With a new labor deal, a struggling economy and only a few top players available, most teams are talking more about financial discipline than breaking contract barriers this offseason. CNNSI.com breaks down the free agents available in what appears to be a buyer's market:
A-List
Jim Thome, 1B
With 101 homers and 242 RBIs over the past two seasons, Thome is the top slugger on the market. The Phillies have reportedly offered him a five-year, $75 million contract. Your move, Cleveland.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.304
146
477
101
145
19
52
117
.679
Career
.287
1,376
4,637
917
1,331
259
334
926
.568
Jeff Kent, 2B
Who doesn't want MVP-type numbers from a middle infielder? Kent has credentials to burn, including six straight 100-RBI seasons, but his age (34) and huge asking price might work against him.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.313
152
623
102
195
42
37
108
.565
Career
.289
1,502
5,559
866
1,604
365
253
1,007
.503
Tom Glavine, LHP
Glavine never has needed a big arm to succeed in the big leagues, so his age (37 on Opening Day) shouldn't be much of a factor in the bidding for this workhorse lefty.
ERA
W
L
IP
H
ER
BB
K
Avg.
2002
2.96
18
11
224.2
210
74
78
127
.252
Career
3.37
242
143
3,345.0
3,174
1,252
1,140
2,054
.252
Greg Maddux, RHP
You know you are a great pitcher when 16 victories and a 2.62 ERA qualifies as a "down" year. Injuries shortened many of his starts in 2002, but there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.
ERA
W
L
IP
H
ER
BB
K
Avg.
2002
2.62
16
6
199.1
194
58
45
118
.257
Career
2.83
273
152
3,750.1
3,400
1,179
805
2,641
.242
Cliff Floyd, OF
Once thought to be a superstar in the making, Floyd has leveled off as a modern-day, poor man's Eric Davis, compiling nearly all of his numbers in half a season before succumbing to injuries.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.317
146
520
86
150
43
28
79
.533
Career
.284
955
3,132
510
891
225
132
508
.494
Ivan Rodriguez, C
When healthy, Pudge is the best all-around catcher in the game, but injuries have prevented him from playing in more than 111 games in any of the previous three seasons.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.314
108
408
67
128
32
19
60
.542
Career
.305
1,479
5,656
852
1,723
344
215
829
.489
Hideki Matsui, OF
The most renowned slugger in Japanese baseball is coming to a ballpark near you in 2003. The 28-year-old left-hander has power to to all fields and answers to "Godzilla." The Yankees are interested.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.334
140
500
112
167
27
52
107
.692
Career
.304
1,268
4,472
901
1,390
245
332
889
.525
Roger Clemens, RHP
Nagging injuries slowed the Rocket last season, and he will command a hefty payday in 2003. But look at the bright side: He will reach 300 wins and 4,000 whiffs with whatever team signs him.
ERA
W
L
IP
H
ER
BB
K
Avg.
2002
4.35
13
6
180.0
172
87
63
192
.250
Career
3.15
293
151
4,067.0
3,478
1,425
1,321
3,909
.230
Frank Thomas, DH
Under an unusual provision in his contract, the Big Hurt can explore free agency until Dec. 7. Don't expect any team to improve on the annual $10.1 million owed to Thomas through 2006.
Avg.
G
AB
R
H
2B
HR
RBI
Slg.
2002
.254
147
520
77
132
29
28
92
.475
Career
.314
1,697
6,062
1,168
1,902
393
376
1,285
.568
B-List
John Olerud, 1B (.300-22-102): Combination of offense and defense makes him one of the game's best first baseman year in and year out.
Edgardo Alfonso, 2B-3B (.308-16-56): A decent veteran hitter who can play two infield positions, but the power stroke is no longer there and his durability is in doubt.
Ray Durham, 2B (.289-15-70, 26 SB): One of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. Provides valuable speed and power from the middle infield.
Paul Byrd, RHP (17-11, 3.90): After an impressive 8-2 start, went 9-9 with a 4.43 ERA. Still, a nice No. 3 starter for a contender.
Steve Finley, CF (.287-25-89): Bounced back nicely from a poor 2001 season.
Jamie Moyer, LHP (13-8, 3.32): Seven consecutive seasons of double-digit wins, but he will turn 40 on Nov. 18.
Ugueth Urbina, RHP (40 saves, 3.00): The author of perhaps the least-heralded 40-save season ever.
Robin Ventura, 3B (.247-27-93): Drew Henson's struggles make him more valuable to the Yankees every day.
Reggie Sanders, OF (.250-23-85): Can produce 20-20 numbers in any given season.
Woody Williams, RHP (9-4, 2.53): Has won 16 of 28 starts since being traded to the Cardinals, but nagging injuries always seem to crop up.
Chuck Finley, LHP (.287-25-89): Solidified the Cardinals' rotation down the stretch, going 7-4, 3.80 in 14 starts. Downside: Pushing 40.
David Bell, 3B (.261-20-73): Ready to cash in on excellent postseason performance.
Fred McGriff, 1B (.273-30-103): His sweet swing comes with a price -- subpar defense and sluggish baserunning.
Kenny Lofton, CF (.261-11-51): Not the star he used to be, but he showed why teams shouldn't have ignored him last Hot Stove season.
Kenny Rogers, LHP (13-8, 3.84): How does that song go, Won't Get Fooled Again?
Best of the Rest
Terry Adams, RHP; Brian Anderson, LHP;
Greg Colbrunn, INF; Omar Daal, LHP; Jeff D'Amico, RHP;
Shawn Estes, LHP; Marquis Grissom, OF; Tom Gordon, RHP;
Chris Hammond, LHP; Jimmy Haynes, LHP; Rickey Henderson,
OF; Dustin Hermanson, RHP; Jose Hernandez, SS;
Roberto Hernandez, RHP; Todd Hollandsworth, OF;
Darren Holmes, LHP; Tyler Houston, 3B; David Justice, OF;
Jon Lieber, RHP; Bill Mueller, 3B; Ramiro Mendoza, RHP;
Robert Person, Mike Remlinger, LHP; Ruben Sierra, OF;
Steve Trachsel, RHP; Dave Veres, RHP; Ismael Valdes, RHP;
Todd Zeile, 3B.
Will Work for Food
Sandy Alomar Jr., C; Jay Bell, 2B;
Andy Benes, RHP; Mike Benjamin, 3B; Jason Bere, RHP;
Brian Boehringer, RHP; Pedro Borbon, LHP; Ricky Bottalico,
RHP; Darren Bragg, OF; Wil Cordero, OF; Deivi Cruz, SS;
Mike DiFelice, C; Chris Donnels, INF; Shawon Dunston, OF;
Jorge Fabregas, C; Jeff Fassero, LHP; Mike Fetters, RHP;
Julio Franco, 1B; Andres Galarraga, 1B; Ron Gant, OF;
Joe Girardi, C; Doug Glanville, OF; Tom Goodwin, OF;
Mark Grace, 1B; Mark Guthrie, LHP; Joey Hamilton, RHP;
Dave Hansen, 1B; Pete Harnisch, RHP; Lenny Harris, PH;
Rick Helling, RHP; Dave Hollins, 1B; Chad Kreuter, C;
Tom Lampkin, C; Darren Lewis, OF; Graeme Lloyd, LHP;
Keith Lockhart, INF; Albie Lopez, RHP; Mark Loretta, INF;
Pat Mahomes, RHP; Dave Martinez, OF; Kent Mercker, LHP;
Dave Mlicki, RHP; Brian Moehler, RHP; Mike Morgan, RHP;
Troy O'Leary, OF; Jesse Orosco, LHP; Keith Osik, C;
Dan Plesac, LHP; Todd Pratt, C; Jeff Reboulet, 2B;
Steve Reed, RHP; Shane Reynolds, RHP; Armando Reynoso, RHP;
Jose Rijo, RHP; Terry Shumpert, INF; B.J. Surhoff, OF;
Matt Stairs, OF; Julian Tavarez, RHP; Mike Timlin, RHP;
John Valentin, INF; Ron Villone, LHP; Rick White, RHP;
Jamey Wright, RHP.
With 101 homers and 242 RBIs over the past two seasons, Thome is the top slugger on the market. The Phillies have reportedly offered him a five-year, $75 million contract. Your move, Cleveland.
Who doesn't want MVP-type numbers from a middle infielder? Kent has credentials to burn, including six straight 100-RBI seasons, but his age (34) and huge asking price might work against him.
Glavine never has needed a big arm to succeed in the big leagues, so his age (37 on Opening Day) shouldn't be much of a factor in the bidding for this workhorse lefty.
You know you are a great pitcher when 16 victories and a 2.62 ERA qualifies as a "down" year. Injuries shortened many of his starts in 2002, but there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.
Once thought to be a superstar in the making, Floyd has leveled off as a modern-day, poor man's Eric Davis, compiling nearly all of his numbers in half a season before succumbing to injuries.
When healthy, Pudge is the best all-around catcher in the game, but injuries have prevented him from playing in more than 111 games in any of the previous three seasons.
The most renowned slugger in Japanese baseball is coming to a ballpark near you in 2003. The 28-year-old left-hander has power to to all fields and answers to "Godzilla." The Yankees are interested.
Nagging injuries slowed the Rocket last season, and he will command a hefty payday in 2003. But look at the bright side: He will reach 300 wins and 4,000 whiffs with whatever team signs him.
Under an unusual provision in his contract, the Big Hurt can explore free agency until Dec. 7. Don't expect any team to improve on the annual $10.1 million owed to Thomas through 2006.
