Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Season 17 winter meetings Rumors/Thoughts and Free agents Day 3

News from the winter meetings is starting to filter out as the GMs gather for their annual winter Meetings. Today Ryan World News will take a look at the Top Free agents available and where they might land and for how much.

RELIEF PITCHING:

CL Orlando Frias (L) - AGE: 30
Past Contract:
coming off a 1 year 7.3 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 4 time all-star 1 time Silver Slugger
He has been the closer for one of the worst franchises in Ryan history. He is going to have a payday and become one of the best paid closers in Ryan history. He is a 100+ inning closer who is capable of controlling the game when he pitches. Elite closer enough said
Price Tag: 8-11 Million a season should sign a 4 year to 5 season deal. Plus a Type A picks compensation
The Suitors:
Las Vegas Gamble- They have 25M in cap space and a hole in their bullpen, they lose a 2nd rounder for the best reliever in the game. He could shorten the game for a Vegas offense that sputters at times.
Philadelphia Stars- They have a number of Starting pitchers who can't go more than 7 innings in a game. They need a bullpen which is durable and can slam the door, say hello to that man.
Baltimore Bandits- short term managers tend to have short sighted dreams. Frias would be an upgrade over MacRae, but still why cut MacRae?

CL Albert Rincon (L) AGE: 33
Past Contract:
coming off a 5 year 37.5 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 7 time all-star
At 33 he's still a premier closer
Price Tag: 5-8 Million a season should sign a 3 year deal. Plus a Type B picks compensation
The Suitors:
Salem Slammers (NL) - they have the money to go after an upgrade for their bullpen, Rincon would be the guy I would go after to fill that need
Hartford Whalers (NL) - a history with the franchise and past success might have Rincon longing to go home. He would be a good fit.
Cheyenne Marmots (NL) - They are a good team, who got stuck with some bad breaks, Rincon adds the Wow factor.

CL Wilson MacRae- AGE: 27- SIGNED SLC 5 year 27.6M
Past Contract:
coming off a 1 year 1.4 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 1 time all-star
Young closer who did not get arbitration, he is going to be a hot commodity in FA. 3 seasons of 20_ saves for the lowly Washington team. Give him a better opportunity and he could save 30_ easily.
Price Tag: 6-8 Million a season should sign a 4 year to 5 season deal.
The Suitors:
Minnesota Wobegon's (AL) - Hammonds, Gentry and MacRae would make a great combination to work with in the late innings.
Monterrey Metros (NL) - Young Blood for a team that has shown signs of life. MacRae could find a long-term home in Monterrey very easily.
St. Louis Brewers (AL) - Slide a little farther than anyone expected them to, Brewers should be a solid team but they need help in the Pen badly.

CL Matt O'Malley (L) – AGE: 34
Past Contract:
coming off a 5 year 37.3 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 4 time all-star
Could still be a league leading closer. His increased stamina raises his profile and hence his price. You would have to pay a premium to get him plus lose a 1st round pick. Should scare teams away.
Price Tag: 6-8.5 Million a season should sign a 4 year deal. Plus a Type A picks compensation
The Suitors:
Austin BUTCHERS (NL) - a team who respects the high stamina reliever would make a great home for O'Malley.
Florida Sting Ray (NL) - Type A will not affect Florida and O'Malley might a perfect setup man for a team that needs more pitching depth.
Cheyenne Marmots (NL)- This would be an interesting pick-up Cheyenne has the money the Type A pick would be a 2nd rounder and He would plug up the pen.

CL R.A. Bellinger (L) AGE: 37
Past Contract:
coming off a 2 year 8.8 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 3 time all-star 2 times Fireman of the Year
Tough S16 for one of the top closers in the game should recover to close many more games. He has lost some off his pitches and can't pitch everyday over an extended period. Great pick-up if you need a steady arm to hold the close games.
Price Tag: 3-5 Million a season should sign a 1-2 year deal.
The Suitors:
COLORADO Mile High Club- They have a history of swooping up old successful closers, bellinger fits that bill
MADISON Massa's- Madison thinks the same way as Colorado, but tends to pick up his former closers late in FA off the scrap heap. Not sure Bellinger will be there.
KC McCoys: They could upgrade their bullpen on the cheap, something they need to do with their Yankee payroll already.

LRP Dave Brennaman (R)- AGE: 38 SIGNED Durham 2 year 6.4M
Past Contract:
coming off a 2 year 10 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: NONE
He has made a career out of being the go to bullpen guy, still has that. His cheap price tag and no pick compensation will put him on a few teams radar. He is a capable late inning guy if used correctly.
Price Tag: 3.2-4.5 Million a season should sign a 2 year deal.
The Suitors:
Durham Bulls (AL)- They have lost a ton of games, but need a reliever with some flexibility brennaman is very flexible and should come cheap. Should hold them over until the farm starts to arrive.
COLORADO Mile High Club- He has flexibility which would look good in a Colorado uniform. Short term solutions scream Colorado's pen.

Rp J.J. Greenwood (L)- AGE: 31
Past Contract:
coming off a 1 year 1.12 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: NONE
Found success last season and should be able to translate that into a multi-season contract for S17. He has had a rollercoaster career, but seems to be on an upside, for the right team he could add a steady arm.
Price Tag: 2.6-4 Million a season should sign a 2 year deal. Plus a Type B picks compensation
The Suitors:
Tucson Mail Order Cowboys (AL)- Huge payroll that they don't need to add to Greenwood would be the last piece to their bullpen puzzle. He could be had cheaply too.
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL)- He would be an upgrade if they can get him to sign cheaply.
Mexico City Milf Mongers (AL)- upgrades the pen immediately at a low cost.

RP Benito Hernandez- AGE: 30
Past Contract:
coming off a 5 year 17.5 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE: 3 time all-star
Former closer turned relief pitching uber-boy. His limited durability will scare teams, but his history is strong. He is a guy who can and will get the job done. With a 1st rounder on the line look for a team wanting to make a splash landing him.
Price Tag: 5-8 Million a season should sign a 3 year to 5 season deal. Plus a Type A picks compensation
The Suitors:
Norfolk Train Wrecks (NL)- Cheap option and the Type A would be 2nd round pick. They need to strengthen the pen for the short term in the very least Hernandez will not carry a huge price tag.
Salt Lake City Prospectors (AL)- They might need a temporary arm to fill the gaps, they shouldn't spend a lot here so Hernandez might be the man to gun for.
Columbus Horseshoes (NL)- Another team who doesn't have a lot to invest, but has a need Hernandez would fill a huge need in Columbus

RP Hong-Jin Xaio (L) AGE: 33 SIGNED ATLANTA 3 year 12.6M
Past Contract:
coming off a 3 year 8.4 Million Dollar deal.
HARDWARE:
Former closer struggled in S16 but still could be a top flight reliever for the right team. He saved 35+ games 2 seasons ago he is capable of doing that again. Not a bad arm to have for the price
Price Tag: 2.8-5.5 Million a season should sign a 2 year Deal. Plus a Type B picks compensation
The Suitors:
COLORADO Mile High Club-
Classic that would pitch well with a lot of offense to give him a big cushion
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) - Need a lot of upgrades Xaio would come cheap and work well.
Atlanta Braves: They need help Xaio needs a job, does the fit need to be more complicated?

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