Free Agent Frenzy

VirtualGammons

Free agents. Every day each agent speaks of the interested bidders to a baseball reporter about being approached. But how often does this happen? In Chicago Albert Belle has taken advantage of his month-long window to shop himself to other teams. The White Sox's proprietors would like to see him sign anywhere else but it is unlikely because of his head. He still is a great player and look for a team with a history of helping problem players make him a modest offer. But he is a man of mystery.

Who would have thought that Pedro Martinez' contract last year would now look like a great bargain? When agents like Scott Boras represent many of this year's free agents that wild inflation is certain. Also we know that Bernie Williams wants more than Mike Piazza's contract, both in total dollars and length.

Teams not mentioned as interested are San Diego and San Francisco, who both would like a premiere center fielder to make their outfield good as they move into new ballparks to generate excitement for the coming years. These teams would be conceived to interest fans while giving time to upgrade other positions with prospects and move into new ballparks with strong competitive teams that will generate many revenues.

Los Angeles is a good bet to make many moves. There are stories of many players expecting to be traded. Manager Davey Johnson must treat incoming with care. He may have to deal with a hostile general manager who wanted to hire a different manager and was forced by owners. Players must be quickly dealt and clubhouse made solid before too long when uncertainty can cause worry and perhaps trade demanding. Johnson is not known for his friendly player relations and may quickly force deals to bring in the few players loyal to him from both leagues. Possible trades include Mark Grudzielanek to Baltimore for Mike Bordick, a free agent signing of Robbie Alomar, and a strong bench.

Toronto is on the rebound but it can take time. They wish a face and a starter to strengthen the team but may decide on a youth movement and deal Roger Clemens to New York or New York for prospects. The decision will be made soon. Do not expect them to pursue comeback player Jose Canseco in the offseason, as they feel his production can be easily replaced by lower-cost replacements. Canseco may sign with Detroit which is looking for big bats.

In Cleveland there is talk of a big deal with the Tigers to pick up Higginson and Hunter to bolster their outfield, which will be depleted when Brian Giles is traded for a solid starter. It has been true that the Indians have managed a good offense but have never seen a healthy rotation. With two good young starters it seems that they are only a few trades and signings away from becoming like the Braves with a dominating rotation. They may also move to pick up Tony Womack for second base use and batting ninth. Speed at the bottom of the lineup has been proven game-winning in Texas and St. Louis and it may be a change we'll see around the game this year which will make speedsters more valuable to teams that hold them.

Veteran free agents will likely not be the highest priced items this season -- or anywhere -- but they'll still be highly sought as teams need to fill holes with dependables. Starter Tim Belcher may go back to Seattle for a reunion with manager Lou Piniella who likes him much. Names available could assemble a good team in their own right, veterans all and hard-players: Gregg Jefferies, Rickey Henderson, Royce Clayton, and Otis Nixon... these are players who can not only help a team out but teach younger players what it's all about. The development of young talent under the wing of Cal Ripken and other senior leaders and their example should not be underestimated.

But next year will be the year of New York. Winning the World Series is not enough for Steinbrenner, who is determined to create a dominating Yankee franchise for history. As good as this year's team is he wants to get better. Look for the Yankees to pursue the most expensive free agent talent and, as the richest franchise in baseball, sign it. With young talent like Ricky Ledee and Shawn Spencer in their farm system they don't have to re-sign risks like Tim Raines and Darryl Strawberry and still sign all the starters available. Mike Timlin may be the object of a bidding war between New York, which desires a set-up man, and the Mariners. They have so much wrong with the bullpen they may pay anything to keep it, but New York sees relief as one area they could improve and with so much money they can afford to be perfect everywhere.

Meanwhile, the Mets have many options after re-signing Piazza and Leiter, but they wish second improvements to reach postseason play and will look to players in free agency and trades that can help them. Todd Hundley will be traded to a team that can take him. Look for the Mets to trade prospects to cash-strapped teams for their most expensive veterans. Discussions are already underway with Minnesota and Kansas City to import talent. It will be interesting to see if both New York teams eat into each other's television deals which make these wild signings and trades possible. Can both teams be 1-2 in payroll for long? Many think not but if both receive new stadiums what is to stop them?

In St. Louis the Cardinals are looking to capture the title they thought was theirs at the start of the season. While they will probably not sign Brian Jordan they will hire starting pitching and look to loot the Reds for players while not giving up too much in prospects. In Cincinnati poor planning has led to a backlog of players at first-base and left field and the coming fire sale may supply teams like Texas and Los Angeles with low-cost high-value prospects who can save them from one more free-agent signing. This is the kind of situation a good general manager takes advantage of, so don't look for Pat Gillick and Dan Duquette to be too far from the action of this or any other kind.

And Colorado, known for reviving the careers of aging sluggers, may become the home for a new set of players. With new manager Jim Leyland they are committed to winning and ready to spend money for it. That's a situation that Jim Leyland is familiar with and happy about. Look for the Rockies' rising stars to be complemented with 2-3 free agent signings and one blockbuster trade with either Cleveland or the Red Sox, and while deals between division rivals is unusual there is talk of a win-win deal with Los Angeles that would help both teams unload unhappy players and improve themselves. Sometimes management can overcome their own fear of having traded players beat them to make the trades they need. Don't count on it but this could be an important deal that brings one a division title and the other the wild card, which both would be happy with.

Quiet on the free agent front is Arizona, widely expected after the signings of Matt Williams and Walt Weiss to be a big player in the free-agent market and compete quickly. There are two choices they could now take, either making a series of big signings starting with Randy Johnson and then taking every Scott Boras client they can fit in, or they can review their goals and let their excellent prospects develop and only shop to improve a couple of positions. The Diamondbacks are under a great deal of pressure to win, especially considering the amount of money poured into them by season ticket holders and the city, so expect at least one big free agent signing. If this team doesn't improve each season the fans will have little to hope for and the attendance numbers could quickly plummet as they've done twice for the Florida Marlins.

about the author

VirtualGammons is a little rusty, having been used for the past few weeks as host for the Strikethree.com Quake tournament. Send your condolences to vgammons@strikethree.com.