All Free Agent Team II

Jason Michael Barker

After my All Free Agent Team ran last Friday, I got a couple of emails asking just how much that team would cost to assemble. I had promised to keep things reasonable, but upon further reflection it most certainly was not, even for the Yankees. For those interested, however, here's a possible salary breakdown.

Catcher Charles Johnson has said looking for $8M per season, so I'll give him that figure. Over at first, Andres Galarraga made $8.5M last season, but figures to get a bit less due to his age and diminished production. Slot him in at $6M a year. Our second baseman, Luis Alicea, made a mere $750K in 2000 -- pencil him in for $1M just to be safe. The Mets might not be willing, but I'll shell out the $20M for Alex Rodriguez to be my shortstop. Rounding out the infield is 3B Ken Caminiti, who took home (I hesitate to say "earned") $4.5M last year. I'll give him $4M and a ton of incentives.

The outfield begins with Manny Ramirez, who turned down $17M from the Indians and is looking for $20M. I don't think he'll get it -- but I'm willing to shell out $18M for his services. Reggie Sanders was chosen for centerfield because he should be a bargain -- he made $3.7M last season but given his performance won't command more than $3M plus incentives. Left fielder Juan Gonzalez is something of an enigma. He turned down a huge contract earlier this year, but won't get anywhere near that kind of money given his attitude and cranky back. Will $13M be enough? Here's hoping.

Finally we come to designated hitter Todd Hundley, who made $6.125M last season with the Dodgers. I figure he's going to need some convincing to accept a role as a DH with only occasional catching duties, so I'll throw some extra money his way and offer a cool $8M.

Unfortunately, that's already $81M and we haven't even talked about a pitching staff, let alone a bench. Of course, there are always bargains to be had if you're willing to look. You're not going to find an Alex Rodriguez or a Manny Ramirez among the myriad of minor league free agents, but it's not unreasonable to think you could find a player to hit just as well as Andres Galarraga for one-tenth the cost -- think guys like Brian Daubach, Roberto Petagine, Adam Hyzdu and Micah Franklin.

But enough about hitting; let's take a look at some pitchers. Everyone knows the big names -- Mike Hampton and Mike Mussina, plus mid-level guys like Denny Neagle, Darren Driefort and Kevin Appier. You also know you can't have them all, even as much as you'd like to.

Unfortunately, however, there aren't many bargains here, at least not as I see it. Teams looking to hold down costs might hope either Appier or Neagle slip through the cracks or get lost in the Mussina/Hampton shuffle. At the same time that can be a dangerous strategy, because the teams that lose out on Mussina and Hampton are likely to go hard after, and probably overspend for, Appier, Driefort and Neagle.

Assuming you can only sign one of the big two, I'd take Hampton over Mussina -- he's four years younger, hasn't been injured in the past four years and induces groundballs -- tons of double plays, few homers -- like nobody's business. He's even a decent hitter, if you're into that sort of thing (which probably means you root for a National League team).

OK, so we've taken Hampton over Mussina at the top level. Now to the mid-level: Appier, Driefort, Neagle. I'm ruling out Driefort off the top because he's perpetually injured and because of his tendency to give up a ton of homers despite pitching in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. Some team is going to give him a large contract, despite the fact that he's one arm injury away from being a very bad $50M investment.

Of course, the same could be said for Appier and Neagle -- there's a reason these guys aren't up there with Mussina and Hampton. Forced to choose one I'm going with Appier, because he's had the most career success and should come a bit cheaper than either Neagle or Dreifort. And did you know he's just 32? No, really, just 32, even though it seems like he's been around forever.

Here's where it gets tricky -- filling out the rotation. Most of the guys are available for a reason... well, a couple of reasons, really: "old," "injured," or "ineffective." Tim Belcher? Cal Eldred? Jason Bere? Willie Blair? Exactly. You can put each of these guys into one of those three categories, if not two or even all three.

Enough stalling. I'll close out my starting rotation with Andy Ashby, Julian Tavarez and Armando Reynoso.

There's no way Ashby is as bad as he was last season, and despite his rough start he still finished the season with an ERA of 4.92. In the three seasons prior to 2000, Ashby compiled a 3.74 ERA, allowed a hit per inning, and walked just 161 in 633 innings. If he's healthy, he can still give somebody 200 above-average innings.

Tavarez threw 51 mediocre relief innings last year before moving into the starting rotation, where he posted a 3.80 ERA in 12 starts. His peripherals weren't stellar, but he's still only 27, throws hard, and would probably love to get out of Colorado.

Finally Armando Reynoso, who is nothing special but won't beat himself by allowing too many walks or homers. If he's willing to take a slight pay cut from last season's $3.375M, he'd make a decent fifth starter. And is decent about all you can hope for from your fifth starter?

Wrapping things up with the bullpen, I'd start with Jeff Nelson, John Franco and Hector Carrasco, then go from there. The minor league free agent list is once again a good place to look for a garden-variety one-out lefty specialist.

So there you have it. For a mere $150M in annual salaries, you too can put a major league team on the field. Just don't forget to hold out for that $500M stadium after your first division title.

about the author

Any team hoping to sign Jason Michael Barker this winter had better be prepared to offer more than just cold hard cash. Tell him you'll give him the moon but not the stars when you send your offers to jmb@strikethree.com.

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