October 2009 Rumors Archive

Name: Matt Holliday
Age: 29
Position: OF
Current Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Current Contract: 08:$9.5M, 09:$13M

Performance: Since being traded to St. Louis from the As in the middle of the 2009 season, Holliday has been a major component of the Cardinals offense. With St. Louis Holliday hit 359/419/604 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 13HRs, and 55RBI in just 63 games. Holliday is mostly known for his tremendous performance in Colorado from 2004-2008 before he was traded to the As.  However, while with Oakland, Holliday struggled hitting 286/378/454 with 11HR and 54RBI in 93 games.  Which Holliday will his new team be getting?

Outlook: Two years younger than the other premiere outfielder available, Jason Bay, Holliday is likely the #1 free agent available this off season.  His contract is likely to impact that of Bay and possibly players like Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and even John Lackey.  The big question is how to evaluate his difficult 93 games in the American League vs. the extremely productive 63 games in the National League.  Hitting behind Albert Pujols certainly helps, but is the issue more of an AL vs. NL thing.  Will AL teams be scared off by Holliday's AL stats?  Either way, Holliday figures to get a multi-year contract averaging $18M to $20M per year.

Suitors: Cardinals, Giants, Mets, Braves, Angles, Red Sox, Yankees.

Prediction: Definitely an NL team, look for the Giants to make a surprise signing.

Free agent slugger Matt Holliday

The 2009 World Wood Bat Association World Championships wrapped up its five day tournament recently in Jupiter, Florida.  With 85 teams in attendance and 13 games going on simultaneously at any one given time, there was plenty of talent that will be picked at the 2010 draft on display. 

One event of the championships that draws a lot of attenion is the Bo Jackson Five-Tool Championship.  Players show off their wares in different "tool" competitions: hitting for power, hitting for average, arm strength, fielding and running speed.  Unfortunately, the hitting competitions were held with metal bats, something professional scouts are not interested in watching.

Chevez Clarke and Kaleb Cowart were two of the standouts from the tool competition.  Specifically, Cowart was clocked with a 100-mph reading throwing from right field, clearly dominanting the "arm strength" tool competition.  Clarke did not have anything stand out quite as significantly as Cowart, but throughout all five tools submitted arguably the top performance. 

Chevez Clarke at the AFLAC All-America Game at Wrigley Field

Unfortunately, top prospect Jameson Taillon did not play at the tournament as many had expected.  For more on the 2009 Wood Bat Association World Championships, check out Baseball America's original report.

Pitcher Tim Hudson is close to signing a three-year contract extension with the Braves.  The contract would prevent the veteran right hander from getting to free agency which starts 15 days after the conclusion of the World Series. 

The deal is reportedly worth $27M over three years, or an average of $9M per season.  Hudson's previous deal was $47M from 2006 to 2009 with a $12M club option and a $1M buyout for 2010.  The contract extension would nullify the option. 

Braves Pitcher Tim Hudson

Hudson only made seven starts during the 2009 season after coming back from elbow surgery.  The 148 game winner went 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in those starts.

Other big name free agent starting pitchers left on the market include Aroldis Chapman and John Lackey.

Below is a list of starting pitchers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Brandon Backe, 32, Astros - 09:$1.55M
Miguel Batista, 39, Mariners - 07:$5.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9M
Erik Bedard, 31, Mariners - 09:$7.75M (Type B)
Kris Benson, 34, Rangers - 09:$750K
Daniel Cabrera, 29, Diamondbacks - 09:$2.6M
Chris Capuano, 31, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Aroldis Chapman, 22, No Team - No professional contracts
Bartolo Colon, 37, White Sox - 09:$1M
Jose Contreras, 38, Rockies - 07:$9M, 08:$10M, 09:$10M
Doug Davis, 34, Diamondbacks - 07:$5.5M, 08:$7.75M, 09:$8.75M (Type B)
Justin Duchscherer, 32, Athletics - (Type B)
Adam Eaton, 32, Rockies - 07:$6.875M, 08:$7.635M, 09:$8.5M, 10:$9M mutual option ($0.5M buyout)
Josh Fogg, 33, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Jon Garland, 30, Dodgers - 09:$6.25M, 10:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout if club declines, $1M buyout if player declines) (Type B)
Tom Glavine, 44, Braves - 09:$1M
Mike Hampton, 37, Astros - 09:$2M
Rich Harden, 28, Cubs - 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M (Type B)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Livan Hernandez, 35, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Shawn Hill, 29, Nationals - 09:$775K
Jason Jennings, 31, Rangers - 09:$800K
Randy Johnson, 46, Giants - 09:$8M (Type B)
John Lackey, 31, Angels - 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M (Type A)
Cliff Lee, 31, Phillies - 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($1M buyout) (Type A)
Braden Looper, 35, Brewers - 09:$4.75M, 10:$6.5M option ($1M buyout) (Type B)
Rodrigo Lopez, 34, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Jason Marquis, 31, Rockies - 07:$4.75M, 08:$6.375M, 09:$9.875M (Type B)
Brett Myers, 29, Phillies - 07:$5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$12M
Vicente Padilla, 32, Dodgers - 07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M (Type B)
Carl Pavano, 34, Twins - 09:$1.5M (Type B)
Brad Penny, 32, Giants - 09:$5M
Odalis Perez, 33, Nationals - 09:$850K
Andy Pettitte, 38, Yankees - 09:$5.5M (Type B)
Joel Pineiro, 31, Cardinals - 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M (Type B)
Sidney Ponson, 33, Royals - 09:$600K
Mark Prior, 28, Padres - 09:minor league contract
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Jason Schmidt, 37, Dodgers - 07:$12.5M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M
Ben Sheets, 31, No Team - 05:$4.5M, 06:$8.5M, 07:$10M, 08:$11M
John Smoltz, 43, Cardinals - 09:$400K
Brett Tomko, 37, Athletics - 09:minor league contract
Tim Wakefield, 43, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option (Type B)
Jarrod Washburn, 35, Tigers - 06:$7.45M, 07:$9.85M, 08:$9.85M, 09:$10.35M
Todd Wellemeyer, 31, Cardinals - 09:$4.05M
Kip Wells, 33, Reds - 09:$500K
Randy Wolf, 33, Dodgers - 09:$5M (Type A)

Much like with Stephen Strasburg in the 2009 draft, Bryce Harper is universally considered to be the obvious #1 pick of the 2010 draft, coming in June.  But who's #2?  Ultimately, Dustin Ackley was universally accepted as the #2 player behind Strasburg in 2009, will Jameson Taillon fill that role behind Harper in 2010?  Baseball Rumor Mill thinks so and also provides the rest of our Top Ten players of the 2010 MLB Draft.

10. James Paxton, RHP, Kentucky: Paxton was originally taken with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 draft, but was unable to sign with the Blue Jays and has returned to Kentuckey for his senior year.  Paxton is a hard thrower who also has a good slider, but needs to improve his control.

9. Stetson Allie, RHO, St. Edward HS, OH: Allie continues to play both the field and pitch, but most scouts agree that his professional future is as a pitcher.  Despite control issues, he was throwing 97 against some of the top amateur competition at the AFLAC All-Star game - the type of speed that really gets attention.

8. Manny Machado, SS, Brito Miami Private HS, FL: Before his play with Team USA at the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships, some scouts were concerned about Machado's defense.  While Machado's defense was unremarkable during play, this bat was spectacular.  In pool play, Machado hit 435/536/739 with two home runs, nine RBI and nine runs scored in six games.

7. LeVon Washington, 2B, Buchholz HS, FL: Much like Paxton, Washington was the 30th overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, but was unable to sign.  Unlike Paxton, Washington will attend a junior college this season which will allow him to re-enter the draft next June. 

6. AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS, FL: Much like Allie, Cole can throw the ball hard, hitting 96 at the East Coast Showcase and throwing 93 at the AFLAC All-Star game.  However, Cole also needs to improve his control and his other pitches are not yet professional quality. 

5. Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS, FL: Whitson pitched for Team USA as well and threw well in the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships.  He doesn't throw as hard as his teammate, Taillon, but has more movement on the pitch. 

4. Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech: McGuire was the 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year and figures to be on everyone's Top Ten lists.  While his fastball currently tops out in the low 90s, he throws his slider, changeup and curveball all at an above average level.

3. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU: Excluding Harper who's technically a college player, Ranaudo figures to be the first collegiate player drafted.  He compliments a mid-90s fastball with a solid curveball and changeup.  The only factor which may cause him to slide is signability - Scott Boras is his advisor.

Anthony Ranaudo of LSU

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS, TX: Because of his size (6'7", 230 lbs) and where he's from (Texas), Taillon is already hearing Roger Clemens comparisons.  Those are certainly premature, but the righty throws a very hard fastball and a good curveball.  Taillon was dominant for Team USA during the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships. 

1. Bryce Harper, C, College of Southern Nevada: The SI coverboy left high school after only his sophomore year so that he could enroll at a junior college and be eligible for the 2010 draft, instead of the 2011 draft.  Harper brings all of the tools that teams want to see out of a draft prospect.  He can hit for average and power, runs well, throws well and has great baseball acumen.  The only question is whether he'll be a catcher as a professional.

Name: John Lackey
Age: 31
Position: RHP
Current Team: Los Angeles Angles
Current Contract: 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M

Performance: Undoubtedly, Lackey posted his best season in 2007 when he finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting and had his lone All-Star appearance.  Lackey posted a 3.01 ERA that season along with a 1.21 WHIP and 179?K in 224 IP.  Since then, Lackey's numbers haven't been quite as impressive (3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 269K in 339 IP), but he's still been a very solid pitcher in the American League.

Outlook: Lackey is unquestionably the best pitcher available on the free agent market this off-season.  He is considered the cream of the free agent class along with Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.  His numbers are comparable to that of the Yankees AJ Burnett, who signed for five years and $82.5M last off season.  The Angels are certainly interested in keeping their ace right hander, but at $16.5M per season, they may not be able to when they may also need to pay the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins.

Suitors: Angels, Mets, Rangers, Braves, Phillies.

Prediction: The Mets need to make a splash after a frustrating season.

John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels

Below is a list of right fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Jermaine Dye, 36, White Sox - 08:$9.5M, 09:$11.5M (Type A)
Brian Giles, 39, Padres - 06-08:$9M annually, 09:$9M club option ($3M buyout) (Type B)
Vladimir Guerrero, 34, Angels - 04:$10M, 05:$11.5M, 06:$12.5M, 07:$13.5M, 08:$14.5M, 09:$15M club option ($3M buyout) (Type A)
Eric Hinske, 32, Yankees - 09:$1.5M
Geoff Jenkins, 35, Phillies - 08:$5M, 09:$6.75M, 10:$7.5M mutual option ($1.25M buyout)
Gabe Kapler, 34, Rays - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Austin Kearns, 30, Nationals - 07:$3.5M, 08:$5M, 09:$8M
Jason Michaels, 34, Astros - 09:$750K
Xavier Nady, 31, Yankees - 09:$56.55M (Type B)
Randy Winn, 36, Giants - 07:$4M, 08:$8M, 09:$8.25M (Type B)

Bobby Abreu while playing with the Venezulan National Team

Below is a list of center fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Rick Ankiel, 30, Cardinals - 09:$2.825M
Rocco Baldelli, 28, Red Sox - 09:$500K
Marlon Byrd, 32, Rangers - 09:$3.06M (Type B)
Mike Cameron, 37, Brewers - 08:$5M, 09:$10M club option ($0.75M buyout) (Type B)
Endy Chavez, 32, Mariners - 08:$1.8M, 09:$2.05M
Coco Crisp, 30, Royals - 07:$3.5M, 08:$4.75M, 09:$5.75M
Darin Erstad, 36, Astros - 09:$1.75M
Ryan Freel, 34, Orioles - 08:$3M, 09:$4M
Reed Johnson, 33, Cubs - 09:$3M
Andruw Jones, 33, Rangers - 09:$500K
Gabe Kapler, 34, Rays - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Mark Kotsay, 34, White Sox - 09:$1.5M
Corey Patterson, 30, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Scott Podsednik, 34, White Sox - 09:minor league contract
DeWayne Wise, 32, White Sox - 09:$550K

Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals

Name: Jason Bay
Age: 31
Position: OF
Current Team: Boston Red Sox
Current Contract: 06:$0.75M, 07:$3.25M, 08:$5.75M, 09:$7.5M

Performance: Since being traded to Boston from the Pirates at the trade, Bay has been a key component of the Red Sox offense. In 2009, Bay hit 267/384/537 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 36HRs, and 119RBI. His .921 OPS led all AL outfielders (2nd in MLB OFs). Bay is a career .280 hitter with a .896 OPS.

Outlook: Bay is one of the premiere free agents in what is otherwise considered a lackluster free agent class. Besides Bay, the only other "big name" free agents are Matt Holliday and John Lackey. The market for Bay and Holliday figures to be set by one another. Most experts believe that Bay will get slightly less money than the higher profile Holliday. If Holliday signs first, we can estimate Bay's contract and vice versa. The Red Sox have already indicated that an offer of four years and $60M is on the table, though certainly speculation is that Bay will look for a longer length contract that averages $17M to $18M. The question remains if there is a club out there willing to pay him.

Suitors: Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Angels, Cardinals - Any team able to pay Bay's likely steep salary demands.

Prediction: Bay resigns with the Red Sox.

Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox

Below is a list of left fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Garret Anderson, 38, Braves - 09:$2.5M (Type B)
Jason Bay, 31, Red Sox - 06:$0.75M, 07:$3.25M, 08:$5.75M, 09:$7.5M (Type A)
Marlon Byrd, 32, Rangers - 09:$3.06M (Type B)
Johnny Damon, 36, Yankees - 06-09:$13M/year (Type A)
David Dellucci, 36, Blue Jays - 07:$3.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$4M
Matt Holliday, 30, Cardinals - 08:$9.5M, 09:$13.5M (Type A)
Reed Johnson, 33, Cubs - 09:$3M
Gabe Kapler, 34, Brewers - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Greg Norton, 37, Braves - 09:$800K
Wily Mo Pena, 28, Mets - 09:minor league contract
Gary Sheffield, 41, Mets - 07:$13M, 08:$14M, 09:$14M
Fernando Tatis, 35, Mets - 09:$1.7M (Type B)
Randy Winn, 36, Giants - 07:$4M, 08:$8M, 09:$8.25M (Type B)

Matt Holliday Leads The 2010 Free Agent Class