Tuesday, November 9, 2010

TOP 25 MLB FREE AGENT PREDICTIONS


1. Cliff Lee- New York Yankees. I honestly can't remember the Yankees ever losing out on a player they wanted. It would be great to see Lee go back to the Rangers but in the end money talks.

2. Carl Crawford- Anaheim Angels. Owner Artie Moreno has deep pockets and the speedy Crawford would look great in an Angels uniform batting leadoff. I think the Angels outbid the Red Sox here and get the one guy in this free agent class that could possibly live up to his free agent deal.

3. Jayson Werth- Detroit Tigers. I know it seems odd to not have Werth going to the Yankees or Red Sox here but I got this feeling the Tigers want to make a splash in free agency. With Magglio leaving it clears room for Werth in right field.

4. Victor Martinez- Baltimore Orioles. Martinez wants to play every day and get his at-bats but more importantly wants a big contract. The Orioles haven't signed a major free agent since Miguel Tejada and are in desperate need of a first baseman who can also catch when Matt Wieters needs rest. Martinez would be the perfect free agent addition for the Orioles considering Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford are too expensive.

5. Derek Jeter- New York Yankees. Jeter is the face of the franchise and there is no way he leaves the pinstripes. I'm thinking a 4 year deal for around $15-20 million per season gets it done for the deteriorating shortstop.

6. Mariano Rivera- New York Yankees. The same case as Jeter. There is no way the Yankees let him leave. One year deal with an option for two for the greatest closer of all-time.

7. Adam Dunn- Chicago Cubs. The Big Donkey would look great in a Cubs uniform. I want to see him blasting balls through windows in Chitown. Plus I want to see the Bleacher Bums boo him when he strikes out looking with the bases loaded in the ninth inning.

8. Rafael Soriano- Anaheim Angels. This is my best guess because the Angels need a closer bad. Soriano at this point is probably better and more reliable than Mo Rivera. If the Angels get Crawford and Soriano like I predict then they should bounce back and contend for the AL West.

9. Carlos Pena- Washington Nationals. With the Big Donkey leaving D.C. it only makes sense to overpay for another all or nothing slugger.

10. Adrian Beltre- Boston Red Sox. Beltre could honestly go anywhere but I think in the end he decides to stay in Boston. With that being said he will probably go to the Angels.

11. Paul Konerko- Chicago White Sox. Both the player and the franchise want the marriage to continue. No need to break it up over a little bit of money. And by little I mean millions and millions.

12. Carl Pavano- New York Mets. Just for pure comedy I could see something like this happening. The Mets will give him over $10 mil a season.

13. Vladimir Guerrero- Texas Rangers. Vlad had a great season in Arlington. No reason he needs to go elsewhere at this point in his career and since the Rangers are coming off a World Series appearance.

14. Jim Thome- Minnesota Twins. I wouldn't mind seeing Thome finish his career in Cleveland where it all started but I think the Twins want him more.

15. Manny Ramirez- Oakland A's or some Mexican team. Either Manny signs with the A's or he goes all Kenny Powers on us and high tails it down to Mexico to do hookers and blow.

16. Aubrey Huff- San Francisco Giants.The World Champs are perfect for the Huffinator...no reason to ruin a good thing.

17. Orlando Hudson- St. Louis Cardinals. The O Dog would be a good fit in Busch Land.

18. Juan Uribe- Cincinnati Reds. The Reds need a shortstop/second baseman/third baseman and find their man in Uribe.

19. Lance Berkman- Houston Astros. Berkman pretty much blows now and the only team willing to give him good money to sell some tickets is Houston.

20. Brandon Webb- Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies take a flyer on Webb and give him a chance at reviving his career in an incentive base deal.

21. Javier Vazquez- Baltimore Orioles. I like Vazquez a lot as long as he is not wearing the pinstripes. With that being said I still don't like him pitching in the AL East. The Orioles are dumb enough to give him another chance in the division.

22. Derrek Lee- Seattle Mariners. If the Orioles miss out on Victor Martinez then I could see Lee in Baltimore but right now I think Lee goes out to the West coast.

23. Magglio Ordonez- Philadelphia Phillies. Mags is a professional hitter who would be a good fit with the Phillies. I wish the Braves would go after him but they won't because of cap restrictions.

24. Johnny Damon- Seattle Mariners. Not sure why but I could see the Mariners overpaying for Damon for two seasons.

25. Brian Fuentes- New York Yankees. This has disaster written all over it.