Post by Brewers GM (Larry) on Jan 2, 2009 22:36:27 GMT -5
Yahoo! Sports
Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183. The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as to how free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses, Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on the other free agents.
1) CC Sabathia, SP: SIGNED Sabathia signed a $161 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees. Passan story
2) Mark Teixeira, 1B: SIGNED Switch-hitting, power-hitting, Gold Glove-winning, in-the-middle-of-his-prime, Scott Boras-represented first baseman signs an eight-year, $180 million deal with the Yankees, stunning the Red Sox, Nationals and Orioles. Edes Story
3) Manny Ramirez, OF: That $100 million he was telling his buddies in Boston about seems pretty far-fetched now unless the Yankees overpay.
4) A.J. Burnett, SP: SIGNED In severe spending mode, the Yankees gave Burnett a five-year, $82.5 million deal two days after signing CC Sabathia. Brown story
5) Francisco Rodriguez, RP: SIGNED Coming off a record 62 saves, K-Rod didn’t get the deal he sought, but the Mets stepped up with a three-year, $37 million contract with a vesting option for a fourth year at $14 million. Story
6) Rafael Furcal, SS: SIGNED After an ugly episode that prompted the Braves to vow never to deal with Furcal’s agent again, the shortstop returned to the Dodgers in a three-year, $30 million deal that includes a vesting option for 2012. Brown story
7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know you’re getting 40 home runs and 100 walks, and that’s worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive inefficiencies and strikeouts.
8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn’t made his full complement of starts since 2004. But if healthy, he’s better than Burnett and nearly Sabathia’s equivalent.
9) Orlando Hudson, 2B: A slight defensive drop-off isn’t a killer. Any time a second baseman can pick it well and post an .825 on-base-plus-slugging, he’s going to strike rich.
10) Derek Lowe, SP: The best pitcher in baseball over the season’s final six weeks has one number working against him: 35, his opening day age and risky territory for a long-term deal.
11) Pat Burrell, OF: May the winner of these sweepstakes receive first-half-‘08 Burrell (23 home runs, .979 OPS) instead of the second half (10 home runs, .725 OPS).
12) Ryan Dempster, SP: SIGNED Making the most of coming off a career year (17-6 record, 2.96 ERA), Dempster re-signed with the Cubs for four years and $52 million. Story
13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but the disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
14) Brian Fuentes, RP: SIGNED Reached agreement with the Angels on a two-year, $17.5 million deal, giving the AL West champions a replacement for record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez. Story
15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of ‘09: Is he the guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A bound the next?
16) Raul Ibanez, OF: SIGNED Late bloomer didn’t play full time until he was 30, and now, seven years later, he’s a .290-hitting, 20-homer, 100-RBI guy with character to match the numbers. Story
17) Kerry Wood, RP: SIGNED The Indians desperately needed a closer and gave Wood a two-year, $20 million deal after his 34-save season with the Cubs. Story
18) Milton Bradley, OF/DH: Should get the multiyear deal he covets, but no chance anyone goes four years for $40 million because of health concerns – physical and mental.
19) Brad Penny, SP: SIGNED The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million option because of a sore arm and a belligerent attitude, so the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal hoping that his arm problems are behind him. Story.
20) Edgar Renteria, SS: SIGNED Lost a step, certainly, though his offensive numbers should pick back up for the Giants, who signed him to a two-year, $18.5 million deal. Story
21) Jon Garland, SP: The archetype is-what-he-is pitcher – gives up lots of hits, strikes out no one but logs a guaranteed 200 decent innings.
22) Casey Blake, 1B/3B/OF: SIGNED Twins wouldn’t go three years, so the reliable Blake returned to the Dodgers on a three-year, $17.5 million deal with an option. Brown story
23) Juan Cruz, RP: This year’s version of gonna-try-to-make-him-a-closer. Certainly has the stuff, with an NL-best 12.4 strikeouts per nine.
24) Junichi Tazawa, SP: SIGNED The 22-year-old right-hander eschewed the Japanese major leagues and signed a $3.3 million, three-year deal with the Red Sox. Story
25) Joe Crede, 3B: A little high for someone with chronic back issues, but he’s only 30 and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense when healthy.
26) Orlando Cabrera, SS: Still good with the glove, but he simply can’t hit well. Only once in his 11 full seasons has his OPS been better than league average.
27) Mike Mussina, SP: RETIRED Moose calls it quits after an illustrious 18-year career that could land him in the Hall of Fame. Story
28) Andy Pettitte, SP: Might join his, uh, buddy Roger Clemens on a Texas golf course. Otherwise, Pettitte is a lock to return to the Yankees.
29) Randy Johnson, SP: SIGNED Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of 300), but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he struck out 91 in 98 1/3 innings. He stays in the NL West, this time with the Giants on a one-year, $8 million deal. Story
30) Koji Uehara, SP/RP: Offered $3 million a decade ago by the Angels, he turned it down and has dominated with the Yomiuri Giants as a starter and closer.
31) Jason Giambi, DH: After years as a bust, he could prove a power-hitting bargain to a team in need of a designated hitter.
32) Garret Anderson, OF: He still will hit .300 with 15 home runs, not take any walks and look like Grandpa Abe Simpson when he’s running.
33) Juan Rivera, OF: SIGNED The Angels re-signed the power-hitting left fielder to a three-year, $12.75 million deal even though his production has declined the last two years because of injury. Brown story
34) Randy Wolf, SP: Killer stretch for Houston (2.23 ERA in September) might have bought him a third year on a contract.
35) Ivan Rodriguez, C: The paucity of catchers increases his value significantly, because otherwise, teams would be more concerned with 18 years of major league squatting.
36) Jamie Moyer, SP: SIGNED Agreed to a two-year contract that keeps the left-hander with the Phillies. Story
37) Braden Looper, SP: Solid, if not overwhelming, and he can always shift back to the bullpen if need be.
38) Jason Varitek, C: Has value, but the intimation by Boras that an over-the-hill Varitek deserves Jorge Posada money (four years, $52.4 million) is ludicrous.
39) Mark Grudzielanek, 2B: High batting average and above-average fielding make up for Grudzielanek’s lack of power and patience.
40) Brian Shouse, RP: The good: .180 batting average and .486 OPS against, 28-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio against lefties. The bad: 1.27 ERA at Miller Park vs. 4.70 on the road.
41) Trevor Hoffman, RP: Should return for a farewell tour with the Padres– if they don’t completely gut the team and fill that tour with losses.
42) Rocco Baldelli, OF: Mitochondrial disease will prevent a team from throwing too long-term a deal at him, so he could be a steal.
43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. It’s just limited and needs to be at DH.
44) Jim Edmonds, OF: He looked cooked before a renaissance in Chicago. At 38, Edmonds won’t get anything more than an incentive-laden one-year deal.
45) Kenshin Kawakami, SP: Previously among the best pitchers in Japan, he lost some zip on his fastball and profiles as a No. 5 starter.
46) Greg Maddux, SP: RETIRED Maddux retired, which is a shame, because he remains a treat to watch. Story
47) Paul Byrd, SP: The pitcher equivalent to David Eckstein – and 26 spots higher than Eckstein because pitching scrappiness yields league-average performance.
48) Ray Durham, 2B: Can’t run much and is slow in the field, too, but high on-base percentage and doubles power make him a nice one-year fill-in.
49) Russ Springer, RP: Consecutive lockdown seasons out of the St. Louis bullpen are part of Springer’s late-career revival.
50) Joe Beimel, RP: Great ERA (2.02) is a bit misleading – 20 of 60 inherited runners scored.
51) John Smoltz, SP/RP: Labrum surgery could render this moot, as retirement beckons. Smoltz may have one more go at it, and four previous elbow surgeries haven’t stopped him.
52) Darren Oliver, RP: Even worse than Beimel with inherited runners (41 percent scored). Still, second-half ERA of 1.95 and nearly equal righty/lefty splits make him valuable.
53) Pedro Martinez, SP: Hasn’t looked like Pedro since 2005, and to be even a facsimile, he can’t walk nearly four batters per nine innings like he did in ‘08.
54) Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B: Ability to play three positions and hit home runs – well, from 2004-07, at least – makes him worth the risk.
55) Doug Brocail, RP: SIGNED The aging but effective right-hander returned to the Astros for one year at $2.75 million and a club option for 2010. Story
56) Damaso Marte, RP: SIGNED After declining Marte’s option, the Yankees signed the 33-year-old left-hander to a three-year, $12 million deal. Story
57) Jeff Kent, 2B: Probably best suited as a DH, and since he’s unlikely to accept such a role, he may opt to retire.
58) Chan Ho Park, RP: SIGNED He’s headed to the Phillies but whether as a starter or in relief has yet to be decided. Story
59) Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF: He doesn’t cover much ground in center field and doesn’t hit enough to play first regularly. Nonetheless, good-guy reputation will help him land a solid gig.
60) Eric Hinske, 1B/OF: Huge power and little else, even if he did steal 10 bases in ‘08.
61) Freddy Garcia, SP: Pitched well enough in his September return from surgery, and he should sign a one-year make-good deal to show himself off for one last big contract.
62) Jeremy Affeldt, RP: SIGNED The Giants filled a bullpen void by making the left-hander the first free agent to sign with a new team, giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. Story
63) Dennys Reyes, RP: Nearly unhittable against lefties (.537 OPS), too, but value drops because he’s mostly a one-out guy.
64) Nomar Garciaparra, UT: Another injury-filled season begs the question of whether the 35-year-old can return to two-years-ago form, let alone that of his prime.
65) Will Ohman, RP: Workhorse’s 83 games pitched ranked second in baseball in 2008.
66) Arthur Rhodes, RP: SIGNED The Reds boosted their bullpen by agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with the left-hander. Story
67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in 2008.
68) Brandon Lyon, RP: Lyon’s numbers through June 12 last season: 2-1, 1.29 ERA, 14 saves. After: 0-4, 8.01 ERA, no more closer’s job.
69) Eddie Guardado, RP: Still going strong at 38. Years old, not mph.
70) Tom Glavine, SP: Arm surgery is one thing. But elbow and shoulder? That’s tough for anyone, let alone a 43-year-old.
71) Kevin Millar, 1B: Pulled off the rare 20-homer, sub-.400 slugging percentage season, achieved this decade by such luminaries as Richie Sexson, Tony Batista and Uribe.
72) Kyle Farnsworth, RP: SIGNED Hard-throwing, underachieving right-hander signs a two-year deal with the Royals for $9.25 million. Story
73) David Eckstein, SS/2B: Shopping himself as a second baseman, so he can look like only a half-wimp on his throws to first base.
74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
75) Cliff Floyd, DH: Great in a 250-at-bat role. Anything more will expose him as old and slow.
76) Cesar Izturis, SS: SIGNED The Orioles filled a problematic position by signing the defensively gifted Izturis to a two-year deal. Story
77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements his personality.
78) Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS: SIGNED The Diamondbacks, apparently impressed by his strong September, signed Lopez to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to replace Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson. Story
79) Nick Punto, UT: SIGNED The high-energy guy who steals bases and plays stellar defense is staying in Minnesota after agreeing to a two-year contract worth $8.5 million. Story
80) Rich Aurilia, 1B: Great against left-handed pitching, Aurilia is pretty much mediocre everywhere else.
81) Omar Vizquel, SS: Remains in phenomenal shape, physically and with his glove. The issue: Vizquel hasn’t had a league-average OPS since 2002.
82) Kenny Rogers, SP: Decent option if he does decide to play. Second-half ERA (7.93) could scare teams away.
83) Moises Alou, OF: Even at 42, he can still rake. When healthy. Which, unfortunately, is never.
84) Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B/OF: After consecutive Mendoza-flirting seasons, hit .326, slugged .487 and stole 15 bases in 261 at-bats. Not a bad way to enter free agency.
85) Ramon Vazquez UT: SIGNED The Pirates are hoping he can keep his hot hitting going after batting a career-high .290 last season for Texas, agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with Vazquez. Story
86) Trever Miller, RP: Good lefty one-out guy who gets into deep trouble when managers try to keep him in against righties.
87) Mike Hampton, SP: SIGNED Injury-plagued left-hander coming off a $121-million deal gets $2 million plus another $2 million in incentives over one year from the Astros. Story
88) Odalis Perez, SP: The truest sign of how bad Washington was in ‘08: Perez started on opening day.
89) Frank Thomas, DH: No need to Willie Mays it anymore.
90) Gabe Kapler, OF: Took off 2007 to manage, returned and hit .301 with an .838 OPS. Could be a fourth outfielder anywhere.
91) Russell Branyan, 3B: SIGNED Almost always starts the year in the minors, only to get recalled and crank home runs. Hit 12 in 132 at-bats for Milwaukee, and wasn’t half bad on defense, either. He’s off to the Pacific Northwest, signing a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Mariners. Story
92) David Ross, C: SIGNED Lots of raw power (38 home runs between ‘06 and ‘07) disappeared in ‘08. He did show improved plate discipline, though, and could be a sleeper signing for the Braves, who got him for two years at $3 million. Story
93) Emil Brown, OF: Nice counting stats (13 home runs, 59 RBIs) belie his terrible on-base percentage, bad baserunning instincts and laughable defense.
94) Mark Loretta, UT: SIGNED The Dodgers brought back the Pasadena-raised Loretta as a utility infielder, shutting the door on re-signing Nomar Garciaparra. Story
95) Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF: Hit 30 home runs and walked 100 times only four years ago, so someone is bound to take a flyer.
96) Aaron Boone, UT: SIGNED Boone signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Astros and will compete for the third-base job and backup Lance Berkman at first. Story
97) Chad Cordero, RP: Former NL saves leader could miss all of 2009 recovering from a labrum tear. Would likely sign an incentive-loaded multiyear deal.
98) Luis Ayala, RP: Mercifully will not close wherever he lands.
99) Alan Embree, RP: SIGNED After the A’s declined its $3 million option on him, he agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2010 with the Rockies. Story
100) Curt Schilling, SP: Oh, what the hell.
101) Rudy Seanez, RP: As this so dutifully points out, Seanez is two years from being a four-decade pitcher.
102) Damion Easley, UT: He can play every position but catcher. Biggest issue at 39 is his speed: grounded into 15 double plays in 316 at-bats.
103) John Parrish, RP: The rare left-handed reliever who’s better against right-handed hitters. A nice one-year option for a team that needs to plug a lefty hole.
104) Gregg Zaun, C: Zaun used to play every day, and wasn’t half bad. But 37-year-old catchers don’t get many opportunities to start.
105) Guillermo Mota, RP: The only older players who aren’t casualties of teams’ sprint toward youth are relief pitchers, and the 35-year-old should have a few suitors.
106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
107) Mike Lamb, 1B/3B: SIGNED The Brewers signed the veteran corner utility infielder to a one-year, $1 million deal. Story
108) Luis Gonzalez, OF: This year’s best candidate for 40-something to get squeezed by youth movement.
109) Craig Counsell, UT: Is he Punch or Judy?
110) Tony Clark, 1B: Good guy struggled last year, first in San Diego, then Arizona. If he wants to play, he’ll end up somewhere.
111) Keith Foulke, RP: Rather good in his return from retirement, particularly in short stints. His ERA through 15 pitches was 2.14, and after was 8.68.
112) Jason Isringhausen, RP: Not close to the Izzy of old after hip surgery.
113) Eric Gagne, RP: Not close to the Gagne of old after he stopped pumping himself full of performance-enhancing drugs.
114) Daryle Ward, 1B/OF: After two standout pinch-hitting seasons, regressed to a .216 average last year.
115) Jacque Jones, OF: Plans a comeback after taking almost all of last season off, and with the ability to play all three outfield positions, should get a shot somewhere.
116) Sidney Ponson, SP: For being on his 115th chance.
117) Richie Sexson, 1B: From consistent 30-homer masher to … below Sidney Ponson. Oy.
118) Carl Pavano, SP: Hehe.
119) Bob Howry, RP: SIGNED The Giants bolster their bullpen, signing the 35-year old to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. Story
120) Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Showed tremendous plate discipline with 44 walks to 28 strikeouts, even if all his power is sapped.
121) Jorge Julio, RP: SIGNED Reinvigorated himself during September in Atlanta, finishing with 11 1/3 scoreless innings and 17 strikeouts. Lands in Milwaukee, for a one-year deal. Story
122) Ben Broussard, 1B: Another whatever-happened-to-him case. He went from a consistent 15-homer, 60-RBI guy to nothing overnight.
123) Alex Cora, UT: Good for a walk and has decent range in the field – though to think, some were clamoring for him over Dustin Pedroia in May ‘07.
124) Jason Michaels, OF: SIGNED The 32-year-old agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Astros. Story
125) Julian Tavarez, RP: Hey, he’s always up for throwing at batters, if nothing else.
126) Jay Payton, OF: Sub-.300 OBP for consecutive seasons isn’t exactly a résumé booster.
127) Adam Everett, SS: SIGNED The Tigers believe he can improve their defense and signed him to a one-year contract worth about $1 million. Story
128) Casey Fossum, RP: He could be an effective lefty specialist (.674 OPS vs. .920 against righties)
129) Mark Hendrickson, SP/RP: SIGNED Hendrickson signed a one-year deal with the pitching-depleted O’s. Story
130) Michael Barrett, C: He hasn’t been the same since Carlos Zambrano whaled on him in the clubhouse.
131) Jon Lieber, SP/RP: Is there another season left in the arm? He turns 39 right before opening day.
132) Orlando Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he’d still throw the same stuff he does now at 43. He’ll get a look somewhere if he wants it.
133) Livan Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he might have a difficult time fitting through the doorway. As is, he’s not very good at 33.
134) Mike Lincoln, RP: SIGNED Workmanlike return to the major leagues after a four-year absence buys him another shot, this time with the Reds for a two-year stint. Story
135) Greg Norton, UT: SIGNED He can hit right-handers well (.841 OPS last year, .792 career), and that’s the reason the Braves re-signed him for one year at $800,000. Story
136) Alex Cintron, UT: Never developed into an everyday guy, but Cintron is serviceable in a utility role.
137) Matt Herges, RP: He returned to form after a career year in 2007, allowing 79 hits in 64 1/3 innings.
138) Chris Gomez, UT: The consummate journeyman, Gomez is looking for his ninth team after cracking 1,500 career games last season.
139) Ron Villone, RP: Truly an anomaly: survived Joe Torre and lived to tell about it without a scar on his pitching arm.
140) Mark Sweeney, 1B/OF: Sweeney lost his pinch-hitting touch last year, going 12 for 78 with only three extra-base hits, all doubles.
141) Ramon Martinez, UT: Three more seasons and he’ll actually have had as long of a career as the good Ramon Martinez.
142) Mike Timlin, RP: Wait. He’s really not Bob Howry’s twin?
143) Josh Fogg, SP: Penance for accepting the nickname "The Dragon Slayer" is a 7.58 ERA the next season.
144) Horacio Ramirez, RP: SIGNED The 29-year-old lefty’s headed to Kansas City after agreeing to a $1.8 million, one-year contract. Story
145) Bartolo Colon, SP: Ate himself into oblivion. A sad story, actually.
146) Mark Mulder, SP: Also a sad story: The victim of injuries has thrown only 17 1/3 innings since June 20, 2006. He probably will end up with a minor-league deal.
147) Jason Jennings, SP: Flexor-tendon surgery in consecutive years is the stuff of which minor-league contracts are made.
148) Tom Gordon, RP: Flash missed most of the season with elbow surgery, and at 41 later this month could be a long shot to play again.
149) Paul Lo Duca, C: It’s bad when you’re below a bunch of guys recovering from injuries.
150) Kevin Mench, OF: SIGNED Mench reached agreement on a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League.
151) Jamey Wright, SP/RP: Another candidate for Japan, unless he wants to do the whole stay-in-the-minors-waiting-for-an-injury thing again.
152) Corey Patterson, OF: SIGNED The Nationals, already flush with mediocre outfielders, signed the fleet but feeble-hitting Patterson to a one-year, $800,000 minor-league contract. Story
153) Marcus Giles, 2B: From MVP votes three years ago to unemployed last season, he’ll try to make it back once again.
154) Glendon Rusch, RP: SIGNED The Rockies signed the soft-tossing left-hander to a one-year, $750,000 minor-league deal to be a spot starter and long reliever.
155) Kip Wells, SP/RP: So promising once, he hasn’t finished with an ERA under 5.00 since 2004.
156) Juan Rincon, RP: Used to be a great setup man. Used to take steroids. Any correlation?
157) Jose Vidro, 1B/DH: Coming off the third-worst DH season of all time for players with at least 300 at-bats, his .612 OPS was unfathomably bad.
158) Willie Bloomquist, UT: Part of an illustrious group that includes Manny Alexander, Mark Lemke, Freddie Patek and others to have somehow received 1,200 career at-bats with a slugging percentage of .324.
159) Miguel Cairo, UT: Seattle gave Cairo, Bloomquist and Vidro nearly 700 at-bats combined last season. Is it any wonder the Mariners lost 100 games?
160) Pablo Ozuna, UT: Only five players in history have had as many at-bats as Ozuna (677) and drawn fewer walks than his 23. So why, again, is Tony Pena Jr. (18 in 778) a major leaguer?
161) Scott Podsednik, OF: Gone is his speed on the basepaths and range in center field. Which renders him … a minor leaguer.
162) Brendan Donnelly, RP: Gave up as many earned runs (13) last season in 13 2/3 innings as he did over 74 innings in his 2003 All-Star season.
163) Henry Blanco, C: And the annual run on backup catchers begins.
164) Toby Hall, C: He is better known in the White Sox clubhouse for his facial hair than his talent.
165) Paul Bako, C: Rather Dunnian – perhaps even Howardian – in his strikeout prowess: 90 in 299 at-bats.
166) Javier Valentin, C: Actually isn’t half-bad.
167) Gary Bennett, C: Actually is.
168) Adam Melhuse, C: He holds the lowest batting average among available catchers at .167. A mark of honor in these quarters.
169) Luis Rivas, 2B/SS: One of the rare cases of Minnesota rushing a player, Rivas never recovered from early failures and is little more than a bounce-around guy.
170) Tony Armas Jr., SP: For all of his talent and hype, Armas is one of the great disappointments of the past decade.
171) Rob Mackowiak, UT: The Odalis Perez corollary: Couldn’t even cut it with the Nationals.
172) Trot Nixon, OF: Those who leave Boston tend to hit quite rapid descents, huh?
173) Kent Mercker, RP: Drink that Goose in peace, kind sir.
174) Matt Wise, RP: Wise missed almost the whole season with a shoulder problem, and already has had two surgeries on his right arm.
175) Jason Johnson, RP: Eleven big-league seasons. What’s the lesson? Sometimes it pays to be just a warm body.
176) Ricardo Rincon, RP: And its cosmic counterpart: left-handed, has pulse.
177) Sal Fasano, C: Hey, Joe, you’re passé. This country needs Sal the Plumber.
178) Juan Encarnacion, OF: The saddest case of all: Freak injury – struck by a batted ball while in the on-deck circle – will, in all likelihood, end his career.
179) Chad Moeller, C: Here’s to franchise No. 7 being the lucky one.
180) Juan Castro, UT: How is he not nicknamed the Twinkie? Castro has inexplicably survived for 14 major-league seasons despite a .579 career OPS.
181) Elmer Dessens, RP: He finished fifth-worst in last season’s rankings. Moving down in the world.
182) Chad Fox, RP: SIGNED Fox, who has pitched a grand total of 22 innings in the majors since 2004, signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on MLB’s official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons. Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go out.
Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183. The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as to how free agency shakes out between now and spring training.
Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses, Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on the other free agents.
1) CC Sabathia, SP: SIGNED Sabathia signed a $161 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees. Passan story
2) Mark Teixeira, 1B: SIGNED Switch-hitting, power-hitting, Gold Glove-winning, in-the-middle-of-his-prime, Scott Boras-represented first baseman signs an eight-year, $180 million deal with the Yankees, stunning the Red Sox, Nationals and Orioles. Edes Story
3) Manny Ramirez, OF: That $100 million he was telling his buddies in Boston about seems pretty far-fetched now unless the Yankees overpay.
4) A.J. Burnett, SP: SIGNED In severe spending mode, the Yankees gave Burnett a five-year, $82.5 million deal two days after signing CC Sabathia. Brown story
5) Francisco Rodriguez, RP: SIGNED Coming off a record 62 saves, K-Rod didn’t get the deal he sought, but the Mets stepped up with a three-year, $37 million contract with a vesting option for a fourth year at $14 million. Story
6) Rafael Furcal, SS: SIGNED After an ugly episode that prompted the Braves to vow never to deal with Furcal’s agent again, the shortstop returned to the Dodgers in a three-year, $30 million deal that includes a vesting option for 2012. Brown story
7) Adam Dunn, OF: You know you’re getting 40 home runs and 100 walks, and that’s worth about $14 million a year, regardless of the defensive inefficiencies and strikeouts.
8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn’t made his full complement of starts since 2004. But if healthy, he’s better than Burnett and nearly Sabathia’s equivalent.
9) Orlando Hudson, 2B: A slight defensive drop-off isn’t a killer. Any time a second baseman can pick it well and post an .825 on-base-plus-slugging, he’s going to strike rich.
10) Derek Lowe, SP: The best pitcher in baseball over the season’s final six weeks has one number working against him: 35, his opening day age and risky territory for a long-term deal.
11) Pat Burrell, OF: May the winner of these sweepstakes receive first-half-‘08 Burrell (23 home runs, .979 OPS) instead of the second half (10 home runs, .725 OPS).
12) Ryan Dempster, SP: SIGNED Making the most of coming off a career year (17-6 record, 2.96 ERA), Dempster re-signed with the Cubs for four years and $52 million. Story
13) Bobby Abreu, OF: Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, but the disappearing walk total last year is a little disconcerting.
14) Brian Fuentes, RP: SIGNED Reached agreement with the Angels on a two-year, $17.5 million deal, giving the AL West champions a replacement for record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez. Story
15) Oliver Perez, SP: The grand mystery of the Class of ‘09: Is he the guy who thoroughly dominates one start, or the one who looks Triple-A bound the next?
16) Raul Ibanez, OF: SIGNED Late bloomer didn’t play full time until he was 30, and now, seven years later, he’s a .290-hitting, 20-homer, 100-RBI guy with character to match the numbers. Story
17) Kerry Wood, RP: SIGNED The Indians desperately needed a closer and gave Wood a two-year, $20 million deal after his 34-save season with the Cubs. Story
18) Milton Bradley, OF/DH: Should get the multiyear deal he covets, but no chance anyone goes four years for $40 million because of health concerns – physical and mental.
19) Brad Penny, SP: SIGNED The Dodgers didn’t exercise a $9.25 million option because of a sore arm and a belligerent attitude, so the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal hoping that his arm problems are behind him. Story.
20) Edgar Renteria, SS: SIGNED Lost a step, certainly, though his offensive numbers should pick back up for the Giants, who signed him to a two-year, $18.5 million deal. Story
21) Jon Garland, SP: The archetype is-what-he-is pitcher – gives up lots of hits, strikes out no one but logs a guaranteed 200 decent innings.
22) Casey Blake, 1B/3B/OF: SIGNED Twins wouldn’t go three years, so the reliable Blake returned to the Dodgers on a three-year, $17.5 million deal with an option. Brown story
23) Juan Cruz, RP: This year’s version of gonna-try-to-make-him-a-closer. Certainly has the stuff, with an NL-best 12.4 strikeouts per nine.
24) Junichi Tazawa, SP: SIGNED The 22-year-old right-hander eschewed the Japanese major leagues and signed a $3.3 million, three-year deal with the Red Sox. Story
25) Joe Crede, 3B: A little high for someone with chronic back issues, but he’s only 30 and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense when healthy.
26) Orlando Cabrera, SS: Still good with the glove, but he simply can’t hit well. Only once in his 11 full seasons has his OPS been better than league average.
27) Mike Mussina, SP: RETIRED Moose calls it quits after an illustrious 18-year career that could land him in the Hall of Fame. Story
28) Andy Pettitte, SP: Might join his, uh, buddy Roger Clemens on a Texas golf course. Otherwise, Pettitte is a lock to return to the Yankees.
29) Randy Johnson, SP: SIGNED Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of 300), but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he struck out 91 in 98 1/3 innings. He stays in the NL West, this time with the Giants on a one-year, $8 million deal. Story
30) Koji Uehara, SP/RP: Offered $3 million a decade ago by the Angels, he turned it down and has dominated with the Yomiuri Giants as a starter and closer.
31) Jason Giambi, DH: After years as a bust, he could prove a power-hitting bargain to a team in need of a designated hitter.
32) Garret Anderson, OF: He still will hit .300 with 15 home runs, not take any walks and look like Grandpa Abe Simpson when he’s running.
33) Juan Rivera, OF: SIGNED The Angels re-signed the power-hitting left fielder to a three-year, $12.75 million deal even though his production has declined the last two years because of injury. Brown story
34) Randy Wolf, SP: Killer stretch for Houston (2.23 ERA in September) might have bought him a third year on a contract.
35) Ivan Rodriguez, C: The paucity of catchers increases his value significantly, because otherwise, teams would be more concerned with 18 years of major league squatting.
36) Jamie Moyer, SP: SIGNED Agreed to a two-year contract that keeps the left-hander with the Phillies. Story
37) Braden Looper, SP: Solid, if not overwhelming, and he can always shift back to the bullpen if need be.
38) Jason Varitek, C: Has value, but the intimation by Boras that an over-the-hill Varitek deserves Jorge Posada money (four years, $52.4 million) is ludicrous.
39) Mark Grudzielanek, 2B: High batting average and above-average fielding make up for Grudzielanek’s lack of power and patience.
40) Brian Shouse, RP: The good: .180 batting average and .486 OPS against, 28-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio against lefties. The bad: 1.27 ERA at Miller Park vs. 4.70 on the road.
41) Trevor Hoffman, RP: Should return for a farewell tour with the Padres– if they don’t completely gut the team and fill that tour with losses.
42) Rocco Baldelli, OF: Mitochondrial disease will prevent a team from throwing too long-term a deal at him, so he could be a steal.
43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: Power remains in the bat. It’s just limited and needs to be at DH.
44) Jim Edmonds, OF: He looked cooked before a renaissance in Chicago. At 38, Edmonds won’t get anything more than an incentive-laden one-year deal.
45) Kenshin Kawakami, SP: Previously among the best pitchers in Japan, he lost some zip on his fastball and profiles as a No. 5 starter.
46) Greg Maddux, SP: RETIRED Maddux retired, which is a shame, because he remains a treat to watch. Story
47) Paul Byrd, SP: The pitcher equivalent to David Eckstein – and 26 spots higher than Eckstein because pitching scrappiness yields league-average performance.
48) Ray Durham, 2B: Can’t run much and is slow in the field, too, but high on-base percentage and doubles power make him a nice one-year fill-in.
49) Russ Springer, RP: Consecutive lockdown seasons out of the St. Louis bullpen are part of Springer’s late-career revival.
50) Joe Beimel, RP: Great ERA (2.02) is a bit misleading – 20 of 60 inherited runners scored.
51) John Smoltz, SP/RP: Labrum surgery could render this moot, as retirement beckons. Smoltz may have one more go at it, and four previous elbow surgeries haven’t stopped him.
52) Darren Oliver, RP: Even worse than Beimel with inherited runners (41 percent scored). Still, second-half ERA of 1.95 and nearly equal righty/lefty splits make him valuable.
53) Pedro Martinez, SP: Hasn’t looked like Pedro since 2005, and to be even a facsimile, he can’t walk nearly four batters per nine innings like he did in ‘08.
54) Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B: Ability to play three positions and hit home runs – well, from 2004-07, at least – makes him worth the risk.
55) Doug Brocail, RP: SIGNED The aging but effective right-hander returned to the Astros for one year at $2.75 million and a club option for 2010. Story
56) Damaso Marte, RP: SIGNED After declining Marte’s option, the Yankees signed the 33-year-old left-hander to a three-year, $12 million deal. Story
57) Jeff Kent, 2B: Probably best suited as a DH, and since he’s unlikely to accept such a role, he may opt to retire.
58) Chan Ho Park, RP: SIGNED He’s headed to the Phillies but whether as a starter or in relief has yet to be decided. Story
59) Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF: He doesn’t cover much ground in center field and doesn’t hit enough to play first regularly. Nonetheless, good-guy reputation will help him land a solid gig.
60) Eric Hinske, 1B/OF: Huge power and little else, even if he did steal 10 bases in ‘08.
61) Freddy Garcia, SP: Pitched well enough in his September return from surgery, and he should sign a one-year make-good deal to show himself off for one last big contract.
62) Jeremy Affeldt, RP: SIGNED The Giants filled a bullpen void by making the left-hander the first free agent to sign with a new team, giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. Story
63) Dennys Reyes, RP: Nearly unhittable against lefties (.537 OPS), too, but value drops because he’s mostly a one-out guy.
64) Nomar Garciaparra, UT: Another injury-filled season begs the question of whether the 35-year-old can return to two-years-ago form, let alone that of his prime.
65) Will Ohman, RP: Workhorse’s 83 games pitched ranked second in baseball in 2008.
66) Arthur Rhodes, RP: SIGNED The Reds boosted their bullpen by agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with the left-hander. Story
67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in 2008.
68) Brandon Lyon, RP: Lyon’s numbers through June 12 last season: 2-1, 1.29 ERA, 14 saves. After: 0-4, 8.01 ERA, no more closer’s job.
69) Eddie Guardado, RP: Still going strong at 38. Years old, not mph.
70) Tom Glavine, SP: Arm surgery is one thing. But elbow and shoulder? That’s tough for anyone, let alone a 43-year-old.
71) Kevin Millar, 1B: Pulled off the rare 20-homer, sub-.400 slugging percentage season, achieved this decade by such luminaries as Richie Sexson, Tony Batista and Uribe.
72) Kyle Farnsworth, RP: SIGNED Hard-throwing, underachieving right-hander signs a two-year deal with the Royals for $9.25 million. Story
73) David Eckstein, SS/2B: Shopping himself as a second baseman, so he can look like only a half-wimp on his throws to first base.
74) Mark Prior, SP: Hey, Wood stayed healthy for an entire year.
75) Cliff Floyd, DH: Great in a 250-at-bat role. Anything more will expose him as old and slow.
76) Cesar Izturis, SS: SIGNED The Orioles filled a problematic position by signing the defensively gifted Izturis to a two-year deal. Story
77) Sean Casey, 1B: Perfect left-handed bat off the bench, with good splits against righties and lefties and a solid glove that complements his personality.
78) Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS: SIGNED The Diamondbacks, apparently impressed by his strong September, signed Lopez to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to replace Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson. Story
79) Nick Punto, UT: SIGNED The high-energy guy who steals bases and plays stellar defense is staying in Minnesota after agreeing to a two-year contract worth $8.5 million. Story
80) Rich Aurilia, 1B: Great against left-handed pitching, Aurilia is pretty much mediocre everywhere else.
81) Omar Vizquel, SS: Remains in phenomenal shape, physically and with his glove. The issue: Vizquel hasn’t had a league-average OPS since 2002.
82) Kenny Rogers, SP: Decent option if he does decide to play. Second-half ERA (7.93) could scare teams away.
83) Moises Alou, OF: Even at 42, he can still rake. When healthy. Which, unfortunately, is never.
84) Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B/OF: After consecutive Mendoza-flirting seasons, hit .326, slugged .487 and stole 15 bases in 261 at-bats. Not a bad way to enter free agency.
85) Ramon Vazquez UT: SIGNED The Pirates are hoping he can keep his hot hitting going after batting a career-high .290 last season for Texas, agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with Vazquez. Story
86) Trever Miller, RP: Good lefty one-out guy who gets into deep trouble when managers try to keep him in against righties.
87) Mike Hampton, SP: SIGNED Injury-plagued left-hander coming off a $121-million deal gets $2 million plus another $2 million in incentives over one year from the Astros. Story
88) Odalis Perez, SP: The truest sign of how bad Washington was in ‘08: Perez started on opening day.
89) Frank Thomas, DH: No need to Willie Mays it anymore.
90) Gabe Kapler, OF: Took off 2007 to manage, returned and hit .301 with an .838 OPS. Could be a fourth outfielder anywhere.
91) Russell Branyan, 3B: SIGNED Almost always starts the year in the minors, only to get recalled and crank home runs. Hit 12 in 132 at-bats for Milwaukee, and wasn’t half bad on defense, either. He’s off to the Pacific Northwest, signing a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Mariners. Story
92) David Ross, C: SIGNED Lots of raw power (38 home runs between ‘06 and ‘07) disappeared in ‘08. He did show improved plate discipline, though, and could be a sleeper signing for the Braves, who got him for two years at $3 million. Story
93) Emil Brown, OF: Nice counting stats (13 home runs, 59 RBIs) belie his terrible on-base percentage, bad baserunning instincts and laughable defense.
94) Mark Loretta, UT: SIGNED The Dodgers brought back the Pasadena-raised Loretta as a utility infielder, shutting the door on re-signing Nomar Garciaparra. Story
95) Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF: Hit 30 home runs and walked 100 times only four years ago, so someone is bound to take a flyer.
96) Aaron Boone, UT: SIGNED Boone signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Astros and will compete for the third-base job and backup Lance Berkman at first. Story
97) Chad Cordero, RP: Former NL saves leader could miss all of 2009 recovering from a labrum tear. Would likely sign an incentive-loaded multiyear deal.
98) Luis Ayala, RP: Mercifully will not close wherever he lands.
99) Alan Embree, RP: SIGNED After the A’s declined its $3 million option on him, he agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2010 with the Rockies. Story
100) Curt Schilling, SP: Oh, what the hell.
101) Rudy Seanez, RP: As this so dutifully points out, Seanez is two years from being a four-decade pitcher.
102) Damion Easley, UT: He can play every position but catcher. Biggest issue at 39 is his speed: grounded into 15 double plays in 316 at-bats.
103) John Parrish, RP: The rare left-handed reliever who’s better against right-handed hitters. A nice one-year option for a team that needs to plug a lefty hole.
104) Gregg Zaun, C: Zaun used to play every day, and wasn’t half bad. But 37-year-old catchers don’t get many opportunities to start.
105) Guillermo Mota, RP: The only older players who aren’t casualties of teams’ sprint toward youth are relief pitchers, and the 35-year-old should have a few suitors.
106) Brad Ausmus, C: Good option for a young team, especially one with an inexperienced starting catcher in need of mentoring.
107) Mike Lamb, 1B/3B: SIGNED The Brewers signed the veteran corner utility infielder to a one-year, $1 million deal. Story
108) Luis Gonzalez, OF: This year’s best candidate for 40-something to get squeezed by youth movement.
109) Craig Counsell, UT: Is he Punch or Judy?
110) Tony Clark, 1B: Good guy struggled last year, first in San Diego, then Arizona. If he wants to play, he’ll end up somewhere.
111) Keith Foulke, RP: Rather good in his return from retirement, particularly in short stints. His ERA through 15 pitches was 2.14, and after was 8.68.
112) Jason Isringhausen, RP: Not close to the Izzy of old after hip surgery.
113) Eric Gagne, RP: Not close to the Gagne of old after he stopped pumping himself full of performance-enhancing drugs.
114) Daryle Ward, 1B/OF: After two standout pinch-hitting seasons, regressed to a .216 average last year.
115) Jacque Jones, OF: Plans a comeback after taking almost all of last season off, and with the ability to play all three outfield positions, should get a shot somewhere.
116) Sidney Ponson, SP: For being on his 115th chance.
117) Richie Sexson, 1B: From consistent 30-homer masher to … below Sidney Ponson. Oy.
118) Carl Pavano, SP: Hehe.
119) Bob Howry, RP: SIGNED The Giants bolster their bullpen, signing the 35-year old to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. Story
120) Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Showed tremendous plate discipline with 44 walks to 28 strikeouts, even if all his power is sapped.
121) Jorge Julio, RP: SIGNED Reinvigorated himself during September in Atlanta, finishing with 11 1/3 scoreless innings and 17 strikeouts. Lands in Milwaukee, for a one-year deal. Story
122) Ben Broussard, 1B: Another whatever-happened-to-him case. He went from a consistent 15-homer, 60-RBI guy to nothing overnight.
123) Alex Cora, UT: Good for a walk and has decent range in the field – though to think, some were clamoring for him over Dustin Pedroia in May ‘07.
124) Jason Michaels, OF: SIGNED The 32-year-old agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Astros. Story
125) Julian Tavarez, RP: Hey, he’s always up for throwing at batters, if nothing else.
126) Jay Payton, OF: Sub-.300 OBP for consecutive seasons isn’t exactly a résumé booster.
127) Adam Everett, SS: SIGNED The Tigers believe he can improve their defense and signed him to a one-year contract worth about $1 million. Story
128) Casey Fossum, RP: He could be an effective lefty specialist (.674 OPS vs. .920 against righties)
129) Mark Hendrickson, SP/RP: SIGNED Hendrickson signed a one-year deal with the pitching-depleted O’s. Story
130) Michael Barrett, C: He hasn’t been the same since Carlos Zambrano whaled on him in the clubhouse.
131) Jon Lieber, SP/RP: Is there another season left in the arm? He turns 39 right before opening day.
132) Orlando Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he’d still throw the same stuff he does now at 43. He’ll get a look somewhere if he wants it.
133) Livan Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he might have a difficult time fitting through the doorway. As is, he’s not very good at 33.
134) Mike Lincoln, RP: SIGNED Workmanlike return to the major leagues after a four-year absence buys him another shot, this time with the Reds for a two-year stint. Story
135) Greg Norton, UT: SIGNED He can hit right-handers well (.841 OPS last year, .792 career), and that’s the reason the Braves re-signed him for one year at $800,000. Story
136) Alex Cintron, UT: Never developed into an everyday guy, but Cintron is serviceable in a utility role.
137) Matt Herges, RP: He returned to form after a career year in 2007, allowing 79 hits in 64 1/3 innings.
138) Chris Gomez, UT: The consummate journeyman, Gomez is looking for his ninth team after cracking 1,500 career games last season.
139) Ron Villone, RP: Truly an anomaly: survived Joe Torre and lived to tell about it without a scar on his pitching arm.
140) Mark Sweeney, 1B/OF: Sweeney lost his pinch-hitting touch last year, going 12 for 78 with only three extra-base hits, all doubles.
141) Ramon Martinez, UT: Three more seasons and he’ll actually have had as long of a career as the good Ramon Martinez.
142) Mike Timlin, RP: Wait. He’s really not Bob Howry’s twin?
143) Josh Fogg, SP: Penance for accepting the nickname "The Dragon Slayer" is a 7.58 ERA the next season.
144) Horacio Ramirez, RP: SIGNED The 29-year-old lefty’s headed to Kansas City after agreeing to a $1.8 million, one-year contract. Story
145) Bartolo Colon, SP: Ate himself into oblivion. A sad story, actually.
146) Mark Mulder, SP: Also a sad story: The victim of injuries has thrown only 17 1/3 innings since June 20, 2006. He probably will end up with a minor-league deal.
147) Jason Jennings, SP: Flexor-tendon surgery in consecutive years is the stuff of which minor-league contracts are made.
148) Tom Gordon, RP: Flash missed most of the season with elbow surgery, and at 41 later this month could be a long shot to play again.
149) Paul Lo Duca, C: It’s bad when you’re below a bunch of guys recovering from injuries.
150) Kevin Mench, OF: SIGNED Mench reached agreement on a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League.
151) Jamey Wright, SP/RP: Another candidate for Japan, unless he wants to do the whole stay-in-the-minors-waiting-for-an-injury thing again.
152) Corey Patterson, OF: SIGNED The Nationals, already flush with mediocre outfielders, signed the fleet but feeble-hitting Patterson to a one-year, $800,000 minor-league contract. Story
153) Marcus Giles, 2B: From MVP votes three years ago to unemployed last season, he’ll try to make it back once again.
154) Glendon Rusch, RP: SIGNED The Rockies signed the soft-tossing left-hander to a one-year, $750,000 minor-league deal to be a spot starter and long reliever.
155) Kip Wells, SP/RP: So promising once, he hasn’t finished with an ERA under 5.00 since 2004.
156) Juan Rincon, RP: Used to be a great setup man. Used to take steroids. Any correlation?
157) Jose Vidro, 1B/DH: Coming off the third-worst DH season of all time for players with at least 300 at-bats, his .612 OPS was unfathomably bad.
158) Willie Bloomquist, UT: Part of an illustrious group that includes Manny Alexander, Mark Lemke, Freddie Patek and others to have somehow received 1,200 career at-bats with a slugging percentage of .324.
159) Miguel Cairo, UT: Seattle gave Cairo, Bloomquist and Vidro nearly 700 at-bats combined last season. Is it any wonder the Mariners lost 100 games?
160) Pablo Ozuna, UT: Only five players in history have had as many at-bats as Ozuna (677) and drawn fewer walks than his 23. So why, again, is Tony Pena Jr. (18 in 778) a major leaguer?
161) Scott Podsednik, OF: Gone is his speed on the basepaths and range in center field. Which renders him … a minor leaguer.
162) Brendan Donnelly, RP: Gave up as many earned runs (13) last season in 13 2/3 innings as he did over 74 innings in his 2003 All-Star season.
163) Henry Blanco, C: And the annual run on backup catchers begins.
164) Toby Hall, C: He is better known in the White Sox clubhouse for his facial hair than his talent.
165) Paul Bako, C: Rather Dunnian – perhaps even Howardian – in his strikeout prowess: 90 in 299 at-bats.
166) Javier Valentin, C: Actually isn’t half-bad.
167) Gary Bennett, C: Actually is.
168) Adam Melhuse, C: He holds the lowest batting average among available catchers at .167. A mark of honor in these quarters.
169) Luis Rivas, 2B/SS: One of the rare cases of Minnesota rushing a player, Rivas never recovered from early failures and is little more than a bounce-around guy.
170) Tony Armas Jr., SP: For all of his talent and hype, Armas is one of the great disappointments of the past decade.
171) Rob Mackowiak, UT: The Odalis Perez corollary: Couldn’t even cut it with the Nationals.
172) Trot Nixon, OF: Those who leave Boston tend to hit quite rapid descents, huh?
173) Kent Mercker, RP: Drink that Goose in peace, kind sir.
174) Matt Wise, RP: Wise missed almost the whole season with a shoulder problem, and already has had two surgeries on his right arm.
175) Jason Johnson, RP: Eleven big-league seasons. What’s the lesson? Sometimes it pays to be just a warm body.
176) Ricardo Rincon, RP: And its cosmic counterpart: left-handed, has pulse.
177) Sal Fasano, C: Hey, Joe, you’re passé. This country needs Sal the Plumber.
178) Juan Encarnacion, OF: The saddest case of all: Freak injury – struck by a batted ball while in the on-deck circle – will, in all likelihood, end his career.
179) Chad Moeller, C: Here’s to franchise No. 7 being the lucky one.
180) Juan Castro, UT: How is he not nicknamed the Twinkie? Castro has inexplicably survived for 14 major-league seasons despite a .579 career OPS.
181) Elmer Dessens, RP: He finished fifth-worst in last season’s rankings. Moving down in the world.
182) Chad Fox, RP: SIGNED Fox, who has pitched a grand total of 22 innings in the majors since 2004, signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
183) Vance Wilson, C: Mr. Irrelevant is a guy who hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2006. Seriously, it is impressive to appear on MLB’s official free-agent list despite missing two full seasons. Wilson probably will retire because of elbow problems, so congratulations are due on this final accomplishment. What a way to go out.