Free Agency Frenzy

With the season officially over and potential free agents starting to file before the free agency signing period begins on November 14, I thought now would be as good a time as any to make my fearless predictions on where I think the top free agents would end up in 2009. Note: the players listed below are those I feel are the top free agents.

1. C.C. Sabathia (Brewers) - Yankees. You could make the argument here that he will go to the highest bidder. However, he is not a client of super agent Scott Boras, so he might take less money ,if the dollars are in close proximity, to play on the west coast.
2. Mark Teixeira (Angels) - Angels. The Red Sox are planning on pursuing Teixeira, presumably to drive the price tag up on the Yankees, who could use his bat and glove at first base. In the end, I think Teixeira stays put in L.A. at about 7 years, $150MM.
3. Manny Ramirez (Dodgers) - Dodgers. If Boras and Manny are willing to "settle" at 3 years (maybe 4) at $25MM/per season, Manny ends up back in L.A. The Dodgers will have a lot of explaining to do to their fans if they don't get this done.
   
4. A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays) - Yankees. Logically, he'd be a great front-of-the-rotation pitcher for a number of teams, including the Dodgers. But Burnett is almost definitely staying on the east coast and the Yankees will throw the book at him. Other possible suitors: Mets, Orioles, Jays.
   
5. Francisco Rodriguez (Angels) - Rays. Tampa needs some consistency and depth at the back of their bullpen, and K-Rod has ties to manager Joe Maddon from their days together in Anaheim. Rays should be able to open up their checkbooks a little bit after the World Series run. Seems like a logical fit to me.
6. Derek Lowe (Dodgers) - Tigers. Lowe has made it be known he wants to be closer to his family again in Michigan. If the Red Sox find he's too pricey after his late season domination in L.A., look for him to go home to Detroit as the Tigers are in desperate need of starting pitching.
   
7. Adam Dunn (D'backs) - Mariners. Seattle has openings at first base and in left field, and have notoriously opened up their checkbooks to make a big splash in the free agent market. Dunn fits all of their needs for a middle of the order power hitter despite his knack for striking out. Dunn could also DH, as well.
8. Bobby Abreu (Yankees) - Yankees. This is an obvious choice. He loves it in New York, and New York seems to like him just as much. He's a consistent run producer hitting in front of A-Rod.
9. Rafael Furcal (Dodgers) - Dodgers. There's mutual interest here to get a deal done on keeping him in L.A. Furcal knows his back injury this past season lowers his value on the market, and he would likely accept a highly incentive-laden one-year deal with a second year vesting option. Just a matter of time before this one gets done.
10. Ryan Dempster (Cubs) - Cubs. Dempster would be a more logical pick for the Dodgers but he has a very good relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry, thus he probably stays put in Chicago.
11. Ben Sheets (Brewers) - Rangers. Sheets could go to any number of teams (Braves, Dodgers), but the Rangers have a more pressing need for starting pitching and Sheets could help solidfy that rotation, assuming he stays healthy.
    
12. Jason Giambi (Yankees) - Athletics. Giambi's past the point of commanding a long-term deal. That said, a reunion in Oakland makes sense. Look for the Yankees (if they can't find a viable replacement at first base) and Blue Jays to make a push for his services, as well.
13. Mike Mussina (Yankees) - Retire. Reports in recent days have said he is leaning towards retirement despite his comeback season in 2008. If he doesn't retire, he'll be back in pinstripes.
14. Orlando Hudson (D'backs) - Dodgers. There is a glaring need for the Dodgers at second with Jeff Kent's imminent retirement. Hudson also fits Joe Torre's type of player ("gritty") that helped him win four titles in New York. The move would also allow Blake DeWitt to return to third base, where Torre prefers him.
15. Brian Fuentes (Rockies) - Mets. Obvious marriage here. With Billy Wagner out for all of 2009, and over $10MM owed to him, the Mets will likely avoid K-Rod's high price tag and take the next best option. Fuentes would come cheaper and probably won't command a 5-year deal.
16. Pat Burrell (Phillies) - Phillies. He's supposedly already rejected a 2 year, $22MM deal, and rightfully so. Burrell could command 4 or 5 years from any A.L. team in need of a DH, and Tampa or Toronto would be logical fits. He doesn't want to DH though, and wants to stay in Philadelphia, and they want him to stay, so look for something to get done here. If Phils can't get it done, look for him to land in San Francisco.
    
17. Orlando Cabrera (White Sox) - Blue Jays. A nice upgrade over John MacDonald. A proven veteran who has a knack for finding his way onto playoff contenders. Other possibilities: Twins, Tigers, Cardinals.
18. Kerry Wood (Cubs) - Cubs. Same situation as Ryan Dempster. Has a great relationship with Hendry. Losing him could significantly weaken the Cubs pen as Carlos Marmol is a step down from Wood in the closer's role.
19. Milton Bradley (Rangers) - Blue Jays. Toronto would be his fourth team run by a "Moneyball" GM. J.P. Ricciardi comes from the Billy Beane school of GMs, and loves these type of players. Bradley would DH for the Jays.
20. Andy Pettitte (Yankees) - Yankees. He's in the same boat as Mussina. If he doesn't return, he'll retire.
21. Jamie Moyer (Phillies) - Phillies. At 45 years old, still capable of being a back-of-the-rotation guy. A hometown hero with a World Series win, a return makes sense.
22. Oliver Perez (Mets) - Dodgers. This is a tough pick to make as Perez isn't the top-of-the-rotation guy they need. However, he would help the Dodgers and provide stability in the rotation. His dramatic improvements under Rick Petersen's tutelage makes him an solid addition.
    
23. Raul Ibanez (Mariners) - Mets. A perfect match for the Mets and Ibanez. Mets have a need at one corner outfield spot and Ibanez, despite getting up there in age, could provide some corner outfield stability offensively and defensively.
24. Casey Blake (Dodgers) - Indians. A reunion is inevitable at this point. Dodgers would prefer to get a little younger here, and Blake has shown his likeness to playing in Cleveland.
25. Joe Crede (White Sox) - Rangers. With Hank Blalock a free agent (but likely to return to play first base), the Rangers are in need of a third baseman. Assuming his back is sound, Crede would fit in nicely in the middle of the Rangers potent lineup, and provide stability defensively. Other possible suitors: Dodgers.
    
26. Juan Rivera (Angels) - Cubs. The Cubs were not happy with Kosuke Fukudome's production last season, so much so, Lou Piniella benched him in the final two games of the NLDS against the Dodgers. Rivera brings some veteran stability to the outfield and should help both offensively and defensively.
    
27. Felipe Lopez (Cardinals) - Astros. Lopez had a solid stint with the Cards, and the Astros have a need at second base. The only catch is he's a Scott Boras client. Other possible destinations could be the D'backs, Dodgers and Orioles.
28. Trevor Hoffman (Padres) - Padres. A no-brainer.
29. Randy Johnson (D'backs) - Angels. A clear upgrade over Jon Garland, even at his age.
30. Garrett Anderson (Angels) - Giants. The growing sentiment is the Angels will try to re-sign him for less money, and Anderson could conceivably take whatever they offer. But the Giants would be a more ideal fit as they're looking to add a veteran left-handed bat out of the bargain bin in the middle of their lineup to pair up with Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand.