Saving The Best for Last?

Mark Texeira, C.C. Sabathia, K-Rod and A.J. Burnett are all spoken for. For teams like the Nationals, the Orioles, the Cubs, the Mets and the Dodgers--all still looking to spend money--there's still some talent left on the board.

1. Ben Sheets, SP- Derek Lowe is considered to be the cream of the remaining crop of free agent pitchers, however Sheets has two things on his side- 1) age and 2) stuff. Sheets has been labeled an injury risk, but he still pitched 198 innings last year and had a span between 2002 and 2004 where he average 220 innings pitched. He has good stuff, great control and a competitive demeanor. Sheets won't be 31 until July and despite his forearm injury, looks prepped for a good season. Sheets could really go anywhere. The Mets are looking for an arm to replace Oliver Perez and Lowe might now pan out. The Red Sox, Dodgers, Nationals and Orioles all look like the teams that Sheets will look closest at. Projected Stats- 14-10, 180 ip, 3.50 era

2. Adam Dunn, OF- Money rated Adam Dunn as one of the most productive and valuable players on the market. Dunn never commanded a salary that matched up with his stats, and by the looks of the teams bartering for his services, he probably still won't. He gets bashed for his below-average defense and poor contact hitting ability but his annual 40 homers, 100 rbis and 100 walks keep him a top the list of NL sluggers. The Nationals who lost out on the Mark Texeira signing will definitely be heading after Dunn, but it looks like the Dodgers have a leg up.
Projected Stats- .240-35-80

3. Manny Ramirez, OF/DH- at 37, ManRam doesn't look like he'll get more than a 3 year contract for anybody, but he does look able to produce. His second half with The Dodgers made Manny finally look like true hall of famer. He hits for power, average and he'll take a walk. He stopped the mouthing-off in Dodgerland but that was only to get his new contract-- and of course Boras provided the muzzle. He'll make a contender happy and provide two years of 30-40 homerun ball paired with the worst defense at any position in any league. Dodgers, Mets, Cubs. Projected Stats- .300-35-100

4. Derek Lowe, SP- Lowe isn't getting any younger, but his consitency will still get him a big contract. He throws sinkers with the best of 'em but his numbers were definitely inflated by the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium. An era in the low 4's and 200 innings-Andy Pettitte numbers- are a more intelligent expectation. Lowe won't come cheap, so he'll probably sign with a contender--most likely the Mets. Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox
Projected Stats- 12-10, 200 ip, 4.25 era

5. Milton Bradley, OF- A prime rib for any team that has missed out on the top free agents, Bradley would be atop the list if he could stay in a lineup and keep his mouth shut for 162 games a year. It's rare for Bradley to come within shouting distance of 600 at bats, but 400 at bats 20 homers and a .300 batting average reasonable. His quickly deteriorating glove skills will make him a fringe CF/LF, more fit for DH. Despite his poor defense, the team's already overflowing outfield, the Nationals are offering Milton their center field. He'll probably end up there.
Projected Stats- .300-20-60

6. Oliver Perez, SP- Oliver Perez is kind of like Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interruped, he shows signs of beauty but is absolutely nuts. At time Perez looks like an unhittable ace, a force that only the quickest of bats can catch up with. His low to mid nineties fast ball, his curveball and slider are all plus pitches and the guy can shoulder a shade under 200 innings annually. The bad is Perez's extreme inconsistency, his conversations with himself on the mound and his flighty control. He'll throw a shutout one game then walk ten in the next. A contender with a big audience isn't for him, and New York probably won't want him back. The Dodgers, Padres Nationals, Orioles
Projected Stats- 14-10, 200 ip, 4.00 era

7. Orlando Hudson, 2B- Hudson is probably the most underrated free agent of the 2009 class. He plays an extremely thin position, 2B, and plays it well. He can hit in the clutch with Derek Jeter (way back when Jeter still actually gave a fuck about winning). It would be hard to find a better fielding middle infielder and his pop is enough to slot him in as a two hitter. Maybe the best part of him is that he's only 30. Either a rebuilding team or a contender would be a fine fit for the human pogo stick, but more likely than not he'll end up with a top ten team.
Cardinals, Mets, Padres, Nationals.
Projected Stats- .290-10-60

8. Pat Burell, LF/DH- Another lousy fielding, no contact-making power hitter, Burrell gets a lot of guff for consistenly putting up decent numbers. When you look at his stats you might ask yourself "why is Philly being so hard on this poor guy?" Burrell fails time after time in the clutch, strikes out and can't play defense. His power will keep him a top 15 outfielder for a few more years, but Pat The Bat is turning 33 and is no spring chicken. The Rays may actually open their wallet on this one and slot Burrell at DH. Rays, Mets, Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Dodgers, Orioles, Cubs
Projected Stats- .250-30-80

9. Raul Ibanez, LF/DH- Its always nice to see a guy like Ibanez still playing the game. A nice guy, nice sense of humor, humble and reserved. Ibanez played well in Seattle, and after Sexson pulled a Deep Throat and started sucking he took over the cleanup spot and the rbi's for the Mariners. He didn't start full-time until he was 30, so his turning 37 this year may come as a suprise for many. Cleanup is a stretch-5 hitter is more like it. Braves, Mets, Mariners, Padres, Cubs
Projected Stats- .280-25-80

10. Ivan Rodriguez, C- The ONLY reason Pudge is in the top 10 is because of his position. He's 37 and likely will never eclipse 10 homers again. His defense and game-calling are still plus though and his contact hitting will keep him on the better side of .250. A team like the Mets, desperate for an upgrade at catcher will give him a long look-plus Omar loves those Latinos. Otherwise, look to the Orioles to use I-Rod to help harvest Matt Wieters. Mets, Orioles, Red Sox, Astros.
Projected Stats- .280-10-60