2008-2009 potential Free Agents

[justanewguy]

Giambi would be a fit in Toronto possibly or Texas....

Those too. He'd be a good fit in a lot of places, actually.

Both likely to retire

I highly doubt it. Especially Griffey. I'd be absolutely shocked if he didn't return. He said he wants to return, and there will be a buyer. He can still play CF, after all, and is still an effective lefty.

Maybe the Cubs.

Possibly - although I think he is a better fit in Minnesota

The Dodgers will make sure they get the best third basemen they possibly can, if they don't get Blake back. They also need a power hitter, badly, whether or not they bring back Manny.

Then again, they could move DeWitt back to third and sign a guy like Orlando Hudson.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

The Dodgers will make sure they get the best third basemen they possibly can, if they don't get Blake back. They also need a power hitter, badly, whether or not they bring back Manny.

Then again, they could move DeWitt back to third and sign a guy like Orlando Hudson.

Dodgers are in a flux they have some financial lee way but not a lot CONSIDERING the contracts on hand (eg Andruw Jones & Pierre) & the loss of their FAs - Lowe/Penny/Manny plus holes in the pen & at 3B.

McCourt showed that 125/130 is his limit & I would be surprised if they were a major player in FA except on either Manny or a top of the line P eg CC/Burnett.

[HoustonGM]

Orioles ? NO,they will either sign Tex or more than likely move Hernandez to 1B to allow Wieters to catch.

That'd be an incredibly odd move, given that Hernandez's bat sucks now and really does not play at first. The more likely move is that they trade Hernandez to make room for Wieters and stick with Huff/Millar at first base for now.

Both likely to retire

I wouldn't call either of them LIKELY to retire. Griffey is more likely than Mussina, though. I think Mussina will stay with New York.

[justanewguy]

Dodgers are in a flux they have some financial lee way but not a lot CONSIDERING the contracts on hand (eg Andruw Jones & Pierre) & the loss of their FAs - Lowe/Penny/Manny

Pierre will not be in a Dodger uniform next season. Count on it.

plus holes in the pen...

Are you serious?? What holes? This is one of the best bullpens in the majors, and the only one there who might be leaving is Chan Ho Park. Key piece, yes, but easily replaced.

Saito, Broxton, Kuo, Beimel, Wade... where's the hole?

McCourt showed that 125/130 is his limit & I would be surprised if they were a major player in FA except on either Manny or a top of the line P eg CC/Burnett.

Actually, winning a playoff series for once gives them a longer leash. This team isn't going to settle for less success than they had in 2008.

I see the Dodgers signing a second-tier pitcher... the rotation looks like it might be pretty solid, actually, even without Lowe. I see them making a splash in the race to get guys like Abreu, Crede, etc.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

That'd be an incredibly odd move, given that Hernandez's bat sucks now and really does not play at first. The more likely move is that they trade Hernandez to make room for Wieters and stick with Huff/Millar at first base for now.

Millar is a FA & Hernandez is less & less mobile & has been playing 1B more.You maybe right about Huff though.

From MLB.com

The same could be said for veterans Aubrey Huff and Ramon Hernandez, both of whom might be available on the trade market this winter.

he Orioles haven't drastically re-calibrated their expectations, but they expect to use every avenue to improve their talent this winter. Baltimore may even take a run at a few premium free agents, a class that could include local product Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett, a pitcher who makes his home in the Baltimore area.

MacPhail acknowledged that there will be a lot of competition on the open market for productive veterans

I wouldn't call either of them LIKELY to retire. Griffey is more likely than Mussina, though. I think Mussina will stay with New York.

You are correct,sir - Mussina was "mulling retirement" but recently said

Both Cashman and Girardi said that they believe it is more likely that the 36-year-old Pettitte will return to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium than Mussina, who is coming off the first 20-win season of his career and may not want to pitch more than one season.

With 270 victories, however, Mussina believes that another strong season would make it impossible for him to walk away being that close to the 300-win plateau. Mussina, who turns 40 on Dec. 8, summed up his situation recently, saying, "Essentially, if I'm in for one, I'm in for three."

[HoustonGM]

Millar is a FA & Hernandez is less & less mobile & has been playing 1B more.You maybe right about Huff though.

He played 2 games at first this year, 1 last year, 2 the year before...

If he's incapable of catching, he has no business being on a major league roster. A .250/.315/.390 hitter is not a good player, unless he's providing average or better defense at catcher/second/shortstop. As a first basemen, that's just downright atrocious. If he was able to hit at his 2003-2006 level, he'd be an okay stopgap first basemen, but he's far removed from that level of offense.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

He played 2 games at first this year, 1 last year, 2 the year before...

If he's incapable of catching, he has no business being on a major league roster. A .250/.315/.390 hitter is not a good player, unless he's providing average or better defense at catcher/second/shortstop. As a first basemen, that's just downright atrocious. If he was able to hit at his 2003-2006 level, he'd be an okay stopgap first basemen, but he's far removed from that level of offense.

LOL well it is better than Millar's .234/.323/.394 ! (HERNANDEZ was .257/.308/.416 in comparison) but point taken

As for Hernandez, he may be looking at a move that could enhance his future. The Orioles have one of the best catching prospects in baseball in former first-round pick Matt Wieters and may run into a conflict with Hernandez next season. This way, if they gauge how well he can play first base now, they'll have less to worry about over the winter.

"I definitely enjoy it," said Hernandez, who plays first base during Winter League. "It will be kind of like a day off. Instead of catching, I will be standing up and around first. I like something different. You have fun playing a new position."

[HoustonGM]

You're right, Millar, this past year, was a very bad first basemen. I had forgotten how poor he was.

[justanewguy]

Orlando Hudson, Orlando Cabrera and Orlando Hernandez, all to the Dodgers.

Very possible, actually, with either of the first 2.

[Slingshot]

Orlando Hudson, Orlando Cabrera and Orlando Hernandez, all to the Dodgers.

Very possible, actually, with either of the first 2.

They could team up with Orlando Bloom and make a baseball movie.

[filihok]

They could team up with Orlando Bloom and make a baseball movie.

They could, of course, film it in Orlando Florida

[justanewguy]

Film score by Tony Orlando & Dawn.

[Swampdog]

Ok, why not. And Orlando Cepeda can manage the team.

[defense]

C.C. Sabathia-Yankees(willing to overpay for ace, sportwriters say Yankees are willing to pay 30-40% more than any other team. Doubt Sabathia will bypass that)
Mark Teixeira-Yankees(need a first baseman, and Cashman saying he wants a "real" first baseman. With Boras as his agent, one can assume Teixeira cares about money first and farmost, so this makes sense)
Manny Ramirez-Braves(have money to spend, and they need an upgrade in the outfield/offense)
Fransisco Rodriguez-Mets(have the money to spend, and their weakest point is the bullpen)
Rafael Furcal-Cardinals(looking for middle infield help this offseason)
Pat Burrell-Reds(their GM recently said they will be active this offseason, and I doubt they will be able to get the big guys like Tex'/Ramirez, so I see a Burrell to Reds signing)
Adam Dunn-Dodgers(will try to replace Ramriez with Dunn)
AJ Burnett-Orioles(has connections to Baltimore area, speculation will be that Orioles will be interested in him)
Derrek Lowe-Rangers(I don't see the Red Sox being interested in him with all their rotation locks, so I see the Rangers overpaying him to come to Arlington)
Raul Ibanez-Mets(need a leftfielder for next year, and with Rodriguez, I doubt they go all out on Ramirez)
Brian Fuentes-Cardinals(want lefty reliever)
Bobby Abreu-Cubs(needs another outfielder, but their payroll is so big already, they won't go for a big outfielder like Manny or Dunn)
Ben Sheets-Astros(want a number two behind Oswalt, but doesn't want to spend the big money on Sabathia. Sheets will be cheaper due to injury concern)
Milton Bradley-Rangers(back to Texas to DH)
Orlando Hudson-Royals(they will probably sign a "second teir" free agent or two, so I gave them Hudson since there isn't one obvious sutior for him)
Jason Giambi-Blue Jays(adds a bit of power into their lineup on a short contract)
Darren Oliver-Nationals(there will not be too many sutiors for him due to his type A status, but Nationals will sign him since their first rounder is protected)
Casey Blake-Indians(see him returning to his former team)
Rocco Baldelli-Royals(see them taking a chance on him)
Mike Cameron-Yankees(CF stop and gap for one year)
Mark Kotsay-Red Sox(back for another year)
Andy Pettitte-Yankees(back for another year)
Mike Mussina-Retirement


That's how I see the major free agents signing this offseason

I don't see the Red Sox doing much as their team is basically all set next year(rotation and bullpen are pretty good, and offsense has basically all positions set), and I don't see the Angels doing much either, despite losing Teixeira and Rodriguez

[TheNamelessPoet]

ug... i dont want ramirez