Top Free Agents '10

A pretty average free agent class could drive up prices on some of the high end talents this season. With a few teams changing from buyers to sellers it will also be interesting to see what teams are willing to give up a first round pick for some of these type A guys.






Pitching

Lonnie Hammonds - with a career ERA sub 3 it will be tough to find a more established pitcher on the market. However, at age 39 even a 2 year contract, which he is said to be looking for, will be somewhat of a gamble.

Status: Type A
Previous Contract: Cincinnati Flying Pigs $5.8 Million
New Contract: Texas Justice 3 years $37.3 million

Victor Aven - This very durable 29 year old will be a commodity in this free agent pitching crop. He has above average skills and with 100+ innings out of the bullpen the last 4 season he should get top dollar in this market.

Status : Type A
Previous Contract: Little Rock Anti-Clinton's $7 Million
New Contract: Boston Brave Warriors 5 Years $51 Million

Sam Romano - One of the top starters to enter free agency, which is not saying much. Still Sam has a good track record of giving consistent innings and giving his team a chance to win. At 34 he will be looking for one of if not his last turn at free agency.

Status : Type A
Previous Contract: Vancouver Columbiananas
New Contract: Kansas City Knights 5 Years $43.4 Million

Stuart Ramirez - Another aging starter will get strong looks from clubs as the pitching market is scarce. Stuart proved Last season he can provide solid innings to a teams rotation. With 2 Cy Young's in his trophy case this might be his last go around.

Status: None
Previous Contract: Little Rock Anti-Clinton's $7.8 Million
New Contract: Little Rock Anti-Clinton's 2 years $11 Million

Sam Jackson - Sam Jackson is an intriguing starter who reached the 100 win Plateau last season. Sam has well bellow average velocity that has been questioned since his minor league days. Scouts also give Sam trouble for his inability to go deeper into games. However, He has got it done in the past and we should see him help set market value for this years pitching crop.

Status : Type A
Previous Contract: New York Cosa Nostra $5.8 Million
New Contract: Baltimore Beatdown 5 Years $60 Million

Positon Players

Placido Armas - Placido's SS days may be in the past but last years silver slugger at the position will fetch top dollar this winter. Placido very consistently has 30 HR's and a .300 AVG that should go along way towards getting him a lucrative offer.

Status: Type A
Previous Contract: Tacoma Rain $7.9 million
New Contract: Santa Cruz Is Coming to Town 5 years $41.4 Million

Vernon Hubbell -This Righty is sure to get paid this off season after a career year at the dish where he drove in 115 on 41 HR's. Probably a smaller market for a LF/1B/DH type.

Status: Type A
Previous Contract: Little Rock Anti-Clinton's $8.3 Million
New Contract: Portland Plague 3 Years $23.4 Million

Fred Little - A very interesting free agent Fred Little will get a lot of attention this off season as a multi tool guy who could find a home at CF or 2B. A good portion of his attractiveness comes from the fact he has found his way to the free agent market at just 24 years old and only 1 ML year.

Status: None
Previous Contract: Toronto and the Lone Ranger $ League Min.
New Contract: Houston Hot Stars 5 years $46 Million

Ramon Suzuki - 26 year old right handed hitter saw his batting average drop to a pedestrian .221. But their is no question this guy can hit. he has 30 HR's in each of the past 4 seasons and approached 700 AB in each of those years. Maybe less would be more for Ramon but the AVG is going to hurt his value this winter.

Status: None
Previous Contract: Oklahoma City 89ers $1.8 Million
New Contract: Charlotte Blue Devils 3 years $17.9 Million

Erik Maroth - At the age of 28 Maroth already has 2 gold glove awards for his center field work. His abilities in the field are unmatched and while he will not awe you with big numbers at the plate a .735 OPS last year was respectable. plan for 100 strikeouts from this guy though.

Status: None
Previous Contract: Wichita WINNERS $6.7 Million
New Contract: Chicago Fish Tacos 2 years $13 Million

Top Free Agents '09

Type - A free agents are plentifully this season with many players trying to test the waters of free agency. It will be interesting to see which teams will go after the highly priced and older free agents at a chance to win now and which teams will opt for cheaper filler options. One thing is for sure plenty of money is going to be spent on a few coveted players.


Position Players

Midre Manuel { Former Team: Florida Manatees -- Salary: $8.3 Million}
-- With 3 MVP's Manuel is one of the biggest name on the market this year. However, After a hamstring tear kept him out of '08 it is uncertain how much this 30 year old will fetch on the open market with durability concerns.-- {New Team: Cleveland Elite Senators II Contract Terms: 4 Years $29. 3 Million}

Nomar Welch { Former Team: Florida Manatees -- Salary: $7.8 Million}

-- The record holder for runs scored enters free agency for the first time in his career and is looking for top dollar. At Age 30 patrolling center might be in the past for Nomar but he can produce at the plate and on the base paths. -- {New Team: New York Cosa Nostra Contract Terms: 5 Years $74 Million}

Walter Gabriel{Former Team: Cincinnati Flying Pigs -- Salary: $15.7 Million}

-- At 36 years old Gabriel is nearing the end of his career and is certainly out of his prime when he was a 3 time MVP. None the less it will be very interesting to see what kind of contract Gabriel receives. -- {New Team: New York Cosa Nostra Contract Terms:4 Years $4.4 Million Per}

Howard Pryce {Former Team: Las Vegas Venom -- Salary: $7.8 Million}

--Pryce is coming off back to back 40 HR seasons. He also led Las Vegas to AL pennant in '08 with 10 HR's in 20 games played. At 28 he will be a sought after 2B this winter. -- {New Team: New York Cosa Nostra Contract Terms: 5 Years $75.1 Million}

Jack O'Brien{Former Team: Houston Hot Stars-- Salary: $6.5 Million}

-- With 40+ HR power and plus defense at 2B/CF Jack 'Brien will certainly fetch top dollar. However concerns about his durability will hold teams back from giving him the mega bucks he could be looking for. -- {New Team: Cleveland Elite Senators II Contract Terms: 4 Years $8 Mill Per}

Pitchers

Jacque Cunningham{ Former Team: San Antonio Sentinals -- Salary: $6 Million}

-- A very consistent performer over his career Cunningham will be a commodity this free agent season. Not a lot of flash here but the potential to win 15 + games. Their is some question to the number of innings this 35 year old will be able to produce. -- {New Team: Houston Hot Stars Contract Terms: 4 Years $6.5 per}

Todd Christenson{ Former Team: Florida Manatees -- Salary: $7.5 Million}

-- Christenson is a mean closer with a unique ability to pitch almost everyday. He will need 32 saves this year to reach 300 for his career and I have to believe someone will give him the chance to close out games for their team. -- {New Team: Colorado Deadbeats Contract Terms: 3 years $17.4 Million}


Geraldo Ortiz { Former Team: New York Shea It Ain't So -- Salary: $6 Million}

--A career year last season with 15 wins 179 K's and a 3.03 ERA will help Ortiz fetch top dollar this off season. -- {New Team: Tacoma Rain Contract Terms: 5 Years $56 Million}


Jay Ross { Former Team: Charleston Rivers Dogs -- Salary: $5.9 Million}

-- One of the few SP in this free agent group who you could count on to give you 200 innings. He has had problems commanding his pitches over the years and Health concerns loom. However, as a type-B free agent he should draw a lot of interest. -- {New Team: Colorado Deadbeats Contract Terms: 4 years $6 Million per}

Stan Lewis{ Former Team: St. Louis Birdos -- Salary: $7.3 Million}

--In his prime Lewis could pitch every day a unique ability that allowed him to amass 200 innings in one season as a reliever. At 38 years old 200 innings would be a lot to ask but this righty still has it throwing 81 innings last season with a 2.76 ERA. -- {New Team: Cincinnati Flying Pigs Contract Terms: 2 Years $9.2 Million}