I thought it might be fun to see who the top 5 potential big money guys in three categories will be and dissect them a bit. Of course, we all are wondering who is going to shell out too much money for their services this year.
Starting Pitchers:
1. Dan Hitchcock, age 32, Type A, lefty, wants 7.5M for three seasons minimum. Has the control, splits, velocity and GB that would make him a great one, pitches are another story. Was on a winning power hitting team and never really had a great season, one good one. Makes me wonder if he had a catcher with PC above the intelligence of a peanut and weather it would actually help.
2. Xavier Hart, age 33, Type A, lefty, wants 6.8M for two seasons minimum. He was on some great Cubs teams and has the rings to prove it. Really only had one decent season though. Has the ratings to be really great still but was Chicago his downfall?
3. Howard Barkley, age 36, Type A, lefty, wants 6.8M for 2 seasons minimum. Had one decent season though he was always on so-so teams or less. Still has some pretty good ratings and might have a season or two left in him but at his age maybe not.
4. Chad Sanders, age 35, Type A, lefty, wants 5.8M for two seasons minimum. Right split is weak but control and pitches cover it nicely. Has had a Cy Young season and his hands are fully weighted with rings. The deterioration is taking its toll so buyer beware.
5. Mike Roberts, age 34, Type A, lefty, wants 5.4M for two years minimum. Has never had a good season and really was never on a powerhouse, always before. Ratings are decent but probably needs a catcher.
Egads!!!, those are the top 5? Glad I am sitting this FA period out. I really didn't see much else you would call great in the SP role.
The Relief Pitchers:
1. Willard Farley, age 29, Type A, righty, wants 6M for three years minimum. Has put up some good numbers and lots of innings but not as a closer. Doesn't have that real good second pitch to be a closer.
2. Doug Cambridge, age 32, Type A, righty, wants 5.6M for two seasons minimum. Has had some up and down years in different roles and has lots of rings. Still a very good closer.
3. Heath O'Brien, age 29, Type A, righty, wants 5.4M for two years minimum. Has had some decent seasons in the setup roles as he doesn't possess the second pitch of a closer but could put in a lot of quality short innings.
4. Shane Kelly, age 28, Type A, righty, wants 5M for two years minimum. Hasn't been all that successful in all reality as a closer and iffy in the short role, maybe it is those pitches.
5. Philip Nelson, age 30, Type A, lefty, wants 5M for two years minimum. Has had pretty good success in the short role and can put in some medium innings. With a stable of three pitches could make a statement at being a closer, a role he never had, but better have a catcher IMO.
I was in the market for a good closer but maybe a good thing I changed my mind.
The Position Players:
1. Lonny Waltman, age 31, Type A, lefty, wants 7.8M for four years. A pretty good hitter with 20-25 homer power. Actually strikes out more than I would expect. Capability is there for a GG in LF or 1B not RF.
2. Nigel Lennon, age 27, Type A, rughty, wants 7M for three years minimum. A decent hitter with a little pop in the bat. Fancies himself as a SS but it would be a cold day in hell for me to play him there. 2B/3B/RF and maybe some occasional CF when in need.
3. Miguel Franco, age 30, Type A, switch, wants 6.6M for four years. 3B? Really? 30 errors and 20 minus plays, maybe that is why he is in the unemployment line. I would be hard pressed to make him anything other than a 1B/LF. Does have some nice power and contact, but eye and splits are not very attractive for the price.
4. Douglas Crudale, age 31, Type A, righty, wants 6.6M for four years. Listed as a 2B/LF, guess that is why he had 18 minus plays at 2B? Ok, so I would make him a 1B, LF a maybe. Has a good eye, power and contact, right split is covered but weak. Would be a better hitter in a plus hitting park.
5. Douglas Purcell, age 29, Type B, switch, wants 6.3M for three years. Hitting wise I see him as so-so with little power though did hit well in Texas. Not a real good 3B as fielding goes but could be a very good defensive RF.
There ya go for the top five hitters, not much if you ask me.
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