Posted November 19, 200520 yr comment_3956268 Same as the relievers, we'll hit a top 10-20 format, depending on how many reasonable candidates are available. 1. Paul Konerko Buyer beware. Konerko hit 40 home runs a season in a park quite condusive to home runs. Of Konerko's 81 home runs the last two seasons, 52 were hit at home, 29 on the road. There are a lot of analysts rejecting the Moneyball approach to baseball this offseason, so let me state this perfectly clear. Teams can get comparable production for pennies on the dollar. Konerko will be vastly overpaid. 2. Travis Lee An unheralded player who was criticized earlier in his career for not developing into the player everyone thought he would be. At this point in his career, he's a league average hitter with an above-average glove. Could be a bargain for a team needing a one-year stopgap. 3. Kevin Millar The field truly falls off a cliff. Millar had a wretched year, and his road stats are even worse. However, he was quite good the previous four years, and at 33, a rebound is entirely possible. 4. J.T. Snow Slugging percentage fell off a cliff. Snow is probably a platoon player and the end of the line is nearing. 5. Olmedo Saenz 6. Mark Sweeney .288 batting average, 21 doubles, 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, 49 walks in 316 at bats. That's what a Sweeney/Saenz platoon would have brought at first base this season. 7. Erubiel Durazo Would rank second if not for concerns regarding his recovery from elbow surgery. 8. Doug Mientkiewicz I get the feeling Mientkiewicz will produce another .300 batting average just to make me look stupid. 9. John Olerud Good season disguised by Fenway's kind park effects. 10. Robert Fick League average hitter, but can catch a couple times a week. Utilized properly, can be a valuable player. 11. Julio Franco 12. Eduardo Perez 13. Tino Martinez 14. Scott Hatteberg 15. Daryle Ward 16. Carlos Baerga 17. Jim Rushford 18. Alejandro Freire 19. Jose Offerman 20. Bucky Jacobsen Brad Fullmer is also available, although he missed 2005 so I'm not sure what his situation is. Rafael Palmeiro is available, but to hell with him.
November 19, 200520 yr comment_3957593 Don't forget that Florida is looking to unload the real costly years of Carlos Delgado, and that Milwaukee has two competent, cheap first basemen and only one spot on the field for them to play in Miller Park. Two of those three players may end up moving before the majority of the free agents on this list do.
November 19, 200520 yr Author comment_3958491 Indeed. There are several first basemen on the trade market. Delgado, Lyle Overbay, Jim Thome, Aubrey Huff, etc. All will come at cost however, either by paying salaries or dealing prospects.
November 20, 200520 yr Author comment_3963547 Someone can have Eric Hinske if they want him. Anyone? Hinske would be a good fit in Philly if he can still play third base. Come to think of it, Hinske for Rheal Cormier would be a very interesting trade possibility.
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