Tweet
I have little to no money to spend on Free Agents again this year...so to get involved during this time I thought to do a preview.
SP-
#1 - Pat "Wildfire" Bryant - I'm shocked to see such a big name on the market. Indy had a nice run all the way to Brewmaster's but couldn't work out a deal with the face of the franchise. Arguably the most attractive Free-Agent isn't without question marks. After a four year run as one of the best aces in the league, Bryant hurt his left elbow ligament and hit the shelves for nine months. After returning from injury, he had statistically his worst season since his rookie year. This spring he re-injured that elbow and missed the entire season. He turns 32 in April. Will the elbow hold up? Is he no longer the same pitcher he was in 2003? His current expected role is "bullpen" and he has never been a big stamina pitcher.
#2 - Johnny Cosio - Possibly one of the more under the radar pitchers in the league. After leaving Carolina and returning to Pawtucket, Cosio put up back to back respectable seasons for the Patriots. He will turn 34 in April but he has been a very consistent pitcher throughout his career and should find work immediately in the middle of a teams rotation.
#3 - Julian Vega - An intriguing international Free-Agent that is jumping up on many teams radar. Only 23-years-old, Vega is known for having a poor work ethic but the Venezuelan born lefty could become a cheap, young back-end starter for a lot of teams. Because of his age and potential, teams will be lining up for the chance to lock him up long-term.
RP-
#1 - Clarence "Doodle" Ortiz - A future HOF who was let go because of salary issues in Washington. Ortiz no longer has the power arm he did when he was younger but still struck out batters nearly once an inning. He will be expensive but Ortiz has a reputation as a shut-down closer and a guy who will sell jerseys.
#2 - Pat Knight - While he doesn't have the reputation of an Ortiz, Knight is possibly the better pitcher right now. Turns 30 in April, Knight still hits 99 MPH on the gun and the last four years in California has been a shut down set-up man striking out 430+ in ~400 innings. He could be a closer for a lot of BLB teams.
C-
Mal "The Crow" Brady - Like Ortiz, Brady (34) leaves D.C. because of salary issues. Never a good fit in the pitcher friendly field in Washington, Brady has hit 20+ HRs in each of his nine BLB seasons. While he might be better equip to play 1B/DH at this point, he still was respectable behind the plate last year and depending on the team, could be a 30+ HR threat.
1B-
Alexis Camilo - Another Indianapolis salary casualty. Camillo hit 59 homeruns the past two seasons and has averaged 32 per 162 in his BLB career. The 6'7 Mexican is a team leader as well. He will find work quickly.
2B -
Chuck Durham - As years of being one of the best hitting middle infielders the game has ever seen, the 36-year-old spent last season as a back-up for the Windy City Playboys. The switch-hitting 16-year veteran still thinks he has enough in the tank to be a starter somewhere. He plays great defense across the diamond and has very high leadership. Despite a major injury concern, the year off regular duty could have him fresh for a bounce back year.
3B -
Antonio Trujillo - What the hell happened to this guy? In 2004: .263/.343/.511, 36 homeruns, 106 RBI. 2005: .212/.283/.354, 13 homeruns, 73 RBI. The first four months of the season Trujillo was complete garbage. However a late season surge, 8 HR and 40 RBI the final two months, might show enough teams he can still mash.
SS-
Eddie Estrada - A former 2nd round pick in 1999, Estrada suffered through three below average BLB seasons before having a breakout 2005 where he hit at a .780 OPS. Only 28 years old, a solid defender, Estrada was a surprise release from the Bandits this October. A rare lefty hitting infielder, Estrada might not be a house hold name but he could be one of the top FA targets for clubs needing infield help.
OF -
Ed Betts - After a missed deadline trade from California, Betts hits free-agency looking for one more big payday at 33 years old. Not a great fielder and might require a move to the DL at this point, he still is a quality bat. He doesn't hit for a lot of power, but he makes great contact and doesn't strikeout.
Heishu Shiraishi - Clearly, he isn't the same player he was in 2004 that he was in 2005. However, Shiraishi is still one of the best defensive outfielders in the game and despite being upset all year about his contract, role and poor play, still managed a 98 OPS+. He might not get the contract he is looking for but he will be starting somewhere in 2006.
Victor Escamilla - Did anyone notice the season he put in 2005? A .893 OPS from a career .750 guy at 36 years old? Very impressive. While he did most of his damage in favorable vs. RHP, the veteran proved he can still hit. Not a great fielder who has injury concerns, Escamilla is a veteran bat that could help a lot of teams.
SP-
#1 - Pat "Wildfire" Bryant - I'm shocked to see such a big name on the market. Indy had a nice run all the way to Brewmaster's but couldn't work out a deal with the face of the franchise. Arguably the most attractive Free-Agent isn't without question marks. After a four year run as one of the best aces in the league, Bryant hurt his left elbow ligament and hit the shelves for nine months. After returning from injury, he had statistically his worst season since his rookie year. This spring he re-injured that elbow and missed the entire season. He turns 32 in April. Will the elbow hold up? Is he no longer the same pitcher he was in 2003? His current expected role is "bullpen" and he has never been a big stamina pitcher.
#2 - Johnny Cosio - Possibly one of the more under the radar pitchers in the league. After leaving Carolina and returning to Pawtucket, Cosio put up back to back respectable seasons for the Patriots. He will turn 34 in April but he has been a very consistent pitcher throughout his career and should find work immediately in the middle of a teams rotation.
#3 - Julian Vega - An intriguing international Free-Agent that is jumping up on many teams radar. Only 23-years-old, Vega is known for having a poor work ethic but the Venezuelan born lefty could become a cheap, young back-end starter for a lot of teams. Because of his age and potential, teams will be lining up for the chance to lock him up long-term.
RP-
#1 - Clarence "Doodle" Ortiz - A future HOF who was let go because of salary issues in Washington. Ortiz no longer has the power arm he did when he was younger but still struck out batters nearly once an inning. He will be expensive but Ortiz has a reputation as a shut-down closer and a guy who will sell jerseys.
#2 - Pat Knight - While he doesn't have the reputation of an Ortiz, Knight is possibly the better pitcher right now. Turns 30 in April, Knight still hits 99 MPH on the gun and the last four years in California has been a shut down set-up man striking out 430+ in ~400 innings. He could be a closer for a lot of BLB teams.
C-
Mal "The Crow" Brady - Like Ortiz, Brady (34) leaves D.C. because of salary issues. Never a good fit in the pitcher friendly field in Washington, Brady has hit 20+ HRs in each of his nine BLB seasons. While he might be better equip to play 1B/DH at this point, he still was respectable behind the plate last year and depending on the team, could be a 30+ HR threat.
1B-
Alexis Camilo - Another Indianapolis salary casualty. Camillo hit 59 homeruns the past two seasons and has averaged 32 per 162 in his BLB career. The 6'7 Mexican is a team leader as well. He will find work quickly.
2B -
Chuck Durham - As years of being one of the best hitting middle infielders the game has ever seen, the 36-year-old spent last season as a back-up for the Windy City Playboys. The switch-hitting 16-year veteran still thinks he has enough in the tank to be a starter somewhere. He plays great defense across the diamond and has very high leadership. Despite a major injury concern, the year off regular duty could have him fresh for a bounce back year.
3B -
Antonio Trujillo - What the hell happened to this guy? In 2004: .263/.343/.511, 36 homeruns, 106 RBI. 2005: .212/.283/.354, 13 homeruns, 73 RBI. The first four months of the season Trujillo was complete garbage. However a late season surge, 8 HR and 40 RBI the final two months, might show enough teams he can still mash.
SS-
Eddie Estrada - A former 2nd round pick in 1999, Estrada suffered through three below average BLB seasons before having a breakout 2005 where he hit at a .780 OPS. Only 28 years old, a solid defender, Estrada was a surprise release from the Bandits this October. A rare lefty hitting infielder, Estrada might not be a house hold name but he could be one of the top FA targets for clubs needing infield help.
OF -
Ed Betts - After a missed deadline trade from California, Betts hits free-agency looking for one more big payday at 33 years old. Not a great fielder and might require a move to the DL at this point, he still is a quality bat. He doesn't hit for a lot of power, but he makes great contact and doesn't strikeout.
Heishu Shiraishi - Clearly, he isn't the same player he was in 2004 that he was in 2005. However, Shiraishi is still one of the best defensive outfielders in the game and despite being upset all year about his contract, role and poor play, still managed a 98 OPS+. He might not get the contract he is looking for but he will be starting somewhere in 2006.
Victor Escamilla - Did anyone notice the season he put in 2005? A .893 OPS from a career .750 guy at 36 years old? Very impressive. While he did most of his damage in favorable vs. RHP, the veteran proved he can still hit. Not a great fielder who has injury concerns, Escamilla is a veteran bat that could help a lot of teams.
Comment