Baseball Guru
10-12-2005, 04:45 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=freeagentmarkettrends&prov=tsn&type=lgns
By Kevin Baxter and Stan McNeal - SportingNews
MLB offseason preview:
Slim pickings
Top 5 players who could be traded
PLAYERS
Up
Closers. There is a large contingent of top-flight closers, and except for 29-year-old B.J. Ryan, they all are well past 30, including Billy Wagner (34), Trevor Hoffman (37), Bob Wickman (36) and Todd Jones (37). That means they should be good for two-year deals that won't break a team's bank.
Johnny Damon. You have to believe the chance of being caught in a bidding contest between the Red Sox and Yankees will be enough reason to lose the locks.
Rafael Furcal. With the Braves likely to spend on pitching, look for Furcal to spend much of his time talking to the Cubs, who need a shortstop and a speedy leadoff hitter. For a 27-year-old who fills both needs, they might be willing to pay him Edgar Renteria money (four years, $40 million).
Cardinals bargains. Mark Grudzielanek, Abraham Nunez and Matt Morris all played on cut-rate, one-year deals in 2005. Based on their strong seasons, they won't have to settle for small contracts this winter.
Down
Chris Carpenter. The Cardinals' righthander signed an extension last April that locked him up through at least 2007 at a reported $6 million per year. If he had tested the market this winter, he would have commanded close to twice that much. "I'd rather be the most underpaid player than the most overpaid," Carpenter says.
Aging sluggers. Speaking of overpaid players: Sammy Sosa, Preston Wilson and Mike Piazza might find jobs in 2006, but their days of eight-figure salaries are over.
Guys with big 2006 options. Three words for Larry Walker ($15 million), Bernie Williams ($15 million), Frank Thomas ($10 million) and Joe Mays ($8.5 million): Enjoy your buyouts.
TEAMS
Up
Blue Jays. Owner Ted Rogers' plan gives the Jays upwards of $160 million to spend over the next two seasons, which means a significant boost to the team's $52 million payroll. Look for the Jays to spend a chunk of that on a closer and to pursue A.J. Burnett.
Yankees. They topped 4 million in attendance, they're clearing $26.5 million off their books because Kevin Brown's seven-year deal expires (about time, don't you think?), and they're expected to buy out Bernie Williams. The Yankees will have to work hard to keep their payroll over $200 million. And you know they will.
Nationals. Once (or is that still if?) their ownership situation is resolved, the Nats should be major players. The team was a big hit in its first year in D.C. with a bottom-10 payroll. A front-line starter and at least one more bat is needed to get over the hump.
Down
Marlins. The trendy pick last spring to dethrone the Braves, Florida was a mess by the end of the season. Now it has to figure out what to do with its free agents, which include Juan Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine and Jones. (Florida already has closed the door on Burnett.) The Marlins also have decisions to make regarding arbitration-eligible players Dontrelle Willis, Juan Pierre and Josh Beckett. No wonder the possibility of trading Carlos Delgado has been discussed.
Astros. Roger Clemens will command $18 million or more if he returns; Jeff Bagwell is owed $17 million. Another $44 million is committed to Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte and Lance Berkman. Morgan Ensberg and Brad Lidge are due big raises, and owner Drayton McLane has said he wants his payroll in the low-$80 million range. Good luck to general manager Tim Purpura.
Phillies. Payroll is heading up and attendance went down, which could be a lethal combo. Unless the Phillies can find a taker for Jim Thome, it will be difficult to keep Wagner in the bullpen, much less attract a front-line free agent.
By Kevin Baxter and Stan McNeal - SportingNews
MLB offseason preview:
Slim pickings
Top 5 players who could be traded
PLAYERS
Up
Closers. There is a large contingent of top-flight closers, and except for 29-year-old B.J. Ryan, they all are well past 30, including Billy Wagner (34), Trevor Hoffman (37), Bob Wickman (36) and Todd Jones (37). That means they should be good for two-year deals that won't break a team's bank.
Johnny Damon. You have to believe the chance of being caught in a bidding contest between the Red Sox and Yankees will be enough reason to lose the locks.
Rafael Furcal. With the Braves likely to spend on pitching, look for Furcal to spend much of his time talking to the Cubs, who need a shortstop and a speedy leadoff hitter. For a 27-year-old who fills both needs, they might be willing to pay him Edgar Renteria money (four years, $40 million).
Cardinals bargains. Mark Grudzielanek, Abraham Nunez and Matt Morris all played on cut-rate, one-year deals in 2005. Based on their strong seasons, they won't have to settle for small contracts this winter.
Down
Chris Carpenter. The Cardinals' righthander signed an extension last April that locked him up through at least 2007 at a reported $6 million per year. If he had tested the market this winter, he would have commanded close to twice that much. "I'd rather be the most underpaid player than the most overpaid," Carpenter says.
Aging sluggers. Speaking of overpaid players: Sammy Sosa, Preston Wilson and Mike Piazza might find jobs in 2006, but their days of eight-figure salaries are over.
Guys with big 2006 options. Three words for Larry Walker ($15 million), Bernie Williams ($15 million), Frank Thomas ($10 million) and Joe Mays ($8.5 million): Enjoy your buyouts.
TEAMS
Up
Blue Jays. Owner Ted Rogers' plan gives the Jays upwards of $160 million to spend over the next two seasons, which means a significant boost to the team's $52 million payroll. Look for the Jays to spend a chunk of that on a closer and to pursue A.J. Burnett.
Yankees. They topped 4 million in attendance, they're clearing $26.5 million off their books because Kevin Brown's seven-year deal expires (about time, don't you think?), and they're expected to buy out Bernie Williams. The Yankees will have to work hard to keep their payroll over $200 million. And you know they will.
Nationals. Once (or is that still if?) their ownership situation is resolved, the Nats should be major players. The team was a big hit in its first year in D.C. with a bottom-10 payroll. A front-line starter and at least one more bat is needed to get over the hump.
Down
Marlins. The trendy pick last spring to dethrone the Braves, Florida was a mess by the end of the season. Now it has to figure out what to do with its free agents, which include Juan Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine and Jones. (Florida already has closed the door on Burnett.) The Marlins also have decisions to make regarding arbitration-eligible players Dontrelle Willis, Juan Pierre and Josh Beckett. No wonder the possibility of trading Carlos Delgado has been discussed.
Astros. Roger Clemens will command $18 million or more if he returns; Jeff Bagwell is owed $17 million. Another $44 million is committed to Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte and Lance Berkman. Morgan Ensberg and Brad Lidge are due big raises, and owner Drayton McLane has said he wants his payroll in the low-$80 million range. Good luck to general manager Tim Purpura.
Phillies. Payroll is heading up and attendance went down, which could be a lethal combo. Unless the Phillies can find a taker for Jim Thome, it will be difficult to keep Wagner in the bullpen, much less attract a front-line free agent.