Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
1. LAD LF Manny Ramirez 37 HR – 121 RBI .332AVG
Interested: LAD, NYY, SF, WAS TOR, BAL, NYM
For the Short term there is not a better hitter on the market than Manny Ramirez. At age 36 Ramirez is going to find it difficult to get the 4-5 year contract he wants. The Dodgers have currently made a 2 year offer worth 45 million. They are willing to go three years but it remains to be seen whether they will go four years.
Sleeper Team:Washington Nationals
2. MIL P C.C. Sabathia 17-10 2.70
Interested: NYY, LAD, NYM, LAA, SF, MIL, BOS
The Yankees are expected to make a 6-7 year offer worth $150 million. No one will match that. Sabathia expected to garner significant interest from the Dodgers and Angels.
Sleeper Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Latest: Reports indicate there is pressure from the Union for Sabathia to accept the Yankees offer. Dodgers, Giants, remain in hot pursuit of Sabathia. Brewers still in the mix
3. LAA 1B Mark Teixeira 33 HR – 121RBI – .308
Interested: BAL, NYY, BOS, LAA, WAS
The Angels are expected to wait for the market to set before making an offical offer to Teixeira. The Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox will be heavily involved.
Sleeper Team: Washington Nationals
Latest 11/18/08: Orioles have begun their pursuit of Teixeira. Nationals also expected to make major offer.
4. TOR P A.J. Burnett 18-10 4.07
Interested: BAL, TOR, ATL, CHI, PHI, NYY, BOS
It could be an AL East battle for Burnett.The Yankees will be in strong pursuit of Burnett along with the Red sox, Blue Jays and Orioles.
Sleeper team: Baltimore Orioles
Latest: 11/18/08 NY Post reports the Yankees could make an offer in the range of $80 million over 5 years. Blue Jays currently have a 4 yr – $54 million offer on the table
5. LAD, SS Rafael Furcal 5 HR – 16 RBI -.357avg
Interested: LAD, CLE, MIN, OAK, KC, ATL, CHI, Det, TOR
The top shortstop on the market. The Braves will be in strong pursuit.
Sleeper Team: Cleveland Indians
Latest: 11/18/08 The Oakland A’s are the clubhouse leader
6. CHC P Ryan Dempster 17-6 2.96
Interested: CHC, ATL, HOU, NYM, TEX, NYY
The Cubs want Dempster back but if they acquire Jake Peavy, it is unlikely that they will re-sign Dempster. Atlanta, Houston and the two New York teams may be interested
Sleeper team: Houston
Latest: 11/18/08: Dempster has re-signed with the Cubs
7. ARI OF Adam Dunn 40 HR – 100 RBI -.236avg
Interested: WAS, BAL, NYY
An impact hitter that has his positives and negatives.
Sleeper team: Washington Nationals
8. LAD P Derek Lowe 14-11 3.24
Interested: BOS, NYY, DET, NYM, LAD, ATL, CHI
At age 36 he may only have a few good seasons left in him. Lowe has been rumored to be very interested in returning to Boston. The Yankees and Cubs may have something to say about that. Keep an eye on the Tigers
Sleeper team: Detroit Tigers
9. NYM P Oliver Perez 10-7 4.22
Interested: TEX, NYM, NYY, MIL, SF, DET, CLE,
Perez will receive his pay day and some believe could command up to $12 million per season. The Mets are interested in bringing him back
Sleeper team: San Francisco Giants
10. PHI LF Pat Burrell 33 HR 86 RBI .250avg
Interested: NYM, ATL, PHI, TOR, CIN, TB, WAS, BAL, STL, S.F.
The Phillies are only interested in a short term deal. There will be plenty of interest.
Sleeper team: St.Louis Cardinals
Latest: 11/18/08 The Phillies are preparing to make a offer to Burrell
11. TEX OF Milton Bradley 22 HR – 77 RBI .321avg
Interested: TEX, TOR, WAS, CIN, CLE, ATL, KC
Very talented player but does have some baggage. Just like Burrell, Bradley will receive plenty of interest but only on a short term deal
Sleeper team: Toronto Blue Jays
Latest: 11/18/08 The Blue Jays are the favorite to land Bradley
12. CHI P Kerry Wood 5-4 3.26 34SV
Interested: TEX, DET, LAA, DET NYM
Re-signing with the Cubs has been ruled out. Wood will draw interest from the Angels and Mets. Keep an eye on Wood’s hometown team the Texas Rangers
Sleeper Team: Texas Rangers
13. NYY Bobby Abreu 20 HR-100 RBI .296avg
Interested: NYY, KC, ATL, TB CHC, CIN, ARI, NYM
Abreu will garner significant interest. The Cubs and Mets are very interested but may be unwilling to go 3 years. Small market teams including the Rays, Royals, and Reds could make a pitch for Abreu. Yankees are on the outside for now as they explore other options.
Sleeper team: Tampa Bay Rays
14. ARI 2B Orlando Hudson 8HR – 41 RBI .305avg
Interested: NYM, ARI, CHC, CHW, CLE, LAA, STL, NYY?
The top second baseman on the market. The Yankees could become a possibility if they trade Robinson Cano.
Sleeper team: Cleveland Indians
15. LAA CL Francisco Rodriguez 2-3 2.24 62SV
Interested: NYM, LAA, STL
The market is not clear for the 2008 saves leader. The Mets are going to be among the strongest suitors. Rodriguez is believed to be seeking a 5 year deal. Very unlikely. I still think he ends up back with the Angels if the Mets are able to sign their top target Brian Fuentes.
Sleeper team: St. Louis Cardinals
Latest: 11/18/08 Jon Heyman of CNNSI reports the Mets have targeted K-Rod as their top priority.
