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My team is over budget...again. So without the ability to participate in Free-Agency, I decided to write an article about this surprisingly decent crop of FAs. Hope you enjoy
SP
1. Tom Stolarik
2. Enrique Andujar
3. Travis Neal
4. Alex Meija
5. Dave Duvall
6. Tom Aguinaga
I'm shocked to see Stolarik available. I know he turns 38 in May and won't likely come cheap but the guy is still a great pitcher. While not a leader, the Iron Man never gets hurt, and has very high intelligence and work ethic. Last year for Denver he put up a 4.4 WAR in 30 starts. As a flyball pitcher prone to give up a few HRs and while not a leader, he could improve a lot of contenders rotations.
Next on the list is soon to be 32-year-old Andujar. His initially demands of a $1.5M salary is sure to rise as the offers come in. Andujar once had a salary as high as $12M in 2009 and most recently $6.2M last year. He is smart with very high leadership qualities. The groundball pitcher hits 93MPH on the gun and his best pitch is a changeup. Last season for a terrible (no offense Linty) California team, Andujar had a 3.7 WAR in just 27 starts.
Neal surprised a lot of people with his 2011 campaign: 14-5, 3.60, 227 IP, 223 K, 3.6 WAR. The soon to be 35-year-old was let go by Dallas and now finds himself back in Free-Agency again. Last year he signed a two-year, $14M deal, with the team option. I would expect him to get something similar again this year. He's a risk, with more innings on a fragile body but if he can stay healthy, no reason to not expect 200+ Ks for somebody.
This guy gets no respect. Alex Meija is a Free-Agent yet again. The soon to be 37-year-old has the highest demand at $7M per but he might actually be worth it. He's an Iron Man, with great stamina, leadership and intelligence. In New York and Batavia, he had a 3.6 WAR and I think if he was given a full year on a good team that number should improve.
I'm also surprised to see Duvall on this list. After a three year stint of getting killed by Dallas' Denver like OF defense, the Snappers finally got a legit CF and Duvall reverted back to old form. He's an extreme flyball pitchers so he needs the defense behind him but in the right park (one that is hard on HR hitters) he could flourish.
Who is Tom Aguinaga? The Puerto Rican defect is 28-years-old hopes to cash in as an unknown. OSA rates him 5-6-5 but with a poor work ethic. There are a handful of other familiar BLB veterans that are probably better bets but at this point after the big names are off the board, I think Aguinaga as a gamble might pay off.
RP
1. Jamie Crook
2. Micah Larocco
3. Hishashi Tanaka
4. BJ Leary
5. Ian Strachan
If you don't know who Crook is, you haven't been paying attention. Arguably the best overall player in Free-Agency, Crook is going to get paid. He just turned 30 and for the past three seasons he has a combined sub 2.00 ERA. He's popular, he works hard and he's smart. In 2010 he was traded for a 1st. In 2011, the same. In 2012, he can be your closer for the next five years for probably $70M.
Larocco is a relative unknown by casual BLB fans but the 31-year-old is a very good bullpen option. The RH left Toronto after losing his closer role and expects to be the guy getting the final three outs. Last year, with poor luck/defense (BABIP .385!) he still managed to put up 3.38 ERA in 72 IP with 68 K. He's asking $5.5M salary. Could be an expensive set-up man or a cheaper closer option.
Tanaka was let go by Davenport after being a part-time closer for the Brawlers the last five years totaling 98 saves. The Japanese RH is asking for a $8M salary and wants a full time closer role. I'm not sure he gets his demand but he will play an important role one some team here shortly.
Leary the Iron Man, 36, leaves the DL champions after posting 54 saves in two years with an ERA around 3.25 and WHIP at 1.16. He signed a three-year $11.5M deal with Philadelphia in Free-Agency 2008. I would expect him, despite his old age, to get something close to that in annual value.
Strachan is looking to cash in on a 2011 where he posted 32 saves, 3.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 121 Ks in just 73 IP! He's probably a better fit as a LH setup man but he definitely will be asking for a closers role to start the Free-Agency period.
C
1. Victor Alveraz
2. Dave Fogelsong
Two old guys you should be familiar with by now. How much do they have left in the tank? Both can still field the position at a decent level and should be counted on for an OPS over .700. While neither is the player they once were, they could improve a lot of teams in a platoon role.
1B
1. David Gamboa
2. Jon Montalbo
I expect both of these player to receive lucrative offers. Gamboa doesn't get the attention he once did but the 34-year-old has a career .404 OBP and in 131 games with Syracuse had a 2.2 WAR and .830 OPS and 127 OPS+. That should be easily repeatable. Montalbo returned to Pawtucket in 2010, signing a two year $10M deal in FA. Initially, the 33-year-old is asking for a lot more than that out of the gate just in salary demand. He might wait a little but he will be good for 25+ HRs somewhere.
2B
1. Jamie Wentworth
2. Johnny Ingle
It's rare to see good free-agent infield talent. If you remember last year, a LOT of MIFs were overpaid because of need. I think Wentworth is the candidate for that this year. He made just $900K last year but is asking for $4M in salary in FA. He's a solid fielder, with positional versatility who hot .297 with a .792 OPS outside of the pitcher friendly Snappers field. He's an injury risk but at just 29-years-old he could become someones starting 2B, 3B or SS for the next 5+ years. Ingle is a utility type. Also can play all across the infield, the lefty hitter is two years removed from a 2009 where he hit .307 with a .820 OPS.
3B
1. Tex Watts
2. Roberto Crespin
If we learned anything from Maine, infield defense is still important in the BLB. Watts and Crespin are not great hitters at this point but there skills+versatility all but guarantees they will get offers, early.
SS
1. Tom Franks
2. Travis Council
Who is Tom Franks? Acquired in the Abraham Santana deal with Baltimore, the former Knight was a surprise free-agent walk. The soon to be 25-year-old is a solid defensive short stop with tremendous speed. While he hasn't put it together with the bat, even in Triple-A, the youngster is a leader who works hard and is still improving. I would expect a lot of teams without a SS to pay up for this young kid. Council can play all over the infield and has great speed. His bat isn't good enough to make him an everyday player but he will find work as a utility.
LF
1. Willie Garcia
2. Kokoro Fuji
Big names. Big demands. The two lefties continue to hit well into their 30s. Neither is quite the bat they once were and probably don't deserve their initial asking price, they will still improve a lot of teams outfield.
CF
1. Roman Chutz
2. Tom Estes
Arguably the marquee Free-Agent this year, the Mexican import Chutz is about to be a rich man. The 24-year-old projects to be a great CF defender, 20+ SB potential and a middle of the order bat. He also has the ability to play the infield at a decent level and could become an impressive swiss-army knife type player for a franchise for the next 10 years. He has terrible intangibles but that won't stop teams from salivating over his tools. Estes is a stud CF who really improved Dallas this year...but it's going to cost ya.
RF
1. Sonny Marshburn
2. Ian Reynolds
Marshburn currently ranks as the #9 best hitter in baseball!!! Yes, he's 40 soon. Yes, he's fragile. But the guy hit at a .924 OPS in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in all of baseball. He will get paid, likely to be a DL teams DH on a one or two year deal and then ride off into the Hall of Fame. Reynods is not a great fielder but given the at bats can hit 30+ homeruns for relatively cheap.
DH
1. Frank Zamora
2. Shane Slolum
Zamora is the rare OSA "7" contact rating...or should I say "was." The new scouting report shows the 32-year-old slowing down but his stats over the past four seasons are a batting average of .313, .343, .316 and .312. His defensive inabilities limit the teams that can go after him but he will hit .300 again. Solum is looking to cash in on a career year but I think he will have to wait. The career .796 OPS is a bit low for a guy wanting $18M per.
Summary
I'm surprised but this is a very nice free-agent class. We are never going to see the Free-Agents we do IRL. The BLB is just too competitive. But this class features a few young 20 somethings with potential, five SPs that can crack a contenders rotation, five RPs setup or better, a future HOFer who can still rake and some solid infield talent.
I wish I had some money.
SP
1. Tom Stolarik
2. Enrique Andujar
3. Travis Neal
4. Alex Meija
5. Dave Duvall
6. Tom Aguinaga
I'm shocked to see Stolarik available. I know he turns 38 in May and won't likely come cheap but the guy is still a great pitcher. While not a leader, the Iron Man never gets hurt, and has very high intelligence and work ethic. Last year for Denver he put up a 4.4 WAR in 30 starts. As a flyball pitcher prone to give up a few HRs and while not a leader, he could improve a lot of contenders rotations.
Next on the list is soon to be 32-year-old Andujar. His initially demands of a $1.5M salary is sure to rise as the offers come in. Andujar once had a salary as high as $12M in 2009 and most recently $6.2M last year. He is smart with very high leadership qualities. The groundball pitcher hits 93MPH on the gun and his best pitch is a changeup. Last season for a terrible (no offense Linty) California team, Andujar had a 3.7 WAR in just 27 starts.
Neal surprised a lot of people with his 2011 campaign: 14-5, 3.60, 227 IP, 223 K, 3.6 WAR. The soon to be 35-year-old was let go by Dallas and now finds himself back in Free-Agency again. Last year he signed a two-year, $14M deal, with the team option. I would expect him to get something similar again this year. He's a risk, with more innings on a fragile body but if he can stay healthy, no reason to not expect 200+ Ks for somebody.
This guy gets no respect. Alex Meija is a Free-Agent yet again. The soon to be 37-year-old has the highest demand at $7M per but he might actually be worth it. He's an Iron Man, with great stamina, leadership and intelligence. In New York and Batavia, he had a 3.6 WAR and I think if he was given a full year on a good team that number should improve.
I'm also surprised to see Duvall on this list. After a three year stint of getting killed by Dallas' Denver like OF defense, the Snappers finally got a legit CF and Duvall reverted back to old form. He's an extreme flyball pitchers so he needs the defense behind him but in the right park (one that is hard on HR hitters) he could flourish.
Who is Tom Aguinaga? The Puerto Rican defect is 28-years-old hopes to cash in as an unknown. OSA rates him 5-6-5 but with a poor work ethic. There are a handful of other familiar BLB veterans that are probably better bets but at this point after the big names are off the board, I think Aguinaga as a gamble might pay off.
RP
1. Jamie Crook
2. Micah Larocco
3. Hishashi Tanaka
4. BJ Leary
5. Ian Strachan
If you don't know who Crook is, you haven't been paying attention. Arguably the best overall player in Free-Agency, Crook is going to get paid. He just turned 30 and for the past three seasons he has a combined sub 2.00 ERA. He's popular, he works hard and he's smart. In 2010 he was traded for a 1st. In 2011, the same. In 2012, he can be your closer for the next five years for probably $70M.
Larocco is a relative unknown by casual BLB fans but the 31-year-old is a very good bullpen option. The RH left Toronto after losing his closer role and expects to be the guy getting the final three outs. Last year, with poor luck/defense (BABIP .385!) he still managed to put up 3.38 ERA in 72 IP with 68 K. He's asking $5.5M salary. Could be an expensive set-up man or a cheaper closer option.
Tanaka was let go by Davenport after being a part-time closer for the Brawlers the last five years totaling 98 saves. The Japanese RH is asking for a $8M salary and wants a full time closer role. I'm not sure he gets his demand but he will play an important role one some team here shortly.
Leary the Iron Man, 36, leaves the DL champions after posting 54 saves in two years with an ERA around 3.25 and WHIP at 1.16. He signed a three-year $11.5M deal with Philadelphia in Free-Agency 2008. I would expect him, despite his old age, to get something close to that in annual value.
Strachan is looking to cash in on a 2011 where he posted 32 saves, 3.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 121 Ks in just 73 IP! He's probably a better fit as a LH setup man but he definitely will be asking for a closers role to start the Free-Agency period.
C
1. Victor Alveraz
2. Dave Fogelsong
Two old guys you should be familiar with by now. How much do they have left in the tank? Both can still field the position at a decent level and should be counted on for an OPS over .700. While neither is the player they once were, they could improve a lot of teams in a platoon role.
1B
1. David Gamboa
2. Jon Montalbo
I expect both of these player to receive lucrative offers. Gamboa doesn't get the attention he once did but the 34-year-old has a career .404 OBP and in 131 games with Syracuse had a 2.2 WAR and .830 OPS and 127 OPS+. That should be easily repeatable. Montalbo returned to Pawtucket in 2010, signing a two year $10M deal in FA. Initially, the 33-year-old is asking for a lot more than that out of the gate just in salary demand. He might wait a little but he will be good for 25+ HRs somewhere.
2B
1. Jamie Wentworth
2. Johnny Ingle
It's rare to see good free-agent infield talent. If you remember last year, a LOT of MIFs were overpaid because of need. I think Wentworth is the candidate for that this year. He made just $900K last year but is asking for $4M in salary in FA. He's a solid fielder, with positional versatility who hot .297 with a .792 OPS outside of the pitcher friendly Snappers field. He's an injury risk but at just 29-years-old he could become someones starting 2B, 3B or SS for the next 5+ years. Ingle is a utility type. Also can play all across the infield, the lefty hitter is two years removed from a 2009 where he hit .307 with a .820 OPS.
3B
1. Tex Watts
2. Roberto Crespin
If we learned anything from Maine, infield defense is still important in the BLB. Watts and Crespin are not great hitters at this point but there skills+versatility all but guarantees they will get offers, early.
SS
1. Tom Franks
2. Travis Council
Who is Tom Franks? Acquired in the Abraham Santana deal with Baltimore, the former Knight was a surprise free-agent walk. The soon to be 25-year-old is a solid defensive short stop with tremendous speed. While he hasn't put it together with the bat, even in Triple-A, the youngster is a leader who works hard and is still improving. I would expect a lot of teams without a SS to pay up for this young kid. Council can play all over the infield and has great speed. His bat isn't good enough to make him an everyday player but he will find work as a utility.
LF
1. Willie Garcia
2. Kokoro Fuji
Big names. Big demands. The two lefties continue to hit well into their 30s. Neither is quite the bat they once were and probably don't deserve their initial asking price, they will still improve a lot of teams outfield.
CF
1. Roman Chutz
2. Tom Estes
Arguably the marquee Free-Agent this year, the Mexican import Chutz is about to be a rich man. The 24-year-old projects to be a great CF defender, 20+ SB potential and a middle of the order bat. He also has the ability to play the infield at a decent level and could become an impressive swiss-army knife type player for a franchise for the next 10 years. He has terrible intangibles but that won't stop teams from salivating over his tools. Estes is a stud CF who really improved Dallas this year...but it's going to cost ya.
RF
1. Sonny Marshburn
2. Ian Reynolds
Marshburn currently ranks as the #9 best hitter in baseball!!! Yes, he's 40 soon. Yes, he's fragile. But the guy hit at a .924 OPS in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in all of baseball. He will get paid, likely to be a DL teams DH on a one or two year deal and then ride off into the Hall of Fame. Reynods is not a great fielder but given the at bats can hit 30+ homeruns for relatively cheap.
DH
1. Frank Zamora
2. Shane Slolum
Zamora is the rare OSA "7" contact rating...or should I say "was." The new scouting report shows the 32-year-old slowing down but his stats over the past four seasons are a batting average of .313, .343, .316 and .312. His defensive inabilities limit the teams that can go after him but he will hit .300 again. Solum is looking to cash in on a career year but I think he will have to wait. The career .796 OPS is a bit low for a guy wanting $18M per.
Summary
I'm surprised but this is a very nice free-agent class. We are never going to see the Free-Agents we do IRL. The BLB is just too competitive. But this class features a few young 20 somethings with potential, five SPs that can crack a contenders rotation, five RPs setup or better, a future HOFer who can still rake and some solid infield talent.
I wish I had some money.
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