There are a LOT of remaining "quality" free agents out there

[Little Slide Rooter]

The reason I put quality in ""s is because in off seasons past, guys like whats left would have long since been gobbled up for well more than they were worth, but teams seem to be a lot more cautious now. Even a pitcher like Garland would have demanded 3 years at at least 10mil/year, and now he signs a 1 year with an option.

 

Adam Dunn

Bobby Abreu

Orlando Hudson

Orlando Cabrera

Joe Beimal

Joe Crede

Ben Sheets

Pedro

Braden Looper

Joe Crede

Randy Wolf

Jason Isringhausen

Oliver Perez

Tom Glavine

Pudge

Varitek

Manny

Griffey

Andruw

 

In the past few years, at this stage in the game, how many names like this would still be available? I know most of these guys are huge ?s, but that wouldnt have stopped teams in the past. Every one of these guys will come at a bargain rate for someone, so theres no harm in seeing what someone like Beimal or Hudson or even Sheets would go for.

[UMFan83]

I was going to say that I'd love to sign Joe Beimel to a cheap deal, but then I looked at his WHIPs in recent years. How the hell does he sustain that ERA?

[C.C.]

I'm curious to see where Manny goes. I can't believe he's still not signed, and I can't believe ST is right around the corner!!!

[UMFan83]

btw, not a bad lineup that you can make from unsigned FAs:

 

 

 

Orlando Cabrera, SS

Bobby Abreu, RF

Manny Ramirez, LF

Adam Dunn, DH

Joe Crede, 3B

Jim Edmonds, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B

Rich Aurillia, 1B

Jason Varitek, C

 

Ben Sheets

Oliver Perez

Randy Wolf

Braden Looper

Tom Glavine

 

Juan Cruz, CL

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The list of names is certainly interesting.

 

Manny would be a huge addition to any team. I still can't believe Adam Dunn is out there. Even with his faults, he should have been signed by now.

 

I believe Sheets will be a huge value for anyone who gets him.

 

I still think a lot of those guys are out there because there is still a disconnect between what teams are willing to pay them and their demands. I don't think it's for a lack of interest.

 

Manny is still looking for 20+ million a season. At that price, especially for multiple years, I can see why he's still out there. I'm not sure what Dunn's demands are.

 

Sheets is still likely wanting a 3 year or longer deal. Reports are that he will likely have to settle for two years and for less money than he wants.

 

At some point, these players will lower their demands, and interest likely will pick up.

[shnsajax]

The list of names is certainly interesting.

 

Manny would be a huge addition to any team. I still can't believe Adam Dunn is out there. Even with his faults, he should have been signed by now.

 

I believe Sheets will be a huge value for anyone who gets him.

 

I still think a lot of those guys are out there because there is still a disconnect between what teams are willing to pay them and their demands. I don't think it's for a lack of interest.

 

Manny is still looking for 20+ million a season. At that price, especially for multiple years, I can see why he's still out there. I'm not sure what Dunn's demands are.

 

Sheets is still likely wanting a 3 year or longer deal. Reports are that he will likely have to settle for two years and for less money than he wants.

 

At some point, these players will lower their demands, and interest likely will pick up.

 

They were acting like talks with the Rangers and Sheets were heating up, but that has gone quite the past couple of days.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The list of names is certainly interesting.

 

Manny would be a huge addition to any team. I still can't believe Adam Dunn is out there. Even with his faults, he should have been signed by now.

 

I believe Sheets will be a huge value for anyone who gets him.

 

I still think a lot of those guys are out there because there is still a disconnect between what teams are willing to pay them and their demands. I don't think it's for a lack of interest.

 

Manny is still looking for 20+ million a season. At that price, especially for multiple years, I can see why he's still out there. I'm not sure what Dunn's demands are.

 

Sheets is still likely wanting a 3 year or longer deal. Reports are that he will likely have to settle for two years and for less money than he wants.

 

At some point, these players will lower their demands, and interest likely will pick up.

 

They were acting like talks with the Rangers and Sheets were heating up, but that has gone quite the past couple of days.

 

 

Depending on who I believe, the talks have quieted because

 

a. the Rangers were nervous about lingering issues with Sheets's elbow.

 

b. The Rangers low-balled him with an offer and Sheets is still looking for more money and more years.

 

I'm not certain which is closer to the truth, or if both are accurate. But that's what I've heard from and read concerning it.

[cubbinalltheway]

it's going to be pretty remarkable if the season starts with a manny, or a dunn still unsigned.

[erik316wttn]

Usually by this time all of the big-name FA's have been signed, and what's left over are a few scraps.

 

Certainly a weird offseason to say the least.

[CubColtPacer]

The list of names is certainly interesting.

 

Manny would be a huge addition to any team. I still can't believe Adam Dunn is out there. Even with his faults, he should have been signed by now.

 

I believe Sheets will be a huge value for anyone who gets him.

 

I still think a lot of those guys are out there because there is still a disconnect between what teams are willing to pay them and their demands. I don't think it's for a lack of interest.

 

Manny is still looking for 20+ million a season. At that price, especially for multiple years, I can see why he's still out there. I'm not sure what Dunn's demands are.

 

Sheets is still likely wanting a 3 year or longer deal. Reports are that he will likely have to settle for two years and for less money than he wants.

 

At some point, these players will lower their demands, and interest likely will pick up.

 

The latest report I heard from a couple weeks ago was that Dunn was looking for 4 years, 56 million.

[Post Count Padder]

Some of those guys shouldn't still be available.

[jersey cubs fan]

Some of those guys shouldn't still be available.

 

What does should have to do with anything? Some of these players are likely living in a pre-2008 world, and the teams are operating in a post-2008 world, where throwing away millions on less than ideal players is extremely risky. Until guys are ready to drop their demands, they are going to struggle to find a bidder.

[Post Count Padder]

Yeah, I'm mostly going by the names. Abreu's demands make me think he believes its still 2001.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, I'm mostly going by the names. Abreu's demands make me think he believes its still 2001.

Same with Manny pouting that nobody wants to sign him. Get a grip man, you are asking for 20 million a year for at least 3 years, you're 36 years old and probably only have 2 good years left in you.

[CubbieBum]

The reason I put quality in ""s is because in off seasons past, guys like whats left would have long since been gobbled up for well more than they were worth, but teams seem to be a lot more cautious now. Even a pitcher like Garland would have demanded 3 years at at least 10mil/year, and now he signs a 1 year with an option.

 

Adam Dunn

Bobby Abreu

Orlando Hudson

Orlando Cabrera

Joe Beimal

Joe Crede

Ben Sheets

Pedro

Braden Looper

Joe Crede

Randy Wolf

Jason Isringhausen

Oliver Perez

Tom Glavine

Pudge

Varitek

Manny

Griffey

Andruw

 

In the past few years, at this stage in the game, how many names like this would still be available? I know most of these guys are huge ?s, but that wouldnt have stopped teams in the past. Every one of these guys will come at a bargain rate for someone, so theres no harm in seeing what someone like Beimal or Hudson or even Sheets would go for.

 

Closet White Sox fan? I'm just wondering because you list Crede twice.

[The Other 15]

There's not too many people on that list that are surprising to see there.

 

Manny wants $25/3 years. Paging Colletti or Sabean. Good luck to whomever signs him for below what he thinks he deserves. His last days in Boston will be remembered as the hustle days compared to the effort he will put out.

(Personally, I'm still as stunned as DeRosa was to see Manny hustling on Kemps first inning double in game 3.)

 

Dunn is a one dimensional player that despite the man love this message board has for him, in the real world of baseball, you just don't pay top dollar for. He's in the Ibanez, Bradley income bracket, he just doesn't know it yet.

 

Sheets and Crede are coming off of serious injuries as far as big money investment is concerned. Crede has the balls to ask for $5mil to be the starting point in his talks? Joe, two words, back surgery! Sheets wants multiple years guaranteed? Ben, you tore a muscle in your pitching arm in August.

 

Abreau just now figured out that the market for him will be less than what he made last year? What world are these guys living in?

 

Pedro is coming off of possibly the worst value contract this side of Schmidt and Pavano. He should thank God Minaya has a powerful position in this industry.

 

Perez is still holding out hope of a huge deal? Once again, he should thank his parents for being Latin bacuse Uncle Omar will be there in the end.

 

Cabrera is a tool getting goofier as he ages.

 

Looper, Izzy, Pudge, Glavine? I'm stunned that there is no market for them.

 

Griff should have begged the Rays to sign him, but he looks like he's lost his interest. He sleepwalked through a pennant race last year.

 

Andrew will be the highest paid ST invitee in history. Nice to have the Dodgers paying you $22 mil.

 

Why Varitek is haggling with the Red Sox at htis stage of his career is baffling. Does he really believe someone will pay him more or treat him better?

 

I guess Wolf (a decent back end of rotation depth for contender that isn't asking for the world) and Hudson (a decent 2b in a year with no 2B's available, and a good guy to boot) are the only surprises that they are not signed at this stage.

[NewUserName]

If I was Sabean I would move on Manny and pay him the 3 yrs whatever million. It would be money better spent than anything else they have done this offseason. I think it also puts them in serious contention in that division. If the Giants were to make the playoffs with their starting pitching, who knows. I guess if you are building your team like Sabean is, why not just go all in and get Manny.

[nilodnayr]

a guy you didnt list who would be a good fit for the cubs is wiggington

[Gingerballs Lives]

If I was Sabean I would move on Manny and pay him the 3 yrs whatever million. It would be money better spent than anything else they have done this offseason. I think it also puts them in serious contention in that division. If the Giants were to make the playoffs with their starting pitching, who knows. I guess if you are building your team like Sabean is, why not just go all in and get Manny.

 

I could easily see Manny losing interest quickly if the Giants aren't any good.

 

The Yankees should go get him. Imagine that lineup.

[RedFlash]

If I was Sabean I would move on Manny and pay him the 3 yrs whatever million. It would be money better spent than anything else they have done this offseason. I think it also puts them in serious contention in that division. If the Giants were to make the playoffs with their starting pitching, who knows. I guess if you are building your team like Sabean is, why not just go all in and get Manny.

 

I could easily see Manny losing interest quickly if the Giants aren't any good.

 

The Yankees should go get him. Imagine that lineup.

 

Yankees can't sign him. It's not that they won't, they CAN'T sign Manny. Something along the lines of them having already signing 3 Type A/B FA this offseason which is the max any one team can sign. So no, Yankees won't be signing Dunn/Manny/Sheets, etc,etc.

[E.J.]

You can take Varitek off that list. He signed a 1-year contract with Boston today.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3872796

[ELCABALLO45]

If I was Sabean I would move on Manny and pay him the 3 yrs whatever million. It would be money better spent than anything else they have done this offseason. I think it also puts them in serious contention in that division. If the Giants were to make the playoffs with their starting pitching, who knows. I guess if you are building your team like Sabean is, why not just go all in and get Manny.

 

I could easily see Manny losing interest quickly if the Giants aren't any good.

 

The Yankees should go get him. Imagine that lineup.

 

Yankees can't sign him. It's not that they won't, they CAN'T sign Manny. Something along the lines of them having already signing 3 Type A/B FA this offseason which is the max any one team can sign. So no, Yankees won't be signing Dunn/Manny/Sheets, etc,etc.

 

Not true.

 

Do to the increased number of FA this year (216) the max amount of Type A and B FA's teams are allowed to sign was increased to 8.

 

The Gaints have signed 5 already... Jeremy Affeldt (B), Bob Howry (A), Randy Johnson (B), Edgar Renteria (A), and Juan Uribe (B)

[RedFlash]

If I was Sabean I would move on Manny and pay him the 3 yrs whatever million. It would be money better spent than anything else they have done this offseason. I think it also puts them in serious contention in that division. If the Giants were to make the playoffs with their starting pitching, who knows. I guess if you are building your team like Sabean is, why not just go all in and get Manny.

 

I could easily see Manny losing interest quickly if the Giants aren't any good.

 

The Yankees should go get him. Imagine that lineup.

 

Yankees can't sign him. It's not that they won't, they CAN'T sign Manny. Something along the lines of them having already signing 3 Type A/B FA this offseason which is the max any one team can sign. So no, Yankees won't be signing Dunn/Manny/Sheets, etc,etc.

 

Not true.

 

Do to the increased number of FA this year (216) the max amount of Type A and B FA's teams are allowed to sign was increased to 8.

 

The Gaints have signed 5 already... Jeremy Affeldt (B), Bob Howry (A), Randy Johnson (B), Edgar Renteria (A), and Juan Uribe (B)

 

Partially correct, BUT that only applies to players who were offered arbitration. And of those five the Giants signed, I believe Affeldt was the only one who was offered arbitration was Jeremy Affeldt. Which means the Giants owed no draft pick, and the Reds will get a sandwich pick for Affeldt. You can sign as many players who were not offer arb as you want, it those who were offer arb, you have a max you can sign.

 

ttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090129&content_id=3784888&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

So the Yankees cannot sign anymore ARB offered players, or they would have sign Manny Ramirez and Ben Sheets a long time ago, if they wanted to.

[bcl412]

I'm glad to see that teams aren't going to overpay for players.

[SweetZombieJesus]

I wouldn't mind Cabrera. He's offensively as good as any other MI on the roster and he plays a big boy SS.