Free Agent Profile: Grady Sizemore

OVERVIEW: Sizemore became the Indians best and most popular player after coming up in 2004.  He could do it all and was one of the top young players in the AL Central and AL.  He can still help a team out a ton but after getting injured in August 2009 he was unable to stay healthy.  One injury after another ha derailed the past 3 years of his career.  He’s only 30 and he can still play center field well but after being injured all of 2012, he will have to settle for a smaller contract.  For the production he can put up I’m kind of surprised that a team hasn’t taken a flyer on Sizemore yet.  He can still hit and could regain his old form for a couple of years.  Sizemore can help a team out if he can stay healthy and he’s worth a look even if you have a packed outfield.
STATS: In a full season he could hit 25-30 HR and get at least 70 RBI, it all depends on where you put him in the line-up.  Near the top he could be a big run scorer too.  If he stays healthy for a whole year, his numbers could closely resemble his old numbers.  The only thing is his average has dipped and he won’t likely bring it up a ton, but he could still not have an atrocious average and he can get on base well.
FITS
Rangers- This is his perfect fit, he could hit well here and help Texas stay competitive since they lost Hamilton and need an OF BEST FIT
Indians- He is one of their better players in the past 10 years
Yankees- Seems like a place he could do some damage but he would be more of a role player
Cardinals- He would be a decent fourth outfielder in St. Louis
Orioles- They missed out on Nick Swisher, but he may be a bargain if they get him
Rays- They just lost J Upton, a sleeper fit for Sizemore
IDEAL CONTRACT: 1 year, 4-6 Million 3-5 Million in incentives
CAN HE STAY HEALTHY?: That’s a matter of luck and how your body is built.  Sizemore can stay healthy for a whole year as he’s played 162 games more than once and if he does, he could put a little bit of fear back into pitchers
BOTTOM LINE: A former All-Star CF, who might just still be one.  Pick him up

Face Of The Franchise MLB

On MLB Network’s show Hot Stove they’ve set up something called face of the franchise where each day a team is picked and the fans vote for the face of their favorite team.  I’ve made my list.  This includes no players who used to play for the team (ex. Pujols, Cardinals) or all-time figures (ex. Banks, Cubs)

Yankees: SS Derek Jeter
Red Sox: DH David Ortiz
Rays: 3B Evan Longoria
Blue Jays: RF Jose Bautista
Orioles: C Matt Wieters
Tigers: SP Justin Verlander
Twins: C Joe Mauer
Royals: OF Alex Gordon
Indians: 2B Jason Kipnis
White Sox: 1B Paul Konerko
Angels: OF Mike Trout
Rangers: 2B Ian Kinsler
Athletics: OF Yoenis Cespedes
Mariners: SP Felix Hernandez
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve
Braves: OF Jason Heyward
Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton
Nationals: 3B Ryan Zimmerman
Mets: 3B David Wright
Phillies: SP Roy Halladay
Cardinals: C Yadier Molina
Reds: 1B Joey Votto
Brewers: OF Ryan Braun
Pirates: OF Andrew McCutchen
Cubs: SS Starlin Castro
Diamondbacks: OF Justin Upton
Giants: SP Matt Cain
Dodgers: OF Matt Kemp
Rockies: OF Carlos Gonzalez
Padres: 3B Chase Headley
I believe the face of the franchise is a little different than being the franchise’s best player or prospect.  Here’s a list of the best who weren’t the face…..yet

C Buster Posey Giants
3B Miguel Cabrera Tigers
1B Albert Pujols Angels
SS Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
SP David Price Rays
and more that didn’t make the cut

Free Agent Profile: Delmon Young

OVERVIEW: Young helped the Tigers to the playoffs in 2011 and 2012 with his hot September’s and is a great playoff performer.  On the other hand his defense stinks, putting it best and he can’t hit in the first half leading to bad all-around numbers in everything except the power department.  He’s only going to be 27 though and age 27 seasons can become career years in a hurry.  Despite his lack of patience at the plate, which will probably never change, I can see him very easily helping out a contending team in 2013 and beyond.  He could be a platoon type of guy, who plays more than he doesn’t, with the Yankees and I also see him being able to gain stock
with a team like the Astros and going back onto the market and getting a good deal.  If he can take a few more walks and start off the season hot, he can be one of the team’s top hitters and I like his play to an extent and it’s worth a deal somewhere.
STATS: You’ll most likely get a .260-.300-.420 type of year and around 20 homers and 70-80 RBIs with some playing time in any part of the line-up.  His defensive metrics and stats will not be pretty at all.
FITS:
Yankees- As a part-time DH, he could smash in that stadium too and this is his best chance of breaking out
Astros- A team that could use some hitters, another place Young could find some success, just might be harder to in Houston
Tigers- Almost no chance he re-signs, but he did some nice things in 2011-12
Braves- They’ve looked at him, decent fit, but doubtful
Rangers- Need a DH with Michael Young gone, Young can thrive better in a hitting environment
IDEAL CONTRACT: 1-year, 5-6 Million
CAN HE REBOUND?: He can rebound off of his poor years, but he really needs to work and focus and keep it up to show why he is a former #1 pick
BOTTOM LINE: Slugger who could help a team with high reward potential, like on a good deal