Free Agents -- 2006-7

[catman]

Here is a list of the guys that have filed for free agency:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6114512
Where do the big names end up? Will Bonds leave San Francisco?

[doublee]

Kind of early to tell just yet until everyone has officially filed. But, I'd love to see Juan Pierre in a Cards uniform next season.

[catman]

Juan Pierre has indicated interest in signing with the White Sox for next season. We'll see if such a deal can be made.
I, personally, would enjoy seeing him playing left field for the Twins. He'd be the lead-off hitter, allowing Castillo to hit 2nd and Punto to slide down to the bottom of the order.

[suedon1970]

I wonder where Soriano will land next year.....

[doublee]

Aside from being a good base stealer Pierre is not an ideal lead off guy. His OBP is horrendous for a lead off hitter and he really is more suited for the #2 spot as he is a good hitter and rarely strikes out. I know the Pierre going across town has been out there for a while, but I don't know how much of that was him expressing a desire to do it or borne more of the rumors that the Sox were interested in dealing for him when the Cubs were willing to listen to offers this past Summer. I am sure he ends up going to the highest bidder whomever that may be. Given that the Cards are probably going to be forced into pouring money into the rotation I don't know that they are going to have a lot to spend for a guy like Pierre.

I heard on the radio today that since the Yankees have discovered they won't get top pitching talent for Sheffield, what on Earth ever possessed them to think that is beyond me, they are going to make a run at Jeff Suppan. I fail to see how that significantly upgrades their staff. Suppan is not a top of the rotation guy and is best suited as a #4 guy at best. On top of that he also fits in better where he is not asked to do much and has a good bullpen to support him.

As for Soriano I read earlier today that the Cubs are interested in signing him to play Center Field which is going to be a disaster just waiting to happen. He was barely servicable as a Left Fielder as it was.

[Marc]

I think Bonds wants out of SF, wants to play for a contender. Can't really blame him. I hope he doesn't wind up in the Bronx. :lol:

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Marc

I think Bonds wants out of SF, wants to play for a contender. Can't really blame him. I hope he doesn't wind up in the Bronx. :lol:

Me too. Signing a player like Bonds is the wrong direction. And I can't stand him. Last thing I would want to do is have to root for him.

[doublee]

Nah, I doubt he goes to the Bronx. He has never seemed interested in playing there and the Yanks have enough DHs already as it is. I heard today on the radio that Bonds' agent says he wants $14 mil for next year. If that is the case he is likely in for a rude awakening. I wouldn't give $14 mil for a guy whom you have no idea how long he will hold up and brings absolutely nothing by way of leadership or clubhouse chemistry.

[boston_aloha]

I could see the Baltimore O's giving him $14m!!! LOL

[catman]

That would be the only team I could think of that might do so.
Wouldn't that be interesting?

[doublee]

The O's, or, it depends on how desparate the Angels get in their efforts to add another bat with some pop. That is the only other team aside from SF and BAL I have heard come up on talk radio the past few days in regards to Bonds.

[catman]

Top free agents, according to Dayn Perry:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6146228
I suppose we can scratch Mussina from the list though. He has agreed to terms with the Yankees.

[doublee]

It is a pretty thin class when Jeff Suppan is considered one of the top 15 players on the market.

To be honest I don't know how interested I'd be in Clemens unless I had a deep bullpen to support him as you are lucky if you get six innings out of him any more these days.

How is that fossils like Piazza and Thomas are rated higher than Juan Pierre. I'd definitely take Pierre over Gary Matthews Jr. Pierre is a quality defensive CFer, and is a career .300 hitter with a .350 OBP and will steal you 50 bases a year. Matthews may be a better defensive player and had a slightly better offensive season, but Pierre is younger and has established himself as a far more consistent offensive player. I have a feeling that Matthews had himself a career year and will fall back to being a .260/.270 hitter next year.

Also, Pettite is talking about retiring.

[catman]

As is Clemens, again. Rumor has both of them talking to the Yankees about making another run for the crown.
Like I've said about Dayn Perry, I don't always agree with him. I do appreciate his articles as a starting point for a discussion.

[doublee]

Clemens to the Yanks would just be more evidence that they just don't get it. Clemens is not the answer to their pitching problems simply because they don't have enough reliable setup men to get to Rivera. That money would be better spent on adding some quality depth to the pen.