Didn't teams see what Juando did last season in CLE? Sure, he definitely needs protection in the lineup to flourish, but doesn't everyone?
SS Alex Rodriguez
DH/1B Andres Galarraga
3B Ken Caminiti
2B Randy Velarde
RP Mark Petkovsek
Losing
CP John Wetteland
2B Luis Alicea
RHP Mark Clark
--Sign OF/DH Juan Gonzalez
(incentive-laden one year deal)
--Trade OF Rusty Greer, SS Royce Clayton, and/or OF Gabe Kapler for...
--P Dustin Hermanson or P Pedro Astacio or P Tony Armas, Jr.
--Sign TWO of the following if no trade: P Hideo Nomo, P Bobby J.Jones, P Pat Hentgen, P Willie Blair, P Eddie Guardado
--Also: Team could look to trade OF Ricky Ledee, but teams will be scared off of the man traded twice in a month last year...
LHP Mike Hampton
LHP Denny Neagle
OF Ron Gant
Losing:
RP Julian Tavarez (Cubs)
OF Jeffrey Hammonds (50-50)
IF Jeff Frye (Expos)
--KEEP P Pedro Astacio. An Astacio-Hampton-Neagle rotation base is very, very nice.
--Sign OF Juan Gonzalez...now that he has said no to Detroit and the Rangers aren't likely to sign him, why not put an ex-MVP in Coors...talk about the opposite of Comerica.
--Sign P Eddie Guardado for bullpen help and P Pat Hentgen and/or Mark Gardner
--NOT trade OF Carl Everett...give him one more year before shipping him out...
--Sign Ps Hideo Nomo, Eddie Guardado
--Re-sign 1B Rico Brogna...see what he can give you in a full, healthy year.
OF/DH Manny Ramirez
Losing:
RP Rheal Cormier
1B Rico Brogna
Here's what I think of the remaining big Major League Baseball free agents...
1. Alex Rodriguez, SS
A-Rod is clearly among the best players in baseball, and should be paid accordingly. Agent Boras chased the Mets straight out of the race with ridiculous demands that I believe to be true, but with Mets GM Phillips going public, A-Rod will get less perks. Last year, everyone thought Junior's arrival in Cincy would mean championship contention. Obviously, that didn't happen. With A-Rod, I think that whoever lands him must have a solid team concept like the Mariners and A's did last year...if A-Rod is on a team of egos, there could be resentment and as a result, dissention.
Team(s) that would most benefit itself: NY Mets, Atlanta Braves
The Mets and Braves are both one player away...who better than A-Rod?
Team(s) that would most benefit A-Rod: Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners
Staying in the AL West would clearly help Rodriguez, as his numbers would not suffer if he stays in Seattle...but they would flourish at the Ballpark in Arlington in Texas, a much better hitting ballpark than Safeco and facing the same pitchers.
2. Manny Ramirez, OF
Ramirez is baseball's best hitter, and if he would play 160 games (giving him 2 vacation days), he would hit .365 with 55 HR and 190 RBI. Two Words: Triple Crown. He is a bit of a fielding liabilty and of course a major health risk...and perhaps his clubhouse persona leaves a little "team" to be desired. Nonetheless, he is a difference maker.
Team(s) that would most benefit itself: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, NY Mets
The numbers will be there in the AL, but a jump to the NL could cause a Junior-esque off-year. Excepting Coors Field, of course...how bout a Helton-Ramirez-Walker heart of the order? That's a heart attack for pitchers in Denver. Cleveland's competitive status lies with their star, and the Sox need punch more than a Mike Tyson opponent.
Team(s) that would most benefit Ramirez: NY Yankees, Colorado Rockies
If Ramirez goes to the Bronx, I will have to learn about the great game from only the newspaper, as I will watch no more baseball...the Rockies could have a 100 win season with that order I mentioned and a clicking Astacio and Neagle on the mound.
3. Mike Hampton, P
Hampton is and has been the best pitcher available (sorry Yanks fans), and whoever lands him will have a new ace (excepting Atlanta). He has proven himself in the postseason now, and the slow start in Flushing last year stained his season numbers (started 0-5). He wants to stay in the NL, and if he does, he's 20 win, 2.50 ERA stud.
Team(s) that would most benefit itself: NY Mets, Atlanta Braves, St.Louis Cardinals
These are the top three contenders and all need him badly, though obviously the Braves not as much as the others. The Mets one-two punch of Hampton and "Bud"Leiter was just short of a championship, and if St.L could land him, a similar combo would form with Kile.
Team(s) that would most benefit Hampton: St.Louis Cardinals
He would be in the NL, the ace of his team (should be), a great baseball city, and would lose the New York weight-of-the-world pressure. Look for him to put up numbers better than even the 1999 year in Houston if he is under the Arch.
4. Juan Gonzalez, OF
Cast off as an almost mediocre free agent because of his injuries and attitude (and justifiably so), Gonzalez is nonetheless a MVP guy (he's done it twice). The biggest problem to me is not health as much as the attitude, where he needs to not be "the man" to flourish--even if he is the most talented player on the team. His talent is at Ramirez and A-Rod level, but it's all in his head whether or not he will play like them.
Team(s) that would most benefit itself: Texas Rangers
Assuming they can land A-Rod, Ramirez, or Sosa (via trade), the Rangers could also bring back Juan and have a legit shot at a title run...but the pitching would have to be great. Imagine a Gonzalez-Mateo-Ramirez/Sosa outfield. Scary.
Team(s) that would most benefit Gonzalez: Texas Rangers
He wants badly to return to the team that traded him to Comeric-hell. If it happens, watch for Gonzalez to return to all-star and maybe even MVP form.
