For the first post of Season 34, let's take a look at the top free agent signings of the offseason!
1. Braeden Abercrombie, 30, SP
Previous Team: Sacramento
Re-signed with Sacramento - 5 Years, $110 Million
Analysis: One of, if not the, best pitchers in all of Cobbfather ratings-wise and only 30 years old. It was a huge win for Sacramento to be able to re-sign their staff ace, even if it was for a max contract, he's well worth it.
2. Tony Corpas, 31, SP
Previous Team: Houston
Signed with Los Angeles - 5 Years, $85.7 Million
Analysis: Part of the much feared Houston pitching staff is taking his act out West to LA. It's hard to find any faults in Corpas' makeup, his ratings are outstanding across the board and has a nice track record to match. Paying him top of the rotation money should pay off, as he should be able to produce 200 innings of excellent quality pitching throughout his new contract.
3. Jared Gonzales, 32, CF
Previous Team: Montgomery
Signed with Monterrey - 5 Years, $52 Million
Analysis: His huge power bat combined with his ability to play an excellent CF or 2B make him the top offensive player in this season's free agent class. The Season 32 NL MVP is coming off a bit of a down year, and has some age related decline concerns, but should certainly bolster the Monterrey lineup at a relatively reasonable price.
4. Ken DuBose, 29, 1B
Previous Team: Los Angeles
Signed with Pawtucket - 5 Years, $60 Million
Analysis: An outstanding all-around hitter, with no weaknesses other than a low LH split. That shouldn't hold him back from putting up outstanding numbers at the plate. He can play a decent LF and has plus defensive ratings for 1B. But his biggest asset is his bat, and at 29 years old this season, should be a nice contributor for the duration of the contract.
5. Pat Kimbrel, 32, SP
Previous Team: Fargo
Signed with Montgomery - 4 Years, $46 Million
Analysis: Kimbrel is another solid, dependable SP. His ratings look solid, although his splits aren't quite at ace level. Still, he's pitched well the last three season, particularly in Season 32, and should be a nice fit for the Montgomery rotation. He's just as good as many of the hurlers on this list, although he is the oldest of those that made the list.
6. Jim Powell, 30, SP
Previous Team: Salem
Signed with Cincinnati - 5 Years, $42 Million
Analysis: It was a big year for SP's on the free agent market, as Powell is another solid arm, with ace-like ratings across the board, except for his splits. He was very good as part of the Salem staff, although seemingly didn't rack up many wins. Still, he's a nice add for a rebuilding Cincinnati squad, and at only age 30, he should still be good at the end of his 5-year deal.
7. Orval Pfeffer, 28, SP
Previous Team: Buffalo
Signed with Boise - 3 Years, $15 Million
Analysis: Pfeffer is nowhere near as good as Abercrombie, but is still an excellent starter with a good track record and only 28 years old. He's not going to break any records, but will be solid, dependable arm in the rotation who is capable of throwing 200 innings. Considering the price, it appears to be a very nice signing for Boise.
8. Bernard Gonzales, 28, SP
Previous Team: Cincinnati
Signed with Boise - 3 Years, $12.9 Million
Analysis: Boise lands yet another 28 year old hurler who should be a reliable arm, yet not a perennial All-Star. Despite his mediocre track record, it's a surprise that he was in the minors most of last year and seems to be in a setup role this season. He has great ratings except for a poor LH split and only a good, not great RH split. It will be interesting to see what he does if given another shot to start.
9. Erubiel Morales, 28, RP
Previous Team: Montgomery
Signed with Cincinnati - 5 Years, $70.5 Million
Analysis: There's no question Morales is an outstanding pitcher, his ratings are nearly flawless across the board. His one downside is low stamina, which makes him a short inning starter or a reliever. He's had success in both roles and looks like he'll at least start his career in Cinicinnati out of the bullpen. Wherever his innings come from, they should be of very high quality.
10. Dwight Ramsey, 31, RP
Previous Team: Buffalo
Signed with Nashville - 5 Years, $34.1 Million
Analysis: It's hard to find any faults with Ramsey's makeup. It would be tough to find a better combination of control, splits, velocity and pitch quality out there. Limited durability and stamina will keep his total innings down, but he will excel at whatever role he serves over the course of his contract, as demonstrated by his past track record of success.
11. Philip Vasquez, 34, 3B
Previous Team: Cheyenne
Signed with Salem - 2 Years, $21 Million
Analysis: Vasquez is a nice fielding third baseman with strong batting attributes. He has a very good batting eye, is excellent vs. RHP and has\a high contact rate with average power. Age related decline is a concern and the reason he is not higher on the list. The length of the deal is perfect and he should be a solid add to an already stellar Salem squad.
12. Jaret Miller, 34, 3B
Previous Team: Atlanta
Signed with Houston - 1 Year, $5 Million
Analysis: Miller is a very similar player to Vazquez. He is a strong fielding 3rd Baseman with an elite batting eye at the plate, and solid enough hitting ratings otherwise. He's also 34 years old, which means age related decline is on the way, but should be a nice 1 year pickup for the defending champs for this season.
13. Junior Roberts, 34, 3B
Previous Team: Cheyenne
Re-signed with Cheyenne - 1 Year, $5 Million
Analysis: It's the season of the 34 year-old 3rd Baseman in Cobbfather free agency! Roberts compares favorably with his counterparts, although with lower range defensively, and an average RH split at the plate. Still, even on the downside of his career, he's still a strong asset to have and goes back to Cheyenne on a one-year deal.
14. Tony Cabeza, 29, 1B
Previous Team: Monterrey
Signed with Cleveland - 1 Year, $4.6 Million
Analysis: With one of the best batting eyes in all of Cobbfather and solid hitting ratings otherwise, there wasn't much of a market for Cabeza it seems, probably because of his fielding ability, where he's an average 1st baseman at best. Cleveland picked him up on a one-year deal and he is currently coming off the bench.
15. Dorian Whitaker, 31, 3B
Previous Team: Sacramento
Re-Signed with Sacramento - 3 Years, $20.4 Million
Analysis: Whitaker has excellent power and a nice batting eye, to go with average splits and low contact. That combination can still result in some very nice seasons at the plate, as his past history indicates. Defensively, he's a below average 3rd Baseman, although playing him there isn't an enormous stretch.