Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero, Hideki Matsui, Magglio Ordonez and Luke Scott highlight the list of unsigned designated hitters. Jorge Posada and Manny Ramirez are also out there and Bobby Abreu and Alfonso Soriano could become available in trades. Some would say free agent first baseman Prince Fielder is well on his way to becoming a DH, but he’ll presumably sign as a first baseman.
The market for designated hitters tends to favor buyers and this year is no exception. Here's a look at the American League teams with possible DH openings:
- Rays – When the offseason began, Andrew Friedman spoke about his intention to add offense without sacrificing defense. The Rays have an opening at DH, the one spot in the lineup where defense doesn't matter at all. The Rays will likely add a bat or two before Opening Day, perhaps a DH.
- Blue Jays – Edwin Encarnacion finished the 2011 season strong and projects as the Blue Jays' DH heading into 2012.
- Orioles – The Orioles appear to have expressed some interest Soriano and Scott, which shows they're open to a DH-type acquisition.
- Twins – The Twins no longer have Jim Thome, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young around, but Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit could be in the DH mix in 2012. It'd be a surprise if they add a high-profile DH.
- Athletics – Brandon Allen, Daric Barton, Chris Carter and Kila Ka'aihue figure to compete for playing time at first base and could enter the DH mix. Oakland hasn’t been a top destination for free agent bats in recent years, but agents for unsigned DHs may give Billy Beane a call to determine his interest in adding a hitter.
- Mariners – The Mariners don't have a fixture at DH. Left fielders Mike Carp and Casper Wells project as DH options for manager Eric Wedge.
Just choose the worst of who is available and THAT’S who will go to Seattle.
I don’t really like any of those names on the list except for Soriano and Fielder. Except Fielder will never be a Ray and Soriano is a long shot. The Rays will definitely trade for a DH/1B in my opinion
Do you want Edwin or Lind?
Lind wouldn’t be bad, actually
For the money thats owed Lind, not at all. In his 5 season of 300+ AB, only once has he had an OPS above .755. His 2009 season looks much more like an aberration than whats possible. We could get similar production from Kotchman or Damon for less money and without giving up any prospects.
He was on pace to repeat 2009 at the begining of last year then got hurt 🙁 No prospects, but starting pitching
I’d go with Vlad if only for sentimental reasons. Wont happen but be nice to see him back in Canada to end his career. Might still hit 25 at the ‘Dome and can still it for avg. If EE can be consistent all year, he could hit over 30. Lind had a monster first half before getting injured. Was on his way to repeat his ’09 performance. I’m ok with the offense but think they need a #2 or #3 SP. Wouldn’t mind taking a shot at either Harden or Francis for a year even though I’m sure Harden will end up in the pen. I’d love to see 3 or 4 Canadians with the Jays.
I wouldn’t call Soriano a significant longshot. They’ve got a relatively rookie outfield and bringing him in as DH with the possibility of incredibly occasionally spelling an OF may be viable considering the Cubs are liable to eat the vast majority of his salary.
Really, I can’t think of much else that’s a fit. Pena’s an option, but he’d fit better in their 1B vacancy and there’s not much else out there that’d be a particularly strong candidate. As poor of an option as Soriano is, he may be one of the better ones out there.
If Soriano can swat 20-25 homers it may not be a terrible deal. I think it would make Bmore a more interesting team…extra pesky
I was actually referring to for the Rays. Soriano to the Orioles would be pointless. They don’t need a new DH, they need a new farm system. The Orioles acquiring Soriano would basically be just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
They need a new owner more…
I really don’t mind resigning Damon for DH, 1B is where Friedman needs to show his awesome side, the side of him that signed Moore to a long term cheap deal last month. Not the side of him that signed Rodney.
I expect Damon to be back at DH. His walk rate will probably rebound a bit towards his career average, he doesn’t mind a one year deal and probably won’t cost any more than he did last year. They really need to find a real 1b though.
Awesome side?
“Andrew Friedman, in a surprising move, has managed to acquire the first half of Albert Pujols’ contract and cash from the Angels for a package including Wade Davis and a signed Scott Kazmir rookie card. The Angels will be sending $100MM to the Rays in the deal.”
hahaha, not sure if you checked, but the first 5 years of AP’s deal is exactly 100 million. 5 free years. hahah, awesome.
Andrew Friedman: Professional Sorcerer.
ETA: Also, I didn’t check. I knew the first half was prorated, but I wasn’t aware of the amount. I was hoping to leave the Rays paying, at most, $2MM annually on a guess.
It helps when your 8th round pick in 2007 was Matt Moore.
wow, (minus Fielder) I think I would rather have/try EE than anybody else on that list. A healthy Ordonez or Scott would be interesting, but probably not much or maybe even any improvement on EE. Plus Edwin offers a lot more positional versatility.
god damn it, If all we end up with is Luke Scott back I might have to punch something.
I view the Twins as having a huge hole at DH and would love to see them kick the tires on Vladimir Guerrero but I have the feeling they will do nothing regarding the DH position. I don’t view Doumit as an every day hitter in that lineup but maybe the twins do. I think the Twins would be much better off having doumit as a stabilizing utility player who would actually probably play a lot but would do so in a role that spells various players at various positions.
It may not be a flashy move, but what if the Orioles signed Kotchman to play first, and moved Mark Reynolds to DH? They’d certainly improve their defense with such a move… It’d also allow them to save money for a possible run at Cespedes, if they are so inclined to pursue him…
I’m wondering if/where Vlad might go… I thought at one point the Rays might be a good fit… I still think he might have something left in the tank. A mild rebound might not be out of the question.
”
I’m wondering if/where Vlad might go”
Nursing home is my guess.
I can see him taking swings with a cane at fruit from the dining room in a white hallway, right now
Casper Wells has shown signs of being an above-average fielder, and has been a league average hitter in his short time in the league. Why would he be thrust into the DH position when we already have Mike Carp: the guy who is about as average as it gets at everything, except for his piss poor defense.
his power is far from average
Carp? I’d definitely call him average at basically everything except defense. And I don’t even think Carp is that good. Maybe average is a stretch for him, power wise, but my post wasn’t really about Carp as much as it is Casper, who belongs in left.
The A’s have 3 young high upside DH-types in Allen, Carter and Kila, who all haven’t had the chance to play everyday before, why on earth would they waste their time on a vet? Makes so much more sense to give them 2 months of everyday ABs and if they dont work, try the next guy. I’d go in that order too, make Allen the opening day DH, if he doesnt have an OPS over 800 by June 1, send him down and replace him with Carter, and if Carter doesnt have an OPS over 800 by August 1, send him down for Kila. The problem here is giving up too early. 200 PAs, in a row, should figure out the DH scenario. Seeing as 2012 is a wash, why not go slow and get it done by certain dates/numbers? This way they can pencil in someone for sure in 2013 and have the role sorted out.
Of course Barton should be named the opening day 1B in ST if he’s proven his shoulder has healed, if he isnt, then make Allen or Kila the 1B and Carter the DH on opening day. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for the A’s to address the DH situation before opening day. Maybe if injuries and poor form hit that group, and no one in the minors has broken out, then go get Manny or Matsui or whoevers still around. These arent popular names, there’s a good chance none of them will find jobs until very late in ST or midseason.
Barton sucks!
After one injury-riddled bad year. People forget 2009-2010.
As a Mariners fan, I just puked inside my mouth. Again.
How is Fielder on his way to becoming a DH if he latches on with the Nationals or Cubs?
It’s also unlikely that any team would be dumb enough to pay him $25M+/yr to DH.
somebody please take Abreu
I wish to God that Chipper Jones was on this list…..he absolutely cannot play defense anymore and cost the Braves at least 2 games last year….and the playoffs.
I hope Kila does well and is able to excel at the DH spot for Oakland. I was rooting for him in KC but he never could quite put it together at the major league level. (Glad KC has Hosmer and Butler though)