Second Course of the Free Agent Feeding Frenzy

Now that our appetites have been whetted, how about we dig in for some more rumors and guesses.  

Bobby Abreu, OF:  I think the Mets would be foolish not offer him a contract.  They need some help, especially in the outfield where Moises Alou was counted upon last year to fill a void.  Needless to say, that void remains like an injury to Mr. Alou.  Of course, if the Mets did things that made sense they wouldn't have blown first place leads to the Phillies two years in a row.  Abreu would be a great fit that would work counts and get on base for the bigger bats, much as he did for the Yankees.

Milton Bradley, OF/DH:  Bradley's baggage can sometimes outweigh the promise of his bat.  However, the Blue Jays saw what happened last year with he Rays and are probably thinking there is no reason they can't push past the Red Sox and Yankees too.  After flirting with Frank Thomas and others who were not fit, the Blue Jays see in Bradley a bat that can hit for average and power.  He would be a nice addition to a Vernon Wells, Alexis Rios led lineup.  And, with a little bit more laid back media in Toronto, he will probably keep out of trouble.

Francisco Rodriguez, RP:  If the Mets let him go they are not fit to be in this league.  However, there are concerns about his future health as he has one of the more stressful deliveries I have ever seen.  That being said, the Mets are not built for the future, they are built to win next year.  K-Rod only furthers that cause.  The Mets can't be stupid enough to let him pass them by.  Can they?

Brian Fuentes, RP:  If the Mets don't sign K-Rod I think they will target Fuentes, if he is still on the market.  I doubt he will be as I think K-Rod's agent will wait until Fuentes is signed to see what he can get for his client.  Where or where will Fuentes go?  How about to the Tigers?  They need a closer and should have a bounce back season next year.  The Rays are another option as they will need a closer after Troy Percival didn't pan out as they had hoped.

Raul Ibanez, OF:  The Mets, once again should go after this guy.  He has been nothing but solid over the last few years.  He is not young but he is still a very serviceable player.  If the Mets don't feel like putting the money into Abreu then Ibanez would be a nice alternative.  The Cubs could also be a destination.

Brad Penny, SP:  Amazing how a pitcher with this resume has gone virtually unnoticed.  Any team that signs him will be very lucky as they will get a good pitcher with a few years left in him.  As for where he ends up?  Well, how about with the Cardinals who are only slightly removed from a World Series Championship and still have some horses to run in the NL Central race.  Another option would be for Penny to go to Toronto and team with Roy Halladay and make up for the loss of Burnett.  

Orlando Hudson, 2B:  If Mets GM Omar Minaya really wanted to make up for his mistake of giving Luis Castillo a long term deal he would be wise to give one to Hudson.  Hudson is one of the best second basemen in the game and is still improving.  I don't think Minaya will admit his mistake and will probably let a great second baseman fall through his grasp.  In the meantime, Hudson will probably head on over to the Cubs who can make room for him by shoving Ryan Theriot over to short or into a utility role.  The Cubs were interested in Brian Roberts last season so they could get a second bagger without giving anyone up.  Or, Hudson could go back to Arizona.

Ben Sheets, SP:  This has Texas written all over it if Sheets doesn't re-sign with the Brewers.  Sheets is a dominant pitcher, when healthy.  That is the key, though, when healthy.  I don't think he has been healthy for what seems like more than an inning.  He won't be getting Sabathia or Burnett money but his upside if he stays healthy will give him a decent paycheck.

Well, that is all for now.  I hope you enjoyed this course, C'mon back now ya hear!

Free Agent Feeding Frenzy

Let the games begin!  The 2008-09 Baseball offseason has officially begun with free agency opening up on Friday, November 14th.  this means teams will be able to find that one, or nine some cases, nine, guys that they need to be the next Philadelphia Phillies, or Tampa Bay Rays.  This offseason looks to be one of the most active in recent memory.  There are aces to be had, big bats to be gotten, and role players galore.  Trades will be made, and record contracts will be signed.  I can feel the excitement already.  Let's take a look at where I think some of these guys are going to go:

C.C. Sabathia, SP:  Yankees.  Everyone talks about his West Coast bias and his love for hitting.  Well, Mr. Sabathia loves food too.  And food costs money.  Don't forget we also have a bad economy right now which could make an extra few million seem like the world, especially with the prospect of taxes being raised.  Sabathia, who was already offered a 6 year deal by the Yankees at the time of this writing, will take the money, new ballpark, and chance for World Series glory over the chance to bat.  Plus, New York has some really nice restaurants.

Mark Teixiera, 1B:  Say hello to your new first baseman, Boston.  I know I might be reaching but there is now way I see Tex going for the hometown discount and signing with Baltimore or Washington.  Boston, needing an impact bat to offset David Ortiz's decline and Manny's absence will make a play for him.  Theo Epstein is no dummy.  He knows he's going to need offense, especially with Mike Lowell's hip being in question.  Shifting Kevin Youkilis to third, putting Tex at first and trading Lowell, or using him as a sub if no deal can be made, will make the Red Sox as strong as ever.  

A.J. Burnett, SP:  If the Yankees lose out on Sabathia they will open a vault for Burnett.  If they lose out on Burnett then Derek Lowe and luring Mike Mussina out of retirement (if chooses to do retire) will be priorities.  However, I see Burnett being lured to New York.  I think the Yankees walk away with the two top pitchers on the market.  Burnett loves the limelight, has World Series experience, and just posted his career best year.  He has a little tinge of Carl Pavano on him with his injury history but there is no way he becomes Pavano.  Will he miss starts?  Yes.  Will he be Pavano?  Nope.  Look for a lot of strikeouts, a lot of angst, and a World Series win in a crucial game for Mr. Burnett as the Yankees regain their form.

Derek Lowe, SP:  Welcome back to Boston, Mr. Lowe, we have the same room for you as your last stay.  Boston is worried about Schilling.  At this point they might be more worried he will try to pitch again more than him retiring.  Either way, Schilling is not the same as he was and Clay Buchholz didn't seem ready last year.  This means Epstein will probably bring back an AL East vet.

Jake Peavy, SP:  Not a free agent but certainly an ace.  Peavy has been on the block in San Diego where they might be going through another rebuilding phase after this last one didn't pan out.  The Cubs and Braves have been rumored destinations but those deals seem to be falling apart.  Where or where can Peavy go?  How about Los Angeles?  If he doesn't end up in Chicago I see the Dodgers sending some young talent away to make sure they have the ace they badly need.  Badly.  However, I do think Chicago is the answer for a package starting with Kosuke Fukodome.

Manny Ramirez, OF:  36 years old with a bad attitude and badder bat, and by badder I mean good.  Manny doesn't have many choices given his demands for $100 million over 4 years.  Most teams would rather offer 1 year, plus an option, or two and an option.  I wouldn't want to touch this guy with another teams payroll.  He is a powder keg.  About the only manager who he can get along with right now is Joe Torre.  Stay in LA, Manny, they love acts like yours out there.

More to come in the future...