Prince Fielder headlines a handful of high-profile Scott Boras clients who remain available in free agency, but most of the offseason’s top free agents have signed contracts by now. Here’s a look at possible suitors for the top ten remaining free agents (ranking on MLBTR’s list of top 2012 free agents in parentheses):
- Prince Fielder (2) – Fielder will sign before Spring Training and the Nationals are among the teams with interest. Boras, who seeks a long-term deal for Fielder, is currently in Phoenix working to sell MLB owners on the first baseman.
- Edwin Jackson (6) – The Yankees and Orioles have been linked to the right-handed Boras client, but the Yankees are said to be reluctant to commit to a long-term contract.
- Hiroki Kuroda (15) – The Yankees and Red Sox have some interest in Kuroda, who will pitch in MLB in 2012. The Rockies had some interest, but they aren’t likely to meet Kuroda's asking price.
- Carlos Pena (16) – The Indians, Rays and Pirates seem like potential destinations for Pena, another Boras client.
- Roy Oswalt (18) – The Red Sox have some interest in Oswalt, who seeks a one-year deal.
- Javier Vazquez (19) – It still seems likely that the durable right-hander will retire.
- Bartolo Colon (27) – The market for Colon has been surprisingly quiet, as Mike Axisa explained at River Ave. Blues this morning.
- Jeff Francis (32) – The Mariners and Pirates were among the teams linked to Francis earlier in the offseason.
- Casey Kotchman (36) – Like Pena, Kotchman could be a fit for the Indians, Rays or Pirates.
- Johnny Damon (39) – Could the Athletics or Orioles offer Damon an everyday job as he continues to approach the 3,000 hit plateau?
- Honorable mentions – Joe Saunders (non-tendered by the Diamondbacks in December) and Yoenis Cespedes (not yet officially a free agent).
Juan Pierre, Joel Pineiro and Kerry Wood are the only other unsigned players who made MLBTR’s list of top free agents. At this point last year, 11 of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remained unsigned.
More interested in the Yoenis situation then Fielder or any other free agent.
surprised the rays didn’t pick damon back up. he seemed like a good fit last year. not sure oakland makes sense for him as damon will probably want more than billy will want to give.
Scott has more upside right now then Damon (if his shoulder is alright). He has more power and he can give the Rays a better option in the field if he is not DHing
that is a big if, about the shoulder
Bad move by the Rays, Damon is much better than Scott. I still think they want a cheap Pena back, or they add Kochman.
Why can’t people understand just how much Joe Saunders sucks
Oh we do, well at least some of us. Some O’s fans actually like Saunders
Also, why can’t the KC Royals look to Damon to play a little CF.
He has some speed left, he did have 19 steals in 2011
He could help bring Cain along maybe.
There’s a very good reason why Damon has only played 4 games in center in the last 3 years.
I like Damon, but I doubt the Royals or Damon want that to happen. He left years ago on bad terms for more money. The fans never did forgive him and boos can still be heard whenever he is in town.
I didn’t realize KC was still mad at him, it’s been some time. I can see why though, he does seem to be a bit irritating sometimes. Anyway, maybe deep down I am hoping that some other team other than the Orioles will sign him. Since the Royals haven’t been mentioned recently, I figured I would bring them into the conversation. Also, as Purple pointed out he played CF 3 times in 2010 for the Tigers and since he had 19 steals (weak justification and trying to be funny ) he could play some CF. Lastly, I didn’t realize Cain is 25 years old and Drayton said he’s not ready for the full time? That’s a bit surprising, he needs to get going!
Dayton said Cain wasn’t ready LAST year, which is why we had Melky Cabrera. I doubt he would have let Melky go for a rehabbing SP if he wasn’t ready to go with Cain.
I knew I read this recently 11/28/11
MLB Tr’s
The Royals have some interest in Colby Rasmus because of concerns that Lorenzo Cain may not be ready for an everyday role, Elliott reports.
Because I remember suggesting Crisp to sign with the Royals. Anyway, Crisp is a moot point…However, where is Cain in his Career.
Johnny Damon is the definition of a bandwagon player- he goes where he wants to go just to start controversy and media spark. Left Boston to go to New York, then Detroit where he could’ve returned to Boston but didn’t, then to Florida where he went for less money yet became a centerpiece of that wild card team. I liked Damon a lot as a Red Sox, but you have to admit he starts controversy wherever he goes.
Damon left the Sox because they wouldn’t pay him what he thought he was worth, he is a border line hall of famer.
But in 2010 he had a chance to return via waiver, and he declined…
He gets boos whenever he comes here. I don’t think we will ever forgive him here, and the fact that we were forced to trade him to the A’s. Especially since he was born not too far from KC.
This can’t be a serious comment.
Damon can barely play LF, much less CF.
But he could be a decent DH for a team.
Good cheap DH last year for the Rays.
He’s not great by any means, but a lefty who can toss over 200 innings as a back-end of the rotation guy has value. Just not 3/21 type of value.
Is it weird to be sort of open to Johnny Damon reunion in Detroit? We really need a leadoff hitter, and as bad as JD is defensively…he is no Delmon Young
No where for him to play..I know, DY is already under contract. I just really don’t like delmon Young
With the signing of Chen and Wada the O’s have to be out on Ejax. Looks like the Yanks are going to give him a contract wihout Cashman’s blessing
You would have thought the Steinbrenner boys would have learened from last year’s debacle with regards to Soriano that they wouldn’t pull that again. However, at least they spend! They might buy Championships, but at least they spend!
Yeah but I think the big difference between Ejax and Soriano is that Soriano was more of an expensive luxery last year whereas Ejax makes alot of sense.
I’m curious to see where Juan Pierre goes
I would think the Yanks and Sox pick up another pitcher this month. All the remaining pitchers look to get short term deals.
I see in the future Edwin Jackson starring in Mega Contract Free Agent 2 as the dual roles of Mike Hampton and Carl Pavano in pinstripes. Coming to a painful bad contact near you, and hopefuly not in Baltimore.