Miguel Tejada
Rumors

Though John Lackey, Jason Bay and Matt Holliday will dominate the headlines and the dollars this off season, Buster Olney of espn.com breaks down the next tier of free agents who are sure to get plenty of calls when free agency begins on Friday.

Brandon Lyon: Though there are a lot of closers available via free agency, Lyon may be willing to take a set up role and is only a Type B free agent. The Phillies, Angles, Mets and Yankees are all likely to be interested

Mark DeRosa: As a player who can play multiple positions his flexibility is a good fit for the Phillies. His bat is a good fit for any team.

Jermaine Dye: His age, 35, precludes him from being able to command a long term deal, but an AL team might be able to snag a good DH for a short and small contract.

Miguel Tejada: Though he might not be able to play shortstop anymore and would require a move to third base, his 313/340/455 splits are still attractive. Philly and Oakland could be good fits.

Miguel Tejada hopes to get plenty of offers this off season

Nick Johnson: Defense and power are very suspect for Johnson, but his OBP (an absurd .477 in 35 games last year for the Marlins) is still attractive. Offense starved teams like Oakland or San Francisco could be interested.

Coco Crisp: He's unlikely to be an everyday outfield, but his defense and speed are still tremendous and he could be a good platoon outfielder.

JJ Putz: A big market team like the Red Sox (think Billy Wagner), Yankees or Angels might be willing to give Putz a one-year deal despite coming off of injury.

Placido Polanco: His 45 extra base hits along with solid defense at second base will certainly attract suitors.

Rafael Betancourt: If the Rockies offer him arbitration, he becomes a Type A free agent and interest will be minimal. If they don't, look out.

Olney notes at the end of his piece that the rational behind Betancourt also applies to relievers Wagner, Jose Valverde, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.

Below is a list of shortstops 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 left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Orlando Cabrera, 35, Twins - 09:$4M (Type A)
Alex Cora, 34, Mets - 09:$2M
Bobby Crosby, 30, Athletics - 05:$0.5M, 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.5M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$5.25M
Adam Everett, 33, Tigers - 09:$1M
Chris Gomez, 39, Orioles - 09:minor league contract
Alex Gonzalez, 32, Red Sox - 07:$3.5M, 08:$4.625M, 09:$5.375M, 10:$6M club option ($0.5M buyout)
Khalil Greene, 30, Cardinals - 08:$4.5M, 09:$6.5M
Jerry Hairston Jr., 34, Yankees - 09:$2M (Type B)
John McDonald, 35, Blue Jays - 08:$1.9M, 09:$1.9M
Marco Scutaro, 34, Blue Jays - 08:$1.55M, 09:$1.1M (Type A)
Miguel Tejada, 36, Astros - 04:$3M, 05:$9M, 06:$10M, 07:$12M, 08:$13M, 09:$13M (Type A)

Buster Olney of espn.com has a new column and a new post up.  Let's take a look:

• The Brewers will consider Trevor Hoffman, Brandon Lyon and Braden Looper to fill their open closer's role via free agency.  If they do not sign a free agent, look for Carlos Villanueva to be the team's closer this spring.
• Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed that trade talks between Milwaukee and New York over a possible Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade are likely dead.
• The Dodgers are no longer interested in Derek Lowe even though his price tag continues to drop.  They are considering Hoffman, however.
• Orlando Cabrera figures to be impacted the most by Rafael Furcal spurning the Braves for the Dodgers.  OC looked headed to LA if Furcal stayed with the Braves, but now OC has fewer suitors, if any.  Miguel Tejada continues to pop up as a more reasonable alternative to Cabrera.
• Olney reports that the Mets are still trying to find someone to take Luis Castillo.  Good luck.

Peter Gammons has a new article up on espn.com with a lot of great rumors and notes.  Here are some highlights:

• It does not seem likely that the Angles will pay what Francisco Rodriguez is looking for on the open market.  Bobby Thigpen broke down after his 57 save season and the Angles have viable replacements in Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo.  They'd much rather spend the money going after CC Sabathia. 
• Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixed trades of Miguel Tejada for Manny Ramirez and Tejada for Erick Aybar, Ervin Santana and Arredondo.  Wow.
• The Royals face a difficult decision of what to do with Zack Greinke.  He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2010 at 27 years old and the Royals would be unlikely to be able to sign him at that point.  Do the Royals try to sign him now in his arbitration years or look to move him for multiple prospects to teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, both Los Angeles teams, the Cubs, or Rangers?