MLB Hot Stove: Top 50 Free Agents with Predictions: No. 50-41
It is one of the most exciting times of the year in baseball; the offseason. Fans desperately wait to see how their teams will sign. I've chaneled my inner Nostradamus and made some predictions.
50) Koji Uehara- Royals Uehara can pitch both in the rotation and out of the bullpen. The Royals need help in both of these roles and Uehara’s versatility and low cost should appeal to them. He can occupy a spot in the rotation until some of the Royals prospects are ready and then he can move to the bullpen.
49) Grant Balfour- Phillies Balfour will strengthen the Phillies bullpen. He would provide added stability and could also serve as a setup man if necessary.
48) Bill Hall- Royals Hall had a great year filling in as a utility player for the Red Sox. He should be able to find a starting role in Kansas City where he may be able to shine.
47) Brandon Webb- Nationals Brandon Webb is a risk after having only pitched in one game the past two seasons. The Nationals are a team that can afford to take a risk on him. Seems like a perfect match.
46) Scott Podsednik- Dodgers Podsednik is a threat at the top of any lineup. Matching him with Rafael Furcal gives the Dodgers the opportunity to score a lot of runs. The Dodgers also will likely not be able to make a bigger splash due to the McCourt’s divorce.
45) Hisanori Takahashi- Yankees Takahashi seemed to enjoy his time in New York. Unfortunately he couldn’t reach a deal with the Mets. He shouldn’t have to look too far however, as the Bronx Bombers are looking for bullpen help.
44) Pedro Felicanio- Mets With the loss of Hisanori Takahashi, the Mets cannot afford to have another solid lefty leave their bullpen. Felicanio was a workhorse for the Mets last year and should be back.
43) Kevin Millwood- Pirates Millwood struggled mightily last year, as did all of the Pirates pitching staff. Millwood provide a veteran presence to a relatively young pitching staff (average age 27 years old last season).
42) J.J. Putz- Tigers The Tigers could use a setup man for Jose Valverde. Putz would be a great option to fill this spot.
41) Yorvit Torrealba- Dodgers It appears as if the Dodgers are ready to give up on Russell Martin. They will look to Torrealba to fill the void and provide some offense from behind the plate.
