non-tendered FA list

[Vic Sage]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2251972


Here is the list of FAs who were not offered arbitration by their teams:

[u:d13e425f8c]AMERICAN LEAGUE[/u:d13e425f8c]

BALTIMORE (6) -- James Baldwin, rhp; Jason Grimsley, rhp; Eli Marrero, of; Rafael Palmeiro, 1b; Sammy Sosa, of; B.J. Surhoff, of.

BOSTON (4) -- Matt Mantei, rhp; Kevin Millar; 1b; Mike Myers, lhp; John Olerud, 1b.

CHICAGO (3) -- Raul Casanova, c; Carl Everett, dh; Frank Thomas, dh.

CLEVELAND (2) -- Juan Gonzalez, of; Jose Hernandez, 1b.

DETROIT (4) -- Jason Johnson, rhp; Bobby Higginson, of; Fernando Vina, 2b; Rondell White, of.

KANSAS CITY (4) -- Brian Anderson, lhp; Denny Hocking, of; Jose Lima, rhp; Scott Sullivan, rhp.

LOS ANGELES (4) -- Jason Christiansen, lhp; Lou Merloni, 3b; Bengie Molina, c; Jarrod Washburn, lhp.

MINNESOTA (2) -- Joe Mays, rhp; Terry Mulholland, lhp.

NEW YORK (8) -- -- Kevin Brown, rhp; Alan Embree, lhp; John Flaherty, c; Matt Lawton, of; Tino Martinez, 1b; Felix Rodriguez, rhp; Rey Sanchez, ss; Ruben Sierra, dh.

OAKLAND (4) -- Alberto Castillo, c; Octavio Dotel, rhp; Erubiel Durazo, dh; Scott Hatteberg, dh.

SEATTLE (5) -- Shigetoshi Hasegawa, rhp; Dave Hansen, 1b; Jeff Nelson, rhp; Pokey Reese, ss. Dan Wilson, c.

TAMPA BAY (2) -- Roberto Alomar, 2b; Danny Bautista, of.

TEXAS (6) -- Sandy Alomar Jr., c; Doug Brocail, rhp; Greg Colbrunn, 1b; Richard Hidalgo, of; Steve Karsay, rhp; Kenny Rogers, lhp.

[u:d13e425f8c]NATIONAL LEAGUE[/u:d13e425f8c]

ARIZONA (3) -- Royce Clayton, ss; Shawn Estes, lhp; Buddy Groom, lhp.

ATLANTA (3) -- Julio Franco, 1b; Todd Hollandsworth, of; Jay Powell, rhp.

CHICAGO (3) -- Jeromy Burnitz, of; Chad Fox, rhp; Nomar Garciaparra, ss.

CINCINNATI (1) -- Luis Lopez, 3b.

COLORADO (3) -- Todd Greene, c; Dan Miceli, rhp; Jamey Wright, rhp.

FLORIDA (10) -- Antonio Alfonseca, rhp; Jeff Conine, of; Damion Easley, 2b; Juan Encarnacion, of; Alex Gonzalez, ss; Todd Jones, rhp; Jim Mecir, rhp; Mike Mordecai, 3b; Paul Quantrill, rhp; Ismael Valdez, rhp.

HOUSTON (2) -- Roger Clemens, rhp; Jose Vizcaino, 2b.

LOS ANGELES (4) -- Paul Bako, c; Elmer Dessens, rhp; Darren Dreifort, rhp; Jose Valentin, 3b.

MILWAUKEE (1) -- Wes Helms, 3b.

NEW YORK (11) -- Miguel Cairo, 2b; Mike DeFelice, c; Danny Graves, rhp; Roberto Hernandez, rhp; Braden Looper, rhp; Doug Mientkiewicz, 1b; Jose Offerman, 1b; Mike Piazza, c; Felix Heredia, lhp; Shingo Takatsu, rhp; Gerald Williams of.

PHILADELPHIA (5) -- Kenny Lofton, of; Ramon E. Martinez, ss; Todd Pratt, c; Michael Tucker, of; Ugueth Urbina, rhp.

PITTSBURGH (4) -- Brian Meadows, rhp; Jose Mesa, rhp; Daryle Ward, 1b; Rick White, rhp.

ST. LOUIS (7) -- Einar Diaz, c; Cal Eldred, rhp; Mark Grudzielanek, 2b; Al Reyes, rhp; Reggie Sanders, of; Julian Tavarez, rhp; Larry Walker, of.

SAN DIEGO (5) -- Robert Fick, c; Chris Hammond, lhp; Joe Randa, 3b; Rudy Seanez, rhp; Mark Sweeney, 1b.

SAN FRANCISCO (2) -- J.T. Snow, 1b; Brett Tomko, rhp.

WASHINGTON (3) -- Carlos Baerga, 3b; Jeffrey Hammonds, of; Preston Wilson, of. of

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

That's two years in a row for Richard Hidalgo.

A lot of big names cut loose. I wonder where Frank Thomas and Sammy Sosa will end up.

I see that Ramon Hernandez wasn't on San Diego's list.

[Guest Edgy DC]

We shed the most and the only team close to us are the ones who are going to send boy scouts out there next year.

I don't draw too many conclusions from that. It's probably always rich teams who shed the most because they employ more players without options. But it's interesting

[Guest sharpie]

The J.T. Snow era is finally over for the Giants.

[DocTee]

Rumor has Big Hurt coming to Oakland---

Do you see the Mets taking a flyer on any of these?

Maybe Todd Greene? Juan Encarnacion?
Fick? Hammond? Matt White? Burnitz?

[Guest silverdsl]

I'm just happy the Yankees are cutting bait with Ruben Sierra and Tino Martinez. I feared they might either or both of them back despite the fact that neither one probably has much left. I just wish the Yankees would have done the same with Bernie Williams.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I L_O_V_E Burnitz as a LH bench threat. He can play 3 OF positions, can draw a walk & force the other team to bring in a lefty. The question is whether he could handle a bench role on a team he twice started for, and what do then with the Diaz/Redman/Nady trio.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Pinch-hit Burnitz, force them to bring in a LOOGy, and then pinch-hit Valentin or VD. It's a sweet trap.

[Vic Sage]

I think we still need:

1) a Frontline SPer better than Benson;
2) a few solid relievers, especially a LRP; [i think it was a mistake not to offer arbitration to Looper]
3) a 2bman better than Matsui; and
4) a better RF option than Nady or Diaz (or at least a LH bat better than Tike Redman that could platoon with one of them);

from amongst the available non-tendered, I'm interested in some of the following names:

BALTIMORE (6) -- Sammy Sosa

BOSTON (4) -- Mike Myers, lhp

DETROIT (4) -- Rondell White, of.

LOS ANGELES (4) -- Jarrod Washburn, lhp.

NEW YORK (8) -- -- Alan Embree, lhp; Matt Lawton, of;

OAKLAND (4) -- Octavio Dotel, rhp; Erubiel Durazo, dh

NATIONAL LEAGUE

CHICAGO (3) -- Jeromy Burnitz, of; Chad Fox, rhp; Nomar Garciaparra, ss.

FLORIDA (10) -- Juan Encarnacion, of; Todd Jones, rhp;

HOUSTON (2) -- Roger Clemens, rhp;

PHILADELPHIA (5) -- Michael Tucker, of; Ugueth Urbina, rhp.

ST. LOUIS (7) -- Reggie Sanders, of; Julian Tavarez, rhp;

SAN DIEGO (5) -- Robert Fick, c;

WASHINGTON (3) -- Preston Wilson, of.

[Elster88]

NEW YORK (11)

FLORIDA (10)

NEW YORK (8)

ST. LOUIS (7)

BALTIMORE (6)
TEXAS (6)

SEATTLE (5)
PHILADELPHIA (5)
SAN DIEGO (5)

BOSTON (4)
DETROIT (4)
KANSAS CITY (4)
ANAHEIM (4)
OAKLAND (4)
LOS ANGELES (4)
PITTSBURGH (4)

CHICAGO (3)
ARIZONA (3)
ATLANTA (3)
CHICAGO (3)
COLORADO (3)
WASHINGTON (3)

CLEVELAND (2)
MINNESOTA (2)
TAMPA BAY (2)
HOUSTON (2)
SAN FRANCISCO (2)

CINCINNATI (1)
MILWAUKEE (1)

[Elster88]

]I think we still need: 1) a Frontline SPer better than Benson; 2) a few solid relievers, especially a LRP; [i think it was a mistake not to offer arbitration to Looper] 3) a 2bman better than Matsui; and 4) a better RF option than Nady or Diaz (or at least a LH bat better than Tike Redman that could platoon with one of them);

Is that all?

[metirish]

I'd look hard at Mike Myers,and Reggie Saunders, but a guy like that should get a full time job easily.

[Guest Edgy DC]

]I think we still need: 1) a Frontline SPer better than Benson; 2) a few solid relievers, especially a LRP; [i think it was a mistake not to offer arbitration to Looper] 3) a 2bman better than Matsui; and 4) a better RF option than Nady or Diaz (or at least a LH bat better than Tike Redman that could platoon with one of them);

This is what happens to you when you start with the fantasy leagues.

[Vic Sage]

]This is what happens to you when you start with the fantasy leagues

no, this is what happens when you look at your roster and evaluate strengths and weaknesses, without rose-colored glasses. I'm not saying we cannot have a successful season without fixing those weaknesses, but i'd sure like our chances alot better if they did.

without giving up more prospects or draft picks, we can sign:

- J.Encarnacion [or Wilson] (to start in RF);
- Nomah (can move to 2b)
- T.Jones (setup RP/spot closer); and
- Washburn (LSP)
- M.Myers (LOOGY)
- Fick (LH backup at C/1b/Of)

THEN:
Trade Benson + Seo + V.Diaz or prospect(s) [not milledge] for a top-tier SPer (Zito)
They can also trade Matsui for anything, to get $$ relief.

Lineup:
Reyes
Beltran
Wright
Delgado
Floyd
Nomah
Encarnacion
LoDuca

Bench:
Castro
Nady
Valentin
Redman
Woodward
Fick

Rotation:
Pedro
Zito
Glavine
Trax
Washburn

Bullpen:
Wagner
T. Jones
Heilmann
M. Myers
Zambrano
+ _____ (Yates, Soler, etc)

They'd have a significantly higher payroll (even after moving Benson and Matsui, but significantly less than the other NY team, and not inconsistent with Boston's payroll.

Spend the money, Freddie! Bring it on home, baby! Don't come up a dollar short this year!

[Willets Point]

One could make a killer 1998 all-star team from that list. A lot of ex-Mets out there too.

[Elster88]

]without giving up more prospects, we can sign: - J.Encarnacion [or Wilson] (to start in RF); - Nomah (can move to 2b) - T.Jones (setup RP/spot closer); and - Washburn (LSP) - M.Myers (LOOGY) - Fick (LH backup at C/1b/Of)

Can we get Pujols too?

[Centerfield]

Ralph needs to quit his new position and come back and post more.

On Edit: You don't even need to sign Washburn...you could slot in Zambrano as the #5 starter.

[Vic Sage]

]Can we get Pujols too?

we could if he was a non-tendered FA!
Wouldn't you move Heaven and Earth to sign him?

[Vic Sage]

]On Edit: You don't even need to sign Washburn...you could slot in Zambrano as the #5 starter

why kill when you can overkill?
IT'S JUST FREDDIE'S MONEY!

[Guest Edgy DC]

]no, this is what happens when you look at your roster and evaluate strengths and weaknesses, without rose-colored glasses.

Putting aside my glasses, all rosters have strengths and weaknesses. Even the most powerful rosters ever have secondary strengths (like Tim Teufels) that initially appear to be weaknesses in light of the primary strenghths.

It's unwise to think you can solve every problem at once. Long-term foundations are undone that way --- not unlike the emporer who destroys his palace trying to root out the mice.

Now, as these are unprotected free-agents, they seemingly won't cost much besides money and PT, but that can be costly also.

The Mets were third in the league in ERA last year, without moving Heaven and Earth to get Javier Vazquez and LaTroy Hawkins.

[Guest Edgy DC]

By the way, there's a strong argument for just about each player on your list, I just don't want to fall for the notion that all problems can be solved from outside the organization.

[seawolf17]

And Todd Jones is now a Tiger, so there goes Vic's theory.

[Guest Rotblatt]

="Vic Sage"] - J.Encarnacion [or Wilson] (to start in RF); - Nomah (can move to 2b) - T.Jones (setup RP/spot closer); and - Washburn (LSP) - M.Myers (LOOGY) - Fick (LH backup at C/1b/Of)

How is Encarnacion an upgrade over Diaz/Nady? He had a nice 2005, but his career OPS+ is is 96, which is actually worse than Nady's 98. And Diaz probably has more potential than either of them.

Nomar would be an offensive upgrade, if healthy, but I kind of doubt he'd be any good defensively--I know that wouldn't bother you so long as he hit, but IMO, I'd rather have Grudzy at half the cost.

Signing Jones would be a mistake, IMO. He was pitching way over his head last year and I seriously doubt he'll be able to come anywhere near it and he almost certainly won't be worth whatever it'll take to sign him.

I like the Washburn & Myers ideas, but I think that Fick sucks.

]THEN: Trade Benson + Seo + V.Diaz or prospect(s) [not milledge] for a top-tier SPer (Zito) They can also trade Matsui for anything, to get $$ relief.

No way does that package land Zito or any other top-tier starter. Vazquez, probably, but he's not what I'd call top-tier.

And while I know Seo's still an enigma, he was only 11.6 runs worse than Zito in 2005, despite pitching in 21 fewer games (as measured by VORP).

Sure, he won't be as good in 06 as he was in 05, but even if he's half as good, he'd be a dynamite #3. I'd prefer to hang on to him and see what he can do for us.

Benson, Zambrano & Trachsel, however, are pretty much known quantities--I'd be much more comfortable trading one of them.

[Valadius]

Isn't today the potential Grudzy day?

[Elster88]

]They can also trade Matsui for anything, to get $$ relief.

Ah, the random trade-Matsui-for-a-bucket-of-balls idea. I have yet to see a single post explaining who would want Matsui unless the Mets eat the contract.

[Valadius]

I could see Seattle taking Matsui.

[seawolf17]

Why, because they have other Japanese players? Doubt it.

[Valadius]

Last I checked, they could use a second baseman or a shortstop.

[MFS62]

Jones just signed with Detroit.

Later

[Elster88]

Valadius wrote: Last I checked, they could use a second baseman or a shortstop.

A $7 million dollar guy with Matsui's numbers and inability to play shortstop is what they would go for?

You gave me the where, just not the why. No one wants Mastui. MASTUI SUCKS!!!