S61 Upcoming Free Agents

Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

Roster expansion is officially in effect, and still plenty of time for up coming free agents to resign; let's take a look at what might be available next off-season. All numbers are based upon the previous 5 seasons. Players are listed by their ages as of spring training S62.

• Catchers
• Chris Martin (R - Mon - 30) - Martin offers the most power of any possible Catcher; and while he's not the best pitch caller, he's hit 30-40 HR the last couple of seasons in Montreal with everything from a .235 to .279 average. He's also on the younger side, just now reaching his 30s. With Montreal in compete mood, I can't imagine they wouldn't try to resign or extend him. But for now he's on the list. 
• David Andrus (R - Cin - 31) - Acquired this season by Cincy; I imagine they'll resign him as they've only just kicked off their run at a World Series. He's not the best behind the plate, but by no means is he the worst either. Hitting in Cincy that bat should pop a little more than normal as well. But for now he's on the list with Martin.
• Nefi James (R - Chr - 31) - Solid pitch caller behind the plate and still offers a solid bat, but similar to Andrus; I'm assuming Charleston will want him back given his age. 
• Wilington Nunez (R - Was - 33) - Nunez is familiar with the short contract, though he hit decently well as a part timer in DC this season. I imagine we'll see him on a short contract again. He's a career .265-.270 hitter with limited power and speed. Singles are where it's at! 
• Matt Weathers (R - Ana - 34) - Even if his weight his higher than his batting average, he still calls a GREAT game and offers a ton on defense; he's thrown on more than 50% of would be base stealers over the course of his career. For teams like Chicago, Mexico City, or Dover - that would greatly improve how well they are performing this season. But then again, those are all ta..."rebuilding" teams, so why not allow a hitter to get an extra base. 
• Shane Malone (R - Har - 35) - Hasn't seen a ton of drop, though definitely starting to show that wear; however it's always been the lack of durability for Malone. Let him platoon against lefties at best. He still makes above average contact and provides above average power. 
• Braulio Guardado (R - Hel - 35) - Is it the ratings drops or does he just not like Helena that much? Sine being traded to Helena in S59; he's gone from a 50 HR hitter to 40 to 25, to a possible 20. And his average as dropped big time too. If he resigns it will be as a defensive replacement late in the game or to give your star catcher some reason. 
• First Basemen
• Emilio Molina (R - Col - 32) - Not your typical power bat, but has still seen 20-25 HR over recent reasons on a .260ish average. Age is a little more on his side than some of his other 1B counterparts. 
• Ernesto Johnson (S - NO - 33) - Once again makes the list, and still with New Orleans; he's still a .280-.290 hitter with 10-15 HR. 
• Bernard Morton (L - Was - 33) - Might be the highest rated OAV 1B FA on the market this season; which means to sign him it might cost a first round draft pick. He's hit .290 the last two seasons but is still just a .275 career hitter. 25-30 HR aren't out of the question either. 
• Leo Wood (R - Har - 34) - See Shane Malone - both with high Contact and Power, below average splits, though Wood has a better eye and is more durable. I could see him signing a 2 year contract or 3 if a team gets really desperate. 
• Alex Perez (R - Dov - 37) - Made the list last year even with dropping ratings, he's down to 25-30 HR but as that power drops again this offseason, will he even make 20 HR next year? At the right price, I could see a rebuilding team snag him. But long gone are the days of .300, 400+ HR. 
• Second Basemen
• Not many true 2Bs coming up this season off-season. In fact Anibal Castillo might be the only one currently at the ML level; the rest are beyond their years and have been demoted to the minors. If you need a 2B then it's time to go shopping or get someone to shift positions for you. 
• Shortstop
• Michael Woo (R - Tac - 29) - Want a gold glove winner with no power, limited ability to make contact, and can barely hit AA pitchers? Woo's your man! He'll sign someone where for at least $1M with that glove. Woo has promised he will win a World Series ring in S62!
• Sammy Beltre (S - Min - 30) - Beltre's speed makes him a decent option in your lineup. As long as his contact stays up, he'll get on base and grab quite a few extra bases. .265ish hitter and has nabbed anywhere from 20-30 extra bases the last few seasons. And he's still an above average Shortstop too. If you are in need and willing to pay a little extra to land him, then you are already looking at Beltre. 
• Archie Fitzgerald (R - Hel - 31) - The only other FA who looks like an average ML SS or better. Either have him platoon vL or as a defensive replacement late in the games. Your bullpen would love you and might even renegotiate their contracts for you to sign him. 
• Third Basemen
• Vince Saarloos (S - Tuc - 32) - Saarloos will be one of the prize contracts this off-season. .270-.275 15/15 3B. Okay, maybe not true prize but that's good production as an average defender. I suspect he'll be a Type A FA; so hopefully Tucson if they don't resign him can recoup with some draft picks. 
• Zoltan Shelby (R - Sco - 33) - Don't sleep on the Zoltan! He's still been a 20 HR hitter on anything from .250-.275 hitter at 3B; but let's face it, that .275 this year had to be a fluke right? He's more of a .250-.260 hitter and he's not great at the hot corner. Given the lack of defense and numbers that don't just add up; we assume he'll end up in Philly paying for their powerhouse Rookie team next season. Though the lack of available 3Bs might garner him some ML interest. 
• Bernie Mendez (R - Ana - 37) - The numbers are dropping but does he have another year left in him? Our guess is no, who wants a .230-.250 hitter with 10 HR; but is also a liability at 3B? Nobody. 
• Leftfielder
• Benny Ward (S - Dov - 28) - Depending on Dover's S62 game plan, I could see them letting Ward walk. He missed some time this season, but still has an .840+ OPS. Doesn't seem like he had any injuries this season so I'm not sure why he has so few ABs. But he's young so team's won't worry about giving that extra year. 
• Omar Villano (L - MC - 31) - Owners of 2 World Series rings with Atlanta; would have had a 3rd but New Orleans immediately traded him after obtaining him in S54. Villano might be the highest contract of the offseason, offers a solid bat with a possible 20/20 season in reach. And as a perk, he doesn't strike out often. 
• Eugene Smalling (L - Tac - 31) - He's struggled a bit in the pitcher park of Tacoma, but just recently had a 23 HR, .240 season in Columbus/Charleston last season.  
• Ronald Wilson (R - Aus - 32) - His playing time went way down with the addition of .300+ hitter Juancito Martin; but Wilson was a regular 25+/25+ .240 hitter in his early days with Austin. My guess is he signs before Ward and Villano and might be a bit under the radar (except for our loyal blog readers). 
• Turner Pryor (L - Sco - 34) - Hasn't brought the power he showed in Mexico City to Scottsdale but his hitting has improved close to a .290 average. He's a decent backup if you need that bench spot that will be cheap and can pitch hit for you. 
• Francis Jefferson (S - Phi - 34) - Does he bounce back from playing Rookie ball for Philly? Given the age, we doubt it. 
• Centerfielder
• Brian Lorick (R - Chi - 32) - A bit below average and likely only made the majors this year because of Chicago and the new MWR. But maybe that's his saving grace for next year too. 
• Tyrone Greer (S - Sco - 34) - We love this guy, has awful splits but that speed and contact get him on base. That said, he's also set a new single season career record for himself in both HRs and SBs. But at age 34 - you can no longer rely on that power and speed. We might have to go back through the games to count how many times he stole second and then followed up by stealing third during the same at bat. 
• Dicky Chang (L - Hun - 34) - Huntington hates the guy, often shifted him to the minors. But then again they also keep resigning him. He has a decent bat considering all the other CF options out there. 
• Yan Ozuna (L - Sco - 35) - If it weren't for minihouston, this guy wouldn't quite have the career he's had. His age is likely finally catching up to him so this might be the end. But he's been a solid .270 hitter with 15-20 HR and 10-15 SB. But he's no longer pulling his wait in CF. If he makes the majors next year it's as a platoon vR or bench role.  A move to 2B would extend the career but he doesn't have the range for that either. 
• Rightfielder
• Avisail Gonzales (R - Cin - 32), Daniel Federowicz (R - Was - 33), Jeremi Diaz (R - Hou - 35), Vin Pirela (S - Min - 36) - Are all very similar players, will be interesting to see who signs for what and when. Diaz has the higher career average but Pirela offers A LOT more power, but Gonzales might be the better bet due to being a few years younger. You need speed from RF, Federowicz is your guy. 
• Starting Pitcher
• Willie Guerrero (R - NO - 30) - NO transitioned Willie into a full time starter and he went rather well. 1.25 whip, 4.00 era, with a 20-21 record. Given his age, surely someone chases him with a limited contract - and hopefully they won't be disappointed. 
• Josh Henry (R - SFE - 30) - Demoted to AAA after two disaster starts; which were nothing like his previous years in Santa Fe. I expect some kind of rebound, but he's still just a 50/60 split pitcher with good velocity and a solid P1. 
• Ryan Cassidy (L - Chr - 31) - Struggles mightily against righties but has performed well for the Offspring. Career 1.35 whip, 4.50 era. 
• Albert Tomlin (R - Was - 32) - Has spent his entire career in DC, generally pitching over 200 innings each season; he's only had 2 winning seasons but offers a 1.40 whip, 4.48 era on his career. Similar to Carter but we think Tomlin will get similar attention just from the rebuilding teams to help eat innings. 
• Larry Niemann (R - Mon - 33) - Transition to the pen the last two seasons but could easily be stretched back out. Career 1.33 whip, 4.22 era. Let's get this guy back in America! 
• Ronald Yearwood (L - Tuc - 34) - He has a pretty good change up paired with equal curveball and slider. Just don't go looking for the high heat. 1.37 whip, 4.34 era on his career. Will likely have a few suitors next year, maybe even the back of the rotation of a contender. 
• Harold Foltynewicz (R - Bos - 34) - Was acquired this season by Boston - still not sure why; but he continued to have a rough season. Ended it on a 1.50 whip, 5.24 era. He'll offer whoever will have him a lot of strikeouts. His ratings held tight this year, we'll see if the Free Agent offseason is good to him or not. Should be near or above 200 innings again. Perhaps this season was a fluke and he can get back to the S60's 1.30 whip / 3.94 era or maybe that was just his career year. 
• Tim Timmons (L - Sco - 36) - Seemed like a down year and he's only getting older. His ratings barely even budged from his prior season, so that's good news for whoever might be interested. 
• Charles Loewer (R - Hun - 36) - Has never had the pitch quality but has found a way to get the job done. But how long does that last? How long can he rely on his ability against righties and his control? Career 1.24 whip, 3.71 era. At his current OAV, he's likely tied to a Comp pick as well. If it's an A, that might limit the interest in him. Could easily become a bullpen piece too. 
• Rolando Lee (R - Har - 37) - Might have gone 4-12 with Hartford last season, but the details say it was still solid. 1.27 whip, 3.89 era, with a .250 oav. But like any pitcher at this age; it catches up to you at some point. Trust me! 
• Nick Shackelford (R - CLB - 37) - His next contract likely depends on how gracefully he ages. His splits dropped a good bit, if he signs it will be on a 1 year deal. 
• Relief Pitcher
• Miguel Rivera (R - Dov - 31) - Performed very poorly for Dover this season but that was likely on purpose; something more in line with his career norms or slightly above is where I'd see him. 
• Albert Doubront (R - Far - 34) - Performed okay back in the closer role for Fargo this season, but perhaps more of a SuB type is where he belongs. 
• Brandon Daniels (L - Hou - 35) - The control is often times his issue, but everything else is perfectly fine. At 35, he's good for another year or two without a doubt. 
• Kristopher Rudolph (R - Ana - 35) - He'd a top tier reliever if he handled lefties better, but I suspect numbers slightly above his career numbers - 1.30 whip, 3.85 era.  
• Sherman Hawkins (L - Hou - 36) - Saw some decline right at the end of the season, so we'll have to wait and see how the offseason treats him; but should remain a solid back of the bullpen type pitcher for any playoff bound team. I think year's 6.32 era and 1.62 will be corrected next season. 
• Stretch Story (R - Chi - 37) - Still has fantastic control and handles righties very well. He might cost you a round to sign him, but we'll see how the offseason is; in the least he'll be an additional Type B for Chicago. Was a solid waiver pick. 
• Dan Giles (R - Sco - 37) - He's aged decently well but can you really trust anybody this close to 40? Does life even exist after 40? 

There you have it folks, budget accordingly!