My All-Free Agency Team

Manny Ramirez is unquestionably the crown jewel in the remaining free-agent pool. Robert Beck/SI Ted Keith's Mailbag Ted Keith will answer select questions from SI.com users in his Baseball Mailbag. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Ted Keith on Twitter

Jon Garland is 29 years old and in 2008 he went 14-8 for a division championship club while pitching almost 200 innings, but on Wednesday he agreed to a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks for $6.25 million -- a deal that is 1/3 as long and almost $23 million cheaper than his last contract. While Garland's performance may not have been overpowering (he did have a 4.90 ERA and only 90 strikeouts), his new deal is the latest example of baseball's shifting economic philosophies. Raises that used to be the norm, especially for relatively young and well-established players, are no longer automatic. Even starting pitchers -- the lifeblood of free agency -- are finding their wages slashed as teams battle through the same economic downturn saturating the rest of the nation.

As a result, the free-agent market remains flooded with nearly 100 unsigned players. But it isn't the volume as much as the quality of players still available that is surprising. From future Hall of Famers to recent All-Stars, the list of free agents is teeming with big names as ballclubs emphasize youth over experience, draft picks over long-term contracts and, of course, cheap labor over expensive talent.

Of those still available, many are similar to Garland in that they can be had at prices far below what they originally sought or what they would have gotten in a different year, and certainly far below what they made last year (see Griffey, Ken; Rodriguez, Ivan; and Anderson, Garret).

The shrinking market has made some cheaper teams contenders for players who would normally be priced well out of their range.

"There are players that we're staying in touch with with the possibility in mind that perhaps the deal they were looking for isn't out there and they like the fit of our club and our situation and a shorter-term deal or something that fits what we're trying to do a little better," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.

Some of these players might not even have new teams by the start of spring training, which may actually be a negotiating ploy to the players' advantage.

"I've heard hitters need only two weeks to get in shape, so it wouldn't surprise me if some of them sit out," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. "Pitchers are different, but I can see premium hitters sitting out. They don't really play the first seven or 10 games of spring training anyway."

Imagine, then, if those still-unsigned free agents were merged into one team. It would be full of dangerous sluggers, Gold Glove defenders, veteran starting pitchers and fireballing relievers. The team below is comprised solely of remaining free agents with their 2008 salaries noted. In most cases, the salaries for these players will drop dramatically in 2009. Two things are certain: 1) This team would win quite a few games; and 2) Some of the players might well still be waiting for the phone to ring when camps open next month.

Starting Lineup

Catcher: Jason Varitek

Several reports have indicated the Red Sox's captain will be headed back to Boston for his 13th season in Beantown, but until the ink is dry on the offer the club made to him last week (a one-year deal with a club option, according to reports), he remains the only free-agent catcher available who could reasonably be expected to step into a starting lineup for a contender and be a factor. With a .220 average, 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 2008, 'Tek hardly resembles the offensive force he was in season's past, but he's still capable of helping a team win games.

'08 salary: $9 million

First Base: Rich Aurilia

Aurilia's versatility -- he can play all four infield positions -- and still-capable bat (.293/.332/.413) should get him a chance somewhere, perhaps with the Cubs, where he would add valuable depth to the infield, a role formerly employed by since-departed Mark DeRosa.

'08 salary: $4.5 million

Second Base: Orlando Hudson

Like some others on this list, Hudson's market is likely affected by his status as a Type A free agent, which would force any team that signs him to surrender a draft pick. In other years, that might be a worthy gamble for a Gold Glover who hit .305 in 2008, but his age (31) and injury issues (hand problems limited him to just 107 games in 2008) aren't helping. The Nationals, Braves and Orioles (if they deal Brian Roberts) could be fits.

'08 salary: $6.25 million

Shortstop: Orlando Cabrera

Like Hudson, Cabrera is a 30-something (34) Gold Glove, Type A middle infielder whose price tag is keeping offers to a minimum. The A's have reportedly shown interest, but a return to the Red Sox, whom he helped win a World Series title in '04 after a midseason trade from Montreal, would be especially intriguing.

'08 salary: $9 million

Third base: Joe Crede

Crede made the All-Star team last season but played in just 11 games in the second half because of the back problems that have bothered him for multiple seasons. Even if his bat doesn't return to his pre-injury levels (16 home runs and 49 RBIs at the break), his defensive skills should merit him an offer from someone. The Giants and are possibilities.

'08 salary: $5.1 million

Left field: Manny Ramirez

No one better symbolizes the surprising market than Manny. When the offseason began, Ramirez was eyeing his second $100 million contract as the source of a bidding war between big-market contenders. Instead, both his asking price and his likely suitors have started dwindling. He's still likely to command a gigantic contract -- possibly from the Dodgers -- for his yeoman's work (.396 batting average and 53 RBIs in 53 games) in helping turn the Dodgers' season around, but visions of a nine-figure deal are long gone.

'08 salary: $20 million

Center field: Jim Edmonds

Edmonds is the only pure center fielder still out there, but his defense alone would land him on this list. His career seemed to be nearing an end back in April, when the woeful Padres cut him and his .178 batting average loose. But he bounced back to his .256/.369/.568 with 19 home runs and 45 RBIs in 85 games for the NL Central champion Cubs. That wasn't enough to get him invited back to Wrigley, but the eight-time Gold Glover should land somewhere before Opening Day.

'08 salary: $8 million

Right field: Bobby Abreu

Another surprise is the continued availability of Abreu. Only three players have driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past six seasons (Abreu, Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols), but only one of those is still looking for a team. His defense has been criticized, but he's a lifetime .300 hitter who can still run (22 steals in 2008) and would be a good middle-of-the-order option for several teams.

'08 salary: $16 million

Designated Hitter: Adam Dunn

Having spent his entire career in the National League, Dunn has never DH'd before, but it's not his glove that is making him attractive to teams in both leagues. He batted an anemic .236 but totaled exactly 40 home runs and 100 RBIs and his .386 on-base percentage and .513 slugging percentage indicate he still belongs in the middle of a lineup somewhere.

'08 salary: $13 million

Bench

Ivan Rodriguez

Pudge may be a future Hall of Famer who still has a terrific arm, but it seems increasingly likely that he'll have to settle for a reserve role wherever he winds up after slumping to .276 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in his worst offensive season since 1992. Paul Bako might be cheaper, but Pudge is still the better player, and given the playing time and importance of backup catchers, he gets the nod.

'08 salary: $13 million

Ty Wigginton: He's never been a big name, but his numbers make it surprising he hasn't signed somewhere yet. He had a .285 average and .526 slugging percentage in 111 games for the Astros in 2008, and can play three infield (1B, 2B, 3B) and two outfield (LF, RF) positions.

'08 salary: $4.35 million