slow starts among the pricier free agents.  It doesn't take much to irritate a fanbase, initially.

• Mark Teixeira, Yankees: .206/.363/.381 in 80 plate appearances.  This contract runs through 2016, so it's barely begun.
• C.C. Sabathia, Yankees: 4.73 ERA in 32.3 innings.  So far we haven't seen the expected walk and strikeout rates.  This one runs through 2015.
• A.J. Burnett, Yankees: 5.47 ERA in 24.6 innings.  Home runs and walks have been the problem so far.  He's signed through 2013.
• Oliver Perez, Mets:  9.31 ERA in 19.3 innings.  Control has been the biggest problem, and there's already talk of moving him to the bullpen.  Perez is signed through 2011.
• Milton Bradley, Cubs: .107/.324/.214 in 37 plate appearances.  Bradley has started eight of the Cubs' 19 game so far and isn't off to a good start with the media.  He's signed through 2011, unless he spends significant time on the DL this year.
• Rafael Furcal, Dodgers: .241/.326/.316 in 89 plate appearances.  Signed through 2011.
• Kenshin Kawakami, Braves: 7.06 ERA in 21.6 innings.  Kawakami left his pinpoint control in Japan.  He's signed through 2011. 
• Kerry Wood, Indians: 6.75 ERA in 8 innings.  Vesting option for 2011.
• Brian Fuentes, Angels: 6.43 ERA in 7 innings.  Vesting option for 2011.
• Pat Burrell, Rays: .238/.364/.317 in 77 plate appearances.  Signed through 2010.
• Damaso Marte, Yankees: 15.19 ERA in 5.3 innings.  Signed through 2011.
• Kyle Farnsworth, Royals: 9.95 ERA in 6.3 innings.  Signed through 2010.
• Randy Johnson, Giants: 6.16 ERA in 19 innings.  Signed through 2009.
• Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: Missed most of April due to oblique injury.  Signed through 2009.
• Ty Wigginton, Orioles: .216/.256/.270 in 78 plate appearances.  Signed through 2010.
• Jason Giambi, A's: .215/.311/.308 in 74 plate appearances.  Signed through 2009.
• Brad Penny, Red Sox: 8.66 ERA in 17.6 innings.  Signed through 2009.  We'll cut it off here, at the $5MM+ deals.

A reader named Sam asks:

With so many contenders in need of relief help (Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies to name three), who do you think are the best relievers that could get traded this summer?

The Orioles may eventually be willing to move a few veteran relievers, such as Danys Baez and Jamie Walker.  The D'Backs would probably like to unload Jon Rauch, and could conceivably make Tom Gordon or even Chad Qualls available.  The Rays may be able to spare an arm, perhaps Dan Wheeler.  The Red Sox have a deep bullpen.

As far as marquee closers go, Jose Valverde could be the best available in July.  He's an impending free agent, but on the other hand the Astros are typically loath to throw in the towel.  If the Astros do become sellers, they also have LaTroy Hawkins and Doug Brocail.

Other possibilities: Russ Springer, John Grabow, Rafael Betancourt, Huston Street, and Joe Beimel.  All of the names in this post are speculative, of course.  Your thoughts and predictions?

Is your company looking to reach college-educated 18-34 year-old males?  MLB Trade Rumors offers an opportunity to reach this audience at an affordable rate.  Please contact Tim Dierkes at mlbtradvertising@gmail.com for more information about advertising with MLBTR for the month of May.