MLB Trade Rumors has obtained the official Elias Rankings. These rankings declare which free agents are Type A and which are Type B. Some of the top free agent relief pitchers are listed as Type A’s, but there are plenty of intriguing options listed as Type B.
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I recently took a look at Grant Balfour as possible bullpen help. At the time, the thought of Balfour as a Type A free agent didn’t cross my mind. As it turns out, Balfour made the Type A list and, if he is offered arbitration and declines, the Rays would receive a draft pick as compensation. It’s not just the fact that Balfour made the Type A list, but the fact that some other marginal relievers did as well.
Scott Downs – This one was somewhat expected as Downs posted a 3.09 ERA in 2009 and 2.64 ERA in 2010 with K/BB rates over three K’s per walk for each season.
Frank Francisco – ERA’s in the high three’s over the last two seasons, but good strikeout numbers.
Jason Frasor – Regressed from an excellent 2009, but numbers were still solid in 2010.
Matt Guerrier – Solid ERA and over 70 IP for the past two seasons make up for a well below average strikeout rate.
Arthur Rhodes – Dominance against left-handed hitters has helped keep his ERA sparkling.
Rafael Soriano – This was an obvious Type A and the team that signs him is likely going to lose an early round draft pick.
The question becomes: Is it worth it to give up draft picks to sign any of these guys? While the Sox may try and go after other Type A players like Jayson Werth or Carl Crawford — meaning their top pick would already be surrendered — they would still surrender other draft picks for one or two years of a multi-million dollar middle reliever (Soriano aside).
If I had to guess, none of the names above will end up with the Sox next season. However, there are some extremely attractive Type B options, some even more attractive than the names listed above.
Joaquin Benoit
Pedro Feliciano
Brian Fuentes – Examined here.
J.J. Putz
Chad Qualls
Jon Rauch
Hisanori Takahashi
Koji Uehara
Kerry Wood
I’m sure myself and the rest of the authors here will be taking an in-depth look at the Type B names listed above in the coming month or so.
While the Type A free agent list may have narrowed the Red Sox list of possible bullpen help, there are still many other and possibly better options that the Sox should pursue.