Extensions have a way of thinning the free agent herd. The latest star player off the board is Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who was extended through at least 2019. Zimmerman had been slated to hit free agency after the 2013 season. The best players remaining in that far-off free agent class:
Corner Infielders
- Joey Votto, 1B
- David Wright, 3B (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Paul Konerko, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Michael Young, IF
Middle Infielders
- Robinson Cano, 2B (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Ian Kinsler, 2B (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
- Chase Utley, 2B
Corner Outfielders
- Hunter Pence, RF
- Michael Morse, LF
- Nelson Cruz, RF
- Alex Gordon, LF
- Shin-Soo Choo, RF
- Corey Hart, RF
- Carlos Beltran, RF
Center Fielders
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Curtis Granderson, CF (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Adam Jones, CF
Catchers
- Brian McCann (if 2013 club option is exercised)
Starting Pitchers
- Tim Lincecum
- Dan Haren
- Matt Garza
- Adam Wainwright (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Ubaldo Jimenez (if he voids 2014 option)
- Josh Johnson
- Ervin Santana (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Scott Baker (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Gavin Floyd (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Jair Jurrjens
- Tim Hudson (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Jason Vargas
Relievers
- Joel Hanrahan
- J.J. Putz (if 2013 club option is exercised)
- Brian Wilson
Other Players Of Note
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Phil Hughes, P
- Joba Chamberlain, RP
- Glen Perkins, RP
- Martin Prado, LF
- Ricky Nolasco, SP
- Carlos Marmol, RP
- Geovany Soto, C
- Tim Stauffer, SP
- Ted Lilly, SP
In the 2011-12 offseason, we saw five $100MM commitments to free agents, if you include Yu Darvish, who was subject to the posting system. For the 2013-2014 offseason, Votto, Cano, Pence, Ellsbury, Lincecum, and Haren are good candidates, should they continue to produce and reach free agency. Given that we're two full seasons away, a half-dozen others could enter the discussion if 2012 and '13 go well.
The Braves better fork over that money to keep McCann. There’s not even a question about “should we?”…give the man whatever he wants
they should take a cue from the Dodgers book of offensive minded catchers. What did Mike Piazza, Carlos Santana, and Russel Martin ever do for their next teams?
Mike Piazza continued to be an elite hitter and had 4 great years for the Mets and a few decent ones. Carlos Santana? What? Russell Martin had a 3+ WAR season for the Yankees.
Carlos Santana had a 3.9 WAR season for the Indians. But yeah, I think you missed my sarcasm.
Wow i completely missed the Dodgers connection with Santana and the other 2 guys. You got me.
You can take Adam Wainwrights name off this list. His option has already been exercised. The 2012-2013 option was a double option, meaning it had to be exercised all at once or declined all at once.
Wainwright belongs here, it’s a list for two offseasons from now’s free agents (the offseason AFTER the 2013 season).
Forgot about Carlos Ruiz if the Phillies pick up his 2012 option.
Ruiz’s option is for 2013 since obviously it’s already 2012 and he’s under contract. As it says, this is for free agents after the 2013 season. Even if his option is picked up after this season is over, he is a free agent still after next season, barring an extension of course.
Hey guys, this is a totally new topic that no one has ever discussed before: Do you think the Blue Jays should sign Joey Votto if/when he hits free agency?
That’s a revolutionary thought – I wonder if AA has considered this?
I have a feeling Votto will seek more than 5 years, so no.
There is some bigtime starpower on this list.
Some very interesting players on the list should they make it to FA.
Peavy too if his 2013 option gets picked up
Hopefully the iPhone app glitch of posting and getting (null) is fixed by 2014
I actually haven’t seen any “(null)” lately!
Not fixed.
Maybe I’m just used to it and don’t even notice anymore.
Crossing my fingers that Ellsbury never reaches Free Agency. Because if he does, I can almost guarantee he’ll be wearing Pinstripes. And as a Red Sox fan, it will absolutely kill me to despise Jacoby Ellsbury.
Pretty sure he’s staying in Boston. Don’t act as if they can’t afford him. Plus, the Yankees still might have Granderson after 2013
he’s gonna want Carl Crawford money. that albatross of a contract might end up hosing the Red Sox twice.
Yeah but they will have plenty of contracts coming off the books after this season and after next season. Not many large ones but medium size ones as well. Youlk’s contract is up after this year but there is an option for 2013, Ortiz has a 1 year deal but will probably not be with the Sox in 2014. Dice-K will probably be gone.
i hope so; just have a bad feeling about it is all.
I also have this Boras feeling about that situation
Dan Haren’s contract for 2013 is a club option in case you want to add that.
A majority of these players will be signed, and a few more retired by the time they would have hit free agency. 2014 is a long way off, but it’s interesting to speculate. This list is more useful to pick out the players on clubs that aren’t likely to be able to afford extensions, and see who might be on the trade block next season.
Strong group of players in that class.
In a selfish sort of way, I really hope Christian Bethancourt crashes and burns like Cody Johnson did. Obviously I’d prefer to trade him rather than watch the kids career go down the drain but seeing as how he is on track to debut the same year that Brian McCann could possibly be playing for another team I can’t help but think that Mac might not be in the teams long term plans, which isn’t cool. He should be the next lifer. He’s why I could really care less if we resign Michael Bourn. It’d be a nice money saver.
I added Ubaldo, by the way.
Lineup of Ellsbury, McCann, Votto, Morse, Cano, Cruz, Youk, Young, Cabrera and rotation of top 5 starters from the list. What would be the budget? over or under $200 M?
The hitters alone might even have a payroll combined of over $200 mil
LOL 300 would have been a better number.
interesting. much stronger than next year’s. curious to see how many of these guys are actually on the FA market or still top tier two years from now.
It’s pretty exciting being a Tigers fan and not seeing a single key player on any FA list until 2015 (all the starters, plus Cabrera, Prince, Avila, and Boesch). All the core pieces are locked down for at least 2012-14… going to be making some noise the next few seasons!
John Lannan deserves a mention, at least. He’ll probably get a two-year deal from somebody.
This is a strong free agent list.
Over /under on future dodgers 3?