An All-Hit, No-Field, Off-Season Experiment

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 2, 2008 10:07 PM EST

This off-season there are a plethra of all-hit, no-field free agents available. Off the top of my head, I count:

Manny Ramirez
Pat Burrell
Adam Dunn
Jason Giambi
Bobby Abreu
Frank Thomas
Milton Bradley
Raul Ibanez
Barry Bonds (ok, kidding)

With more and more teams recognizing that these types of players are overrated and with so many of them available, don't you think some will sign for surprisingly cheap prices?

Manny will get the most money, although I'm guessing the longer he waits for a contract, the less he might get. But will teams like the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees write a blank check for a Burrell or a Dunn if they miss out on Manny? I don't think so. And even when those two sign, there are many more options remaining for other teams. Might the Tampa Bay Rays, who could use a big righty bat at designated hitter end up with someone like Milton Bradley or Raul Ibanez for $6-8MM a year for two years?

Or am I crazy?

Poll

Which of the eight players mentioned in this article will be the best free agent signing?

Manny Ramirez

33 votes

Pat Burrell

11 votes

Adam Dunn

42 votes

Jason giambi

5 votes

Bobby Abreu

11 votes

Frank Thomas

1 votes

Milton Bradley

39 votes

Raul Ibanez

9 votes

151 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Perhaps Bradley's string of injuries and off-field problems could keep his price relatively low

Also it’s possible that Giambi’s connections with steroids MIGHT keep teams away, but either way the fact that he’s so atrocious at even 1B would lead me to think any contract for him will be unfavorable.

by Jack Moore on Nov 2, 2008 10:22 PM EST reply actions

I don't think the steroid connections keep teams away as much as the age/lack of fielding/injuries do.

The Dirty Canuck of the now.

by Blicks on Nov 2, 2008 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Hmm...interesting.

I really don’t see Bradley and/or Ibanez going for 6-8MM for 2 years. I easily see both getting more, especially Ibanez, since he’s relatively healthy and put up solid numbers.

That’s less than Ryan Howard got his first year of arbitration.

Bradley will still be the best bargain IMO b/c of his injuries driving his cost down.

The Dirty Canuck of the now.

by Blicks on Nov 2, 2008 10:25 PM EST reply actions

Very happy to have voted with the plurality

Dunn is the most useful player on the list—worth significantly less than Bonds, but you knew better than to make him an option—and has a chance to improve.

Abreu and JaGiambi have the disadvantage that they are known to the Yankees.

Burrell may be the wild card—can see him working well in the AL Central, or under Hank “makes Yankee fans long for George” Steinbrenner’s NuYanks.

by klhoughton on Nov 3, 2008 12:01 AM EST reply actions

and Burrell's fielding rated decently by combined zone ratings this year

But he’s still projected to be pretty poor.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 3, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

I'm thinking that without a doubt...

Manny is the best hitter on that list. Certainly the most expensive, though. Still, I think he’s a better bet to perform well for the next four years than any of the rest.

by BraveBronco0121 on Nov 3, 2008 12:21 AM EST reply actions

Good question. I picked Dunn, because I feel like he’s the unlikely to avoid breaking down completely, and he doesn’t have big-market exposure or postseason experience that might raise demand.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 3, 2008 1:00 AM EST reply actions

I think you're right, Sky (as usual).

I think these type of players tend to be valued less than in the last 4-5 years, and, as such, some will some “bargain” deals.

Of course, these deals won’t actually be “bargains,” but may seem that way to media/fans who don’t fully understand the importance of fielding.

As such, a team like the Rays – who need a DH – are in the position to improve their team for a relatively minimal cost.

by Peter Bendix on Nov 3, 2008 10:59 AM EST reply actions

I really should have gone through and come up with teams who need/want a guy like this

Yankees (Manny only?)
Mets LF
Mariners 1B/DH
Dodgers LF (they don’t really, but they traded for Manny…)
Rays DH

Who else? If there aren’t even eight teams with a strong desire, the eighth guy is screwed.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 3, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions

The Royals seem to be hoarding them

well, I guess Jose Guillen and Mike Jacobs fit more into the “no-field, sort of hit well if platooned properly” category.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 3, 2008 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

Some of these are long shots

Braves (LF)
A’s maybe (needs moar power)
Phillies (LF)
Twins could be a longshot, although I haven’t heard anything about it (need power)
Blue Jays (need power, again, longshot)
Angels even, with GA leaving, try to add power if they don’t get Teixeira.

The Dirty Canuck of the now.

by Blicks on Nov 3, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions