Fan Interference

Post number three in this list of MLB.com’s most highly ranked free agents according to their specialized system, and my thoughts.

Colby Rasmus – OF. — Does anyone else think of Colby Rasmus as being Captain Caveman?

I’m sorry, you guys. Moving on… Rasmus had a not-so-stellar offensive season but redeemed himself by playing excellent D – he saved nearly 20 runs, and because of his glove he was able to keep a WAR of around 2 for the year. Will a team want to plunk down money for a flashy glove even though his bat is not nearly as good? We’ll see.

Jose Bautista – OF. — Joey Bats is the oldest player on the list so far. At 36, he is getting a little old for many teams to want to take a long term chance on him, but a long term contract is exactly what Bautista is looking for. Will someone bite? Bautista was still among the league leaders in walk rate last year, but his slugging percentage dropped considerably. He also had a couple of stints on the DL, which might not work in his favor. Will Toronto offer him what you might call a lifetime contract to keep him a Blue Jay for life, or will Joey Bats bat flip his way to another locale?

Mark Melancon – P. — Quick, name an elite closer! Did you say Mark Melancon? Well, you should have! In the past couple of years, no closer in the National League has saved more games than Melancon, and aside from Zach Britton, no one has saved as many as Melancon in total in that same time frame. While he doesn’t have triple digit power like Aroldis Chapman, Melancon does sport a sub 2 ERA.

Rich Hill – P. — Here is our first starting pitcher on the list. Rich Hill is a different cat. In two years, he went from being scrap heap material to being the best available starting pitcher on the FA market at age 37. Due to his age, Hill will not command much of a long term contract, but a team desperate for a starting pitcher who ended the end with an ERA of 2.12 might take a chance on a one or two year contract.

Kenley Jansen – P. — Another reliever/closer, Jansen was among the best pitchers that the Dodgers had this year. Although he’s a bit of a one trick guy – throwing his cutter nearly every pitch – he is still able to strike out a good number of batters each game. Jansen had some foot problems a few years ago, and teams might be leery of signing him because of it. However, in this new age of Bigger, Better Bullpens, a team who wants to have an ace up their sleeve would probably take a chance on a guy whose ERA this season was about 1.83.

Join us tomorrow for 16-20!