What the top free agents should expect to command

Torii Hunter could be in line for a deal that would pay him $15 million annually. Jeff Zelevansky/Icon SMI

RELATED • VERDUCCI: Buzz from GM meetings • HEYMAN: Mets, Red Sox meet with Boras • DONOVAN: The free-agent wild card

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• Boras denies cool A-Rod market
• Pettitte won't rush his decision
• More MLB news and notes

ORLANDO, Fla. -- This extremely thin free-agent class consists of A-Rod followed by mainly B-teamers. Yet, with most teams flush with cash, don't expect too many great bargains.

Specifically, after Alex Rodriguez the market features three prime center fielders (Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand), a couple other longtime Yankees stars (Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera), an interesting reliever or two (Francisco Cordero), a few solid though not spectacular starters (Carlos Silva, Livan Hernandez and Kyle Lohse) and a bunch of middling or bit players, plus the usual smattering of aging former stars.

As one baseball executive put it, the list features mostly Scott Boras clients and late bloomers, as teams have made a concerted effort to lock up their most valued commodities. There are several ways to assess the lack of depth and talent of the free-agent class, but perhaps Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said it best: "My reaction to the free-agent market is, I'm glad we're not in it.''

Ah, well, at least we have A-Rod.

Teams are eligible to begin making offers to outside free agents on Tuesday. Without further ado, here's a list of the top free agents and how much each player should expect to command in one of the weaker markets in years:

1. Alex Rodriguez. It's a perfect storm for A-Rod, with the one imperfection being the absence of the Yankees in what promises to be a record contract. Here's what should help him: A career year. A weak market. Several big-market teams in need of a third baseman. The Angels look like they may lead the pack, with the Dodgers, Mets and Red Sox in pursuit. The greats usually get 30 percent more than you'd guess, so I'm moving it up from my late-season prediction of $256 million for eight years.
What's the deal? 10 years, $320 million.

2. Torii Hunter. Superb season was timed perfectly for one of baseball's best people. The Twins tried $45 million for three years. He may double that.
What's the deal? 6 years, $90 million.

3. Andruw Jones. Four hundred putouts dispute the notion that he's lost a half step. But his season with the stick didn't become him. Cost himself tens of million with his awful performance at the plate (26 homers -- his lowest total since 1999 -- and a career-low .222 batting average).
What's the deal? 5 years, $80 million.

4. Aaron Rowand. Great chemistry guy plays with reckless abandon, maybe almost too reckless sometimes. Coming off a career year (.309, 27, 89).
What's the deal? 4 years, $56 million.

5. Jorge Posada. Has the Yankees where he wants them. They're offering three years but have to wonder if maybe, just maybe, he'd jump to the Mets.
What's the deal? 4 years, $52 million (same as Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon).

6. Mike Lowell. Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who's in the third base-market after A-Rod opted out, opined, "I personally believe the player's preference is to stay in Boston first and foremost.'' Lowell and the Red Sox still may be at odds over the years, though, with Boston offering three and Lowell looking for four.
What's the deal? 4 years, $52 million.

7. Francisco Cordero. Big year in Brew City (44 saves, 86 K's in 63 1/3 innings). Nice acquisition for Doug Melvin, but it'll be tough to keep him.
What's the deal? 4 years, $44 million.

8. Mariano Rivera. No response to the Yankees' three-year, $39 million offer. He'll make 'em sweat it out, but eventually he should come back.
What's the deal? 3 years, $42 million.

9. Carlos Silva. May be the best free-agent starter out there. Came on at the end of last season (7-4 in the second half), and should cash in. Word is, the Twins tried $20 million for three years. With roughly 20 teams interested, he'll do much better than that.
What's the deal? 4 years, $40 million.

10. Kyle Lohse. Always willing to take the ball. It's what happens afterward that can be troublesome (9-12, 4.62 ERA with the Reds and Phillies last year).
What's the deal? 3 years, $24 million.

11. Livan Hernandez. Innings eater, competitor, excellent fielder and fine hitter.
What's the deal? 3 years, $24 million.

12. Mike Cameron. The 25-game suspension won't deter everyone.
What's the deal? 3 years, $21 million.

13. Barry Bonds. Everyone thinks he'll get a job, but no one admits they'll hire him. Still, that 1.000-plus OPS is nothing to sneeze at.
What's the deal? 1 year, $12 million.

14. Paul Lo Duca. Mets only want him as a last resort.
What's the deal? 2 years, $12 million.

15. Tom Glavine. Braves, Nats and Astros have checked in. But of course he'll choose to stay home in Atlanta.
What's the deal? 1 year, $11 million.

16. Kerry Wood. Resurrected career and showed enough flashes to get a multiyear deal. Likely to remain a Cub.
What's the deal? 2 years, $10 million.

17. Yorvit Torrealba. Fine game-caller and defender, but weak arm and suspect bat (despite playoff heroics). Rockies want him back but Mets also need a catcher.
What's the deal? 2 years, $10 million.

18. Luis Castillo. Useful player leads weak second-base market.
What's the deal? 2 years, $10 million.

19. Kaz Matsui. Playoff hero isn't the same guy who flopped in New York.
What's the deal? 2 years, $8 million.

20. Eric Gagne. Determined to find a closer's job after bombing as Boston's set-up man. Before that he was brilliant as Texas closer (2.16 ERA, 16 saves).
What's the deal? 1 year, $6 million.

21. Todd Jones. Better than folks think. Without overpowering stuff he has 115 saves over the last three years.
What's the deal? 1 year, $6 million.

The rest of the field: Cliff Floyd, Kenny Lofton, David Wells, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa. These former stars will be hard-pressed to exceed $5 million for one year, if that.

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