• All players listed should be eligible for free agency following the 2008 Season.
• Free agents may negotiate and sign with a Club other than their former Club starting the 16th Day After World Series.
• All ages have been adjusted for the 2009 season.
• Some players may have options for the 2009 season, any options will be listed next to the player's age.
• The option abbreviations are as follows:

VO: Vesting Option
TO: Team Option
PO: Player Option
MO: Mutual Option

#  NAME             AGE  OPTIONS

CATCHERS
1. Ivan Rodriguez    37  [BORAS CLIENT] [TYPE A]
2. Miguel Olivo      30 - RE-SIGNED w/ ROYALS on 11/4/08 [1 year, $2.7M]
3. Rod Barajas       33 - OPTION EXERCISED by TWINS on 10/9/08 [1 year, $2.5M]
4. Mike Redmond      38 - OPTION EXERCISED by TWINS on 10/9/08 [1 year, $950K]
5. Jason Varitek     37  [BORAS CLIENT] [TYPE A]
6. Jason Kendall     35 - OPTION VESTED w/ 110 G on 8/1/08 [1 year, $4.25M]
7. Henry Blanco      37  TO: $3M
8. Toby Hall         33  TO: $2.25M
9. Gregg Zaun        38
0. Michael Barrett   32  - SIGNED MINOR LEAGUE DEAL WITH TOR

OTHERS: M. DiFelice, S. Fasano, R. Fick, W. Gonzalez, J. Lopez, A. Melhuse, C. Moeller, J. Paul,
P. Lo Duca, D. Mirabelli, P. Bako, B. Ausmus, J. LaRue, J. Valentin, G. Bennett, V. Wilson, J. Estrada, Dave Ross

FIRSTBASEMEN
1. Mark Teixeira     29  - SIGNED WITH NYY [8 years, ~$180M]
2. Carlos Delgado    37 - OPTION EXERCISED by METS on 10/20/08 [1 year, $12M]
3. Eric Hinske       31
4. Kevin Millar      37
5. Sean Casey        34
6. Tony Clark        37 - RE-SIGNED WITH ARZ [1 year, 800k]
7. Daryle Ward       34
8. Richie Sexson     34
9. Doug Mientkiewicz 35
0. Ben Broussard     32  [BORAS CLIENT]

OTHERS: G. Norton, Ma. Sweeney, S. Hatteberg

SECONDBASEMEN
1. Orlando Hudson    31 [TYPE A]
2. Mark Ellis        32 - RE-SIGNED w/ ATHLETICS on 10/20/08 [2 years, $11M]
3. Ray Durham        37
4. Mark Grudzielanek 39
5. Jeff Kent         41
6. Jamey Carroll     35 - OPTION EXERCISED by INDIANS on 1016/08 [1 year, $2.5M]
7. Felipe Lopez     29 - SIGNED WITH ARZ [?]
8. Mark Loretta      37 - SIGNED BY LAD [?]
9. Damion Easley     39
0. Jerry Hairston Jr 33

OTHERS: T. Iguchi, L. Rivas, C. Woodward, M. Giles, C. Gomez, P. Ozuna, M. Cairo

THIRDBASEMEN
1. Chipper Jones     37 - OPTION VESTED w/ 450 PA on 8/26/08 [1 year, $15M]
2. Casey Blake       35 - RE-SIGNED w/ LAD [?]
3. Joe Crede         31  [BORAS CLIENT]
4. Hank Blalock      28 - OPTION EXERCISED by RANGERS on 11/7/08 [1 year, $6.2M]
5. Ramon Vazquez     32 - SIGNED WITH PIT [?]
6. Rich Aurilia      37
7. Russell Branyan    33 - SIGNED WITH MARINERS ON 12/3/08,  [1 year, $1.4M]
8. Wes Helms         33 - RE-SIGNED w/ MARLINS on 10/3/08 [2 years, $1.8M]
9. Mike Lamb         33
0. Morgan Ensberg    33

OTHERS: A. Boone

SHORTSTOPS
1. Rafael Furcal     31 - RE-SIGNED w/ LAD [?]
2. Edgar Renteria    33  TO: $12M [TYPE A]
3. Orlando Cabrera   34 [TYPE A]
4. David Eckstein    34
5. Juan Uribe        30
6. Nick Punto        31 - RE-SIGNED WITH MIN [?]
7. Omar Vizquel      42  TO: $5.2M
8. Alex Cora         33  [BORAS CLIENT]
9. Adam Everett      32 - SIGNED WITH DET [?]
0. Cesar Izturis     29 - SIGNED BY BAL [?]

OTHERS: W. Bloomquist, J. Castro, C. Counsell, T. Perez, Ra. Martinez, N. Garciaparra, A. Cintron, C. Gomez

DESIGNATED HITTERS
1.Jason Giambi      38  TO: $22M
2. Jim Thome         38 - OPTION VESTED w/ 564 PA on 9/20/08 [1 year, $13M] [TYPE A]
3. Frank Thomas      41
4. Mike Sweeney      36
5. Jose Vidro        34

OUTFIELDERS
1. Manny Ramirez     37  TO: $20M [BORAS CLIENT] [TYPE A] 
2. Vladimir Guerrero 33 - OPTION EXERCISED by ANGELS on 10/28/08 [1 year, $15M] [TYPE A]
3. Pat Burrell       32 [TYPE A]
4. Milton Bradley    31 [TYPE A]
5. Adam Dunn         29 [TYPE A]
6. Bobby Abreu       35 [TYPE A]
7. Raul Ibanez       37 SIGNED by PHILLIES on 12/12/08 [3 years, $30M][TYPE A]
8. Mike Cameron      36 - OPTION EXERCISED by BREWERS on 11/3/08 [1 year, $10M]
9. Ken Griffey Jr    39  TO: $16.5M
10. Juan Rivera      31 - RE-SIGNED w/ LAA [?]
11. Mark Kotsay      33
12. Garret Anderson  37  TO: $14M
13. Rocco Baldelli   27
14. Brian Giles      38 - OPTION EXERCISED by PADRES on 11/7/08 [1 year, $9M] [TYPE A]
15. Emil Brown       34
16. Wily Mo Pena     27 - OPTION EXERCISED by PENA on 10/28/08 [1 year, $2M]
17. Cliff Floyd      36  TO: $3M
18. Jason Michaels   33 - SIGNED WITH HOU [?]
19. Shannon Stewart  35
20. Jim Edmonds      39
21. Luis Gonzalez    41
22. Jay Payton       36
23. Craig Monroe     32
24. Darin Erstad     35 - RE-SIGNED w/ ASTROS on 8/29/08 [1 year, $1.75M]
25. Gabe Kapler      33
26. Rob Mackowiak    33
27. Trot Nixon       35 - SIGNED MINOR LEAGUE DEAL WITH MIL
28. Kevin Mench      31 - SIGNED WITH HANSHIN TIGERS, JAPAN
29. Jacque Jones     34
30. Corey Patterson  29 - SIGNED MINOR LEAGUE DEAL w/ WAS [BORAS CLIENT]

OTHERS: B. Wilkerson [BORAS], M. Alou

STARTING PITCHERS
1. CC Sabathia       29 - SIGNED BY NYY [7 years, $161M][TYPE A]
2. Ben Sheets        31 [TYPE A]
3. Ryan Dempster     32 - RE-SIGNED w/ CUBS on 11/18/08 [4 years, $52M] [TYPE A]
4. Jon Garland       29
5. Kyle Lohse        30 - RE-SIGNED w/ CARDINALS on 9/30/08 [4 year, $41M]  [BORAS CLIENT]
6. AJ Burnett        32 - SIGNED BY NYY [5 years, $82.5M] [TYPE A]
7. Brad Penny        31 - SIGNED WITH BOS [1 year, $5M] TO: $8.75M
8. Mike Mussina      40 - RETIRED [TYPE A]
9. Derek Lowe        36  [BORAS CLIENT] [TYPE A]
10. Pedro Martinez   37
11. Oliver Perez     27  [BORAS CLIENT] [TYPE A]
12. Odalis Perez     32
13. Randy Wolf       32
14. Paul Byrd        38
15. Livan Hernandez  34
16. Braden Looper    34
17. Randy Johnson    45 - SIGNED WITH SFO [?]
18. Greg Maddux      43  [BORAS CLIENT]
19. Brian Moehler    37 - RE-SIGNED w/ ASTROS on 8/29/08 [1 year, $2.3M]
20. Jason Jennings   31
21. John Smoltz      42  TO: $12M
22. Chan Ho Park     36 - SIGNED BY PHI [?]
23. Kip Wells        32
24. Jamie Moyer      46 - RE-SIGNED WITH PHI [?][TYPE A]
25. Andy Pettitte    37 [TYPE A]
26. Brian Lawrence   33
27. Mark Mulder      31  TO: $11M
28. Woody Williams   42 - RETIRED
29. Matt Clement     34
30. Mark Prior       28

OTHERS: K. Benson, S. Chacon, B. Colon, C. Pavano, J. Sosa, M. Morris, Ma. Redman, C. Schilling, J. Fogg, B. Tomko
S. Trachsel, T. Wakefield, S. Estes, T. Glavine, M. Hampton, M. Hendrickson, G. Rusch, K. Rogers

RELIEF PITCHERS
1. Scott Downs       33 - NOT AN FA
2. Bob Howry         35 - - SIGNED w/ GIANTS on 12/3/08 [1 years, $2.75M]
3. Will Ohman        31
4. Jeremy Affeldt    30 - SIGNED w/ GIANTS on 11/18/08 [2 years, $8M]
5. Juan Cruz         30 [TYPE A]
6. Dan Wheeler       31 - SIGNED EXTENSION WITH TB [3 years]
7. Damaso Marte      34 - RE-SIGNED w/ YANKEES on 11/12/08 [3 years, $12M] [TYPE A]
8. Eddie Guardado    38
9. Joe Beimel        32
10. Brian Shouse     40
11. Luis Ayala       31
12. Russ Springer    40 [TYPE A]
13. Dennys Reyes     32
14. Aaron Fultz      35
15. Rudy Seanez      40
16. Trever Miller    36  TO: $2M - SIGNED w/ CARDINALS on 12/3/08 [1 year, ???]
17. David Weathers   39
18. Jon Lieber       39
19. Al Reyes         39
20. Darren Oliver    38 [TYPE A], also: ACCEPTED ARB FROM LAA
21. Scott Eyre       37 - RE-SIGNED w/ PHILLIES on 11/10/08 [1 year, $2M]
22. LaTroy Hawkins   36 - RE-SIGNED w/ ASTROS on 11/7/08 [1 year, $3.5M]
23. Alan Embree      39  TO: $3M
24. Mike Stanton     42
25. Matt Herges      39  TO: $2.5M
26. Tom Gordon       41  TO: $4.5M
27. Matt Wise        33
28. Jorge Julio      30 - SIGNED WITH MIL [1 year, $?]
29. Kyle Farnsworth  33 - SIGNED WITH KC [?]
30. Doug Brocail     42 - SIGNED WITH HOU [?] [TYPE A]

OTHERS: G. Mota, M. Timlin, J. Tavarez, A. Rhodes, K. Foulke, E. Dessens, J. Brower, J. Towers, S. Proctor

CLOSERS
1. Francisco Rodriguez 27 - SIGNED WITH NYM [3 year, $37M] [TYPE A]
2. Kerry Wood          32 - SIGNED BY CLE[2 years, $20.5M plus VO $11M 3rd year] [TYPE A]
3. Brian Fuentes       32 - SIGNED WITH LAA [2 years, $17.5M] [TYPE A]
4. Brandon Lyon        29
5. Trevor Hoffman      41
6. Jason Isringhausen  36 [TYPE A]
7. Chad Cordero        27
8. Todd Jones          40 - RETIRED
9. Eric Gagne          33  [BORAS CLIENT]
0. Joe Borowski        38

OTHERS:

Is there a significance to the order the players are listed in?

Is there a significance to the order the players are listed in?

Awesome stuff Kalapse

Here's a random question about a maybe-free agent. Is Ehren Wassermann a free agent after this season? He's got his minor league time in, plus some major league time, but I'm not sure which set of rules apply here.

I believe as long as they are on the 40 man roster, the major league rules apply.

I love these lists, Kalapse. Mostly cuz I don't realize how old some guys are.

They're my own rough rankings. Just kind of off the top of my head.

wow, the starting pitching pool after this season is pretty deep...and I didn't realize F-Rod was a free agent either....damn he is going to make a pretty penny.

nice list, looks like a lot of talented SP available this winter, all the more reason in my mind to not trade away prospects for a pitcher this season

I'll take sheets and rocco baldelli. And maybe O'dawg

Rocco Baldelli is currently on a rehab assignment and his future in baseball is very much in doubt. He's playing, but I wouldn't count on anything from him ever with the health problems he's had. If he can make it back, that'd be a great story(maybe they can give him an MVP if he hits a few homers in the derby come next July), but I don't think you can completely count on him being a full-time contributer ever again.

I would love Orlando Hudson though.

Excellent. Great work as always

Not a lot of infielders of quality. Looks like the entire cubs bullpen are free agents after this year outside of Marmol. Also a lot of highly paid guys in steep decline always interesting to see which of those guys can put up a few more productive years maybe on the cheap.

SP depth doesn't look that good to me, outside of CC most of the top guys are injury risk or really old, Garland probably the most attractive outside of CC unless you take Sheets health risk. Dempster is clearly going to get overpaid by someone.

I was just thinkin about Baldelli in terms of a buy low hope for him to avoid injury and be the player everyone thought he could be like Carlos

I wouldnt mind taking a look at Zaun, Orlando Hudson, and however unlikely Mark Texiera. Like its been said a plenty of times definitely wouldnt mind seeking out a trade for Beltre either. We could dumb Konerko, I know he has a no trade clause but im sure there is some team he would approve. I would also dump Masset.

Any team that refuses to speak with Boras clients immediatly cuts themselves out of a lot of quality players.

I can see either Furcal, Hudson or Ellis being one of KW's main targets this off-season. Solidfy that middle infield with Ramirez being in one of the spots, unless they want to turn it over to Danny.

Maybe Juan Rivera could be a type of guy if an OF spot became available after a trade (or Dye moving to 1B/DH) who could be interesting.

How's he doing this season actually?

What Boras client even interest you? Aside from Mark Teixiera who's going to get an absurd amount of money I don't see any players that I particularly like.

When is the last time a team set itself up for a long term championship-level run by giving a lot of money to a Scott Boras managed player?

The Red Sox contract to JD Drew. Also, the two New York teams are pretty solid though not championship level at the current moment.

I believe Atlanta also did nicely with Maddux. The Tiggers seem ok with a couple of Boras clients as well.

Doesn't matter. A team that doesn't want to even talk with Boras is not even going to look over his list to see if there is a good fit.

The truth about Scott Boras is that he has a few high profile clients that will make a s***-ton of money and the rest are relatively unimpressive unless you like the Lohses, Weavers and Millwoods of the world. There's nothing wrong with avoiding Boras clients, there's always cheaper alternatives available. If you can acquire them some time in the first 5 years of their career before they hit free agency, that's fine but there's really no reason to even bother with Boras clients on the open market. More often than not it's not worth it.

Look at how well the Giants are doing with Barry Zito. Oh wait. Nevermind.

BTW, Vlad has a club option for the 09 season.

I would love to somehow get Sheets next off-season. Trade Vaz to some NL team for crap prospects. And give Contreras up if you can, if not, pitch him in the pen. But have Mark-Sheets-Danks-Floyd-Richard (or even Contreras). Sheets seems like the type who would come here. But he would be a hell of a sign.

Someone who might be more reasonable than Sheets is a guy like Brad Penny. Personally I think I have had enough of both Vazquez and Contreras and even though both are under contract next year I definitely wouldnt shed any tears if one or both are gone. Penny would be able to fill in the gap for one of them atleast and be a potential ace.

So after this year, who won't be returning to the Sox?

Crede, Thome, Griffey Jr, Cabrera?

Others?

Thome's option vests with about 30 more games.

Not sure if you're joking or not. In case you weren't, Richar was traded for Griffey.

Looks like an excellent group of candidates for a 1-2 yr stopgap at 2nd base until Beckam is ready.

Hudson
Grudz
Durham
Gooch
Ellis too, but I imagine he'll command a longer contract.

Furcal would be great, except I bet someone will offer more years than we do.

Also, isn't Thome's a Vesting Option?

His Richar mention was pre-trade.

The only one I'd really be interested in out of that entire group would be Hudson. Durham would be alright for a 1 year deal. But, I want absolutely no part of Ellis or Grudz, and Gooch won't be brought back. If you want Ellis-like production, I guarantee you Getz could hit .235 with 10 homers and 30 rbi, like Ellis is doing so far this year. Same with Iguchi.

I don't think we need to sign any of those second basemen. Getz has earned a shot at second next year

Yeah I don't think I want Getz at 2B next year...I want him in the majors sitting on the bench and playing 3B, SS, and 2B as a backup, but I don't want him starting. I also think people generally underestimate Mark Ellis...he's hitting .235 and has an OPS over .700, thanks to a .090 IsoOBP and a .140 IsoSLG. He gets on base and he gets extra base hits. If he hits even .260, you are looking at probably a .750-.775 OPS, and on top of it, he plays exceptional defense at 2B.

Mentioned or not, the 3 players I'd be interested in are Hudson, Ellis, and Furcal, in that order, assuming Alexei can play a pretty damn good shortstop.

I think KW is already planning on make a run at either Orlando Hudson or try for Brian Roberts again. It appears that they have already made their minds that Alexi is going to be the starting SS and they are looking to pair another speedy lead off hitter type at 2B. They already tried to do this when they almost traded Ocab to the dodgers, moving alexi to SS and using the prospects from LA to get Roberts from the O's. I think its pretty obvious that the sox would love to strengthen their up the middle D for 2009, especially if we are going to live with fields at 3B. Alexi at SS, Roberts/Hudson at 2B, Swisher at 1B, and Anderson/Wise in CF, with Konerko/Thome DHing seems to be the best route here. It would also give us a pure leadoff hitter in Roberts or Hudson and Alexi is maturing into a nice high AVG, placido polanco like, #2 hitter. Then follow that with CQ, Dye, Konerko/Thome, Fields, and AJ and u still have plenty of power in the lineup.

That's a pretty bad lineup. Swisher's offense is below average for a 1st baseman, and you know that Anderson will never get handed the starting spot in CF.

I think Konerko could very easily be given the 1B job again next season.

There is still some room to add power in CF. I dont care if its BA or not. Griffey or someone else can play center who brings in some good pop to the lineup. The point was about the orientation of the infeld.

How about taking a flyer at McPherson for first or 3rd.

Roberts
Ramirez
Quentin
Dye
Thome
Pierzynski
Swisher
Fields
Anderson

I don't know, man. I wouldn't say that's a "pretty bad" lineup. That's definitely a lineup that could win a division if the pitching pitches like it did the 1st half of the season.

I don't think you can count on that though.

I don't like it. That bottom third has the potential to be really bad. I am a fan of all 3 of them, but all 3 of them have had 2008's they would like to forget(Anderson is doing a pretty good job in his role I suppose). I still want Ramirez at the bottom of the order. Not because I don't like him, but it balances out the lineup. Also with Roberts, the O's a f***tards, so it's going to cost a few good pieces to acquire him. I'd rather dish out the money(the Sox have it) for Hudson and/or Furcal.

What's with the dislike for Grudzielanek? He mashes LHPs and his AVG alone is always hovering around .300. He'd be a great #2, #8, or #9 hitter.

BTW- what does everyone think of possibly bringing back Garland, at the right price?

The price won't be right so I won't think about it.

I never said that was the lineup I wanted. Just using the potential lineup joeynach threw out there, and pointing out that it's not a "really bad" lineup like fathom said. Yeah, it may not be great, but if the f***ing Twins can win with the lineup they have, then that team could win a bunch too.

I agree with you that I'd rather keep Ramirez in the 7,8, or 9 spot b/c he really has thrived there, but again, just using what the other post gave. My personal favorite set of moves (which you may have 1st mentioned, Tony) would be signing Furcal and Hudson, and sticking Alexi in CF. The top of our lineup would be great with Furcal and O-Dog setting the table in the 1-2 spots followed by Quentin, Dye, and likely Thome. A bottom of the order consisting of Swisher, Alexi, and Fields has the potential to be really good.

If Swish gets back to his career averages, and there's no reason to believe he won't, then you're going to have a 6 or 7 hitter that's hitting .250-.260 with 25-30 HR's, ~90 RBI, and an OBP of .380. That's pretty damn good. Alexi should go nowhere but up, and anything from Fields hitting 9th is gravy.

He'll be 39 next year, meaning he's only a 1 year stopgap. I'd rather have someone a little more permanent like signing Hudson or Furcal to a 3 or 4 year deal.

Oh, and before anyone says something about only needing a 1 or 2 year stopgap before Beckham comes up, you can't plan ahead for "prospects" that haven't played any minor league ball. Plus, with KW as our GM, you can sure as hell believe he'll be making moves for the team to win now as he always does, which means Beckham will be the last thing on his mind. If Beckham does tear it up, he wouldn't even be in the bigs until 2 years from now at the earliest, and at that point I'm sure Hudson or Furcal would still be very trade-able.

Is it really that unrealistic to think that Beckham could become a 3Bman? That just seems like the logical jump to me, because if he moves from SS due to defense, it's because of his range and not of his throwing arm, and so long as his bat projects pretty well, he should move to 3B. I don't think that was necessarily the plan so much as just adding more athletes to the organization, but potentially being able to move him around anywhere in the infield is nice flexibility to have.

My two must gets would be Orlando Hudson and Casey Blake. Both are plus 800-OPS guys who are great people, as well. Slide them into 3rd and second and move Alexei to SS.

Those would be great upgrades to our offense. Somehow resolve the Swish/Konerko thing and find a CF through a trade of Fields + Swisher plus anything else, and try to get a defensive minded CF with speed. But we need to add some speed and natural hitters to the lineup for balance. This homer lineup is great at home, but on the road, we can't manufacture runs.