Strat Impact: Top Free Agent Signings to Date
By Mike SanClemente - Managing Editor
12/08/2004
No sense ranking “the biggest free agent signings so far.” Who cares about the big names? What’s more important to Strat folk is which deals will affect player value the most, meaning that Doug Mirabelli makes this list and Benitez and Vizquel do not.
So, through Thursday morning, in no particular order:
Doug Mirabelli. If the Sox re-sign Varitek, then Mirabelli resumes his supersub status. But should Varitek go elsewhere, the Sox’ options are limited and Mirabelli’s value goes up. Sign Gregg Zaun? Trade for Brian Schneider? Even in a pure platoon Mirabelli will play more than he has in the past.
Ricky Ledee. You’re wondering why this guy’s name is on the list. Me too…well, until you realize that DePodesta is the man behind the Dodgers these days. Werth has been hurt, Finley is unlikely to return to the Dodgers, Milton Bradley is rumored to be dealt elsewhere for dimes on the dollar, and even if Shawn Green moves back to RF so that Choi can take over at first, there may be more room in the Dodger outfield than last year. Put all this together, and especially if Bradley is traded, do you see Ricky Ledee as a potential starting centerfielder?
As unlikely as that may seem, DePodesta’s a smart man, and so far his only offseason move (other than the Kent signing) has been to sign Ledee not just for one year, but for two. Like Mirabelli, you’ll need to wait things out, but this guy’s value just went up. And by the way, Kent’s just went down. Though Strat adjusts for ballpark, Kent moved from a great to a poor hitter’s park and even if he’s inspired by playing near his hometown (a situation that doesn’t work out for many athletes, like Griffey), you can still expect a decline.
Jaret Wright. While his signing isn’t official yet, his stats will likely decline though his value could increase since the Yanks are so often in the news. Furcal, Giles and Andruw behind him up the middle versus Jeter, Womack, and Bernie? It’s like we’re playing “Opposites” on Sesame Street again. Add in a swiss-cheese career profile, and his one outstanding season under Cox and Mazzone suggests that Torre and Stottlemyre won’t be able to get the same results out of him.
Woody Williams. Williams’ departure leaves 200 innings out there, most likely for Dan Haren’s taking. But with the mercurial Matt Morris, the recently injured Chris Carpenter, and the inconsistent Marquis, add those guys to Haren’s uncertainty and suddenly a start or two – or twenty – could be up for grabs in St. Louis next year. Right now there is no logical person to pick those up: Eldred and Tavarez are likely too far away from any years when they were consistent as starters, but other names could jump into the mix quickly.
Greg Myers. Uncarded in this upcoming year’s Strat set, and signed by the Jays to a minor league deal. Ricciardi loves his bat, somehow preferring it to Kevin Cash’s balsawood model, and this signing not only drops Cash’s value a shred, it pushes Quiroz’s short-term value down an even greater amount, because Toronto is unlikely to keep all three on the roster at once unless Myers finds time to DH. Health is a big issue with Myers; if you own him, hold onto him until your cut date.
And two guys on the more macabre side of things:
Val Pascucci. The Kapler-to-Asia move got more press, but Val was signed himself by Lotte of the Japanese League. Wherever you had him on your draft list, send him south.
Bob Wickman. “And our third contestant on Jeopardy, this Wisconsin native is injury-prone, ineffective, and will turn 36 in just two months. Meet Bob Wickman!” If you own this guy, pump up his righty-killin’ card and the fact that a halfway effective (and fully healthy) closer for Cleveland next year could save 50 games, and deal him. Yes, I know this isn’t rotisserie, but 50 saves is still a nice feather in a guy’s Strat cap. Just don’t expect Wickman to last the season without breaking down. Owners of Betancourt and Riske should be elated with this signing, as it means the Indians bypassed more expensive, more durable options, leaving the door open for 8-10 saves next year for the aforementioned two.
If you have feedback on this article, email Mike at Mike@Stratogists.com.