These free agents are sitting pretty
Posted: Monday, November 24, 2008 4:00 PM
Here are five players on the open market who, although they probably won't have signed by Thursday, will have reason to give thanks this week:
DEREK LOWE: His durability (seven straight years of 32 starts and six years of 200-plus innings) looks to be valued in the non-Sabathia market. And the news of Chad Billingsley's broken leg may force the Dodgers to revise their thinking. Agent Scott Boras likely holds Lowe until the late stages of the offseason to leverage him between the Yankees, Red Sox and anyone else not in the Sabathia bidding.
A.J. BURNETT: His potential dominance is the ultimate tease. Teams see a pitcher who when healthy can be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. And Burnett (like Lowe) should command about 60 percent of the market rate for Sabathia. Burnett's agent is spreading word that he wants a five-year deal. Hard to see that although I can see teams adding to the dollars in a four-year offer. It is hard to imagine either Burnett or Lowe signing before Sabathia signs.
BRIAN FUENTES: He is the Lowe/Burnett of closers, financially a more reasonable alternative to the guy trying to break the bank, Francisco Rodriguez. Fuentes becomes a sensible look for the Mets and perhaps the Brewers, who despite public statements to the contrary, may look to commit significant dollars to fix what was an ugly bullpen in 2008. Interesting note: Fuentes had 82 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, an indication that he can get the "swing and miss" that teams covet from closers.
MARK TEIXEIRA: He appears to be the one position player who will break the bank. The Angels want to keep him, the Red Sox want to entice him and his agent, Scott Boras, will certainly get others involved. Arte Moreno talked up Manny Ramirez a few weeks back, a sign that the Angels owner will not wait long on Teixeira. He was on ESPN the other night and said that, like most free agents, he wants his deal in place by Christmas.
RAUL IBANEZ: The Lowe/Burnett of outfielders. A team looking for a potent outfield bat and not willing to enter the bidding for Manny Ramirez will find its money well spent on Ibanez. A solid citizen who produced while Seattle crumbled around him, Ibanez played in 162 games last year, all but nine in left field. The question here seems to be whether Ibanez waits for Ramirez to set a bar before making his own decision.
TWO MORE SWINGS:
1. DROVE BY SHEA STADIUM…this weekend. Odd to see the old stadium slowly stripped down while the gleaming new CitiField is finished. New York City has a no-implosion law so Shea and Yankee Stadium, will be methodically torn down. Shea has already lost its huge scoreboard, outfield wall, light towers and most exterior signage. As one who spent many formative days there, I wish it would go quickly.
2. LAWSUITS HAVE FINALLY BEEN DROPPED…and the South Florida ballpark looks to be finally on track, only a year later than planned. There is hope for the Marlins’ future. They have committed to Hanley Ramirez and their record in assembling young talent is unchallenged. The only question: will they keep those players who succeed?
