The top 2 targets are going to be the 2 big boys on the Brewers. Sheets and CC will draw massive contracts (CC's will surely be bigger because of Sheets' injury concerns). CC is clearly a rental player and Sheets will almost definitely not sign in Milwaukee. I think the Yankees will go after CC first as an injury plagued pitcher with excellent stuff failed most recently (Pavano). I think Sheets may end up in Texas where they badly need pitching and have been known to throw big contracts at guys before (obviously A-rod and Chan Ho Park as well).
Two guys that may factor in as well will be Oliver Perez and A.J. Burnett.
Burnett has an opt out clause in his contract which he will likely use. He is having his best season in Toronto (record-wise) and will use that, along with his outrageously good stuff (fastball with movement and 95+ speed and a devastating curve ball) to land another big deal. I would look for him to sign with a team like the Phillies who may need to fill some areas of the rotation. Jamie Moyer is having his best year since 2003 with the Mariners; however, he is still ancient at 45! Kyle Kendrick and Brett Myers have been very inconsistent this year and in order to compete with the Mets and the annually surprising (hint: they should not be so surprising anymore - the reason being that they make very wise trades for more young talent when they are about to lose their premiere players) Marlins. If Sheets doesn't land in Texas, Burnett might as he is from the south. That is not a great idea considering that he gives up a decent number of home runs as it is - let alone in Texas.
Oliver Perez is also an interesting study. I think the Mets should resign him because he is having a very good second half, can pitch under pressure and is still a young, hard throwing lefty. However, he is going to want big money. I think that if his season continues on its current path (4-2 in his last 10 starts with a couple of Met bullpen no decisions. He also has only given up more than 3 runs in a start once in his last 10!) then the Mets will feel the need to resign him. Much depends on how he pitches down the stretch and in the playoffs.
The one guy I would run from really fast is Kyle Lohse. Props to him for having his best season after signing a 1 year deal with the Cardinals during spring training. But, he has an ERA of close to 4.00 in the NL and will likely reverse course and go back to pitching like a 4th starter.
Yaros
I commend the Blog Master for going on the record with his projections. We'll score them in April 09.
ReplyDeleteDont think NYY should resign Petite but expect them to.