With Jeter's announcement of retirement & A-Rods career up in the air, lets take a look. For shortstop I figure they're 4 players to look at all free agents after this year. Clevelands, Asdrubal Cabrera, He'll be 29 as a FA. He's a switch hitter, plays both SS & 2B (two needs we'll need to fill). Has some pop, I figure good for 20+ Hrs & is a career 273 hitter. Money wise he'll earn 10M this season. Baltimore's J.J. Hardy, he'll be 32 when he's a FA. A GG SS career 260 hitter & good for 20+ HRs. Money wise will earn 7M this season. Oaklands Jed Lowrie, He'll be 31 when he's a FA. A career 265 hitter, has some pop 12-15 HRs. Is a switch hitter & plays 3 infield positions, SS, 2B & 3B. And only earning 5.2M this season. Lastly there's Hanley Ramirez, he'll be 31 when he's a FA, has power, is a career 300 hitter, plays both SS & 3B. 2 draw backs, earning 16M this season & is injury prone. 3RD BASE -------------- Aside from Lowrie & Ramirez already mentioned there's........ The Giants Pablo Sandoval he'll be 28 as a FA plays both 3B & 1B, has some pop & will earn 8.2M this season. And the Padres Chase Headley, He'll be 31 as a FA. Is also a switch hitter plays both 3B & LF Has yet to recapture his one good season a few years back & is earning 10.5M this season. On the pitching front the big prize will probably be the Tigers cy young winner Mas Scherzer. He'll be 30 as a FA and will earn 15.5 this season. and pending on the year he has he could cost a ton. So there you have it Next season we'll need a SS, 2B & hopefully a 3rd baseman so we'll probably need 2 of the players I mentioned. #1 is DEFINITELY Lowrie who could fill ANY of the 3 positions. and my 2nd choice would be Asdrubal Cabrera who could cover 2 of the needed positions. or even possibly Pablo Sandoval for 3rd base. Handley is going to be WAY to costly. especially if he has a good season this year & manages to stay healthy.
Ca$hman will overpay for Ramirez and his great offensive potential. and Ramirez will love him for it.
Again, it all depends on whether he can stay healthy. He missed 70 games in 2011 & another 76 games last year. If he can't keep his ass on the field he ain't getting shit. And IMO Lowrie is still the best choice for MANY reasons.
I agree Jill & like I said, aside from being a switch hitter, he gives us a lot of needed options. BTW: how have you been feeling? I hope all is well.
No way guys. I'm sure one of the many shortstops we've drafted in the first round recently will be ready next year. ROTFLMAO
Hey Rick, I am doing pretty good thanks for asking. I am scheduled for surgery Feb. 24th so might be off the boards for a few weeks.
