Breaking Down the First Five in the Auction

The 'Days of Thunder' are about to start on free agency - thought I'd kickstart the conversation.

Chris Carpenter

Halladay'esque stud is likely to push free agency to it's limit with a near $10M bid. Carpenter used to be fragile, but somehow has stayed out there for huge innings the last two seasons. What's there to like: Top of the rotation and huge innings, also - seldom gives up a homer. What's there not to like: He is getting older, may break down and has a pretty high hit rate. Predicted winning salary bid: $10M

Javier Vazquez

Vazquez career is a series of ups-and-downs and at his age, 2012 is likely to pull him back to earth. His HR allowed and flyball outs vs groundouts are a problem, but the new and spacious stadium may help him out. Real good 2011, but always a question mark ... predicted winning salary bid: $6.1M

Paul Konerko

Konerko had another solid .300 30 100 type season ... which is great, but I think he is going to go for more than he is really worth in this draft. Consider that he is getting old and playing in the field less these days. Also, his OBA is not great and while he produces, it's not dominating production. I know a lot of guys like him and there are the Chicago lovers in the league and he'll go high, but I doubt he will be 'signable' ... predicted winning salary bid: $7M (caveat of perceived real worth from me, $4.5M)

Jose Valverde

Fat men rule and Valverde is no exception. Listed at 255, he's probably 280 - he is fat and crafty. All that craftiness does, however, lead to a high pct of walks, which is the chink in this guy's armor. Still, he has some great upside on keeping the ball in the park and a low hit rate ... predicted winning salary bid: $4.1M

Carlos Lee

Fat men rule, to be sure, but sometimes old fat men are not as royally effective. Carlos has gone down that path like a poor man's Rico Carty. He's in the first auction group and that will help his salary in the FPBL, but his signability is gone and he is not likely to be a starter in real life for much longer. Predicted winning salary bid: $3.3M



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2012 04:13PM by Mentone Beach Maulers.

I doubt any of these guys you want for more than a one year contract. If you can get Paulie for less than 5 mil that I'd extend but that ain't going to happen. Carp you let take you far this year and not tie yourself down for following years when he is not going to be as effective. Vazquez and Valverde are rentals as well. Lee is a platoon on a serious team, nothing more.

Matt you get a for an awesome job.

David Furstein
GM New York Jaywalkers
david.furstein@gmail.com

yeah this was a good piece. I really see very few, if any, resigns in the free agent auction. thats the nature of the beast.

JW Bersani
Maine Black Bears
parkbench@gmail.com

Yeah it's true. The 4M guys typically get a resign if they are someone good in a down year.

I'm really interested in how the first round will go - there are a ton of pitchers will innings in the auction this year, and very limited amounts of bats at each position. The top bidders of Carpenter and Marcum may very well be knocked out of the auction for the remainder, and guys like Konerko and A-Ram could go for premium dollar due to the low supply.

Do fat baseball players get any special ratings in DMB?

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Brooklyn Brawlers
Adam Napack
brawlers@fp-baseball.com

If fat ballplayers could get a special DMB rating, Sid Fernandez should make a a comeback!

FYI Vazquez is actually an original Toronto Storm from 1999 and has a couple FPBL championships under his belt from Storm glory years. Nice to see him having a resurgence as his career winds down.