The Best Of The Rest

The days left before pitchers and catchers report to spring training (38 days, three hours at press time, but whose counting, really?) are dwindling away, much to the common delight of those longing to put the snow shovel into early retirement. But as we inch closer and closer to the baseball promise land, several household name free agents are still readily available on the market.

The days left before pitchers and catchers report to spring training (38 days, three hours at press time, but whose counting, really?) are dwindling away, much to the common delight of those longing to put the snow shovel on the disabled list.

But as we inch closer and closer to the baseball promise land, several household name free agents are still readily available on the market, waiting to be plucked out from the unemployment line. And numerous players on the market, still searching for a new place to call home, could have an impact for some team in the 2008 season.

1. Barry Bonds—Bonds, of course, has bigger problems than trying to latch on with a new organization right now. With his freedom and legal status pending, along with the clubhouse baggage that comes along with the Bonds Show scaring potential suitors away, it appears as if Hideo Nomo (signed to a minor-league deal in Kansas City), has a better chance of appearing in game in the big leagues next season than the All-Time home run king. Armed with a high-powered legal defense team, however, and enjoying some newfound sympathy for his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs in the aftermath of the presence of Roger Clemens’ name in Senator George Mitchell’s report, the Bonds to Oakland rumors are surfacing, yet again. A’s third baseman Eric Chavez says, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in uniform next year. There’s a 90 percent chance he’ll be with the Oakland A’s. It will be old, broken-down guys, me, [Mark] Kotsay and Barry, and a bunch of 19-year-olds."

Chavez, looking to successfully rebound from surgery, has other things to worry about, rather than putting on his Billy Beane cap, of course. But, even in the rebuilding mode Oakland finds itself in after dealing away All-Star right-hander Dan Haren and fan favorite Nick Swisher, Oakland appears to be the only realistic option if Bonds wishes to play in ’08.

The status of Bonds’ career and legal issues are up in the air, but one thing’s for sure: the man can still hit. In addition to breaking the Hank Aaron’s revered home run record, once again, he was the Giants' best offensive player, posting totals of .276, .480, .565, good for a 1.045 OPS. While sitting among the National League's best in the sabermetric-friendly categories, he also led the San Francisco with 28 home runs, too.

And with several milestones left for Bonds to add to his illustrious résumé—just 65 hits to 3,000 and four RBIs to 2000, most notably—the motivation is there for him to lace up the Nike high-tops for one more controversial season. In a designated hitter role for a team in the American League, he can rest his knees without playing left field, increasing his productivity as a hitter in the process. Owning a freakishly-high career on-base percentage (.444), he’ll never be an easy out, and with a chance to shatter even more records, the controversial slugger could put up impressive statistics if a team is willing to shell out the funds for an expensive one-year contract and deal with his antics.

From a strict baseball standpoint, Bonds is the top free agent left on the market, without a doubt. Odds are, though, 762 will stand as the career home run mark for the time being, at least until Alex Rodriguez’s quest for 800 in 2015, of course.

2. Kyle Lohse—Following a decent second half with the Philadelphia Phillies (3-0 4.72 in 11 starts), who acquired him at the July trade deadline, Lohse seemed destined for a large pay day this offseason. Labeled as one of the premiere starters available in a weak free agent market for pitching, the sequel to one of the most debated films of the Hot Stove Season last winter, The $55-Million Man: The Story of Gil Meche, was expected to hit theatres nationwide around the holiday season. Perhaps because one swing of the bat from Kaz Matsui, whose game-changing home run off Loshe in the Division Series appears to have had quite a detrimental impact on Lohse’s market value, and due to the fact that his agent, Scott Boras, flashed a chink in his once-invincible armor during the A-Rod debacle, the 29-year-old right-hander is still searching for a contract.

Kyle Lohse (Associated Press)

Lohse has better stuff than his recent statistics indicate, constantly intriguing scouts. He cannot, however, be called upon to anchor a pitching staff, as a clear-cut back-of-the-rotation starter. Owning a 63-74 record in 195 career starts, he has been effective during stretches of his big-league career, including for the Philadelphia in its push for the playoffs at the end of ’07, and has the potential to become a strong addition to a playoff-caliber team as a number five starter. Loshe, a solid innings eater, can also be counted on to make his turn in the rotation due to tremendous durability. The New York Mets, clouded with uncertainty about their rotation and with the necessary financial resources, are a logical match, albeit in a short-term deal.

3. Bartolo Colon—This time two years ago, Colon was coming off a banner season with the Los Angeles Angels, posting excellent statistics—21-8 record, 3.42 ERA and 157 strikeouts—on his way to earning the 2005 American League Cy Young Award. The injury bug, however, has limited the veteran right-hander to only 28 starts since the beginning of the ’06 season, leading to a stark negative impact on his market value. And with several superior arms in one of the game’s best pitching staffs—Kelvin Escobar, John Lackey and Jered Weaver—perhaps an exodus from Anaheim, expected for some time, is a key ingredient to the recipe for a successful comeback attempt for Colon.

Concerns about his ability to stay healthy over a full season and a nagging elbow injury, of course, are the biggest reasons why he’s still available this late in the game. Similar to the San Diego Padres’ transaction of oft-injured starter Mark Prior, though, Colon, albeit in a short-term deal, is a risk worth taking. The chance for greatness is there, even with his unorthodox mechanics and poor conditioning habits. Due to his electric stuff, including an effective four-seam fastball—sitting between 91-94 with nasty movement when he’s on top of his game—the idea of Colon adding a Comeback Player of the Year Award to his trophy case in the future isn’t all that far-fetched.

The Kansas City Royals are reportedly heavily interested in Colon at this point, and, as a team attempting to escape mediocrity, talented general manager Dayton Moore might just strike gold if the signing pans out in the end.

4. Mike Cameron—Cameron produced encouraging power totals in pitcher-friendly Petco Park during his stint with the San Diego Padres. In addition, he’s one of the top defensive center fielders in Major League Baseball, too. With a surplus of other All-Stars at his position—Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand—on the market this winter, however, his value suffered dramatically.

To make matters worse, with a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance (amphetamines) for the second time, he’ll miss the season’s first month, chasing away some organizations solely for that reason. San Diego has officially cut its ties with Cameron, putting out any possible chance for a reunion when they traded for an aging Jim Edmonds. Reportedly, the two sides weren’t even close in the negotiation process. Perhaps equally concerning as the suspension, while Cameron has flashed some power in his career, his annual on-base percentage consistently hovers under around .340 (.328 in ’07). An undisciplined hitter, his OPS, .759 this past season, is nothing to write home about, either.

If he moves into a home ballpark that suits right-handed power hitters better, however, Cameron does has the potential and talent to make a difference offensively for the right team. Even still, as an above-average defender at a crucial outfield position (although his skills are deteriorating as he enters the twilight of his tenure in the majors), plus defensive ability is his most valuable asset as a baseball player.

5. Brad Wilkerson—Low batting average and on-base percentage totals (.234, .319 in ’07) have always been a cause concern with Wilkerson his entire career. Plus power potential—evidenced by three seasons with 20-plus home runs, including 32, along with 122 RBIs as a member of the final version of the Montreal Expos in 2004—perhaps, eases some of those worries for teams interested in pursing the 30-year-old outfielder, however.

In only 338 at-bats, Wilkerson belted 20 homers last season, slugging .467 and chipping in 62 RBIs, albeit at a hitter’s ballpark, down in Texas. Also, according to the Texas Rangers' team audit at Baseball Prospectucs, his VORP (Value Over Replacement Player for the old timers out there) of 6.8, nearly failed to crack the Rangers’ top ten in that statistical category. In the right short-term deal, though, Wilkerson could surprise a lot of people, especially considering he’s entering an his early 30s, perhaps the peak stage of his career.

Other Pitchers:

Octavio Dotel—An expensive option, but Dotel is a consistently effective reliever coming off a down year with Atlanta. With Scott Linebrink securing a four-year, $19-million deal, though, he won’t come cheap, that’s for sure.

Livan Hernandez—Few things, if ever, are guaranteed to happen in Major League Baseball. Hernandez registering 200 innings, however, is a clear-cut exception. One of the games’ finest innings eaters, the veteran right-hander, generously listed at age 32 (really?), enters spring training carrying a lofty streak of eight consecutive seasons with 200.0-plus innings pitched.

Also in his favor, Hernandez—the NLCS and World Series MVP for the Florida Marlins in ’97—is a clutch performer with postseason experience. He’s clearly not Walter Johnson or Johan Santana, but for a team looking for a durable starter who they can count on every fifth day, Hernandez is the best option available.

Jeff Weaver—Weaver picked the right time (especially for his wallet), to prosper, providing the St. Louis Cardinals with numerous quality starts in the 2006 postseason on their way to an unexpected World Series title. Last season, though, he came back down to earth, struggling during his lone season with the Seattle Mariners—7-13, 6.20 ERA, good for around $1 million per victory. His status for next year is still up in the air, but the fact that his younger brother, Jered, is now officially the best pitcher in the Weaver household isn’t a topic up for debate.

Other Position Players:

Bobby Kielty—In the right platoon situation, signing Kielty, whose clutch home run in Game Four of the World Series pushed the Boston Red Sox over the top, to a short-term deal could translate into quite a bargain.

Kenny Lofton—Lofton, the DHL poster boy for constantly switching teams, always seems to be in the thick of things for a contending team come playoff time. At 40 years old, however, there’s no telling how long he can keep that pace up. Lofton should get a one-year deal, but, to a general manager, perhaps July would be a better time to court the veteran leadoff man.

To listen to Rays Digest writers Ted Fleming and Tyler Hissey discuss the latest baseball news, use the media player below, which features the January, 8, 2007 edition of Speaking Of Sports, TBSN Radio 510's signature show.

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