Free Agency Super Market

So many top level talents are still free agents this offseason. Andy Pettitte finally signed an incentive laden deal with the Yankees yesterday, which can be worth as much as $12 million, but as little as $5.5 million. With under 3 weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, have a look at the big names who are still available.

Catchers-

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez- an eventual Hall of Famer

Jason Varitek, a mainstay with the Red Sox for, well, ever...still remains unsigned

Outfielders-

Bobby Abreu, a steady numbers guy and former all star

Adam Dunn, 40 or more homers for 4 straight years

Ken Griffey Jr, more HoF names on the list

Manny Ramirez, another Hall of Famer with a monster bat

Garret Anderson, .296 career avg. and 84 RBI last year

Jim Edmonds, 20 homers last season is worth consideration

Starting pitchers-

Livan Hernandez, former world champ & all star racks up innings

Tom Glavine, surely another HoF lock

Ben Sheets, has talent but is an injury concern

Oliver Perez, lefty has big K potential

Jon Garland, multiple 18-win seasons in this guy's career

Pedro Martinez, yes ANOTHER sure Hall of Famer on this list!

Randy Wolf, solid lefty and a former all star with our Phillies

Infield/DH-

Nomar Garciaparra- former all star, versatile fielder

Frank Thomas- 500-HR club member, still has power

What does this weak market mean for players? Some insiders have proclaimed it's collusion by teams to drive down the values of players. I can't say I disagree with that sort of collusion. When the guy (Ryan Howard) who set the record for highest salary awarded in an arbitration case, just last year, at $10 million, comes back the very next season and asks for 80% MORE than that record, it's very telling that some players' concepts of their own values are way off.

Waiting it out for discounts is smart for the teams and owners. With just a few teams suited as fits for a guy like Manny Ramirez, there are even less teams who could actually afford him. Possibly the only one on that list is the Dodgers. The Dodgers offered Manny a contract at the winter meetings (2 yrs, $45 million), which was rejected, and now a newer offer would likely be lower than, considering the dwindling options for Ramirez.

When asked, executive director of the players' union, Donald Fehr, won't comment about collusion, but says he'd be surprised if a market advantageous to the players didn't develop.

Players listed above who don't sign with teams in the coming weeks probably won't feel pressure to sign on for bottom dollar deals in order to get a pay check either. These are mostly guys who've gotten huge deals in their pasts, and are already millionaires. An in-season free agent market could be something that develops in 2009, like it never has before. Starting pitcher Paul Byrd has already announced his intentions to take the first half of the season off, and then make himself available to sign mid-season and help a contender. This is the way that Roger Clemens operated in the final years of his career. We could see more than a few guys using this strategy to their advantages this year. If the right market doesn't develop for players such as Bobby Abreu, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine and Manny Ramirez, before April, these free agents could be setting their own prices once again as the playoff races develop during the 2009 season.

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI. Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact. He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 OF Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd Powerful outfield prospect Dylan Cozens hopes to shake the reputation of a free swinger and become a more complete hitter in order to fulfill his dream of reaching the major leagues. At six feet six inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star in his high school days. After he was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, he notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012. Following a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters when they began playing in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categories that year, ...

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