2006 MLB Free Agents

[MotownWebGuy]

2006 MLB Free Agents

Based only on players currently under a contract through the 2005 season. club option for 2006 (x); mutual option for 2006 (m); player option for 2006 (y).

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Paul Byrd, rhp; Bengie Molina, c; Tim Salmon, of

Baltimore Orioles Chris Gomez, ss; Steve Reed,rhp (m); B.J. Ryan, lhp; Sammy Sosa, of (x); B.J. Surhoff, of

Boston Red Sox Johnny Damon, of; Alan Embree, lhp; John Halama, lhp (m); Matt Mantei, rhp; Kevin Millar, 1b; Bill Mueller, 3b; Jay Payton, of; Mike Timlin, rhp; Tim Wakefield, rhp

Chicago White Sox Carl Everett, of; Paul Konerko, 1b; Cliff Politte, rhp (x); Frank Thomas, dh

Cleveland Indians Jose Hernandez, 2b; Kevin Millwood, rhp; Bob Wickman, rhp

Detroit Tigers Kyle Farnsworth, rhp; Bobby Higginson, of; Jason Johnson, rhp; Ramon Martinez, 2b; Fernando Vina, 2b; Jamie Walker, rhp (x); Rondell White, of; Dmitri Young, 1b;

Kansas City Royals Brian Anderson, lhp; Tony Graffanino, ss; Jose Lima, rhp; Eli Marrero, of; Matt Stairs, of; Scott Sullivan, rhp (x)

Minnesota Twins Bret Boone, 2b; Joe Mays, rhp

New York Yankees Kevin Brown, rhp; John Flaherty, c; Tom Gordon, rhp; Steve Karsay, rhp (x); Tino Martinez, 1b (x); Felix Rodriguez, rhp; Rey Sanchez, 2b; Ruben Sierra, of; Mike Stanton, lhp; Bernie Williams, of; Al Leiter, lhp

Oakland Athletics Octavio Dotel, rhp; Erubiel Durazo, 1b; Scott Hatteberg, 1b (x); Mark Kotsay, of (x); Ricardo Rincon, lhp

Seattle Mariners Shigetoshi Hasegawa, rhp; Jamie Moyer, lhp; Pokey Reese, 2b (x); Dan Wilson, c; Randy Winn, of

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Charles Johnson, c; Alex Gonzalez, ss; Travis Lee, 1b; Eduardo Perez, 1b

Texas Rangers Sandy Alomar Jr, c; Pedro Astacio, rhp; Doug Brocail, rhp; Richard Hidalgo, of; Kenny Rogers, lhp

Toronto Blue Jays Gregg Zaun, c (x)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Arizona Diamondbacks Royce Clayton, ss; Jose Cruz Jr, of; Matt Herges, rhp; Shawn Estes, lhp; Kerry Ligtenberg, rhp

Atlanta Braves Julio Franco, 1b; Rafael Furcal, ss; Brian Jordan, of; Tom Martin, lhp; Raul Mondesi, of; Eddie Perez, c; John Thomson, rhp (x); Gabe White, lhp

Chicago Cubs Jeromy Burnitz (m), of; Ryan Dempster, rhp; Nomar Garciaparra, ss; Todd Hollandsworth, of; Neifi Perez, ss; Mike Remlinger, lhp; y-Glendon Rusch, lhp (y); Todd Walker, 2b (x)

Cincinnati Reds Danny Graves, rhp (m); Jason LaRue, c; Ramon Ortiz, rhp; Joe Randa, 3b; David Weathers, rhp (x)

Colorado Rockies Desi Relaford, 2b

Florida Marlins Antonio Alfonseca, rhp (x); A.J. Burnett, rhp; Jeff Conine, of; Damion Easley, 2b; Todd Jones, rhp; Jim Mecir, rhp; Guillermo Mota, rhp; Ismael Valdez, rhp

Houston Astros Brad Ausmus, c; Craig Biggio, of; Roger Clemens, rhp; John Franco, lhp; Orlando Palmeiro, of; Jose Vizcaino, ss

Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles Paul Bako, c; Elmer Dessens, rhp (m); Darren Dreifort, rhp; Jose Valentin, 3b; Jeff Weaver, rhp

Milwaukee Brewers Ricky Bottalico, rhp; Wes Helms, 1b; Carlos Lee, of (x)

New York Mets Miguel Cairo, 2b; Mike DeJean, rhp; Tom Glavine, lhp (x); Felix Heredia, lhp (x); Braden Looper, rhp (x); Joe McEwing, of; Doug Mientkiewicz, 1b (x); Mike Piazza, c; Steve Trachsel, rhp (x)

Philadelphia Phillies Terry Adams, rhp; Mike Lieberthal, c (x); Kenny Lofton, of; Tomas Perez, ss; Vicente Padilla, rhp; Todd Pratt, c; Ugueth Urbina, rhp; Billy Wagner, lhp; Tim Worrell, rhp.

Pittsburgh Pirates Jose Mesa, rhp (x); Mark Redman, lhp (m); Benito Santiago, c.

St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carpenter, rhp; Roger Cedeno, of; Einar Diaz, c; Cal Eldred, rhp; Mark Grudzielanek, 2b; John Mabry, of; Matt Morris, rhp; Mark Mulder, lhp (x); Al Reyes, rhp; Reggie Sanders, of; Jeff Suppan, rhp (x); Julian Tavarez, rhp; Larry Walker, of.

San Diego Padres Geoff Blum, 3b; Jeff Cirillo, 3b (x); Brian Giles, of; Chris Hammond, lhp; Ramon Hernandez, c; Trevor Hoffman, rhp; Terrence Long, of; Mark Loretta, 2b (x); Paul Quantrill, rhp; Dennys Reyes, lhp; Dave Roberts, of; Rudy Seanez, rhp; Mark Sweeney, of; Woody Williams, rhp (x); Eric Young, of (x)

San Francisco Giants Moises Alou, of (y); Jason Christiansen, lhp (x); Deivi Cruz, ss; Ray Durham, 2b (y); Scott Eyre, lhp; Marquis Grissom, of; Latroy Hawkins (x), rhp; Kirk Rueter, lhp; Jason Schmidt, rhp (x); J.T. Snow, of; Brett Tomko, rhp; Michael Tucker, of.

Washington Nationals Preston Wilson, of; Wil Cordero, of; Jose Guillen, of (x); Esteban Loaiza, rhp; Antonio Osuna, rhp.

[JonBenke]

Very, very weak -- this will be an off season of trade, not free agency.

NO EXCUSES, no ___________(insert name) won't come here, Dombrowski needs to do his thing, getting this team the players it needs.


MotownWebGuy; of the two avatars you use, this one is really lame, and not at all screaming; don't mess with me, like your other one.



Just an opinion...

[tigersfan25]

I like MWG's new avatar... that smiley is badass...

[tigermojo]

Feel free to use my angry guy in a bunny suit avatar.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Carpenter and Mulder would be interesting....

[Edman85]

I really think it's better to search the waiver wire, minor league free agents, and rule 5 draft, but that's just me.

[dreg2003]

Originally posted by MotownWebGuy
2006 MLB Free Agents


Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles Paul Bako, c; Elmer Dessens, rhp (m); Darren Dreifort, rhp; Jose Valentin, 3b; Jeff Weaver, rhp

(x); Esteban Loaiza, rhp; Antonio Osuna, rhp.

How sweet would it be to get Weaver back, in addition to some of the other young guys the tigers will bring up, that would be a deadly rotation.

[tigersfan25]

Weaver won't be coming back... him and DD don't see eye-to-eye on some things.

[Big Toe]

I know we're trying to get younger and all, but Brian Giles is more or less a perfect fit for this team and its weaknesses. Career .412 OBP and lots of power from the left side. He's also playing in one of the few places that would make him relish the move to our park.

[Edman85]

I've been a big proponent of Brian Giles as anybody the last several years. The main problem with him is that he's 34 years old. If we look at all the guys at his age that people have suggested we sign the past two years, a lot of them have straight up declined like guys this age do (Finley, Aurillia, Visquel, Hentgen...) I'd bet Granderson has a better year than Giles next year.

Signing guys above 30 to multi year deals is not a good idea, which is why we should focus on the cheap talent. It's just a shame that we don't know until November who is Rule 5 Eligible, or Minor League Free Agent eligible.

[estrepe1]

Originally posted by Edman85
I really think it's better to search the waiver wire, minor league free agents, and rule 5 draft, but that's just me.

Especially this season. Not too much there.

At most I would offer Giles 2 seasons and he is one of the best hitters available so he will draw a BIG deal.

[Edman85]

Larry Walker might not be bad on a one year deal...

[estrepe1]

Larry said he is going to retire I thought.

[Tiger Optimist]

Originally posted by Edman85
I'd bet Granderson has a better year than Giles next year.

I'll take some of that action.

[Casimir]

Yuck! Talk about slim pickins....

I wouldn't mind Bill Mueller @ 2 years for lower-in-the-lineup production.

Mark Kotsay would've solved the CF issue nicely, but he's resigned.

I wished for Rafael Furcal earlier, but have the feeling he's going to be overpaid for the produciton he'll bring.

Todd Walker? This would probably require a shift of Polanco to 3B, and his defense ain't exaclty stellar. I might have to think about this a little longer.

Egads what a horrid FA class!

[estrepe1]

Matt Stairs is interesting. He would be a patient left handed bat to pick up on a 1 year deal and place at DH.

[jdg995]

Originally posted by Edman85
I really think it's better to search the waiver wire, minor league free agents, and rule 5 draft, but that's just me.

In general, I agree. It's a much lower risk route to take. But everyone, Ilitch included, seems too impatient for that. And maybe they're right -- we have plenty middle-of-the-road talent, players that would be excellent role players on good teams. Stars are hard to come by, though, and if you can get some who are healthy and young, it's tough to pass up.

[Big Toe]

Originally posted by Edman85
I've been a big proponent of Brian Giles as anybody the last several years. The main problem with him is that he's 34 years old. If we look at all the guys at his age that people have suggested we sign the past two years, a lot of them have straight up declined like guys this age do (Finley, Aurillia, Visquel, Hentgen...) I'd bet Granderson has a better year than Giles next year.

Those guys you list don't exactly support your argument. Finley was effectively in his prime from 34-38. From 35-37 Vizquel was better than his career averages. Hentgen's a pitcher so he doesn't really count.

Still, the point remains that signing old guys to long term deals isn't always a good idea. It all depends on what Giles wants. If he'll take a three year deal, go for it. His OBP is up above .400 again this year and his offensive numbers are very good despite PetCo. I don't think he'll get any takers for a five year deal or anything along those lines, and he really does fit our weaknesses well. (Of course, we can only do this if we're not planning on blowing up as much of the team as we can and starting over. With Magglio, Pudge and Dmitri not going anywhere, I'm guessing we won't.)

As for Granderson having a better year next year...I think you'd probably have 99.5% of the board lining up to take that bet. :)

[TigersMeow79]

That is a pretty bad free agent class. A few names that look interesting and could help are.

BJ Ryan-Lots of teams will be after him though, he would help solve the bullpen problem.

Jason LaRue if a deal could ever be worked out and he and Pudge could split time. Doubt LaRue would do that though.

Wes Helms- Could be a nice utility guy to spell Inge at 3B so he can do the super sub thing in the outfield.

Like I said that class is ugly.

[Edman85]

Okay, I'm endorsing Todd Pratt to be signed as the backup catcher.

[tigersfan25]

One intriguing name to me (that is not mentioned, despite his free agent status) is Sean Burroughs. Before you all pile on me, let me remind you that San Diego put such high expectations on him, if he had a change of scenery, and less pressure, he could live up to the potential. I think a 1 year deal on him would be low risk/high reward.

Along with Edman, I have also jumped on the Todd Pratt Bandwagon. Bill Mueller and Wes Helms would both be solid pickups, and of course BJ Ryan would be good as well (but I think thats wishful thinking).

[estrepe1]

Originally posted by Edman85
Okay, I'm endorsing Todd Pratt to be signed as the backup catcher.

That would be a good pickup.

[jdg995]

Originally posted by tigersfan25
One intriguing name to me (that is not mentioned, despite his free agent status) is Sean Burroughs.

He would be an interesting no-risk signing. I've read that he refuses to change his swing, even though coaches think he could actually learn to hit the ball with power. It would be an even better signing if we had some assurances that he would allow himself to be coached.

[tigersfan25]

Originally posted by jdg995
I've read that he refuses to change his swing, even though coaches think he could actually learn to hit the ball with power. It would be an even better signing if we had some assurances that he would allow himself to be coached.

I've read things along those lines as well. But one of these days, he's going to find out that changing his swing will be the difference between being a major leaguer and being a AAAA player.

He's intriguing, no less, with very little risk.

[ian_a]

Thoughts on NOMAH as a possibility at SS, shifting Guillen to 3B?

[estrepe1]

Originally posted by ian_a
Thoughts on NOMAH as a possibility at SS, shifting Guillen to 3B?

Then we might have a shot at the best team on the DL in the MLB.

[Tiger Optimist]

Originally posted by ian_a
Thoughts on NOMAH as a possibility at SS, shifting Guillen to 3B?

Just say NO,




not NOMAH.

I'd rather have Furcal

[Casimir]

Originally posted by tigersfan25
One intriguing name to me (that is not mentioned, despite his free agent status) is Sean Burroughs. Before you all pile on me, let me remind you that San Diego put such high expectations on him, if he had a change of scenery, and less pressure, he could live up to the potential. I think a 1 year deal on him would be low risk/high reward.

Please save me some room on that bandwagon if we can't get Bill Meuller.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

I think we'll need someone stronger than Mueller....

[darko31]

The best thing that could have happened for the Tigers at the trade deadline was for AJ Brunett not to be traded (short of them getting him for a song, of course).

Now the Tigs have a legitimate shot of signing him outright.

[hoosierdaddy]

Does anyone think Damon or Kotsay would come to Detroit?

[Microline133]

Originally posted by hoosierdaddy
Does anyone think Damon or Kotsay would come to Detroit?

Kotsay signed an extension with Oakland...he won't be a free agent.

[hoosierdaddy]

Ok thanks.

[Bonderman]

Originally posted by hoosierdaddy
Does anyone think Damon or Kotsay would come to Detroit?

and damon is on roids so we don't want him

[hoosierdaddy]

Originally posted by Bonderman
and damon is on roids so we don't want him

LOL is he? I don't know if he is. I don't think it's my place to judge professional athletes if they want to harm their bodies. Just win...that's what they're paid to do.

[budman]

FREE-FOR-ALL: If the Tigers decide to bid strongly for one or more free agents this off-season, they will have some intriguing choices. Here is a rundown of players due to hit the free agent market in November:


Starters: Florida's A. J. Burnett, the Angels' Jarrod Washburn, Texas' Kenny Rogers, Cleveland's Kevin Millwood.


Closers: Philadelphia's Billy Wagner, Florida's Todd Jones (the former Tiger), Baltimore's B. J. Ryan, San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, Cleveland's Bob Wickman.


Potential closers and other relief specialists: Atlanta's Farnsworth (his agent said he'd be interested in coming back), Cleveland's Bob Howry, San Francisco left-hander Scott Eyre.


Catchers (if you believe the Tigers might trade Ivan Rodriguez): the Angels' Bengie Molina, San Diego's Ramon Hernandez, Houston's Brad Ausmus (the ex-Tiger), the Mets' Mike Piazza.


Outfielders: Boston's Johnny Damon, the Yankees' Hideki Matsui, San Diego's Brian Giles, Washington's Preston Wilson, Florida's Juan Encarnacion (the ex-Tiger), Minnesota's Jacque Jones.

[tigersfan25]

Originally posted by budman
Atlanta's Farnsworth (his agent said he'd be interested in coming back),

Even though his agent said that, I can't see him leaving Atlanta. He's from Marietta, Georgia, and lives there, so it makes no sense from his end.

[spikesglaring]

Originally posted by Bonderman
and damon is on roids so we don't want him

Do you believe everything you read on the internet?

[Starflyer]

There is NO way that Damon is leaving Boston.

[spikesglaring]

Originally posted by Starflyer
There is NO way that Damon is leaving Boston.

From what I have read & heard (which you never know about), Boston is hesitant to give Damon the money he's going to demand. So it's very possible he could end up elsewhere.