Post by Erbes on Dec 11, 2013 13:37:32 GMT -5
Who Should Sign These Fools!?
Back to finish this little exercise off. On to the hitters. Remember, no re-signs and these aren't predictions, but recommendations. And no oldies over 35!
Catchers
Jason Kendall
RHB, 30 years
2004 Season: .284/.345/.438, 8 HRs, 42 RBIs, 16 SBs
2005 Team: Texas Rangers
There are actually a surprising amount of really good catchers in the league right now. (Note to self when making the next draft class) It has to be from a ton of good PDs because I don't remember doing that! Anyways, Kendall is likely going to be the most valuable catcher if he hits the market next year. Most teams who are competing have great catchers. Texas wants to compete. It's a match made in heaven since they don't have that elite catcher. Kendall could possibly rake in Arlington in a favorable park.
Ivan Rodriguez
RHB, 32 years
2004 Season: .225/.285/.334, 7 HRs, 36 RBIs
2005 Team: Anaheim Angels
Pudge is slowly slipping away... so it seems. I think he still has something left to give, especially for a team that's trying to compete. Good defense at catcher is always underrated and Pudge is a beast behind the plate. Greg should have some cash to spend and an improvement at catcher would go a long way in competing.
Gary Bennett
RHB, 32 years
2004 Season: .336/.351/.401, 1 HR, 39 RBIs, 18 2Bs
2005 Team: Detroit Tigers
Mauer is clearly the catcher of the future. But he's horrible against lefties! Signing Bennett to platoon with Mauer would make for an incredible partnership. You could probably slot both into the #2 hole and be fine. If I'm doing predictions, Bennett probably resigns with Pitt, but what fun is that?
Mike Piazza
RHB, 35 years
2004 Season: .262/.306/.414, 13 HRs, 57 RBIs, 14 2Bs
2005 Team: Baltimore Orioles
Come on Jah, just go for it! I'm breaking my 35 year old rule with Piazza, because, well, it's Piazza. Being 35, he's starting to decline a bit, but is still putting up solid numbers in a very clearly pitcher-friendly park. Imagine moving to the smaller confines of Camden Yard? Jah could use him as a DH and back up at C and 1B. Would be an excellent bench addition.
Others of note: Dan Wilson, Todd Hundley, Mike Redmond, Brad Ausmus, Mike Lieberthal
First Basemen
Jason M Thompson
LHB, 33 years
2004 Season: .324/.378/.423, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, 9 2Bs
2005 Team: New York Yankees
Probably giving away my hand here, but I like Thompson a lot. Do I need another old, left-handed 1B? Probably not, but that hasn't stopped me before. Really good combo of ratings with G-G-B, hits-walks-Ks. Love that mix.
Butch Huskey
RHB, 32 years
2004 Season: .231/.269/.393, 13 HRs, 59 RBIs, 24 2Bs
2005 Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Butch has been an overpaid backup for some time now, but that should change with this offseason. I like Pittsburgh as a destinatione especially if Steve2 is going to try and keep competing, which he should. Thome is an old and overpriced. Huskey could provide the same production at a fraction of the cost for the Pirates.
Cliff Floyd
LHB, 31 years
2004 Season: .323/.371/.541, 19 HRs, 72 RBIs, 40 2Bs
2005 Team: San Francisco Giants
Man, Steve is in a bad way with his free agents. Floyd, Bell... yikes. I'm taking Spence to swoop in here if he hits the market. He's repeatedly said he wants to make a splash on a big bat going into next season and Floyd has that good doubles ratings Spence loves. Floyd to SF, book it!
Jim Thome
LHB, 34 years
2004 Season: .248/.364/.387, 14 HRs, 62 RBIs, 20 2Bs
2005 Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Bosoxi should do everythng in his power to clear salary before FA next year. Thome, on a short-term contract, could be the guy to push him over the edge in the NL. Caballero looks okay, but he's probably nothing more than a super util guy. He's definitely not a starting first baseman. Clear that sal and grab Thome!
Others of note: Greg Colbrunn, John Jaha, Matt Stairs
Second Basemen
Mark Lewis
RHB, 34 years
2004 Season: .245/.282/.343, 5 HRs, 49 RBIs, 29 2Bs
2005 Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
What about this situation playing out? Pirates lose Thome to free agency, move Utley to 1B, and sign Lewis to play 2B? It's probably plan D for Steve2, but it's like hey need to be ready for all situations. I'm going to be completely honest, I've never heard of this guy. Must have gotten a nice PD along the way and you could definitely do worse for a couple year rental player.
Michael Young
RHB, 27 years
2004 Season: .271/.293/.419, 14 HRs, 56 RBIs, 32 2Bs
2005 Team: Toronto Blue Jays
The only weakness in Game's lineup is at second base. He's got money to burn. It's a match made in heaven. Young doesn't necessarily set the world on fire with his OBP, but he hits for power and he's under 30. Oh hell I just checked and he still hasn't had a TIA. Yep that just made Young the most valuable guy out there.
Others of note: Carlos Baerga, Marco Scutaro
Third Basemen
Jolbert Cabrera
RHB, 31 years
2004 Season: .316/.337/.417, 3 HRs, 38 RBIs, 18 2Bs
2005 Season: San Diego Padres
Pretty weak class for 3Bs this year. Cabrera can hardly be considered a true 3B as is, but he does have plenty of versatility. I chose the Padres because of this. Aaron seems to always need to be reminded to play backups and with Cabrera he could just slot him in at every position practically. Super easy even a caveman could do it!
I suppose I should say something about Kent and Palmer. Both are over 35, but are still very capable hitters. Don't be surprised to see both of them land multi-year contracts at a premium.
Others of note: Jeff Kent, Dean Palmer
Shortstops
Gary Sheffield
RHB, 35 years
2004 Season: .313/.391/.441, 14 HRs, 85 RBIs, 16 2Bs
2005 Team: Montreal Expos
Breaking my rules again to include Sheff. If Kobe wants to win he needs to make good FA signings that will definitely put him over the top. Sheff fits the bill. He'd be able to step in at SS for Fryman (yuck!) and hit in the middle of an already loaded lineup. Biggest question here is if Kobe will have the resources to be able to sign him. Looks like no. Shouldn't have traded for Cunnane, sucker!
Pat Hoover
RHB, 28 years
2004 Season: .300/.321/.379, 2 HRs, 18 RBIs, 6 2Bs
2005 Team: Cincinnati Reds
Reunions are always fun. Stutter should bring back Hoover to fill the void that he created by trading Hoover! If nothing else, Pat will provide good depth and he's still under 30. Shouldn't cost too much either. Let's just hope Stutter isn't too high to send in bids!
Others of note: Orlando Miller, Kevin Sefcik, Derrick May
Outfielders
Damon Buford
RHB, 34 years (LF,CF)
2004 Season: .289/.325/.480, 17 HRs, 64 RBIs, 18 2Bs
2005 Team: Detroit Tigers
Buford is rated crazy good. He's on the older side, but he mashes lefties. He's a monster against them. A possible platoon with Rajai Davis could be pretty interesting. One guy delivers power while the other is all speed. Use Davis as a super sub in the OF and defensive replacement and it could work.
Jermaine Dye
RHB, 30 years (LF,RF)
2004 Season: .271/.340/.425, 13 HRs, 87 RBIs, 27 2Bs
2005 Team: New York Mets
Sometimes I forget about the Mets because James is so quiet these days, but damn at his team. He's already resigned Manny so he dodges that bullet, but he could still use another solid bat. Enter Dye. He'd either be able to platoon with Green or just take over for him, which is probably best. Dye would stroke doubles all day long in Shea. Cherry on top? He'd be stealing him from Nanz. Uh-mazing!
Juan Gonzalez
RHB, 34 years (LF,CF,RF,1B)
2004 Season: .265/.297/.476, 26 HRs, 97 RBIs, 34 2Bs
2005 Team: Chicago White Sox
Juan Gone looks poised to cash in on his last lucrative contract coming up this offseason and it could be a doozy with the lack of bats on the market. The team who has a need and means is the White Sox. They could definitely use a 3rd outfielder behind Mags and Jefferson. Regardless of who the GM is, Gonzalez would look good in white and black... or will it be orange and black?
Jacque Jones
LHB, 29 years (LF,CF,RF)
2004 Season: .292/.337/.402, 5 HRs, 42 RBIs, 29 2Bs
2005 Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Jones is kind of awkward. He's too old for tanking teams and he's really not good enough for competing teams. The Dodgers are neither of those things so it's a fit. He could make for a solid addition though. Maybe it's a situation where he signs sort of cheaply and gets flipped for spects and picks to a team willing to give him a run. Could work.
Others of note: Marty Cordova, Bernie Williams, Todd Hollandworth, Armando Rios, Preston Wilson, Henry Rodriguez, Orlando Palmeiro, Chad Allen, Randy Winn, DeWayne Wise
There you have it. I'm sure none of this will come true because I don't have Shale's intuition when it comes to these kind of things, but here's hoping!