After the holiday season, there is still some value left on the free agent market and there are some teams that need help. The prices could be just right for both the player and the team. Here are my predictions, in no particular order, and why:
Johnny Damon OF/DH Projected Team: TB
Tampa bay has the pitching to contend and Johnny likes to compete. The Rays have plenty of room for at bats in the outfield and DH positions and they could use a leadoff man since some other guy just left. What was his name? I already forgot. A one year deal worth $6 MM should be friendly for both sides.
Rafael Soriano CP Projected Team: STL
The Cardinals say they have no money left to spend but I don’t see how they can afford not to spend. Albert Pujols is coming up on a free agent year and if they don’t have money to sign him to an extension now, I doubt they will when they have competition for his services. Ryan Franklin is a mediocre closer at best and he looks much better in a setup role for a contending team. Go time is now for the Cardinals. Soriano is searching for a three year deal but maybe he can settle on a one year $9 MM deal with a contending team instead.
Carl Pavano SP Projected Team: HOU
Carl Pavano is searching for a three year deal, well so is my 1994 Toyota 4Runner but I think I will keep my eyes open for a better car. Year in and year out Houston seems to have these weird dreams that they are going to contend and they go out and make that one weird signing. They seem to keep thinking they are in a “Shit or get off the pot” situation. Well, I am guessing they are going to try to hold up the line for the bathroom for one more year. A one year $8 MM deal should buy enough toilet paper for the Pavano family.
Jorge Cantu 1B/3B Projected Team: LA Angels
Ker plunk. That is the sound of the major splash in the free agent pool that the Angels promised us this offseason. Cantu has been a boom or bust player so far in his career and he has the versatility that Mike Scioscia can work with. Mike Scioscia is crazy smart, just ask him. The deal will be cheap and maybe the Angels can save their pesos for a big splash next year, ahem Pujols. Cantu’s deal would be worth about $3 MM.
Vladimir Guerrero OF/DH Projected Team: TOR
This is totally a hunch, but besides trading away a perfectly good Shaun Marcum, I just don’t think the Blue Jays are done for the offseason. They have money and have spent most of it wisely so far. A signing of a guy like Guerrero will give them great depth at the corner outfield and DH positions. Vlad already knows how to work a conversion rate in Canada because of his stint in Montreal and even if he doesn’t he can pay someone that does. A deal could be made for $7 MM for one year or two years for $13 MM.
Manny Ramirez OF/DH Projected Team: First AL Contending Team in Trouble
I have a feeling Manny is going to sit this dance out for a little bit and scope the floor looking for that cute cheerleader that just got dumped by her quarterback boyfriend (or the team that just lost a key bat to injury). For Manny knows how to make news and as sure as the sun will rise, hold on let me rephrase that…as sure as a Netflix add will pop up on MLB.com, Manny will make us or some team want him. Mannywood will be coming this summer to a desperate contender near you.
Jim Thome DH Projected Team: MIN
I am a little confused this deal is taking so long. The only thing that I can think of that would be keeping Thome from going back to the Twins is the fact that he mashed last year and still only ended up with 340 plate appearances. It is hard to tell a DH you are going to rest him today when he rests an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes during every game. Still, the rest did him well and he doesn’t really fit into any other team’s plans so it looks like the Twins have to be the fit. As much as I wish that the Indians would ditch Pronk (worst nickname in history) Hafner and bring in Thome to get his 600th home run, I doubt it would happen because that would be a smart move and the Indians haven’t done one of those in a while. Thome may want money based on his good showing last year but will probably ink back with the Twins for one year around $3 MM.
There is my list and predictions. I did not go over every free agent left because the keys on my keyboard that spell out “one year deal” need replaced. I hope to get some banter on this story because it is winter and I am bored, so please tell me how you feel and give me some of your predictions and reasoning. Until the next time we meet, have a great time trying to figure out why it took Kevin Gregg and Adam LaRoche so long to mull over their offers from the only teams that wanted them. I say barf on both accounts.
Twitter @mpwherley