Free agents for 09??

[jesusfan]

Since everyone is talking about letting both Griffey and Dunner walk after this season, let's discuss what free agents Jocketty will be looking at.... I know it's a long way off, but it's never to early to dream about what we can do with 30-40 million big ones... I would have 4 definite moves- Starting pitcher, 2 outfielders, and back-up pieces... One thing I am curious about is who we put in the outfield with Bruce... I know there are trades and things of that nature, but here is the early list of free agents... who do we get? I'd like C.C Sabathia to team with Harang, Cueto, Volquez, and Bailey... Probably take about 3 years at 40-45 million, but he would give us that steady lefty starter! Next, I would take a chance with Rocco Baldelli if medical issues are over and Raul Ibanez for a 1 year deal until Stubbs is ready...Bruce, Baldelli, and Ibanez would give us great defense and a higher average team, focused on speed and contact. what you say?

My 09 Reds!
1. Baldelli- CF
2. Votto- 1st
3. Phillips- 2nd
4. Bruce- RF
5. Encarnacion- 3rd
6. Ibanez- LF
7. Keppinger- SS
8. Ross/whoever?- C
9. Pitcher- Harang, Sabathia, Cueto, Volquez, Bailey

Catchers
Rod Barajas (33)
Michael Barrett (32)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Jason Kendall (35) - club option for '09; vests with 110 games played in '08
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38) - $3.75MM vesting option for '09; vests with 160 games played in '08

First basemen
Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $16MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)

Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Mark Ellis (32)
Marcus Giles (31)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Aaron Miles (32)
Jose Valentin (39)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Cristian Guzman (31)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout

Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Dallas McPherson (27)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Jacque Jones (34)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Jacque Jones (34)
Bobby Kielty (32)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) - $10MM option for '09; vests with 376 PAs in '08
Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout
Jose Vidro (34) - vesting option for '09

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Tony Armas Jr. (31)
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (32)
Chad Durbin (31)
Josh Fogg (32)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Esteban Loaiza (37) - $7.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.375MM buyout
Braden Looper (34)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Matt Morris (34) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09
Brett Tomko (36)
Josh Towers (32)
Steve Trachsel (38)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Woody Williams (42)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Joe Borowski (38)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brad Lidge (32)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (28)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Keith Foulke (35)
Aaron Fultz (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Eddie Guardado (38)
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Steve Kline (36)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Stanton (42)
Mike Timlin (43)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
David Weathers (39)
Dan Wheeler (31)
Matt Wise (33)
Kerry Wood (32)

[flyer85]

middling free agents is the most overvalued segment of the market. Jocketty showed a propensity to stay out of the upper and middle free agent markets for the most part(Izzy, JuanE) while finding some good value in the bottom end(carpenter, suppan, Eckstein ).

looking at the list you can see why a quality player gets a boatload a money thrown their way.

[fearofpopvol1]

The funny thing is, and it is still early in the season, but Affeldt has put up better numbers than the majority of the relievers listed on that list.

[AtomicDumpling]

That is a very depressing list of free agents.

That shows me just how important it will be for the Reds to keep Adam Dunn. The Reds will not be able to replace his production by bringing in a free agent.

Teixeira is the cream of the free agent crop, but I highly doubt Atlanta will allow him to hit the market. He will be signed to a long term contract very soon. In fact, most of the names on that list will not actually reach the market.

The one position with lots of good options on that FA list is Closer, which the Reds don't need.

I am sure Dunn is hoping the Reds let him walk. He would be the best available player on the market and would be looking at a huge contract if given the chance to sell his services to the highest bidder.

[StillFunkyB]

There is no way I throw guaranteed money at CC Sabathia. The guy is going to be on the DL more than on the mound. I wish him the best, but his body size doesn't bode well for his health (as far as playing a professional sport is concerned).

Might as well just say the same thing about Baldelli. Has he ever been healthy?

Brad Penny I might be willing to go after, but he would probably demand way to much scratch.

[*BaseClogger*]

Derek Lowe!

[TOBTTReds]

Isn't Baldelli possibly going to retire? He has a syndrome that causes his muscles to fatigue after a very short workout. Whereas 10 minutes of running feels like 2 hours. He can barely get up some days.

[jojo]

Just say no to FA!

[corkedbat]

If they let Dunn & Griffey walk and the Baves can't sign Teixeira, I'd make a run at him, even if it is futile. I've always liked Furcal @ SS

[RedEye]

Not many names on the list that are worth exploring for the Reds. Juan Rivera might be a useful outfielder to bridge the gap till Stubbs or someone else arrives. Derek Lowe and Randy Wolf could both be stablizing veteran pitchers for the young rotation, but I wouldn't pay too much for 'em. Oh yeah... and that Adam Dunn guy is pretty good. Think the Reds could sign him?

[membengal]

Rocco Baldelli is broken and done.

Ibanez is old.

So, no, I don't see them in Cincy next season.

The only OF on that list that I give a second look to is m a y b e Milton Bradley. And that would make me itchy.

[pahster]

Originally Posted by membengal

The only OF on that list that I give a second look to is m a y b e Milton Bradley. And that would make me itchy.

Bradley can't stay healthy.

[membengal]

That's the part that makes me itchy.

Plus, he's borderline crazy. That doesn't help.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Assuming Dunn and Griffey walk.


1. Re-sign Corey Patterson sometime this summer for one more year with an option for two. Get him out of the lead off spot. Hopefully Stubbs will be ready by 2010.

2. Sign Crede and move EE to LF.

3. Do what you can to get Sabathia. 3 yrs 40/45 will not cut it. He'll want 20M and he's deserving.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

2. Sign Crede and move EE to LF.

I'm with you on thinking that AGon will not be a major contributor to the Reds in 2009, but why is Joe Crede the anwser?