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

Red Sox Sign Mike Napoli

The Red Sox and Mike Napoli have a agreed to a three year contract that will pay Napoli 39 million.  Napoli is expected to play mostly at first base in the first year of his contract.  Napoli provides much needed power for the Red Sox and should hit very well at Fenway.  It’s a great fit for both sides and I think the Red Sox will enjoy their three years of Napoli.  His power should go back up to the 30 HR territory he was in during 2011 and his batting average should go way up in Fenway.  He should also do well against teams like the Yankees.  The Red Sox line-up is starting to look a little bit scarier now.  Napoli should be a guy like Beltre who really, really benefits from Fenway an the Red Sox were smart to lock him up for more than one year.  He’s a step in the right direction for the Sox too and though he won’t probably hit as high as .300, he won’t hit lower than .260-ish.  He can still play well enough to stick behind the plate for Boston if they need it at times this year, but I would keep Ross and Salty if I were Boston and go keep Napoli at first, as it’s best for their offense.  Napoli, who will be a below average defender but I don’t think he will hurt them a ton at first on defense.  His numbers in Boston should look impressive in the end at the very least.  Very good and needed signing for the Red Sox.

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2. 2B Dustin Pedroia
3. DH David Ortiz
4. 1B Mike Napoli
5. RF Jonny Gomes
6. 3B Will Middlebrooks
7. C Jarrod Saltalamachhia
8. LF Daniel Nava
9. SS Jose Iglesias

 

Mariners trying to make Felix “Mariner For Life”

In the no-duh move of the day, the Mariners are trying to lock up Felix Hernandez to a large contract extension that would keep him a “Mariner for Life” and be their ace for the rest of his career.  Felix Hernandez has pitched for the Mariners since he was 19 in 2005 ad would be only 28 at the end of his current contract.  Hernandez has been involved in many trade rumors over the years but has remained a Mariner.  he is a true ace and irreplaceable tot he Mariners.  His career has already been very impressive and he seems Hall of Fame bound.  If I was Seattle I would give him a 10 year, 250 million dollar contract, he may get less years and less money, but he’s worth it at this point.  Hernandez’s best years are still ahead of him too, and if he hits the market he will be one of the better free agents ever.  The Mariners really need go through with this and lock him up as soon as they can.

Nationals Sign Dan Haren

In the latest 2012 Winter Meetings signing, the Nationals signed Dan Haren to a one year, 13 million dollar deal.  Haren will take Edwin Jackson’s place in the rotation.   This move is similar to what the Nats did with Jackson last year.  They’re taking a great starter with  good track record who is coming off of a bad year by their standards and taking him in on a short term, low risk deal.  I think Haren could do even better than Jackson did last year, even though he isn’t as powerful.  Haren will be a great number four starter for the Nationals this year though and I expect a full rebound from him, especially in Washington.  The losers here are the Padres because this was the perfect fit and a potential ace for them, but the Nationals will benefit a ton.  This is more than a great deal for the Nats.  I would predict a year close to 3.30-1.06-180.  Haren can handle the NL East well and his value should skyrocket throughout this year.  He made a great choice by going to Washington as he fits well with the team and he can manhandle the NL at times.  Haren could finally have a very special year at any time too, he may be getting older but he can still hold offenses well and he will itch many great games for the Nats, who made a smart move here.

Giants Re-Sign Angel Pagan

The San Francisco Giants have re-signed Angel Pagan to a 4-year, 40 Million dollar contract.  Now, Pagan is a great player and tends to fly under the radar and he helped the Giants win the World Series and in the postseason by his work last year, but I think this deal is one year too much and a little bit too much money.  Pagan will be a great hitter agin next year for the Giants though.  He m not repeat his numbers and play exactly but it should be close and the Giants need him to try to repeat their success from 2012, as Pagan was a key part.  The Giants also couldn’t live without his speed, his stolen bases and triples at the top of the order helped them a lot.  They also too him off the market as a great and cheap option in center field for NL rivals.  The first two years should be good because he should repeat most of his 2012 success but the last two years may not look as good, but the Giants did what they needed to do in getting him back, and it’s a pretty good deal all-around.  Pagan is a key signing for the Giants and I like how he played last year a lot for them, they’re the best fit for each other it seems and he should do a good job overall for the Giants, especially in 2013.

Rays Sign Loney to Play 1B

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed their new first baseman and as I predicted it will be James Loney, on a one-year, two million dollar deal.  Loney will replace Carlos Pena, who returned to Tampa last year and was a huge disappointment after having really good years in Tampa from 2007-09 and having  bad year in 2010 in which he left for the Cubs.  In 2011, when Pena was with Chicago, the Rays use first baseman Casey Kotchman who had a breakout season and helped the Rays make it into the playoffs.  Loney is similar to Kotchman, a former top prospect who had a bit of power and was expected to be a top hitter and defender and Kotchman showed he could do that in his year with the Rays and I think Loney could too.  Loney had a disappointing campaign in 2012 but had one or two good moments for the Red Sox and now has just a little AL East experience.  I think this deal could be a potential steal and Loney could put up a .300-12-65 type year and be a decent hitter at the bottom of the line-up.  If he does bust out again, he will not be a huge bust as he can help the Rays on defense and the contract is pretty much a no lose situation for the Rays.  Loney can hit .280-ish too like he did in 2011.  Loney has gotten a lot of grief in his career but truthfully he has had some pretty good years and he’s young enough to recover from all o that and be a classic Tampa Bay Rays signing.  I really like this deal all-around too because I feel the Rays will give Loney a very good shot to have a career year and maybe even go on a tear for some of the season this year.  The Rays should be optimistically excited about this deal.

Best Fits LF/CF

LF
Bobby Abreu (39) Mets
Jason Bay (34) Athletics
Travis Buck (29) White Sox
Endy Chavez (35) Giants
Aaron Cunningham (27) Royals
Johnny Damon (39) Mariners
Mark DeRosa (38) Nationals
Matt  Diaz (35) Braves
Kosuke Fukudome (36) Japan
Scott Hairston (33) Tigers
Bill Hall  (33) Marlins
Josh Hamilton (32)  Rangers
Raul Ibanez  (41) Yankees
Reed Johnson (36) Braves
Andruw Jones (36) Astros
Austin Kearns (33) Marlins
Don  Kelly (33) Cardinals
Ryan Ludwick (34) Reds
Darnell McDonald (34) Brewers
Nate McLouth  (31) Yankees
Xavier Nady (34) Giants
Scott Podsednik (37) Red Sox
Ryan Raburn (32) Marlins
Juan  Rivera (34) Angels
Cody Ross (32) Red Sox
Shane Victorino (32) Reds
Delmon Young (27) Astros
CF
Rick Ankiel (33) Indians
Michael Bourn (30) Brewers
Josh Hamilton (32) Rangers
Reed Johnson (36) Braves
Nyjer  Morgan (32) Padres
Angel Pagan (31) Giants
Scott Podsednik (37) Red Sox
Grady Sizemore  (30) Rays
B.J. Upton (28) -Braves
Shane Victorino (32) Reds

Best Fits For SS/3B

SS
Jason  Bartlett (33) Rays
Ronny Cedeno (30) Angels
Stephen Drew (30) Athletics
Alberto Gonzalez  (30)Yankees
Alex Gonzalez (35) Rays
Cesar Izturis (33) Mariners
Munenori Kawasaki (32) Padres
Marco Scutaro (37) Giants

Miguel Cairo (39) Reds
Eric Chavez (35) Angels
Mark DeRosa  (38) Nationals
Alberto Gonzalez (30) Yankees
Orlando Hudson (35) Red Sox
Brandon Inge  (36) Diamondbacks
Jeff Keppinger (33) Rays
Jose Lopez (29) Reds
Casey McGehee  (30) Rockies
Placido Polanco (37) Tigers
Scott Rolen (38) Reds
Drew Sutton  (30) Cardinals
Steve Tolleson (29) Nationals
Ty Wigginton (35) Indians
Kevin Youkilis (34) Phillies

Thanks to MLBTradeRumors for the list!

Top Fits For FA Catchers

Rod Barajas (37)- Dodgers
Henry Blanco (41)- Diamondbacks
Gerald Laird (33)- Tigers
Russell Martin  (30)- Yankees
Mike Napoli (31)- Rays
Dioner Navarro (29)- Marlins
Mike Nickeas (30)- Padres
Miguel  Olivo (34)- Angels
Ronny Paulino (32)- Astros
A.J. Pierzynski (36)- White Sox/Yankees
Humberto Quintero  (33)- Phillies
Brian Schneider (36)- Phillies
Kelly Shoppach (33)- Rangers
Chris Snyder  (32)- Astros
Yorvit Torrealba (34)- Rockies
Matt Treanor (37)- Yankees
Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the list

Torii Hunter Visits Detroit, Tigers Leading Bidder

Torii Hunter was in Detroit today visiting the Tigers and they are prepared to offer him a multi-year deal.  Hopefully only worth about two years as he is getting older and a decline is due at some point, but or the Tigers to have him in right field and hitting second would be huge for them, and he is a major upgrade over Delmon Young.  Of all the outfielders in this free agent class, Torii may not fit the best with the Tigers and Victorino may be the best fit but Torii has talent and the defense he brings to the Detroit outfield is great.  To have Dirks in left and Jackson in center along with him will be a great outfield and signing him and teaming that up with a Victor return the top of the Tigers line-up could be a machine.  At this point, Torii signing with Detroit seems likely and possibly the best move.  The Angels would hurt from his loss but with all of their players can’t afford to keep hom.  The Rangers are the only competition at this point and he though he fits with them and makes them a ton better too, he looks to be Detroit bound.  This is the player the Tigers need and he can hit well in Comerica.  He is just a good choice,a nd could add 20 homers from the two spot.  Torii will sign soon, as he did when coming to LA in the 2007/08 offseason.  PREDICTION: Tiger for 2 years, 23 Million

Line-Up With Torii

1. Jackson CF
2. Hunter RF
3. Cabrera 3B
4. Fielder 1B
5. Martinez DH
6. Dirks LF
7. Peralta SS
8. Avila C
9. Infante 2B

That looks amazing and Hunter protects Jackson and is protected by Cabrera, a hitter’s dream, even better than in LA with Pujols.  Martinez can handle all the pressure in the five hole too, so this line-up looks great