Season 12 is thankfully under way, and it's time to start this season's blog coverage with a preview of Free Agency. Overall, this class is not elite, the big franchise changing players just aren't available this season. We'd grade the class overall at about a C-. Nonetheless, there are still some players out there who can help teams, so it's not a complete loss. Here are our picks for the top 10 free agents for Season 12.
1. Steve Lampkin, 32, SP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 3.73 Career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 5 years, $75 million
Possible Destinations: Colorado, Cincinnati, Chicago (NL), Nashville
Signed with Rochester - 5 years, $80.5 million
In a relatively weak Free Agent class, Lampkin stands out as one of the few impact players available. The three-time all-star is good for 200+ innings per year, with plus ratings across the board. He has the potential to improve on his career ERA, and we consider him a low-end #1 starter or a strong #2. He will greatly help the rotation of whomever he lands with.
2. Zachrey Coleman, 30, RP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 3.57 career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 4 years, $36 million
Possible Destinations: Oklahoma City, Louisville, Nashville, Helena
Signed with Cincinnati - 4 years, $24 million
When an RP comes in at #2 on the list of best free agents, it’s not a great class, but Coleman is still a quality RP who has shown he can go 100+ quality innings of relief. Again, plus ratings across the board, except effectiveness vs. LH and a weak 2nd pitch, but we don’t see that holding him back from being a huge addition to some team’s bullpen.
3. Jay Borbon, 31, RP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 2.97 career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 4 years, $36 million
Possible Destinations: Vancouver, Oklahoma City, Rochester, New Britain
Signed with Nashville - 4 years, $39.6 million
Another RP! Borbon has better ratings than Coleman, pretty much no weaknesses, but can’t throw nearly as many innings, which drops him below. Still, the 6 time all-star and 2 time fireman of the year will continue to be a lights-out closer, wherever he lands.
4. Jody Moore, 28, C
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: .857 career OPS
Salary Over/Under: 3 years, $20 million
Possible Destinations: Colorado, Chicago (AL), Chicago (NL), New Britain
Signed with Colorado - 5 years, $52.5 million
The top rated offensive player of this free agent class, Moore is a solid bat, that will improve a lineup with his solid across the board hitting ratings, and on top of that, he’s not a bad defensive catcher, although hardly elite. He’s also only 28, so he’s got a lot of good years ahead. He’ll be a nice piece for whoever signs him, albeit he won’t be one to single handedly turn around a franchise.
5. Brandon Cuyler, 31, 3B
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: Great overall player
Salary Over/Under: 4 years, $60 million
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay, Memphis, Philadelphia, Chicago (NL)
Signed with Seattle - 4 years, $53 million
In such a weak free agent market, Cuyler may be able to cash in big time thanks to his defensive skill set, combined with good hitting. In no way, shape or form should he be playing shortstop, but is a plus third baseman with good speed. His hitting ratings look good on the surface, but a poor batting eye may be holding him back, his last two seasons have been a struggle, but still he’ll be a nice add for the team that lands him.
6. Michael Huang, 33, SP
Type B Free Agent
Key Stat: 3.57 career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 4 years, $56 million
Possible Destinations: Augusta, Texas, Monterrey , Chicago (AL)
Signed with Chicago (AL) - 3 years, $16.8 million
Huang is solid, dependable arm that would make a nice #3 or #4 starter on a good team. His ratings don’t overwhelm you, but his last three seasons look solid, so it seems he still has some value, especially in this free agent class. He’ll be a nice consolation prize for a team that can’t land Lampkin, and he won’t cost you a first round pick.
7. Khoury Henderson, 32, 1B
Type B Free Agent
Key Stat: .874 career OPS
Salary Over/Under: 3 years, $15 million
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay, Seattle, Colorado, Memphis
Signed with Oklahoma City - 5 years, $44.3 million
Henderson is possibly the best pure hitter in this free agent class. He didn’t suffer a dramatic decrease during the offseason, but age is still a concern, as well as durability. Still, with high plus ratings across the board hitting wise, he’ll be a good asset at 1B or DH for the next 2-3 seasons, and the type B designation is a small price to pay.
8. Elvis Singleton, 34, SP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 4.13 career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 3 years, $40 million
Possible Destinations: Colorado, Texas, Helena, Pawtucket
Signed with Augusta - 3 years, $21.4 million
Singleton is a durable hurler, who can get you 200+ innings easily. His splits aren’t great and he doesn’t throw hard. His pitch arsenal doesn’t jump out. Basically he is a #3 or #4 type that may go for more than he’s worth, given the lack of quality arms available this season, but still will be a nice add that should improve a rotation.
9. Wil Skinner, 32, RP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 100+ IP potential
Salary Over/Under: 3 years, $10 million
Possible Destinations: Louisville, Monterrey, Texas, Indianapolis
Signed with Detroit - 2 years, $10.4 million
Skinner is an extremely durable reliever with decent splits, and good pitches and control. He could easily toss 100 IP for you as a setup A guy. He doesn’t throw hard and is average at keeping the ball down, which is a slight concern, and has had some pretty shaky seasons, but all-in-all is a solid reliever that could improve most bullpens.
10. Nicholas Johnstone, 32, SP
Type A Free Agent
Key Stat: 3.95 career ERA
Salary Over/Under: 4 years, $44 million
Possible Destinations: Colorado, Augusta, Nashville, Philadelphia
Signed with Detroit - 4 years, $30 million
Johnstone wouldn’t make the top 10 list in most seasons, but just squeezes into this one. He has great control, is extremely durable, is good against lefties, and keeps the ball down fairly well. His pitch arsenal is good, but not outstanding. He is mediocre against righties which is a big concern, but given his past history should do well in a pitcher’s park and could be a serviceable #4 or high-end #5 otherwise, but he will cost you a draft pick.
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