Saturday, November 21, 2009
Free Agent Signing Predictions!
Just recently I found that Phil Rodgers of the Chicago Tribune had delivered his list of predicting where the upper crust of Free Agents will sign.(From the look of some of his guesses there are certain cacti growing in Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood) Well...it is time for mine as well.
Matt Holliday- Mets
Not a player I am 100% enthralled with, but certainly the premier talent in the 2010 FA Pool. I think the Mets actually do break down and go out and get Mr. Holliday, who signs for a Massive contract.
Jason Bay- Boston
Mr. Bay, despite turning down a rather nice extension, is headed back to Boston. After some quick looks at Matt Holliday and Johnny Damon, the Sox break down and pay the piper to the tune of 5 years 85 Million.
John Lackey- Texas Rangers
There is some talk that the Rangers' ownership problems will keep Lackey out of Arlington, I on the other hand think its a no brainer guarantee that the only team willing to take a massive pay gamble on a older declining pitcher like Lackey has to have stars in their eyes, and when you compete with the Cowboys for attention...that's all a lot of folks in the big D see.
Johnny Damon- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Despite desperately wanting to stay with the Yankees, Damon turns to the only solid offer he gets this off-season, despite still being very productive, and it is off to Disneyland for Mr. Damon. The Angels, desperate to fill the void of Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey, get their name and a pretty productive outfielder.
Aroldis Chapman- New York Yankees
Do overpriced, overrated, under seasoned, overseas free agents go anywhere but Boston or the Yanks? El Duque Jr. Cashes the big check, pin stripe fans get 2 years of an underdeveloped Phil Hughes clone, before shipping him off and watching him prosper elsewhere.
Miguel Tejada- San Francisco Giants
It's off to the Bay Area for Mr. Tejada, He'll be productive and fit right into the free swinging, walk averse Baby Giants.
Chone Figgins- St Louis Cardinals
A team that has been looking for a true lead-off man and a second baseman since their small dose of a productive Tony Womack, finally gets some killer speed, and a real second baseman, in their lineup.
Rich Harden- Washington Nationals
Every once in a while a baseball team comes along and does something stupid in free agency, Pittsburgh with Derek Bell, Colorado with Hampton and Neagle, Texas and Chan Ho Park, and most recently Seattle and Carlos Silva. This is the Nationals chance to vastly overpay. The Nats, despite their horrid on field product, actually have a good chunk of money to spend, they'll look to claim that they are players in the market again this season (after last years attempt at Teixiera and their signing of Adam Dunn) they'll throw massive amount of cash to try and get some talent on their staff.
Mark DeRosa-Philadelphia Phillies
With the Pedro Feliz project over and done, the Phillies will actually make a smart move this offseason and grab a Pennsylvania favorite to man their hot corner
Hideki Matsui- Chicago White Sox
The Sox need a DH and Matsui is probably still one of the best available. He'll get a few years, the Sox somehow know how to keep elderly power hitters productive and moderately healthy.
Jermaine Dye- Minnesota Twins
First stealing JJ Hardy from the Brewers, now signing one of their biggest rivals team leaders? What an off season for the Twins. Jermaine Dye provides some extra pop from the DH spot that, lets face it, Jason Kubel can't keep doing forever (Kubel just cannot hit LHP to save his life...sooner or later that is going to end him)
Vladimir Guerrero- Oakland A's
Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas, Mike Sweeney, finally Vlad completes the Oakland A's position of Designated Washed up All-Star... i mean Hitter...yeah designated Hitter...
Jim Thome- Atlanta Braves
This sounds ridiculous, heck in many ways it probably is, but with the Rachel Zoe thin 1b representation in this year's class, and LaRoche hopefully leaving to head to New York, Atlanta needs to plug this hole. They give Thome a shot at a bargain price.
Well, that's my round up to match Mr. Rodgers feel free to post your own in the comment section
Labels:
2010 MLB Free Agents,
Chicago Tribune,
Jason Bay,
John Lackey,
Matt Holliday