Post by White Sox GM (Michael) on Aug 26, 2014 19:03:05 GMT -5
Here are the early rankings of the top 25 free agents for the 2014-15 offseason. I put blurbs after groups of players.
1. David Price
2. Jon Lester
In a class stacked with pitching, these are the two premier starters on the market. Both should be signed for 5 years in the mid-20 million dollar range, with Price's contract ultimately reaching around $30M. They are still in their prime and are certainly aces, and they will bolster whichever rotation they join.
3. Hanley Ramirez
Hanley is the best position player on the market, and entering his age-31 season, he still has several years of strong production ahead of him. He will likely be overpaid, however, due to the dearth of talented hitters on the market.
4. James Shields
5. David Ortiz
Shields is almost as good as ever and is very reliable when it comes to starting pitchers. He'll make for a great #2 on any staff or perhaps even an ace. Ortiz's market is limited since he is only a DH and is older, but he should get a heavy short-term deal from a contender, especially considering that he is one of the only great hitters available.
6. Pablo Sandoval
7. Doug Fister
8. Mat Latos
9. Aramis Ramirez
Sandoval has had a solid walk season and will get a five-year deal north of $15M a season. Ramirez is another strong and consistent third-base option. Fister and Latos are both strong fall-back options for those who cannot afford Price or Lester.
10. Koji Uehara
11. Glen Perkins
12. Francisco Rodriguez
The three elite closers that will be available on the market are great sources of Ks and saves. Uehara especially will get a short-term deal, but there is great value here for the 2015 season.
13. Matt Wieters
14. Asdrubal Cabrera
15. Everth Cabrera
They may not be rated as highly in other offseasons, but teams who miss out on Hanley Ramirez will want to settle for a Cabrera. Wieters is risky coming off of Tommy John surgery, but the power from a catcher is enticing.
16. Joaquin Benoit
17. Tyler Clippard
Lower-profile relievers that still definitely get the job done. Good options for contenders or for rebuilders looking to turn a profit on May 1.
18. Justin Verlander
19. Tim Hudson
20. Brandon McCarthy
21. Rick Porcello
22. Hiroki Kuroda
23. Chris Tillman
These are great mid-rotation options for teams who don't need to buy an ace necessarily. Assuming his contract isn't picked up, Verlander has perhaps the highest ceiling of anyone in free agency. Unfortunately, he's struggled all of this season and will scare away several teams. His contract is probably one that will either look fantastic or terrible after the first season. The other five options are low-ERA, low-strikeout options that will not cost as much and may not demand a five-year deal.
24. Coco Crisp
25. Carlos Beltran
Two decent outfield bats who will not break the bank or demand five years (hopefully).
1. David Price
2. Jon Lester
In a class stacked with pitching, these are the two premier starters on the market. Both should be signed for 5 years in the mid-20 million dollar range, with Price's contract ultimately reaching around $30M. They are still in their prime and are certainly aces, and they will bolster whichever rotation they join.
3. Hanley Ramirez
Hanley is the best position player on the market, and entering his age-31 season, he still has several years of strong production ahead of him. He will likely be overpaid, however, due to the dearth of talented hitters on the market.
4. James Shields
5. David Ortiz
Shields is almost as good as ever and is very reliable when it comes to starting pitchers. He'll make for a great #2 on any staff or perhaps even an ace. Ortiz's market is limited since he is only a DH and is older, but he should get a heavy short-term deal from a contender, especially considering that he is one of the only great hitters available.
6. Pablo Sandoval
7. Doug Fister
8. Mat Latos
9. Aramis Ramirez
Sandoval has had a solid walk season and will get a five-year deal north of $15M a season. Ramirez is another strong and consistent third-base option. Fister and Latos are both strong fall-back options for those who cannot afford Price or Lester.
10. Koji Uehara
11. Glen Perkins
12. Francisco Rodriguez
The three elite closers that will be available on the market are great sources of Ks and saves. Uehara especially will get a short-term deal, but there is great value here for the 2015 season.
13. Matt Wieters
14. Asdrubal Cabrera
15. Everth Cabrera
They may not be rated as highly in other offseasons, but teams who miss out on Hanley Ramirez will want to settle for a Cabrera. Wieters is risky coming off of Tommy John surgery, but the power from a catcher is enticing.
16. Joaquin Benoit
17. Tyler Clippard
Lower-profile relievers that still definitely get the job done. Good options for contenders or for rebuilders looking to turn a profit on May 1.
18. Justin Verlander
19. Tim Hudson
20. Brandon McCarthy
21. Rick Porcello
22. Hiroki Kuroda
23. Chris Tillman
These are great mid-rotation options for teams who don't need to buy an ace necessarily. Assuming his contract isn't picked up, Verlander has perhaps the highest ceiling of anyone in free agency. Unfortunately, he's struggled all of this season and will scare away several teams. His contract is probably one that will either look fantastic or terrible after the first season. The other five options are low-ERA, low-strikeout options that will not cost as much and may not demand a five-year deal.
24. Coco Crisp
25. Carlos Beltran
Two decent outfield bats who will not break the bank or demand five years (hopefully).
