EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS
The top five MLB Free Agents in 2010, and where they’ll play in 2011:
Chicago White Sox
Adam Dunn has made it very clear that he doesn't want to be a full time DH at this point in his career.
Chicago will probably re-sign Paul Konerko, but even if they do, Dunn and Konerko could split time at first and DH.
This would be key for the White Sox, as they need some more power in the middle of their order. Konerko went off last year, but will need some help in 2011. Dunn has been offered arbitration by the Nationals, but will certainly decline and sign elsewhere.
Look for him to land in the windy city with a 3-4 year deal hovering around 10 million annually.
Chicago will probably re-sign Paul Konerko, but even if they do, Dunn and Konerko could split time at first and DH.
This would be key for the White Sox, as they need some more power in the middle of their order. Konerko went off last year, but will need some help in 2011. Dunn has been offered arbitration by the Nationals, but will certainly decline and sign elsewhere.
Look for him to land in the windy city with a 3-4 year deal hovering around 10 million annually.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Nobody is smiling more this off-season than Adrian Beltre.
This guy looked to be circling the drain as a legitimate power hitter in the MLB … and then 2010 happened.
Last year Beltre battled through injuries and almost single-handedly propelled the Red Sox into the playoffs. Brandon Wood didn’t work out for the Halo’s last season, and they’ll look for an external replacement for 2011. Nobody fits that mold better than Beltre, a guy who can do it with his bat, and his glove.
Beltre has made it clear that he’d like to return to the West Coast, and I can’t think of a better fit than the Angels.
This guy looked to be circling the drain as a legitimate power hitter in the MLB … and then 2010 happened.
Last year Beltre battled through injuries and almost single-handedly propelled the Red Sox into the playoffs. Brandon Wood didn’t work out for the Halo’s last season, and they’ll look for an external replacement for 2011. Nobody fits that mold better than Beltre, a guy who can do it with his bat, and his glove.
Beltre has made it clear that he’d like to return to the West Coast, and I can’t think of a better fit than the Angels.
Boston Red Sox
The Sox clearly need to add another bat for 2011, and they seem to be set on Jayson Werth.
They’ll make a legitimate push for Crawford, but will most likely settle for the cheaper option in Werth. Theo likes the idea of Werth roaming right field in Fenway, and the Green Monster should provide a nice landing spot for many balls of the bat of the power-hitting righty.
The Red Sox have always been apprehensive about handing out contracts that exceed 4 years. Werth will seek a fifth year, but the Sox may hook him with a team/player option.
They’ll make a legitimate push for Crawford, but will most likely settle for the cheaper option in Werth. Theo likes the idea of Werth roaming right field in Fenway, and the Green Monster should provide a nice landing spot for many balls of the bat of the power-hitting righty.
The Red Sox have always been apprehensive about handing out contracts that exceed 4 years. Werth will seek a fifth year, but the Sox may hook him with a team/player option.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Mike Scioscia just won’t allow the Angles to have another year like they did in 2010.
After finishing 10 games behind the Rangers in the AL West, many Halo fans pointed the fingers at the departure of Chone Figgins, John Lackey, and Vlad Guerrero.
While the Angels would have missed the playoffs even with these guys (Figgins and Lackey both had the worst year of their careers), the front office clearly has some ‘splaining to do after adding NOBODY last year. The Red Sox will also make a lunge for Crawford, but will ultimately back off down the stretch, as the Angels make a much stronger push.
Crawford will bring the speed back to the top of the Anaheim order and make life far easier for guys like Torri Hunter and Kendry Morales.
Look for Crawford to sign for no less than 100 million.
After finishing 10 games behind the Rangers in the AL West, many Halo fans pointed the fingers at the departure of Chone Figgins, John Lackey, and Vlad Guerrero.
While the Angels would have missed the playoffs even with these guys (Figgins and Lackey both had the worst year of their careers), the front office clearly has some ‘splaining to do after adding NOBODY last year. The Red Sox will also make a lunge for Crawford, but will ultimately back off down the stretch, as the Angels make a much stronger push.
Crawford will bring the speed back to the top of the Anaheim order and make life far easier for guys like Torri Hunter and Kendry Morales.
Look for Crawford to sign for no less than 100 million.
#1 Cliff Lee:New York Yankees
Even though the Rangers couldn’t bring home the hardware in 2010, Cliff Lee insured that he would in 2011.
Lee has posted astonishing numbers in the playoffs throughout his career, and as we’ve seen in the past (cough...Carlos Beltran cough...) that’s all it takes to score a big contract in the off-season. The obvious favorite for Cliff Lee is New York.
The Yanks have never been afraid to spend money, and the wallets are going to fly open again this winter. Burnett struggled mightily in 2010, and despite a hot start, Phil Hughes tailed off toward the end of the season. A tandem of Lee, Sabathia, and Petitte could be one of the best southpaw trifectas of all time.
Look for Lee to land in New York to the tune of a 6-7 year deal worth just over 20 – million per year.
Lee has posted astonishing numbers in the playoffs throughout his career, and as we’ve seen in the past (cough...Carlos Beltran cough...) that’s all it takes to score a big contract in the off-season. The obvious favorite for Cliff Lee is New York.
The Yanks have never been afraid to spend money, and the wallets are going to fly open again this winter. Burnett struggled mightily in 2010, and despite a hot start, Phil Hughes tailed off toward the end of the season. A tandem of Lee, Sabathia, and Petitte could be one of the best southpaw trifectas of all time.
Look for Lee to land in New York to the tune of a 6-7 year deal worth just over 20 – million per year.
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