Royals Review Free Agent Prediction Thread

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 3, 2011 11:21 AM EDT

While Dayton Moore has indicated he does not expect to sign any big time free agents this winter, other GMs will be busy at work making monumentally stupid financially decisions that will drag down their franchise for years with an embarrassing albatross contract. Although it is considered a down market, there are still superstar players available like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Willie Bloomquist. Who will add the final piece to their championship ballclub?

It is up to you to predict. Whoever predicts the most correct free agent destinations will win a FREE year-long membership to Royals Review. Predict where the following free agents sign. You may list any MLB team, "Japan", "Retired", or "Eaten by a Rabid Monkey in the Off-Season." You don't have to list their salary, but if you want to, knock yourself out, you pop-tart eating baseball nerd.

Catchers

C Ramon Hernandez, Reds

Infielders

1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals

1B Prince Fielder, Brewers

1B Carlos Pena, Cubs

2B Kelly Johnson, Blue Jays

2B Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks

SS Jose Reyes, Mets

SS Jimmy Rollins, Phillies

SS Rafael Furcal, Cardinals

SS Willie Bloomquist, Diamondbacks

3B Aramis Ramirez, Cubs

Outfielders

LF Josh Willingham, Athletics

LF Johnny Damon, Rays

LF Juan Pierre, White Sox

CF Coco Crisp, Athletics

CF Grady Sizemore, Indians

RF Carlos Beltran, Giants

RF Michael Cuddyer, Twins

RF David DeJesus, Athletics

RF Jason Kubel, Twins

Designated Hitters

DH David Ortiz, Red Sox

Starting Pitchers

LHP C.J. Wilson, Rangers

RHP Yu Darvish, Japan

RHP Edwin Jackson, Cardinals

LHP Mark Buerhle, White Sox

RHP Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers

RHP Roy Oswalt, Phillies

RHP Javier Vazquez, Marlins

RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, Japan

LHP Paul Maholm, Pirates

LHP Erik Bedard, Mariners

RHP Aaron Harang, Padres

LHP Jeff Francis, Royals

LHP Bruce Chen, Royals

LHP Chris Capuano, Mets

RHP Joel Pineiro, Angels

LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, Japan

Relievers

RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

RHP Heath Bell, Padres

RHP Ryan Madson, Phillies

RHP Francisco Rodriguez, Marlins

RHP Joe Nathan, Twins

Bonus: List any other MLB Free Agent Contracts the Royals Sign this Winter

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I'm making one prediction and one prediction only

Coco Crisp to the Chunichi Dragons

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Nov 3, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Japan has better female personal assistants

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 3, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Maholm.

He’s younger, and he looks to be improving. He would also be a cheap sign.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

2012 is the year we shine.

by Jack Marsh on Nov 3, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Vazquez would also be good.

..Unless he retired.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

2012 is the year we shine.

by Jack Marsh on Nov 3, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

MLB Traderumors...

was saying 50/50 he retires, and if he doesn’t he’ll want to be on the East Coast. Doesn’t sound promising.

If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.

by setupunchtag on Nov 3, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll predict Chen and Capuano to the Royals

Pujols to Miami, Fielder to the Cubs, and Papelbon to be eaten by a rabid monkey.

by Loose Seal on Nov 3, 2011 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

I predict that all non-Scott Boras clients will be eaten, or at least severely maimed, by rabid monkeys

Suspicious, no?

by Gopherballs on Nov 3, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

is Bedard too much of an injury risk to take a shot with?

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Nov 3, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

Not on a one-year deal with playing time incentives

but I don’t think that makes sense for the Royals. FOr a team in contention, yes.

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 3, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

eh, I am fine with that type of deal that does not deplete long-term resources

It is not much different than Francis last year. The team needs innings, has plenty of generic arms to step in if Bedard gets hurt, has some money to spend this year, and gets some shot at adding a high upside guy for the big push to 81 wins. In the off chance the Royals have the same first half as the 2011 Indians or Pirates, he helps keep things interesting. In the more likely chance the Royals are a game out of a playoff spot at the break, Bedard could be a nice chip to make a three-way trade and rob the Dodgers of an interesting prospect. (Yeah, yeah, I know, just like Moore did with Francis and Melky).

by Gopherballs on Nov 3, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, maybe

I guess I hadn’t thought of the Francis comp. Bedard seems to be hurt “more,” although that’s more of a vague worry about him being hurt when he nededs to be traded. But that’s a good point. I bet he’s more expensive than Francis, though. Wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a good numbers of teams in on him, like the Yankees and Red Sox.

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 3, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Bedard might not want to pitch in a big market again

Given that he is Canadian, that English is his second language, and that he hates talking to the media (and perhaps his teammates), I would think Toronto would be all over him. If he thinks Toronto is too big city, KC is not a bad alternative. I doubt anyone gives him more than one year or a huge guaranteed commitment. Given that Moore was previously interested in him, I would not be surprised if the Royals had the highest bid.

by Gopherballs on Nov 3, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

i predict josh willingham to the royals

alex gordon traded for pitching

by BeauJackson on Nov 3, 2011 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

can we ban this type of comment?

it makes me too nervous

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Nov 3, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

who are the low-OBP guys with no range?

That’s where I start

by Freneau on Nov 3, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Juan Pierre Could

Be the answer in CF, and we would finally have a true leadoff hitter.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 3, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Melky to SF for Jonathan Sanchez

Then Sizemore signed to a 1 year deal

by Royal Tiger on Nov 3, 2011 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

you'd be trading melky to open up a spot for cain...

why would you sign an expensive guy not likely to be better than melky?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 3, 2011 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

which is exactly why it happens

Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2006: Royals win% = .420, Chiefs win% = .354

by averagegatsby on Nov 3, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

to block cain

by Loose Seal on Nov 4, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll raise Cain

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 4, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

i want that free year at RR

Hernandez: Dodgers
Pujols: Cardinals
Fielder: Angels
Pena: Brewers
Johnson: Tigers
Hill: Cardinals
Reyes: Brewers
Rollins: Phillies
Furcal: Reds
Bloomquist: Hall of Fame
Ramirez: Marlins
Willingham: Braves
Damon: Mariners
Pierre: D’Backs
Crisp: Giants
Sizemore: Nationals
Beltran: Giants
Cuddyer: Twins
Dejesus: Red Sox
Kubel: Rockies
Ortiz: Red Sox
Wilson: Rangers
Darvish: Yankees
Jackson: Marlins
Buerhle: White Sox
Kuroda: Dodgers
Oswalt: Retirement
Vazquez: Retirement
Iwakuma: Padres
Maholm: Blue Jays
Bedard: Reds
Harang: Pirates
Francis: Padres
Chen: Marlins
Capuano: Royals
Pineiro: Rockies
Wada: Twins
Papelbon: Red Sox
Bell: Dodgers
Madson: Phillies
K-Rod: Marilns
Nathan: Twins