Hitters Look to Dominate Free Agent Spending

By KYLE KEOUGH
CANSECO COURIER

Despite hard fiscal times, there's no money shortage inside Canseco. These players hope to prove that brand of rhetoric correct by "making bank," as they say, this offseason.

I've ranked some of the big-name free agents based on how much money I think they might receive. Remember, this isn't about what they deserve, but rather, what they'll get paid. Those two concepts, my friends, are not always exclusive to one another:

Hector Balboa, 30, 3B: The stars are all aligned for Balboa to be perhaps the most expensive free agent of season six. He's in his prime (30), a very strong defensive player for his position (3B), the victim of only two DL stints in five seasons, capable of logging over 140 games a season, and an excellent hitter. The three-time All-Star will more than likely force some poor soul to guarantee five years. It's possible he'll earn a max contract, depending on the market, but there's too much good offensive talent elsewhere in free agency for that to be anywhere near a sure-thing.
Prediction: 5 Years, $90 Million

Vladimir Chavez, 33, RF: Pontifications about Chavez' value are more than likely all over the place: some might believe the 33-year-old could attain a contract rivaling his massive original deal struck with the Pie Lovers in season one, while others would be hard-pressed into believing Chavez could warrant anything more than two years at the going rate for players of his age. I'd like to believe Chavez will end up somewhere in between, with a three-year contract with a high annual salary. An absurdly talented player, Chavez will command close to a max deal, but likely won't see as long a contract as others.
Prediction: 3 Years, $55 Million

Wil Hardy, 30, CF: The 30-year-old Hardy could potentially draw a lot of interest this off-season, given that he's a good player at a premium position with speed. However, he's also struggled his way through two consecutive anemic seasons, and he has never proven to be anything more than a pretty good hitter. Teams looking for a potential leadoff CF might consider breaking the proverbial piggy bank for Hardy's services. Others might be scared away by a batting average from last season that fluttered around .250.
Prediction: 5 Years, $50 Million

Shawn Coomer, 30, 3B: Coomer's weaknesses--a mediocre glove and a tendency to strike out--are greatly outweighed by his strengths, which include a strong pedigree at Tampa Bay, in which he hit over 40 HRs and 120 RBIs in each of his first five seasons, as well as power that is almost exceedingly rare at his position. Some teams will scoff at a mega-deal for a player whose durability has started to regress at the age of 30, while others will rejoice in attaining a middle-of-the-lineup corner infielder. Chances are, Coomer will wrangle four years out of some team, and $12 million per season is not out of the question.
Prediction: 4 Years, $48 Million

Enrique Batista, 36, RP: Considering Rob Parker's humongous signing last season, this year's premiere closer free agent, Batista, is in a favorable position. Working against him is his age and health concerns, though Batista to this point has aged remarkably gracefully. A three-time Fireman of the Year winner, he won't receive Rob Parker money, but chances are, someone will overpay for his services. A deal in which Batista wrangles 3 years and $48 million out of some poor sap is a very real possibility, which would put Batista just a few million behind Parker in terms of per-year pay rate ($16 million a season).
Prediction: 3 Years, $48 Million

Justin Campbell, 30, LF: Campbell, a very talented doubles hitter and basestealer with a little pop to his bat to boot, is one of the better contact hitters in Canseco. A two-time All-Star and Gold Glover, Campbell unfortunately doesn't play a sexy position, nor does he have a sexy playing-style, either. There are some minor questions about how his speed and durability hold up as he enters the wrong side of 30. Still, it's likely he'll warrant a four-year deal worth $10 million a season.
Prediction: 4 Years, $40 Million

Walter Young, 35, CF: Young's days at CF are likely behind him now, and his decline has been precipitous over the last several seasons. Yet he is still an intriguing player because he is still dangerous at the plate and can possibly make the transition to second base. It's very possible that he'll be waiting on the sidelines for a while, just like fellow 35-year-old Bonk Lemaster. two years will likely be in the cards for Young, but his better defensive play will help him outearn Lemaster.
Prediction: 2 Years, $22 Million

Bonk Lemaster, 35, LF: Lemaster, in his mid-30s, is now an antique by baseball's standards; with that said, he's still a valuable antique, and the appraisal for him's likely going to be rather high. Odds are, Lemaster will sign for a shorter deal, possibly for two years. Type A compensation concerns might keep him from signing with the right team for a while, though eventually he'll find a home. There will likely not be a great deal of competition for his services, but for a player with a lifetime .318 batting average, $10 million over two seasons is not out of the question.
Prediction: 2 Years, $20 Million

There are others who could very well make a fair sum this off-season. Lon Barber's value has diminished because there are a number of quality LFs already on the market, though he remains a quality batter nevertheless. Jack Skinner, 24, is the rare free agent with youth and major league potential, which could create a stir; the same goes for Al Martin, 25. And finally, there are a bevy of reliable relievers who could, if the market so demands, be receiving pay raises very soon.