The Javier Valdes record signing sparked some curiosity about who's gotten the top bonuses and where they are now. Thanks to geneseo98 for compiling this.
#1 $28.6MM - Javier Valdes, RF (Dominican Republic), Season 9. Signed by Oakland, currently in Low A.
#2 $27.8MM - Vic Gonzalez, 1B (Dominican Republic), Season 7. Signed by Tampa Bay, currently in AAA.
#3 $23.0MM - Jolbert Lopez, 2B (Dominican Republic), Season 9. Signed by Washington, D.C., currently in AAA.
#4 $22.0MM - Dennys Martin, 3B (Japan), Season 3. Signed by Chicago Cubs; in his 6th ML season, has 3 All-Star appearances and 2 Silver Sluggers.
#5 $21.9MM - Lorenzo Manto, 2B (Dominican Republic), Season 6. Signed by Kansas City, reached ML in Season 8 and won AL ROY.
#6 $20.0MM - Alejandro Vazquez, SP (Dominican Republic), Season 1. Signed by Atlanta; currently in 9th ML season, has 2 All-Star apeparances and 1 Gold Glove.
#7 $18.3MM - Manuel Martin, 2B (Mexico), Season 3. Signed by Baltimore, traded to Boston in Season 4, now in 3rd ML season.
#8 $17.5MM - Luis Duran, SP (Dominican Republic), Season 3. Signed by St. Louis, now in 6th ML season.
#9T $17.0MM - Dicky Martin, SP (Japan), Season 8. Signed by Chicago White Sox, currently in High A.
#9T $17.0MM - Willie Jose, 3B (Dominican Republic), Season 1. Signed by Florida, traded to San Diego in Season 2, traded to Portland in Season 5, signed to a FA contract by San Diego in Season 8, traded to Montreal in Season 9. Currently in 7th ML season.
#11 $16.8MM - Ching-Lung Chang, LF (Japan), Season 8. Signed by Tampa Bay, currently in 2nd ML season.
#12 $16.5MM - Enrique Cordero, RP (Dominican Republic), Season 4. Signed by Oakland, currently in 2nd ML season.
#13 $15.9MM - Santos Lorenzo, SP (Cuba), Season 6. Signed by Tampa Bay, currently in AAA.
#14 $15.5MM - Max Ferrer, SP (Costa Rica), Season 3. Signed by San Francisco; currently in 4th ML season, has 1 Gold Glove.
#15 $15.3MM - Hector Bennett, 2B (Dominican Republic), Season 5. Signed by Oakland, currently in AAA.
#16 $15.2MM - Sun Wanatabe, SP (Japan), Season 7. Signed by Kansas City, currently in AAA.
#17T $15.0MM - Paul Shin, SP (Japan), Season 8. Signed by Detroit, currently in AAA.
#17T $15.0MM - Damian Chen, SS (Korea), Season 6. Signed by Cleveland, currently in 2nd ML season.
#17T $15.0MM - Juan Miro, LF (Dominican Republic), Season 4. Signed by Boston, currently in 3rd ML season.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
AL South Season 9 Preview
It was a good year for the AL South in Season 8, with Texas taking the crown and Charlotte getting to the division round as a wildcard. Kansas City and Tampa Bay advanced their rebuilding efforts with major international free agent signings, and the Royals' Lorenzo Manto took the AL Rookie of the Year.
OFFENSE
Texas led the league with 993 runs scored last year and brings back largely the same lineup. All-Star and Silver Slugger CF Juan Marrero (.288/45/110) leads the balanced attack (9 players with 20+ HR's), with SS Ismael Lopez (.259/31/106) and C/DH Chris Mullens (.317/39/99) in supporting run-production roles. RF Jason Walls (.354 OBP) and the 1B platoon of Wolf Douglas (.393 OBP) and Brett Ross (.383 OBP) are the primary table-setters. It looks like 2 rookies will make the opening-day roster: Jerry Wilkinson (.252/34/89 at AAA) takes over at 3B for the traded Jerry Kaline, and Chris Grimsley (.280/37/95 at AAA) will get some AB's at DH. There are no holes in this lineup; 1000 runs is possible this year.
Charlotte dropped to 835 runs last year (from 936 in their division-winning Season 7), so they're looking for some punch. The first boost will come from the return of 2-time MVP Earl Jorgenson, who missed most of last year. Early reports say he's swinging the bat as well as ever but not running like he used to. RF Jose Mondesi had his lowest HR total (37) since Season 2, and could be another pick-me-up. And B.C. Javier could easily snap back from a .255 effort. 3B Adam Martin's power is slipping away, but he should still post solid numbers. C Frankie Spahn swings at everything...the good news is it goes a long way when he connects.
Kansas City scored 853 runs last year, good for 4th in the AL. The Royals' offense begins but does not end with super-sophomores Lorenzo Manto (.317/30/109) and Hersh Taylor (.280/47/115). Season 7 ROY Emil Pichardo "slumped" to .289/22/77 last year; a return to his rookie form would give KC a deadly trio of 3 of the league's best young hitters. They're counting on 2 more rookies for big contributions: CF Wilt Benes has a razor-sharp batting eye and handles RHP - the jury's out on how he'll do with lefties; C Harry James looks like a nice hitter...the question is where he'll play. The word around Spring Training is he'll takeover as the full-time DH early on.
Tampa Bay was dead last in runs last season but will turn over two-thirds of the lineup. Joseph Ishii and Izzy Jones (obtained for prospects), move in at CF and 3B. RF Cristobal Marquez signed a rich FA deal. They've already promoted SS Mariano Mateo and 1B Yonder Manto and handed them starting jobs; we can expect to see Season 7 mega-IFA Vic Gonzalez and LF/RF Geraldo Roque by the 20-game mark. This won't be one of the top offenses in the league...it may not even reach the top half...but it will be much improved.
PITCHING
Texas posted the AL's 3rd-best ERA last year (4.25) but looks to improve. The rotation stays intact, with headliner Sherry Pierre poised for a Cy Young run one of these years (yes, even in Ameriquest Field). The long relief corps is entirely rebuilt with rookies Branch Crosby and Jose Pizzaro, plus FA Ajax Patel. Patrick Michaels comes over from the Yankees as the main setup man to Gene Robinson, who established himself as a reliable closer last season. There are a few question marks in the pen...rumors have the Rangers shopping around for another setup man.
Charlotte's pitching was right behind Texas' last year at 4.26. Warren Justice and Hick Hernandez lead the workmanlike rotation; 2nd-year man Chipper O'Conner got 10 starts last season and could join the rotation full-time. Eugene O'Neill headed the closer committee last year with a fine 11-save, 1.89 ERA effort. With team ERA's of 4.24 and 4.26 the last 2 seasons and virtually same personnel, this group should be very predictable; which means they'll in all likelihood throw lights out or suck.
Kansas City posted a 5.17 ERA last year and needs some arms to go with all those bats. Damaso Palacios seems most likely to step up - he had a nice sophomore season (15-12, 3.72) but control problems and/or gopher balls have limited his effectiveness since. In the pen, Raymond Karsay posted a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings, but with a career mark of 4.88, I wouldn't count on a repeat. The good news resides in AAA on the arms of Armando Taveras (Season 7 #2 overall) and Sun Wanatabe (big-ticket Season 7 IFA) - both could use more development but could get the call if KC's bats put them in the race.
Tampa Bay put up a pretty good 4.25 ERA last year (4th), largely due to lefty SP's Stuart Wilson (13-11.3.69) and Blaine Lowry (11-13, 4.03), plus some good efforts by anonymous guys. There will be less anonymity this year: much-ballyhooed SP prospect Santos Lorenzo will debut around game 20, as will his IFA counterpart Javy Johnson. FA Karim Wallace was signed to a 5-year deal to steady the pen. The Rays also recently traded for promising-but-underachieving RP Houston Webb; he's put up sparkling numbers in Spring Training and could earn a setup role.
PREDICTIONS
1. Texas 104-58
2. Charlotte 92-70
3. Kansas City 85-77
4. Tampa Bay 82-80
ROY Watch: Tampa Bay's Santos Lorenzo and Vic Gonazalez; KC's Harry James
MVP Watch: Texas' CF Juan Marrero, Charlotte's 2B Earl Jorgenson, KC's Lorenzo Manto and Hersh Taylor
Cy Young Watch: Texas' Sherry Pierre
OFFENSE
Texas led the league with 993 runs scored last year and brings back largely the same lineup. All-Star and Silver Slugger CF Juan Marrero (.288/45/110) leads the balanced attack (9 players with 20+ HR's), with SS Ismael Lopez (.259/31/106) and C/DH Chris Mullens (.317/39/99) in supporting run-production roles. RF Jason Walls (.354 OBP) and the 1B platoon of Wolf Douglas (.393 OBP) and Brett Ross (.383 OBP) are the primary table-setters. It looks like 2 rookies will make the opening-day roster: Jerry Wilkinson (.252/34/89 at AAA) takes over at 3B for the traded Jerry Kaline, and Chris Grimsley (.280/37/95 at AAA) will get some AB's at DH. There are no holes in this lineup; 1000 runs is possible this year.
Charlotte dropped to 835 runs last year (from 936 in their division-winning Season 7), so they're looking for some punch. The first boost will come from the return of 2-time MVP Earl Jorgenson, who missed most of last year. Early reports say he's swinging the bat as well as ever but not running like he used to. RF Jose Mondesi had his lowest HR total (37) since Season 2, and could be another pick-me-up. And B.C. Javier could easily snap back from a .255 effort. 3B Adam Martin's power is slipping away, but he should still post solid numbers. C Frankie Spahn swings at everything...the good news is it goes a long way when he connects.
Kansas City scored 853 runs last year, good for 4th in the AL. The Royals' offense begins but does not end with super-sophomores Lorenzo Manto (.317/30/109) and Hersh Taylor (.280/47/115). Season 7 ROY Emil Pichardo "slumped" to .289/22/77 last year; a return to his rookie form would give KC a deadly trio of 3 of the league's best young hitters. They're counting on 2 more rookies for big contributions: CF Wilt Benes has a razor-sharp batting eye and handles RHP - the jury's out on how he'll do with lefties; C Harry James looks like a nice hitter...the question is where he'll play. The word around Spring Training is he'll takeover as the full-time DH early on.
Tampa Bay was dead last in runs last season but will turn over two-thirds of the lineup. Joseph Ishii and Izzy Jones (obtained for prospects), move in at CF and 3B. RF Cristobal Marquez signed a rich FA deal. They've already promoted SS Mariano Mateo and 1B Yonder Manto and handed them starting jobs; we can expect to see Season 7 mega-IFA Vic Gonzalez and LF/RF Geraldo Roque by the 20-game mark. This won't be one of the top offenses in the league...it may not even reach the top half...but it will be much improved.
PITCHING
Texas posted the AL's 3rd-best ERA last year (4.25) but looks to improve. The rotation stays intact, with headliner Sherry Pierre poised for a Cy Young run one of these years (yes, even in Ameriquest Field). The long relief corps is entirely rebuilt with rookies Branch Crosby and Jose Pizzaro, plus FA Ajax Patel. Patrick Michaels comes over from the Yankees as the main setup man to Gene Robinson, who established himself as a reliable closer last season. There are a few question marks in the pen...rumors have the Rangers shopping around for another setup man.
Charlotte's pitching was right behind Texas' last year at 4.26. Warren Justice and Hick Hernandez lead the workmanlike rotation; 2nd-year man Chipper O'Conner got 10 starts last season and could join the rotation full-time. Eugene O'Neill headed the closer committee last year with a fine 11-save, 1.89 ERA effort. With team ERA's of 4.24 and 4.26 the last 2 seasons and virtually same personnel, this group should be very predictable; which means they'll in all likelihood throw lights out or suck.
Kansas City posted a 5.17 ERA last year and needs some arms to go with all those bats. Damaso Palacios seems most likely to step up - he had a nice sophomore season (15-12, 3.72) but control problems and/or gopher balls have limited his effectiveness since. In the pen, Raymond Karsay posted a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings, but with a career mark of 4.88, I wouldn't count on a repeat. The good news resides in AAA on the arms of Armando Taveras (Season 7 #2 overall) and Sun Wanatabe (big-ticket Season 7 IFA) - both could use more development but could get the call if KC's bats put them in the race.
Tampa Bay put up a pretty good 4.25 ERA last year (4th), largely due to lefty SP's Stuart Wilson (13-11.3.69) and Blaine Lowry (11-13, 4.03), plus some good efforts by anonymous guys. There will be less anonymity this year: much-ballyhooed SP prospect Santos Lorenzo will debut around game 20, as will his IFA counterpart Javy Johnson. FA Karim Wallace was signed to a 5-year deal to steady the pen. The Rays also recently traded for promising-but-underachieving RP Houston Webb; he's put up sparkling numbers in Spring Training and could earn a setup role.
PREDICTIONS
1. Texas 104-58
2. Charlotte 92-70
3. Kansas City 85-77
4. Tampa Bay 82-80
ROY Watch: Tampa Bay's Santos Lorenzo and Vic Gonazalez; KC's Harry James
MVP Watch: Texas' CF Juan Marrero, Charlotte's 2B Earl Jorgenson, KC's Lorenzo Manto and Hersh Taylor
Cy Young Watch: Texas' Sherry Pierre
Monday, October 19, 2009
Twins Get Seanz' Replacement
In the last A/B signing before Spring Training, Minnesota got its successor to the ballyhooed Jolbert Saenz, the well-traveled Dickie Hodges (2 years, $4.9MM). Hodges has had stints in Cincinnati (2), Kansas City and Baltimore during his 8-year Kinsella career, racking up a .266 career BA with 106 HR's. He also won a Gold Glove for his work with the Reds in Season 6 (which is, interestingly, 1 more Player Award than his predecessor won).
Hodges is a mild plus offensively for a C, at least against lefties. He's a capable, if not superlative pitch-caller and has a better-than adequate throwing arm. His most remarkable trait, though, is his iron-man durability - he's very capable of catching all 162 games without tiring (a feat he has pulled off 3 times). For the price, the Twins have made a great deal. Grade: A
Hodges is a mild plus offensively for a C, at least against lefties. He's a capable, if not superlative pitch-caller and has a better-than adequate throwing arm. His most remarkable trait, though, is his iron-man durability - he's very capable of catching all 162 games without tiring (a feat he has pulled off 3 times). For the price, the Twins have made a great deal. Grade: A
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Cubbies sign Saenz For Record (we think) Bucks
With free agency winding down, the Chicago Cubs prevailed in the frenzied bidding for Jolbert Saenz and signed the former Twins backstop to a 5-year, $85MM deal.
Saenz had been in the Twins organization for all 8 Kinsella seasons, coming to the majors in Season 3 and hitting .301 with 103 HR's over 6 seasons. He also set career highs with a .307 average, 24 HR's and 80 RBI last year.
Never the object of major publicity or attention during his years in the northland, Saenz found a bulls-eye materializing on his chest when Expos GM huskypride attempted to scare everyone off a targeted player (implying a max bid), and speculation centered on Saenz. The target's even brighter now that the ultimate judgement of Saenz and his contract depend on a Cubs World Series win sometime in the next 5 years.
Very good player, maybe the best in this free-agent class, but a risky contract. Grade A if the Cubs win a Series during the contract, Grade F if they don't.
In other late free-agency news:
Phillies: Alexander Myers, LF - 2 years, $8.2MM (mutual option). Lifetime .315 hitter can still get on base, but his days of 20+ HR's are probably over. Philly's collecting quite a surplus of LF's, making us think a trade for something they couldn't find in FA (3B?) is afoot. Grade: A
Astros: Derrick Russ, 3B - 5 years, $35MM. Steady hot cornerman compiled a .276 BA and 147 HR's, plus a Silver Slugger (Season 3) and an All-Star Game (Season 8) in his 7 years with the Expos. 5-year contracts for 31 year-old hitters always come with ratings decline concerns, particularly in the power and durability departments, where Russ has already seen a little erosion. All in all, though, solid player for a a decent price. Grade: B
Padres: Kerry Dispenza, RP - 2 years, $5.1MM ($4.5MM bonused this year). Love this signing for a couple of reasons. First, he's really a good fit for San Diego - Dispenza's the poster boy for ballpark effects (5+ ERA with Texas, 2.87 with Portland last year). He has the kind of OK-to-pretty good ratings that can play well in Petco. Second, the big bonus and minimum salary could make him very attractive trade bait come deadline-time, either this year or next. Grade: Best oddball, quirky, savvy signing of the year
Tigers: William Ryan, 3B - 3 years, $11.3MM. Cracked 43 dingers and made the All-Star Team for Cincy last year, but Great American is +2, +2 for HR's and Comerica is -2, -2. It's a big difference and will almost certainly suppress his power numbers. He's a good defender at 3B, and it's a small price for a full-player...just be ready for disappointing production. Grade: C+
Saenz had been in the Twins organization for all 8 Kinsella seasons, coming to the majors in Season 3 and hitting .301 with 103 HR's over 6 seasons. He also set career highs with a .307 average, 24 HR's and 80 RBI last year.
Never the object of major publicity or attention during his years in the northland, Saenz found a bulls-eye materializing on his chest when Expos GM huskypride attempted to scare everyone off a targeted player (implying a max bid), and speculation centered on Saenz. The target's even brighter now that the ultimate judgement of Saenz and his contract depend on a Cubs World Series win sometime in the next 5 years.
Very good player, maybe the best in this free-agent class, but a risky contract. Grade A if the Cubs win a Series during the contract, Grade F if they don't.
In other late free-agency news:
Phillies: Alexander Myers, LF - 2 years, $8.2MM (mutual option). Lifetime .315 hitter can still get on base, but his days of 20+ HR's are probably over. Philly's collecting quite a surplus of LF's, making us think a trade for something they couldn't find in FA (3B?) is afoot. Grade: A
Astros: Derrick Russ, 3B - 5 years, $35MM. Steady hot cornerman compiled a .276 BA and 147 HR's, plus a Silver Slugger (Season 3) and an All-Star Game (Season 8) in his 7 years with the Expos. 5-year contracts for 31 year-old hitters always come with ratings decline concerns, particularly in the power and durability departments, where Russ has already seen a little erosion. All in all, though, solid player for a a decent price. Grade: B
Padres: Kerry Dispenza, RP - 2 years, $5.1MM ($4.5MM bonused this year). Love this signing for a couple of reasons. First, he's really a good fit for San Diego - Dispenza's the poster boy for ballpark effects (5+ ERA with Texas, 2.87 with Portland last year). He has the kind of OK-to-pretty good ratings that can play well in Petco. Second, the big bonus and minimum salary could make him very attractive trade bait come deadline-time, either this year or next. Grade: Best oddball, quirky, savvy signing of the year
Tigers: William Ryan, 3B - 3 years, $11.3MM. Cracked 43 dingers and made the All-Star Team for Cincy last year, but Great American is +2, +2 for HR's and Comerica is -2, -2. It's a big difference and will almost certainly suppress his power numbers. He's a good defender at 3B, and it's a small price for a full-player...just be ready for disappointing production. Grade: C+
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rays Enter FA Fray
Longtime doormat Tampa Bay entered the free-agent wars today, signing Type A FA's Cristobal Marquez (RF) and Karim Wallace (RP). Marquez is a career .259 hitter with 166 HR's over 6 seasons for the Giants. He's one of this year's youngest free agents at 28, having opted out after 3 arbitration years with the Giants. Wallace has seen both closer and setup duty over 8 seasons with the Red Sox, Angels and Cubs, compiling a 3.91 ERA. The Rays are getting 2 quality players...just not cheaply. Grade(s): B
The signings fueled speculation among Ray-watchers that the club would mount an all-out effort to contend this season, promoting prospects wholesale and signing more free agents. GM blanch13 quieted the buzz at least momentarily by ruling out more free agent signings: "We expended our FA budget on Marquez and Wallace, and we're very happy with those signings. We bid early on (former MIN C Jolbert) Saenz, but the bidding quickly got into the 'this is the one guy that puts us over' range, and that's not our situation. We need help in lots of places."
The signings fueled speculation among Ray-watchers that the club would mount an all-out effort to contend this season, promoting prospects wholesale and signing more free agents. GM blanch13 quieted the buzz at least momentarily by ruling out more free agent signings: "We expended our FA budget on Marquez and Wallace, and we're very happy with those signings. We bid early on (former MIN C Jolbert) Saenz, but the bidding quickly got into the 'this is the one guy that puts us over' range, and that's not our situation. We need help in lots of places."
Tigers Nab Martin
The Detroit Tigers took a big step toward getting back into the AL North pennant fight today, signing FA 1B Pascual Martin to a 3-year, $24MM contract.
The Tigers took the North in Seasons 6 and 7 (plus the Season 7 World Series), but struggled to 3rd at 73-89 last year, largely due to a 126-run drop in offense. Martin set the new single-season batting average record last year (.389) - his high-contact style fits with the spacious dimensions at Comerica.
Tigers owner jdrake confirmed he had gone as far on the Martin bidding as he could, and was "surprised" to get him for 6.3/9/9 + a team option.
Martin is on of the top hitters in the league and a perfect fit for Detroit's park. Only the Pickford signing exceeds this one so far. Grade: A
The Tigers took the North in Seasons 6 and 7 (plus the Season 7 World Series), but struggled to 3rd at 73-89 last year, largely due to a 126-run drop in offense. Martin set the new single-season batting average record last year (.389) - his high-contact style fits with the spacious dimensions at Comerica.
Tigers owner jdrake confirmed he had gone as far on the Martin bidding as he could, and was "surprised" to get him for 6.3/9/9 + a team option.
Martin is on of the top hitters in the league and a perfect fit for Detroit's park. Only the Pickford signing exceeds this one so far. Grade: A
Friday, October 16, 2009
Indians, Braves, Red Sox Come Out Swinging in FA
(Please don't take my grades too seriously...just the opinions of 1 guy who hasn't figured this game out yet)
Cleveland, Atlanta and Boston dominated the early A/B FA signings, inking 7 of the first 11 contracts.
Indians:
Del Wilhelm - LF - 4 years, $30MM. Some teams probably stayed away because of his declining power ratings, but the Tribe was more persuaded by his 8 consecutive .300 seasons and still-superb durability. Even at 33, one of the top FA's in this class...certainly among the top 5 hitters available. Some concern about low makeup leading to plummeting ratings in the out years of the contract (perhaps a mutual option on the last year would have been prudent), but a solid signing nonetheless. Grade: B
Albert Gonzalez - 2B/LF - 2 years, $11.6MM. Should be good for .260 with 20-25 HR's - a big offensive boost if he plays 2B (this year and next are pretty short on good 2B's), but that's not altogether clear. He's adequate at best defensively at 2B, and the Wahoos are building up an oversupply of 2B/LF types. Kudos for getting this guy on only a 2-year deal. Grade: B+
Jimmie Ruiz - C - 3 years, $7.5MM. "Grandpa" Ruiz can still handle a pitching staff, although he's no longer much of a threat on offense. This signing gets my first raspberry on 2 counts: first, he's not really any better than the 2 (much cheaper) guys they already have; and second, it's a 3-year contract for a guy who's ratings are already in free-fall. At least the Tribe can punt on the last year by declining the option.
Grade: Raspberry
Braves:
Bobby Dawkins - LF - 4 years, $20MM. Unheralded vet coming off career highs in HR's and RBI (in the hitter's graveyard of Portland, at that). His power's starting to ebb a little, but his high makeup, combined with Atlanta's nearly-expert training staff, should ward off any significant ratings declines. Nice price for a fulltime player. Grade: A-
Zach Millwood - SP - 2 years, $10.4MM. Not an ace, but a very productive back-of-the-rotation SP. Features a decent sinker and a good cut fastball...way tougher on lefties than most RHP. The thing to watch here is walks - he's been up around 1 every other inning some seasons. Could start to suffer some ratings declines this year or next, but shouldn't be a big problem. Nice short-term signing. Grade: A-
Red Sox
Victor Lima - SP/RP - 2 years, $16MM (mutual option). He's been a starter (13-6, 2.56 for FLA in Season 4), he's been a closer (92 saves for the Giants in Seasons 6-7), he's probably been everything in between. Still a top pitcher, the only question is whether the Sox can keep him glued together for another season or 2. 92 makeup and the best jacuzzis money can buy ($20MM training budget) say "yes". Grade: A
Richard Ishii - 3B - 2years, $17MM (mutual option). Signed to settle last year's 3B-by-committee approach (we think...the Mac Smith signing casts some doubt), although he's certainly a + hitter at SS (multiple Silver Sluggers). Not a cheap price, but given the all-round shortage of infielders in free agency, a good signing. Grade: B
Others:
Yankees: Scot Pickford - SP - 5 years, $30MM. Evil Empire goes for the rehab special. Here's the deal: yeah, he took a big hit, but his ratings are still very good - the BEST of any SP in free agency. If he didn't have that injury last year, and came into FA with the ratings he has - $50MM + contract. Grade: Grand Larceny A+ Steal Of Free Agency
Expos: Diego Ibarra - SP - 4 years, $48MM. Big-innings ironman benefited from the spacious OF in Seattle, but that fall-off-the-table sinker will help out in the new cozy digs. Vulnerable to lefties, but that's a minor critique. It may be the market, but that's a pretty big price tag for this guy. Grade: B-
Reds: Ernest Becker - SP - 2 years, $11.6MM. Double-digit wins for 8 straight seasons - pretty impressive. Ratings solid but unspectacular across the board. Biggest concern is is age, but high makeup and training budget should render that concern moot. Grade: B+
Brewers: Craig Evans - RP - 2 years, $10MM. Solid reliever can be a closer or 100-inning setup man. Might see his numbers tick up a bit with the ballpark change, but should still be very good. One question: why sign a 31 year-old Type A for only 2 years? Grade: B
Cleveland, Atlanta and Boston dominated the early A/B FA signings, inking 7 of the first 11 contracts.
Indians:
Del Wilhelm - LF - 4 years, $30MM. Some teams probably stayed away because of his declining power ratings, but the Tribe was more persuaded by his 8 consecutive .300 seasons and still-superb durability. Even at 33, one of the top FA's in this class...certainly among the top 5 hitters available. Some concern about low makeup leading to plummeting ratings in the out years of the contract (perhaps a mutual option on the last year would have been prudent), but a solid signing nonetheless. Grade: B
Albert Gonzalez - 2B/LF - 2 years, $11.6MM. Should be good for .260 with 20-25 HR's - a big offensive boost if he plays 2B (this year and next are pretty short on good 2B's), but that's not altogether clear. He's adequate at best defensively at 2B, and the Wahoos are building up an oversupply of 2B/LF types. Kudos for getting this guy on only a 2-year deal. Grade: B+
Jimmie Ruiz - C - 3 years, $7.5MM. "Grandpa" Ruiz can still handle a pitching staff, although he's no longer much of a threat on offense. This signing gets my first raspberry on 2 counts: first, he's not really any better than the 2 (much cheaper) guys they already have; and second, it's a 3-year contract for a guy who's ratings are already in free-fall. At least the Tribe can punt on the last year by declining the option.
Grade: Raspberry
Braves:
Bobby Dawkins - LF - 4 years, $20MM. Unheralded vet coming off career highs in HR's and RBI (in the hitter's graveyard of Portland, at that). His power's starting to ebb a little, but his high makeup, combined with Atlanta's nearly-expert training staff, should ward off any significant ratings declines. Nice price for a fulltime player. Grade: A-
Zach Millwood - SP - 2 years, $10.4MM. Not an ace, but a very productive back-of-the-rotation SP. Features a decent sinker and a good cut fastball...way tougher on lefties than most RHP. The thing to watch here is walks - he's been up around 1 every other inning some seasons. Could start to suffer some ratings declines this year or next, but shouldn't be a big problem. Nice short-term signing. Grade: A-
Red Sox
Victor Lima - SP/RP - 2 years, $16MM (mutual option). He's been a starter (13-6, 2.56 for FLA in Season 4), he's been a closer (92 saves for the Giants in Seasons 6-7), he's probably been everything in between. Still a top pitcher, the only question is whether the Sox can keep him glued together for another season or 2. 92 makeup and the best jacuzzis money can buy ($20MM training budget) say "yes". Grade: A
Richard Ishii - 3B - 2years, $17MM (mutual option). Signed to settle last year's 3B-by-committee approach (we think...the Mac Smith signing casts some doubt), although he's certainly a + hitter at SS (multiple Silver Sluggers). Not a cheap price, but given the all-round shortage of infielders in free agency, a good signing. Grade: B
Others:
Yankees: Scot Pickford - SP - 5 years, $30MM. Evil Empire goes for the rehab special. Here's the deal: yeah, he took a big hit, but his ratings are still very good - the BEST of any SP in free agency. If he didn't have that injury last year, and came into FA with the ratings he has - $50MM + contract. Grade: Grand Larceny A+ Steal Of Free Agency
Expos: Diego Ibarra - SP - 4 years, $48MM. Big-innings ironman benefited from the spacious OF in Seattle, but that fall-off-the-table sinker will help out in the new cozy digs. Vulnerable to lefties, but that's a minor critique. It may be the market, but that's a pretty big price tag for this guy. Grade: B-
Reds: Ernest Becker - SP - 2 years, $11.6MM. Double-digit wins for 8 straight seasons - pretty impressive. Ratings solid but unspectacular across the board. Biggest concern is is age, but high makeup and training budget should render that concern moot. Grade: B+
Brewers: Craig Evans - RP - 2 years, $10MM. Solid reliever can be a closer or 100-inning setup man. Might see his numbers tick up a bit with the ballpark change, but should still be very good. One question: why sign a 31 year-old Type A for only 2 years? Grade: B
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