free agents of 09

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 11:42 AM EDT

To get the Royals losing streak off our minds I found a list with all the free agents availble this coming offseason??? Who do you think moore should go after? Who should they stay away from?

Catchers
Rod Barajas (33)
Michael Barrett (32)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Kenji Johjima (33)
Jason Kendall (35) - club option for '09; vests with 110 games played in '08
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38) - $3.75MM vesting option for '09; vests with 160 games played in '08

First basemen
Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $16MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)

Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Mark Ellis (32)
Marcus Giles (31)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Aaron Miles (32)
Jose Valentin (39)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Cristian Guzman (31)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout

Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Dallas McPherson (27)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Jacque Jones (34)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Jacque Jones (34)
Bobby Kielty (32)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) - $10MM option for '09; vests with 376 PAs in '08
Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout
Jose Vidro (34) - vesting option for '09

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Tony Armas Jr. (31)
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (32)
Chad Durbin (31)
Josh Fogg (32)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Esteban Loaiza (37) - $7.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.375MM buyout
Braden Looper (34)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Matt Morris (34) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09
Brett Tomko (36)
Josh Towers (32)
Steve Trachsel (38)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Woody Williams (42)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Joe Borowski (38)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brad Lidge (32)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (28)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Keith Foulke (35)
Aaron Fultz (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Eddie Guardado (38)
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Steve Kline (36)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Stanton (42)
Mike Timlin (43)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
David Weathers (39)
Dan Wheeler (31)
Matt Wise (33)
Kerry Wood (32)

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Comments

I want

1. Dunn
2. or Burrell
3. None of those shortstops
4. No pitchers. We don’t need to waste any money on pitchers. We’re set. Spend the available money on a big bat and locking up young players.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

To add as a third option to Dunn and Burrell...

I think Wily Mo Pena would be a good third option.

I’d also be interested in Jon Garland if the price was right.

Blown Save

by BlownSave on Apr 22, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I think...

we should brink back Emil Brown and Mike Sweeney. Kidding. I would love to get Dunn. Although he strikes me as someone who won’t age very well.

by djk royal on Apr 22, 2008 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

I was looking at this Affeldt kid

I mean, his potential is just astounding

by raefzilla on Apr 22, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam Dunn

Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn

I really like Orlando Hudson too, but with Callaspo apparently heir apparent at second, he’s probably not needed, although if Callaspo can play short passably, that would be one nice DP combo.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 22, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

Keeping in mind that many of these guys might sign extensions this year...

I’ll hop aboard the Adam Dunn train as well. I’d also love to get Mark Teixeria…even though I know it would never happen, at least GMDM showed a willingness to chase after big-ticket FAs last winter.

by DarthYoshi on Apr 22, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Top Picks

1.) Teixeria
2.) Dunn
3.) Hudson

Some of the younger guys like Willy Mo Pena, Baldelli, or Milton Bradley might be a possible low cost alternative, but they won’t be the impact bat we need. As far as pitching maybe a back of the rotation innings eater on the cheap, but all our available FA dollars need to go to an impact bat, if we made one signing of Dunn or Texieria that would be a great offseason to me.

by lordbyronk on Apr 22, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

I want orlando hudson the man is

a wizard with the gloveand can play ss as well. Plus Adam Dunn imagine we add him with butler and gordan.. filthy

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Jeff Kent Is

Still in MLB? Who knew? Yeah, Teixeira would look good in Good Guy Blue, but it probably won’t happen. I’m ready to get on the Dunn train.

Let's go, boys, to the toppermost of the poppermost!

by philofthenorth on Apr 22, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

k rod is a free agent

he would be terrible cough cough (side note) Moore I beg of you please get me adam dunn, hudson and krod. I will never question your genuis again =)

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

what do you guys think about

pat burrell if we cant get adam dunn?

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

My quick take

He’s the third best hitter on the board after Teixeira and Dunn. If we trade for Burrell, we can either move Teahen to 1B or move him to CF and trade DeJesus.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

Burrell is defensively challenged. He might be the one to try and move to 1B over Teahen in that scenario. Teahen is a pretty solid defensive OF.

by lordbyronk on Apr 22, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's generous...

to call Teahen a solid defensive OF. He is a work-in-progress at best.

by djk royal on Apr 22, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I think Teahen is at least an above average defensive OFer right now, and improving

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree...

He has a good arm and go catch the ball when he reads it off the bat but he runs a lot of bannana routes to get flyballs and lets some drop that a more natural outfielder can catch. Bottom line for me is he is below average when it comes to reading flyballs.

by djk royal on Apr 22, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think going by the defensive metrics, he's above average

He’s not great, but he’s good. He still has areas where he needs to improve. But he usually gets good reads and his speed helps him cover a lot of ground. Add his plus arm to that and you have an above average OFer.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

In right field maybe...

but the metrics in left field tell a different story. He’s struggling with the position change. Like I said above, he’s a work in progress.

by djk royal on Apr 22, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure he's getting used to a new position

...but if you’ve got good range in RF, then you’re going to have good range in LF too.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Not necessarily

If you’re not reading the ball well. That’s what Teahen seems to struggle at thus far. I think he’ll improve, but I think its clear his defense the first two weeks is not as good as it was in RF last year.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 22, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But is it significant that his defense in the first two weeks in LF isn’t as good as it was last year in RF? There is essentially no difference in difficulty between playing LF and RF. It took him a while to get used to getting good reads last year in RF. It will likely take him a little while to get used to getting his reads in LF. But overall, he should end up being at least as good of a LFer as he was a RFer. Even taking the value of his arm out of it, if he was an above average RFer last year (and he was) then he should be an above average LFer this year.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Not through two weeks

But it should be something they monitor all year. A lot of Teahen’s worth is in his defense, and if he’s not cutting it in LF, then you have a problem.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 22, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, they should monitor it

But is there any reason to believe that he’ll be a different LFer than RFer? Is there something significantly different about LF or RF that would make one more difficult for a player than another? I think the answer is pretty clearly no. If he could handle RF well, then he should be able to handle LF well. In fact, I think his overall defensive OF skills should improve this year with another year of experience, after he gets over the transition period.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's Sign Teahen

To a long-term contract and move him to a new position every year. I think he has the arm to pitch for a year.

Let's go, boys, to the toppermost of the poppermost!

by philofthenorth on Apr 22, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

He should move wherever he best helps the team

If that means moving him to a new position every year, so be it.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

teahen reminds me a bit of

melvin mora who used to play all over the place and eventually settled down at 3b

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately the advanced defensive metrics I've seen say he was a really bad 3B

I think the stats say he’s a better defensive OFer. I think he could handle 1B quite well. His below average 3B range would become above average 1B range.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

the problem with

teahen in my opinon is he may play 1b and the corners well defensively but I dont think he hits enough (for power) . I would put Butler at 1st hes more of the guy your looking for at least offensively and hes so young I think he will be fine at 1st. Hey if Ryan Howard and prince fileder( both bigger guys than butler) can play the field decently butler can too.

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Texeira!! We need him and lets get K ROD as the closer and move Soria to the rotation ill take Furcal for 300 to please

A lot of you wont like me... by I assure you my opinion will be voiced GO ROYALS!

by focs on Apr 22, 2008 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

+1 for Furcal

Blown Save

by BlownSave on Apr 22, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

imagine the sox

didnt reup mannys contract you think the royals would be intrested in ramierz for a 40 mill 2 yr deal

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Manny's not coming to KC even if we offered him $50 mil/2 yrs

Blown Save

by BlownSave on Apr 22, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Burrell, Dunn, Tex, Rivera

Burrell, Dunn, and Teixeira all line up well with the Royals current needs, namely power and OBP from 1B. Burrell and Dunn are both well suited to be first basemen.

I think the potential bargain of the class is Rivera, who is pretty much exactly the same player as Jose Guillen, who will go for less than half the cash. His numbers will be held down by the glut of outfielders in Anaheim. The truth is he’s probably better than at least 2 of the guys ahead of him (I’m looking at you, GA and GMJ).

Teixeira is the elite player of the class and he should get 20 mil per. I kind of wish the R’s would have held off on getting Guillen and spent that money and a pile more on Tex. That’s just me though.

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain

by JM Barten on Apr 22, 2008 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

Good call on Rivera

He could be a decent bargain.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 23, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

K-Rod

I want zero part of this guy. You saw the radar gun readings. He used to sit 95, now he’s lucky to hit 92. How long before that 92 becomes 88? I don’t want to be the team that gambles on that.

Teix would be awesome.

1. DeJesus, cf
2. Callaspo, 2b
3. Gordon, 3b
4. Teixeira, 1b
5. Butler, dh
6. Guillen, rf
7. Teahen, lf
8. Buck, c
9. T. Pena/A. Sanchez/M. Aviles/trade, ss

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Apr 22, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

how about

ben sheets?? hes filthy when healthy

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

He's not going to come cheap. Someone will risk significant money on him

And the Royals can’t afford to invest significant money on a player who is likely to be injured in every season he plays.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

imo garland,lowe or wolf

would be better than bale and tomko as your 4th and 5th starters

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

They would be better, but would they be worth the money?

Garland is very mediocre. Lowe will be 36 next year. And both will require big, long-term contracts. I don’t think they are worth it to the Royals. And the Royals need a big bat much more than another starting pitcher. And we can’t afford an expensive bat and an expensive pitcher. Wolf is interesting if he’ll come cheap. I think Moore and his scouts have proven that they can find cheap diamond-in-the-rough pitchers. I’d prefer that for the back of the rotation over someone expensive.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

good points all around but with Moore I still question him

when it comes to giving big contracts. Guillen’s career high in bbs is 41, and hes never hit over 30 hrs not what you want from your middle of the order guy. Moore might have been better suited to pass on guillen and use the money towards a free agent this year.

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 22, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Oliver Perez?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 23, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

hes good but have you seen his bb per inning??

by Billybutlerformvp on Apr 23, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Teixeira would be great, but I don't see how it is possible

The biggest hole on the richest team is first base for the New York Yankees. Teixeira is the premiere position player in the free agent class. So the Yankees are going to do whatever it takes to get him. I don’t think 5/100 will do it. It might be significantly more than that. Regardless, if the Royals got into a bidding war for Teixeira, they’d lose to the Yankees, period. for all intents and purposes, Teixeira is off the board in my opinion.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 22, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

Teixeira

I agree on Teix, he might as well be off the board. I’m not sayin that DM won’t put an offer out, I’m just sayin it won’t be good enough. As for the rest of the class, I’m the same as most, I like Dunn and Burrell. But as someone mentioned above, Juan Rivera could be a bargain pickup. I think he is one of the most blocked guys in the league that has the ability to be an everyday starter for a lot of teams. The Angels just got themselves into too many big conracts in the OF and have to save face imo.

For pitching, I really like Juan Cruz out of the Middle Relief pool, I think he has the stuff to be a closer. In fact, I think he should be the closer over Brandon Lyons in AZ. As for starters, I think Oliver Perez has the ability to be a top of the rotation guy but he really needs to work on his control if he’s gonna get there. If he has a good ‘08, he’ll cost a pretty decent penny being a hard-throwing lefty. This one might sound odd, but my sleeper in the lower tier of the SP pool for next year is Braden Looper. He was converted to a starter last year and posted a sub-5.00 ERA, though not by much. But he threw 175 or so innings and appeared to be strong. I could see us getting a guy like that to fill out the rotation next year.

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by MileHighKCfan on Apr 23, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions