I wanted to post a quick apology again to the readers of Fire Brand of the American League. I had a death in the family and will be attending a funeral today; as a result, I don’t have an article to post up today. Since tonight is one of the biggest, um, social nights of the year its doubtful I’ll get it finished tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be tryptophaned to death.
However, I will give you a preview of what I’m working on and a chance for your input before I post my final decisions. The premise of the article is this: historically, as a small market team, its too risky to try to build a team around the top available free agents. If you give $20 million a year over six years to a player who is a bust, you’re ship is sunk. Then again, in today’s economy, you could just get in the bailout line with the banking industry, automakers, and credit card companies, but I digress.
So my thought was this: what is the best team money could buy using only free agents who are outside the top 50 list that we created here on Fire Brand? I have my “rough draft” team picked, but I didn’t get a chance to do any stat-diving or analysis yet. Take a look at who is available, thanks to MLB Trade Rumors, and use the comments area to tell us what you think is the best team available! Call it the “leftovers game,” and show us your picks! Bonus points if you figure in approximate payroll of the team.
Rules: You need to pick two of each of the following: 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, RF, LF, CF, C, DH, and Closer. Pick six starting pitchers. Middle relievers aren’t important in this game. The game is played in a vaccuum, so anything is possible, and it is only for one year, so consider the age of your players accordingly.
Available Free Agents (Age)
Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Josh Bard (31)
Michael Barrett (32)
Gary Bennett (37)
Henry Blanco (37)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Sal Fasano (37)
Toby Hall (33)
Paul Lo Duca (37) – Type B
Adam Melhuse (37)
Chad Moeller (34)
David Ross (32)
Javier Valentin (33)
Vance Wilson (36)
Gregg Zaun (38) – Type B
First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Miguel Cairo (35)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Sweeney (39)
Daryle Ward (34)
Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41) – Type B
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Mark Loretta (37) – Type B
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Luis Rivas (29)
Shortstops
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Alex Cintron (30)
David Eckstein (34)
Craig Counsell (38)
Alex Cora (33)
Adam Everett (32)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Chris Gomez (38)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Tomohiro Nioka (33)
Luis Rivas (29)
Juan Uribe (30) – Type B
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Omar Vizquel (42)
Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Aaron Boone (36)
Russell Branyan (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Mike Lamb (33)
Mark Loretta (37) – Type B
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Juan Uribe (30) – Type B
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Left fielders
Moises Alou (42) – Type B
Garret Anderson (37) – Type B
Emil Brown (34)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41) – Type B
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jay Payton (36)
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jason Michaels (33)
Juan Rivera (30)
So Taguchi (39)
Center fielders
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Scott Podsednik (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
So Taguchi (39)
Right fielders
Emil Brown (34)
Brad Wilkerson (32)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33)
Trot Nixon (35)
Cliff Floyd (36)
DHs
Cliff Floyd (36)
Frank Thomas (41) – Type B
Mike Sweeney (35)
Jose Vidro (34)
Starting pitchers
Kenny Rogers (44)
Roger Clemens (46)
Curt Schilling (42)
Jon Lieber (39)
Greg Maddux (43) – Type B
Bartolo Colon (36)
Shawn Estes (36)
Rodrigo Lopez (33)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Tom Glavine (43)
Kenshin Kawakami (34)
Mark Mulder (31)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Matt Clement (33)
John Parrish (31)
Mark Prior (27)
Kris Benson (33)
Kip Wells (32)
Josh Fogg (32)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Koji Uehara (34)
Jason Jennings (30)
Closers
Jason Isringhausen (36) – Type B
Eddie Guardado (38)
Eric Gagne (33) – Type B
