SI's "Top Ten" Potential 2007 Free Agents

[Balsa]

1) Barry Bonds - 42

2) Jose Contreras - 36

3) Greg Maddux - 41

4) Jason Marquis - 29

5) Mark Mulder - 30

6) Andy Pettite - 34

7) Juan Pierre - 30

8) Jason Schmidt - 34

9) Alfonso Soriano -31

10) Barry Zito - 29

 

All ages appear as they would in 2007. Not a bad list, but those top three really confuse me. Does anyone really think that any of those top three are gonna be a big contract? Seems unlikely given their age.

 

But Zito, Mulder, Marquis, Soriano, and Pierre can probably expect monster contracts.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bonds will attract a lot of attention if he's healthy in 2006 and indicates he'll play again in 2007. An AL team in need of a DH will give him a long look. How couldn't you?

 

What's most notable on that list is that many of those guys are in the age where you'd be wary of giving them more than a one year deal.

 

I doubt Maddux pitches past this season, but if he does it will be on a one year deal.

 

Contreras might get a big contract, but he'll have to repeat last year's performance. There's some question he could be older than 36 in 2007 and he has been less than stellar coming into last season. He could get a 3-year deal, but I'd be wary.

 

Marquis, Mulder, and Zito are the three that look to really cash in. They are just under or just at thirty. A strong performance by those this year could help them cash in not only in dollars but in terms of a 5-6 year deal.

 

Schmidt, if healthy this year, will get a nice deal for his efforts, but it won't be longer than three years.

 

I don't think Soriano will get the deal everyone expects. Pierre's deal will be interesting to watch. My guess is he'll be looking for four to five years. For a player whose game is based on speed, that would be a bad idea.

[Brian]

Aramis Ramirez should probably be on there, since he can opt out, and can probably get more than most of those guys.

[CP_414]

Where's D-Lee? Carlos Lee? Aren't they both free agents?

[UMFan83]

Yeah this list is moranic. DLee should be on that list and there is no way Greg Maddux should be on the list. Great job SI

[Brian]

Where's D-Lee? Carlos Lee? Aren't they both free agents?

 

Haha yeah, either Lee should be able to get a monster contracts as well (I feel 'D' will be off the market though)

[Balsa]

Where's D-Lee? Carlos Lee? Aren't they both free agents?

 

Yep. I agree that DLee will probably never go on the market, but Carlos Lee is gonna really bring in the big bucks.

 

An AL team in need of a DH will give him a long look. How couldn't you?

 

I suppose I might. IF he's healthy all this year. But the age....it would have to be a Frank Thomas-esque contract.

[stitchface]

I don't see how the giants could let him go if he is healthy. particularly if he is a few short of Hank.

[Radar3454]

This would be my list of top FA's - not necessarily in this order - I probably missed a player or 2

 

DLee

Aramis

Soriano - I'm not a big fan but many teams will want him

CLee

Bonds

Wood - if he has a good year he could be #1

Zito

Contreras

Pierre - hopefully- we need him to have a great season

Huff

Hunter

Guillen

Milton

Castillo

Dye

Floyd

[Warpticon]

I'm surprised there were even 10 names on the list. They coudln't get "top" right, so why expect them to master "ten?"

[Jehrico]

I'm surprised there were even 10 names on the list. They coudln't get "top" right, so why expect them to master "ten?"

 

Considering we are talking SI, I was impressed that they got the 10 part right myself...

[SouthSideRyan]

So, they used a dartboard for this right?

[CubfaninCA]

Nice list of pitchers. Looks like no RF's though.

[stitchface]

Nice list of pitchers. Looks like no RF's though.

 

yea, should have got giles while we could have. now we have to trade for a RFer.

[treebird]

i hope the cardinals decide to lock up marquis long-term, last year he allowed 29 hr's and had a stellar 100/69 k/bb ratio

[CubfaninCA]

Nice list of pitchers. Looks like no RF's though.

 

yea, should have got giles while we could have. now we have to trade for a RFer.

 

Hopefully, Philly sucks & we can get Abreu @ the deadline.

[LuvChicagoSports]

Hopefully Felix Pie continues to develop as he would be a nice fit in RF. You don't really have to have him in cf just because he is fast. He has a good enough arm to be in right and he can bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That would be my ideal right fielder.

[mhuber92211]

How is Petitte a FA? Didn't he sign a 4 year deal?

[stitchface]

Hopefully Felix Pie continues to develop as he would be a nice fit in RF. You don't really have to have him in cf just because he is fast. He has a good enough arm to be in right and he can bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That would be my ideal right fielder.

 

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hopefully Felix Pie continues to develop as he would be a nice fit in RF. You don't really have to have him in cf just because he is fast. He has a good enough arm to be in right and he can bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That would be my ideal right fielder.

 

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually).

 

If the Phillies are in contention, then it's likely Abreu would come off the market. On the other hand, if the Phillies feel they are out of the race, then Abreu may could be had for players with upside but that aren't major league stars. That's the only thing I could see changing in regards to Abreu.

[stitchface]

Hopefully Felix Pie continues to develop as he would be a nice fit in RF. You don't really have to have him in cf just because he is fast. He has a good enough arm to be in right and he can bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That would be my ideal right fielder.

 

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually).

 

If the Phillies are in contention, then it's likely Abreu would come off the market. On the other hand, if the Phillies feel they are out of the race, then Abreu may could be had for players with upside but that aren't major league stars. That's the only thing I could see changing in regards to Abreu.

 

so Pie instead of Prior?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hopefully Felix Pie continues to develop as he would be a nice fit in RF. You don't really have to have him in cf just because he is fast. He has a good enough arm to be in right and he can bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That would be my ideal right fielder.

 

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually).

 

If the Phillies are in contention, then it's likely Abreu would come off the market. On the other hand, if the Phillies feel they are out of the race, then Abreu may could be had for players with upside but that aren't major league stars. That's the only thing I could see changing in regards to Abreu.

 

so Pie instead of Prior?

 

That's a possibility. Of course by the time the deadline is rolling around, we'll know more about what Guzman may bring. If he pitches a half season like he was throwing before being shut down in 2003 and is healthy in July, he could be someone teams in need of pitching are asking for.

 

Rich Hill will have had an opportunity to prove himself either in AAA or in the majors by then.

 

Williams stock may have risen by then as well.

 

Of course, all of those may have seen their stock drop too. So, while a basic prognostication indicates Pie, I could see a deal centered around Guzman, Hill, or some other prospect that establishes himself with a great half a season.

[stitchface]

I don't think I would deal Pie. Guzman I would certainly deal and Hill probably as well. Kind of hurts the pitching depth but that could be evaluated at that time as well. The cubs could open the purse for one of the FA pitchers on the above list perhaps.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't think I would deal Pie. Guzman I would certainly deal and Hill probably as well. Kind of hurts the pitching depth but that could be evaluated at that time as well. The cubs could open the purse for one of the FA pitchers on the above list perhaps.

 

The Cubs definitely will be in the market for a pitcher next offseason. They'll still have Prior and Zambrano, but with the 12 million or so to Wood and the 9 million to Maddux coming off the books, I could see a run at Mulder or Zito or maybe even Schmidt happening.

[stitchface]

I don't think I would deal Pie. Guzman I would certainly deal and Hill probably as well. Kind of hurts the pitching depth but that could be evaluated at that time as well. The cubs could open the purse for one of the FA pitchers on the above list perhaps.

 

The Cubs definitely will be in the market for a pitcher next offseason. They'll still have Prior and Zambrano, but with the 12 million or so to Wood and the 9 million to Maddux coming off the books, I could see a run at Mulder or Zito or maybe even Schmidt happening.

 

I see them going after a lefty. I don't think they can get any of those three without a long term deal though so I won't count on any of them signing.