Lesser Talked about free agents

[WrigleyField 22]

This is a thread for the FAs not named Soriano/Zito/Schmidt/etc.

 

These are the guys who teams will look to fill bench/platoon/starter roles who are on a tight budget. These guys will sign deals worth a couple million. These guys might not cause a lot of interest among Cubs fans but if we do sign some big FAs, these are guys who we could look to for bench roles if we dont blow the whole budget on big name FAs

 

Craig Wilson-

Perfect Platoon partner vs. lefties (cough-Jones-cough) Could earn around 3-4M.

Russell Braynan-

Padres have a team option. If he hits FA can probably be had for 1MIL or under. A nice power bat off the bench who plays 3B(Another Cub need)

Wes Helms-

A solid player who plays mostly the corner IF, but can play some OF. His numbers say great bench guy, but after a particulary strong year, some team in a squeeze may sign him as a starter. 1-2MIL

Jeff Weaver-

Had a terrible year. Some team will take the opportunity to pick him up on the cheap in hopes he can be a bottom of the rotation innings eater.

Francisco Cordero-

Struggled in the beginning of the year. Has been great in small sample size in NL with the Brewers. Has past success and somewhat young (31). Some team in need of a setup man will give him a Howry/Eyre type deal.

Shea Hillenbrand-

Can play 3B/1B and had a little pop in his bat. OBP is very BA dependent. Some team will give him a starting gig and Jones type deal.

 

Thats it for now. Feel free to add, I'll add some more later.

[NorthsideAvenger]

This is a thread for the FAs not named Soriano/Zito/Schmidt/etc.

 

These are the guys who teams will look to fill bench/platoon/starter roles who are on a tight budget. These guys will sign deals worth a couple million. These guys might not cause a lot of interest among Cubs fans but if we do sign some big FAs, these are guys who we could look to for bench roles if we dont blow the whole budget on big name FAs

 

Craig Wilson-

Perfect Platoon partner vs. lefties (cough-Jones-cough) Could earn around 3-4M.

Russell Braynan-

Padres have a team option. If he hits FA can probably be had for 1MIL or under. A nice power bat off the bench who plays 3B(Another Cub need)

Wes Helms-

A solid player who plays mostly the corner IF, but can play some OF. His numbers say great bench guy, but after a particulary strong year, some team in a squeeze may sign him as a starter. 1-2MIL

Jeff Weaver-

Had a terrible year. Some team will take the opportunity to pick him up on the cheap in hopes he can be a bottom of the rotation innings eater.

Francisco Cordero-

Struggled in the beginning of the year. Has been great in small sample size in NL with the Brewers. Has past success and somewhat young (31). Some team in need of a setup man will give him a Howry/Eyre type deal.

Shea Hillenbrand-

Can play 3B/1B and had a little pop in his bat. OBP is very BA dependent. Some team will give him a starting gig and Jones type deal.

 

Thats it for now. Feel free to add, I'll add some more later.

 

Jeff Weaver and Russell Branyan are the ONLY two on that list, I would even consider. And with Wade Miller slowing regaining his health, Weaver would become redundant. And Branyan, I would love to add to the bench, along with Eduardo Perez (via trade).

[CuseCubFan69]

I really doubt that Wilson would sign as a free agent to be a right handed platoon hitter for a horrible team. Now, if Lee doesn't come back that changes things.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Where does Jeff Kent fit onto these lists? He's getting old, but could still be useful. He's not going to get a long-term deal, but he might get a nice one-year contract.

 

Kent might be a decent option for a team with some money to spend that doesn't want to get caught up in a long term deal.

[HoopsCubs]

Where does Jeff Kent fit onto these lists? He's getting old, but could still be useful. He's not going to get a long-term deal, but he might get a nice one-year contract.

 

Kent might be a decent option for a team with some money to spend that doesn't want to get caught up in a long term deal.

 

Jeff Kent is not a free agent. He signed an extension in spring training.

He will get $9M in 2007 and the Dodgers have a $9M option on him in 2008. Kent is buddies with Coletti, and has made it clear he is ending his career in Dodger Blue.

 

Hoops

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Where does Jeff Kent fit onto these lists? He's getting old, but could still be useful. He's not going to get a long-term deal, but he might get a nice one-year contract.

 

Kent might be a decent option for a team with some money to spend that doesn't want to get caught up in a long term deal.

 

Jeff Kent is not a free agent. He signed an extension in spring training.

He will get $9M in 2007 and the Dodgers have a $9M option on him in 2008. Kent is buddies with Coletti, and has made it clear he is ending his career in Dodger Blue.

 

Hoops

 

I was unaware of the extension he signed. Thanks for the info.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Jeff Weaver should only be considered if you have no intention of winning. He is terrible and now on the wrong side of 30. Wilson and Branyan would be nice to have on the bench.

[Post Count Padder]

Isn't one of Reed Johnson or Frank Catalanatto a FA? I wouldn't mind either in CF, as a platoon in RF, or off the bench.

[fromthestretch]

Isn't one of Reed Johnson or Frank Catalanatto a FA? I wouldn't mind either in CF, as a platoon in RF, or off the bench.

 

While it would be nice to have him on the bench, Catalanotto hasn't played CF in his 10-year major league career. Defensively, he's primarily a corner outfielder these days.

[Rob]

The Brewers hold a 5M option on Cordero... something I assume they'll exercise, otherwise they probably would have grabbed a young live arm from Texas in the Lee trade.

 

As of Sept. 9th, Kevin Towers out in San Diego was saying he saw Branyan in the Padres plans. I see him staying there for at least next season.

 

And I have been all about Craig Wilson for a couple years... that man has been getting screwed.

 

Helms and Weaver don't interest me much...

 

Hillenbrand might be worth picking up. He always has a nice first half, and we could trade him for a decent prospect or two come the deadline... provided our coach doesn't challenge him to fisticuffs. Only problem is, he'd never agree to be strictly a bench bat.

[thedaymen]

I'm telling you, the Cubs (in addition to new contracts for Wood, Z, Miller, Pierre and ARAM) are going to sign Steve Trachsel and Cliff Floyd, two veterans who know how to win.

 

What's the expression? Oh, yes....book it.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm telling you, the Cubs (in addition to new contracts for Wood, Z, Miller, Pierre and ARAM) are going to sign Steve Trachsel and Cliff Floyd, two veterans who know how to win.

 

What's the expression? Oh, yes....book it.

 

I could easily see it, although I'm still holding out hope that this won't happen.

 

Trachsel would be a disaster. Floyd, I would hold out slim hope that he could give you a .273/.358/.505 line over 350 at bats, and that Murton would still get 500 between LF and RF.

 

But I think a big thing for Hendry when going after guys this winter will be durability. Trax and Floyd are both coming off injury marred seasons, and have had injuries in the past. I think he's going to go after a pitcher who at least pitched 200 innings this season or at least got very close, and/or has done it in the past. Trax was a consistent innings eater back in the day, but 4 of his past 6 seasons have ended well under 200 IP.

[Post Count Padder]

Isn't one of Reed Johnson or Frank Catalanatto a FA? I wouldn't mind either in CF, as a platoon in RF, or off the bench.

 

While it would be nice to have him on the bench, Catalanotto hasn't played CF in his 10-year major league career. Defensively, he's primarily a corner outfielder these days.

He has played 2B though. What's stopping JH from signing him? :P

 

Maybe it's the career .363 OBP. JH doesn't want any basecloggers on this team.

[WrigleyField 22]

Jeff Supan-

Some team looking for some stability at the back end of the rotation will sign him. That team could be the Cards who decide to keep him

Jason Marquis-

A solid bet to pitch 200 innings with a ERA around 4. Because of a down year he could come cheap to the Cards, or whatever teams wants him.

Torii Hunter-

His value is mostly in his defense. Should provide a OBP of around .330 and good SLG for a CF. Combined with solid D that should get him a few years. He is getting older and playing less games so that might knock down the price.

Mark Bellhorn-

If he could get his BA up around .250 he would be a great asset to any bench. Based on the past two years, he wont do that. I think he'll get plenty of teams willing to give him a look in Spring Training, but nothing gauranteed.

Sean Casey-

His OBP is pretty BA dependent, but he has never had a problem keeping that BA up so his OBP is always respectable. His power numbers are pretty bad for a 1B, he's seen only 2 years of solid SLG this milenium, one back in 2000. Still some team who values BA and needs a cheap option for 1B should give him a decent deal. For the sake of the Cubs we'll hope Lee doesn't have to retire or that team could be us. Also Hendry would like him since he doesn't strike out.

David Dellucci -

Coming off two good seasons and third pretty good one. A very good option as 4th OF. Will find his share of starts and get into a lot of games as PH. If a team gets desperate he might find a place with a good shot to start.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I see Hunter ending up with the Cardinals or Rangers.

[Rob]

How on Earth is Marquis a solid bet to pitch 200 innings with an ERA around 4?

 

His ERA right now is 5.82

 

As a Card, he's averaging about 200 IP... but an ERA above 4.50

[goonys evil twin]

How on Earth is Marquis a solid bet to pitch 200 innings with an ERA around 4?

 

His ERA right now is 5.82

 

As a Card, he's averaging about 200 IP... but an ERA above 4.50

 

He's the kind of guy I'd expect Hendry to describe as somebody who has shown he's capable of throwing 200 IP and winning 15 games with a 3.50 ERA. It's one thing to be capable of a certain stat line, and another thing to be likely to put it up, like claiming Izturis is capable of leading the league in hits and Jacque is capable of hitting .300. Marquis has had 2 good seasons, one under the game's most successful pitching coach, and the other with a coach who routinely gets the most out of previously mediocre pitchers.

[WrigleyField 22]

How on Earth is Marquis a solid bet to pitch 200 innings with an ERA around 4?

 

His ERA right now is 5.82

 

As a Card, he's averaging about 200 IP... but an ERA above 4.50

 

Well the past two seasons he has had 201 and 207 IP. He's sitting at 187 now. If he doesn't get it, it will be darn close.

 

Yes, his ERA sucks this year, but the past two years were 4.13 and 3.71

His SO:BB ratio isn't drastically worse than last year. His HR #s are up a little. Maybe "solid" was the wrong word choice. It is a gamble, and isn't a certainty, but theres a decent enough chance he can get that ERA back around 4, that he can get a decent deal. Remember he just turned 28 this August, so as far as FAs go, he is young.

[WrigleyField 22]

Adam Kennedy-

A number 8 hitter and 2B. He is on the wrong side of 30. He can probably find a place to compete for the 2B job with someone else similar. Has been used primarily against righties this year with decent numbers so a platoon role somewhere is a possibility. He probably would become a fan favorite because of the casual fans view that he is "scrappy"

Gary Matthews Jr.-

He has had a big year and some team will overpay for him because of it. In reality he is probably more of a 4th OF.

Trot Nixon-

Another guy who could be solid in a platoon role vs righties. Will probably see a paycut from his 7.5M. May want a starting role and could get it.

Mark Redman-

AN ALL STAR PITCHER! ok ok it was with the Royals. He is nota good pitcher, but some team will value a lefty to stick in the back of the rotation enough to give him a chance and a couple million bucks.

Preston Wilson-

His only good numbers have really only come from the benefit of playing in Colorado. If theres a team who is trying to break in a young OF and needs a backup plan who can fill any OF spot, hes the guy.

[baseball7897]

I wouldnt mind Jason Marquis. His ability to throw a sinker should help him in Wrigley. Still a young guy with a live arm.

[WrigleyField 22]

I wouldnt mind Jason Marquis. His ability to throw a sinker should help him in Wrigley. Still a young guy with a live arm.

 

Jason Marquis is a goo fit for an already contender looking for a back of the rotation guy. I don't think he has much to offer for the Cubs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Marquis' ERA+ this season is 76. While he was above average in 2004-2005, he has a history of being bad, see 2002-2003. While I wouldn't expect him to be this bad in 2007, I'm not sure he gets above a league average ERA+ in 2007. I'd pass on Marquis.

[USSoccer]

That's a whole lot of bad names....

[Soriano12]

I'll take Adam Eaton if the price is right

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Russ Branyan would be a perfect complement to Michael Restovich as two bench guys that can come up late in the game and hit a HR for you. They hit from opposite sides of the plate and cover reserve positions on the field for you too--Branyan can cover 3B, Restovich 1B, and both can play the OF (though badly). Perfect bench guys--not that the Cubs are smart enough to see that.

 

Take those two guys, Izturis/Theriot (whichever doesn't start), Pagan, Hank White, and someone like Mike Fontenot and you have yourself a nice, flexible bench.

 

Someone mentioned back of the rotation, veteran FA pitchers, I will say Mark Redman looked better than his numbers would indicate this year, particularly after the ASB. He wouldn't be a bad option as your 4/5 guy at the right price.