It’s that time in free agency where the unsigned are left scrambling to find a new team in time for Spring Training or have to settle for a one-year deal with the hopes of establishing value for a bigger payday next off season. Over the past few days some quality free agents have found new teams for 2010.
Ben Sheets – The former Milwaukee Brewers right-hander signed a one-year deal worth $10 million plus incentives with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Sheets is looking to prove to the A’s that he is fully recovered from elbow surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2009 season. The A’s were in attendance for Sheets throwing session last week and came away impressed enough to offer a large base salary for this season. Sheets is expected to be the Opening Day starter for the A’s and is a great mid-season trade candidate for a contender, if healthy, as he could net some quality prospects that A’s GM Billy Beane is notorious for looking to find.
Miguel Tejada – The former 2002 AL MVP recently signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Baltimore Orioles, a team in which he previously played for from 2004-2007. During his first stint with the Orioles, Tejada was one of the premier hitting shortstops in the game, but now is expected to shift over to third base in his second go-round with the team. While not the power hitter he once was, Tejada is still an above average hitter as his 2009 season of 14 HR, 83 RBI, and a .313 AVG with the Houston Astros shows. The Orioles hope Tejada can provide veteran leadership and play to a lineup filled with some exciting young hitters in Matt Wieters (C), Adam Jones (CF), Nick Markakis (RF), and Nolan Reimold (LF).
Jason Giambi – Another former AL MVP found a one-year deal to his liking, as Jason Giambi (1B) will return to the Colorado Rockies this season as a power bat off the bench. Giambi struggled last season as a member of the Oakland A’s as he hit only .193 in 83 games as he battled knee injuries before eventually being released. However, Giambi had success in limited duty with the Rockies as he was a solid contributor in the Rockies playoff run last season. In 19 games with the team, he hit .292 with 2 HR and 11 RBI. In 2010, Giambi will be regulated mostly to pinch-hitting duties and part-time work at first base as his days of being an everyday player are done.
Jim Thome – After his brief flirtation with a return to the South Side of Chicago for 2010 fell through, the future Hall-of-Famer signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Sox’ division rival, the Minnesota Twins, on Tuesday. Like many other sluggers on the market, Thome had a hard time finding a deal to his liking before finding the Twins to be his best option for 2010. Thome is expected to get roughly 250-300 at-bats this season as a part-time DH and occasional first base option for the Twins. The Twins potential lineup against right-handed pitchers is arguably the most dangerous in all of baseball with reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer (C), Justin Morneau (1B), Jason Kubel (DH/OF), Michael Cuddyer (RF), Thome, and Denard Span (CF).
Xavier Nady - The Chicago Cubs have added some much-needed power and depth to their outfield with the signing of Xavier Nady to a one-year deal on Tuesday. Nady only played in seven games with the New York Yankees last season as he had to undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career last July. The surgery is typically done on pitchers and has an estimated recovery time of anywhere from 10-12 months. However, Nady is reportedly ahead of schedule and is looking to make a big contribution in 2010. In 2008, Nady had the best season of his career as he had a .305 AVG, 25 HR, and 97 RBI, all career highs. The Cubs are hoping Nady is healthy as they expect him to be the right-handed form of a platoon in right field with current outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. If healthy, Nady should provided solid numbers as a fourth outfielder.
Jon Garland – The San Diego Padres added another arm to their rotation with the signing of Jon Garland to a one-year deal worth $4.75 million with a mutual option worth $6.75 million for 2011. While not a top-of-the-rotation starter, Garland is a reliable work-horse who has pitched at least 191 innings a season since 2002. Last season, Garland was 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres are ecstatic to add a pitcher of Garland’s caliber to their host of young arms as he is expected to ease some of the load off of the young pitchers and give them some more seasoning. If nothing else, the Padres are getting a guy that will provide quality starts and eat up some innings.
what was the offer that Xavier Nady accepted? I think thats a great pick-up for the Cubs
Nady signed for $3.3 million with a possible $2 million in incentives. If his arm holds up, he should provide solid numbers for an extra/platoon outfielder. He can play left too and give Soriano a day off.
yea i like the deal from the standpoint of a Cubs fan. u think if he puts up decent numbers and soriano has a year like last year, that Nady could be the everyday left fielder and the Cubs could possibly get a few prospects for sori? i mean lets face it: 12 mil/yr (or wutevr he makes) is way too much to be payin a 6-hole who is a defensive liability. Thanks for the info on that contract about Nady. i like ur work keep it up
Nady will be brought along slow in the first month and won’t be used as much he will probably will be later in the year due to his arm still needing some more time to heal. While I do think he will get some time in left, the guy most in danger of losing some playing time is Fukudome. However, Fukudome is the best defensive outfielder on the team and is needed in the leadoff or no. 2 spot in the lineup. Either way, if Nady hits, he will find regular at bats somewhere somehow. There is always an injury or two that will crop up too.
I do like the signing of X-Nady but i will keep my opinions and comments in reserve for now, the cubs organization has taken to many chances in the past and most have let us down (cough…Sori). Fuky is one in particular, although I am a huge fan of him and continue to cheer him on…I strongly feel that he is becoming more comfortable with the team, the fans, Chicago and the ML B. I feel that with Nady pushing his way in for a starting spot…this may be what Fuky needs to push him into a great year, this could be his best year with the Cubs…or at least I am hoping so. Nady does have some good numbers but I am tired of getting my hopes up to see, what we thought was a good pickup, fail. Sori is overpriced and should have been given an incentive based contract, this is to agree with the all knowing Clayton. With the new management in town, I see the Cubs doing great things this season. I am still curious as to what the cubs are going to do for a backup 3rd basemen…any incite on this Ryan?
They actually signed Chad Tracy the other day to a minor league deal. He can play both third and first base. He will be battling it out with Hoffpauir in the spring for a bench spot. If Tracy makes the team, which I expect him too, he’s your backup. If he doesn’t make the team, Baker and Fontenot will be your backup.
he seems like he has put up some pretty solid numbers BUT, it did state that he has been “side tracked” with injuries….the Cubs love picking up hurt players and hopeing for the best…i know that we may get lucky with these players, which is what i am hoping for. why cant the cubs org go out and get solid players ??? hell we have the 2nd highest payroll in the majors
The cubs have to take chances on flyers because they have made such horrible deals in the past and have way too much money tied up in toxic assets. Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac might be better managed…..