Archived Articles - Baseball Dope

1. Manny Ramirez

His fearsome hitting skills are matched only by his fearsome contract demands. He has already turned down the Dodgers' offers of $45 million over two years and $25 million over one year.

Update: The Manny saga is over. Manny and the Dodgers finally came to agreement on a 2-year, $45 million contract.

Manny Ramirez Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	36	MLB		TOT	153	552	102	183	36	1	37	121	87	124	3	0	.332	.430	.601	1.031

2. Adam Dunn

Remarkably consistent for a power hitter, Dunn puts up 40 home runs a year, no more, no fewer. He'll also contribute well over 100 walks, and even more strikeouts.

Update: Signed with the Washington Nationals for 2 years, $20 million.

Adam Dunn Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	28	MLB	NL	TOT	158	517	79	122	23	0	40	100	122	164	2	1	.236	.386	.513	.898

3. Orlando Hudson

Always a defensive star at second base, Hudson has become a real asset at the plate as well.

Update: The Dodgers have acquired his services for $3.4 million plus incentives that can make the deal worth up to $8 million total.

Orlando Hudson Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	30	MLB	NL	ARI	107	407	54	124	29	3	8	41	40	62	4	1	.305	.367	.450	.817

4. Orlando Cabrera

Steady defense, good average, occasional power, some walks, and some steals...what more can you ask for from your shortstop?

Update: The A's were happy to sign him to a 1 year, $4 million deal.

Orlando Cabrera Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	33	MLB	AL	CHA	161	661	93	186	33	1	8	57	56	71	19	6	.281	.334	.371	.705

5. Ben Sheets

When healthy, Sheets is an ace. He was healthy last year, but teams still seem wary.

Update: He wasn't healthy after all. Sheets had elbow surgery and will miss much of the 2009 season.

Ben Sheets Pitching

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	W	L	Win%	SV	G	GS	CG	ShO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	WHIP
2008	29	MLB	NL	MIL	13	9	.591	0	31	31	5	3	198.1	181	74	68	17	47	158	3.09	1.15

6. Randy Wolf

Wolf proved himself healthy by not missing a start last year and put up good strikeout numbers.

Update: The Dodgers signed him for 1 year, $5 million plus up to $3 million in incentives.

Randy Wolf Pitching

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	W	L	Win%	SV	G	GS	CG	ShO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	WHIP
2008	31	MLB	NL	TOT	12	12	.500	0	33	33	1	1	190.1	191	100	91	21	71	162	4.30	1.38

7. Braden Looper

Looper had a second successful season as an inning-eating grounder-inducing starter, improving on his ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Update: Looper is now a Brewer, with a 1 year, $4.75 million contract that includes a mutual option year.

Braden Looper Pitching

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	W	L	Win%	SV	G	GS	CG	ShO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	WHIP
2008	33	MLB	NL	STL	12	14	.462	0	33	33	1	1	199.0	216	101	92	25	45	108	4.16	1.31

8. Juan Cruz

The best power reliever still looking for a job, Cruz has struck out 158 batters over the last two years while allowing only 79 hits.

Update: The Royals stepped in and signed him for 2 years, $6 million.

Juan Cruz Pitching

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	W	L	Win%	SV	G	GS	CG	ShO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	WHIP
2008	29	MLB	NL	ARI	4	0	1.000	0	56	0	0	0	51.2	34	17	15	5	31	71	2.61	1.26

9. Bobby Abreu

Abreu's batting average and walks have slipped a bit, but he still scores 100 runs and drives in 100 runs like clockwork. He gives some of those back on defense, which is scaring away some potential suitors.

Update: Signed by the Angels for 1 year for about $5 million. The Phillies' signing of Raul Ibanez for $30 million, which looked terrible at the time, just continues to look worse and worse every day.

Bobby Abreu Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	34	MLB	AL	NYA	156	609	100	180	39	4	20	100	73	109	22	11	.296	.371	.471	.843

10. Ivan Rodriguez

Rodriguez can still contribute solid defense and a decent average, which is more than some teams are getting from their catchers.

Update: Pudge has signed a one year deal with Houston for $1.5 million plus up to $1.5 million more in incentives.

Ivan Rodriguez Batting

Year	Age	Lvl	Lg	Tm	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBA	SLG	OPS
2008	36	MLB	AL	TOT	115	398	44	110	20	3	7	35	23	67	10	1	.276	.319	.394	.714

11. Mark Grudzielanek

Update: No one is sure where Grudz will end up.

12. Garret Anderson

Update: Anderson will play left field for the Braves for $2.5 million plus incentives. He will likely platoon with Matt Diaz.

13. Joe Crede

Update: He is now a Twin, with a deal worth $2.5 million plus incentives that can raise the value to $7 million.

14. Pedro Martinez

Update: Pedro is still hoping for $5 million or more in guaranteed money. If he wants to sign, he will have to settle for a contract for much less guaranteed money and more in incentives.

15. Nomar Garciaparra

Update: Nomar has signed with the A's, and may get significant time at third base if Eric Chavez's injury woes continue.

16. Jim Edmonds

Update: Edmonds has not garnered much interest.

17. Ken Griffey Jr.

Update: The Mariners have made their fans happy by bringing The Kid back. His deal is worth between $2 million and $4 million depending on incentive and attendance bonuses.

18. Joe Beimel

19. Dennys Reyes

20. Will Ohman

Update: Reyes has signed with the Cardinals for 2 years, $3 million. Beimel is now a Washington National for 1 year, $2 million. Ohman is now a Dodger for $1.35 million plus incentives and a team option for 2010.

April 1, 2009