Free Agent Watch!

[Madison]

Madison's 3rd Annual Free Agent Handicap, 2005

Well it's that time of year again, and this year's pool of free agents are certainly plentiful. Which teams will cast the right line and lure to reel in the fish they want? Stick with us and follow the signings.

National League Free Agent Signings

Arizona Diamondbacks

Troy Glaus-----------------------------Signed
Russ Ortiz------------------------------Signed
Royce Clayton-------------------------Signed
Kelly Stinett----------------------------Signed
Craig Counsell-------------------------Signed
Quinton McCracken--------------------Signed
Shawn Estes----------------------------Signed

Atlanta Braves

Julio Franco-----------------------------Signed
Raul Mondesi----------------------------Signed
Gabe White------------------------------Signed

Chicago Cubs

Ryan Dempster-----------------------Team exercised it's option.
Neifi Perez-----------------------------Signed a 1 year deal.
Glendon Rusch-------------------------Signed
Nomar Garciaparra--------------------Signed
Henry Blanco---------------------------Signed
Todd Walker----------------------------Signed
Jose Macias-----------------------------Signed
Todd Hollandsworth--------------------Signed
Denny Hocking-------------------------Signed
Chad Fox--------------------------------Signed

Cincinnati Reds

Sean Casey---------------------------Team exercised it's option.
Randy Keisler-----------Signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
Jason LaRue-------------------------Signed
Javier Valentin-----------------------Signed
Paul Wilson---------------------------Signed a 2 year deal.
David Weathers----------------------Signed
Ramon Ortiz--------------------------Signed
Ben Weber----------------------------Signed
Joe Randa-----------------------------Signed
Kent Merker---------------------------Signed
Jacob Cruz-----------------------------Signed
Eric Milton-----------------------------Signed

Colorado Rockies

Reggie Taylor-----------------------------Signed
Desi Relaford------------------------------Signed
Todd Greene-------------------------------Signed
Jamey Wright------------------------------Signed
Greg Norton--------------------------------Signed
Dustan Mohr-------------------------------Signed
Darren Oliver------------------------------Signed

Florida Marlins

Mike Lowell-------------------------------Signed a new contract.
Damion Easley---------------------------Signed
Lenny Harris-----------------------------Signed
Al Leiter---------------------------------Signed
Todd Jones-------------------------------Signed
Antonio Alfonseca-----------------------Signed
Chad Bentz------------------------------Signed
Mike DiFelice----------------------------Signed
Wilson Delgado--------------------------Signed
Ismael Valdez----------------------------Signed

Houston Astros

Craig Biggio------------------Team exercised it's option.
Orlando Palmeiro-------------Signed
Jose Vizcaino------------------Signed
Turk Wendell------------------Signed
Dave Burba--------------------Signed

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jeff Kent-------------------------------Signed
Ricky Ledee---------------------------Signed
Jose Valentin--------------------------Signed
Elmer Dessens------------------------Signed
J. D. Drew-----------------------------Signed
Wilson Alvarez------------------------Signed
Giovanni Carrara---------------------Signed
Olmedo Saenz-------------------------Signed
Paul Bako------------------------------Signed
Derek Lowe----------------------------Signed
Odalis Perez----------------------------Signed

Milwaukee Brewers

Damian Miller-----------------------Signed
Chad Moeller------------------------Signed
Russell Branyan---------------------Signed
Pat Borders--------------------------Signed

Washington Expos

Vinny Castilla--------------------------Signed
Christian Guzman---------------------Signed
Gary Bennett---------------------------Signed
Wil Cordero-----------------------------Signed
Jeffry Hammonds-----------------------Signed
T. J. Tucker------------------------------Signed
Tony Armas Jr.--------------------------Signed
Brad Wilkerson--------------------------Signed

New York Mets

Kris Benson--------------------------Signed
Pedro Martinez----------------------Signed
Mike DeJean--------------------------Signed
Andres Galarraga-------------------Signed
Marlon Anderson--------------------Signed
Ramon Castro-----------------------Signed
Kerry Robinson----------------------Signed
Gerald Williams----------------------Signed
Vance Wilson------------------------Signed
Chris Woodward---------------------Signed
Manny Aybar-------------------------Signed
Joe Nelson---------------------------Signed
Miguel Cairo--------------------------Signed
Carlos Beltran------------------------Signed
Juan Padilla---------------------------Signed
Ricky Bottalico------------------------Signed

Philadelphia Phillies

Billy Wagner--------------Team exercised it's option.
Cory Lidle-----------------Signed
John Lieber----------------Signed
Todd Pratt------------------Signed
Aaron Myette--------------Signed UPDATE---Contract sold to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan.
Rheal Cormier-------------Signed
Amaury Telemaco---------Signed
Aaron Fultz-----------------Signed
Placido Polanco------------Signed
Terry Adams---------------Signed

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jose Mesa-------------Signed a 1 year deal with a club option for '06.
Salomon Torres-------Signed a 2 year deal.
Joe Nunnally-----------Signed
Brian Reith-------------Signed
Joe Roa-----------------Signed
Daryl Ward-------------Signed
Jose Leon---------------Signed
Brian Meadows---------Signed

St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Carpenter--------------------------Team exercised their option.
Matt Morris--------------------------------Signed
John Mabry--------------------------------Signed
Cal Eldred---------------------------------Signed
Einar Diaz----------------------------------Signed
Ray King-----------------------------------Signed
David Eckstein----------------------------Signed
So Taguchi---------------------------------Signed
Mike Myers---------------------------------Signed
Mike Lincoln--------------------------------Signed
Abraham Nunez----------------------------Signed
Mark Grudzielanek-------------------------Signed
Wilton Guerrero----------------------------Signed


San Diego Padres

Rudy Seanez------------------------------Signed
Darrell May--------------------------------Signed
Dennys Reyes-----------------------------Signed
Woody Williams---------------------------Signed
Geoff Blum--------------------------------Signed
Eric Young---------------------------------Signed
Mark Sweeney----------------------------Signed
Dave Roberts-----------------------------Acquired via trade
Chris Hammond----------------------------Signed
Danny Patterson---------------------------Signed

San Francisco Giants

Devi Cruz-----------------------------Signed a 1 year deal.
Marquis Grissom---------------------Team exercised his option.
J. T. Snow----------------------------Team exercised his option.
Brett Tomko---------------------------Team exercised his option.
Omar Vizquel----------------------Signed a 3 year deal.
Armando Benitez------------------Signed
Mike Matheny-----------------------Signed
Jeff Fassero---------------------------Signed
Brandon Villafuerte-------------------Signed
Matt Kinney----------------------------Signed
Jason Christianson--------------------Signed
Moises Alou-----------------------------Signed
Wayne Franklin-------------------------Signed

American League Free Agent Signings

Anaheim Angels

Bengie Molina---------------------Team exercised it's option.
Kendry Morales-------------------Signed
Steve Finley-----------------------Signed
Paul Byrd--------------------------Signed
Esteban Yan-----------------------Signed
Orlando Cabrera------------------Signed

Baltimore Orioles

Rafael Palmeiro------------------Signed a 1 year deal.
Chris Gomez---------------------Signed
B. J. Surhoff----------------------Signed
Bruce Chen-----------------------Signed
Jay Gibbons----------------------Signed
Steve Kline-----------------------Signed
Chris Stynes----------------------Signed

Boston Red Sox

Bill Mueller-----------------------------Team exercised it's option.
Doug Mirabelli--------------------------Signed
Matt Mantei-----------------------------Signed
David Wells-----------------------------Signed
Edgar Renteria--------------------------Signed
John Halama-----------------------------Signed
Matt Clement----------------------------Signed
Jason Varitek-----------------------------Signed
Wade Miller------------------------------Signed
Billy McMillon-----------------------------Signed
Simon Pond------------------------------Signed
Josias Manzanillo-------------------------Signed

Chicago White Sox

Frank Thomas----------------------Exercised his option.
Carl Everett-------------------------Exercised his option.
Shingo Takatsu---------------------Team exercised it's option.
Dustin Hermanson------------------Signed
Jermaine Dye-----------------------Signed
Juan Uribe---------------------------Signed
Timo Perez---------------------------Signed
Orlando Hernandez-----------------Signed
Ben Davis----------------------------Signed
D'Angelo Jiminez--------------------Signed
A. J. Pierzynski----------------------Signed

Cleveland Indians

Scott Elarton--------------------------------Signed.
Bob Howry----------------------------------Signed.
Bob Wickman-------------------------------Signed.
Jose Hernandez-----------------------------Signed.
Jason Bere----------------------------------Signed
Ronnie Belliard------------------------------Signed
Kevin Millwood-------------------------------Signed

Detroit Tigers

John Ennis-----------------------------Signed a minor league deal.
Craig Dingman------------------------Signed a minor league deal.
Jamie Walker----------------------------Team exercised it's option.
Ugueth Urbina--------------------------Team exercised it's option.
Troy Percival----------------------Signed a 2 year $12 million dollar deal.
Andrew Good---------------------------Signed
Alex Sanchez----------------------------Signed
Brandon Inge----------------------------Signed
Ramon Martinez-------------------------Signed
Carlos Pena------------------------------Signed

Kansas City Royals

Kevin Appier---------------------------Signed
Jose Lima------------------------------Signed
Luis Ugueto----------------------------Signed

Minnesota Twins

Henry Blanco---------------------------Twins exercised it's option.
Juan Castro-----------------------------Signed
Mike Redmond--------------------------Signed
Glenn Williams-------------------------Signed
Brad Radke------------------------------Signed
Rusty Greer------------------------------Signed
Terry Mulholland--------------------------Signed
Luis Rivas---------------------------------Signed
Jacque Jones------------------------------Signed
Matt LeCroy-------------------------------Signed
J. C. Romero------------------------------Signed

New York Yankees

Jaret Wright---------------------------------Signed
Tony Womack-------------------------------Signed
Carl Pavano---------------------------------Signed
Felix Rodriguez-----------------------------Acquired via trade.
Tanyon Sturtze------------------------------Signed
Ruben Sierra--------------------------------Signed
John Flaherty--------------------------------Signed

Oakland A's

Mark Ellis------------------------------------Signed
Chad Bradford------------------------------Signed
Tim Harikkala-------------------------------Signed

Seattle Mariners

Eddie Guardado----------------------------Exercised his option
Richie Sexson------------------------------Signed
Adrian Beltre-------------------------------Signed
Dan Wilson---------------------------------Signed
Pokey Reese-------------------------------Signed
Benji Gil-------------------------------------Signed
Ron Villone----------------------------------Signed
Gil Meche------------------------------------Signed

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Tim Laker------------------------------------Signed
Steve Cox-----------------------------------Signed
Jimmy Haynes-------------------------------Signed
Rob Bell--------------------------------------Signed
Brian Buchanan------------------------------Signed
Josh Phelps-----------------------------------Signed
Roberto Alomar------------------------------Signed
Alex Gonzalez--------------------------------Signed
Danny Bautista-------------------------------Signed
Mark Guthrie----------------------------------Signed

Texas Rangers

Doug Brocail-------------------------Signed a 1 year deal.
Chris Young--------------------------Signed
Robert Machado----------------------Signed
Richard Hidalgo-----------------------Signed
Sandy Alomar Jr.---------------------Signed
Greg Colbrunn------------------------Signed
David Dellucci-------------------------Signed
Jeff Zimmerman----------------------Signed
John Wasdin---------------------------Signed

Toronto Blue Jays

Seung Song-------------------------Claimed off waivers.
Greg Myers--------------------------Signed
Corey Koskie------------------------Signed
Justin Speier-------------------------Signed
Greg Zaun---------------------------Signed
Ken Huckaby-------------------------Signed
Billy Koch-----------------------------Signed

Current Free Agents by Position

First Base
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Ron Coomer------------Retired
Fred McGriff
Eric Karros---------------Announced Retirement
Randall Simon
John Olerud
Robert Fick
David Segui
Ellis Burks
Tony Clark
Eric Karros (Team Option)
Dave Hansen
Edgar Martinez---------------Retired
Tino Martinez-----------------Team option declined
Brad Fullmer
Carlos Delgado
Robin Ventura-------------Announced retirement. Could come back. We'll see.
Mo Vaughn (Team Option)
Travis Lee----------------------Option declined
Morgan Burkhart


Second Base
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Jeff Reboulet
Keith Lockhart
John Valentin-----------Signed as the Hitting coach for Toronto's AA affiliate New Hampshire. Retired.
Donnie Sadler
Enrique Wilson
Dave Berg
Jose Offerman
Carlos Baerga
Ricky Gutierrez

Third Base
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Fernando Tatis
Jeff Cirillo
Shane Halter
Tony Batista--Signed a 2 year deal with the Fukuoka Hawks of Japan.
Herbert Perry
Mike Mordecai---------Took the job as manager of the Jamestown Jammers, a Marlin's affliliate, so he's now retired.
Todd Zeile--------------Announced Retirement
Mark McLemore ------------Retired


Short Stop
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Mike Bordick
Pat Meares
Rey Ordonez
Luis Lopez--Signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan.
Rich Aurillia
Rey Sanchez
Barry Larkin
Tomas Perez


Outfield
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Rickey Henderson-------He always seems to show back up
Chris Richard
Rontrez Johnson
Henry Rodriguez
Mark Quinn
Ruben Mateo-------------Signed to play in Korea
Marty Codova
Jeromy Burnitz----------------------Option declined
Bubba Trammell
Ruben Rivera
Chris Singelton
Eugene Kingsale
Tom Goodwin
Doug Glanville
Orlando Merced
Karim Garcia--Singed with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan.
Juan Gonzalez
John Vander Wal------Retired, but we'll see.
Magglio Ordonez
Brian Jordan-----------------Option declined
Ben Grieve
Darren Bragg
Gabe Kapler--------------Signed to play in Japan

Catcher
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Brook Fordyce
Brent Mayne
Todd Hundley
Chris Widger
Keith Osik
Bobby Estaella

Designated Hitter
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

See 1B

Starting Pitcher
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

John Burkett--------------------Retired
Jose Mercedes
Garret Stephenson
Gene Stechshulte
Robert Person
Nelson Cruz
Jeff D'Amico
Joey Hamilton
Rick Helling-----------------Announced retirement, but we'll see.
Paul Abbott
Aaron Sele
Andy Ashby
Esteban Loaiza
Kevin Jarvis
Pat Hengten-------------------------------Retired
Shane Reynolds
Steve Sparks
Roger Clemens
Pedro Astacio
Steve Avery
Nick Neugebauer
Omar Daal
Sterling Hitchcock------------------Announced retirement, but we'll see.


Relief Pitcher
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Grame Lloyd
Lance Painter----Retired
Mike Crudale
Jesus Sanchez
Nick Bierbrodt
Mike Matthews
Eddie Oropesa
Buddy Groom
Valerio de Los Santos
Trever Miller
John Franco----------------Mets will not bring him back. Retirement is a possibility.
Vic Darrensbourg
Scott Schoenweis
Darren Holmes
Mark Wholers
Ariel Preito
Trey Hodges
Matt Bruback
Willis Roberts
Mike Jackson
Dave Veres
Jay Witasick
Rick White
Rameiro Mendoza
Scott Williamson
Matt Anderson (Team Option)
Curtis Leskanic-----------------------Team option declined.
Jeff Nelson
Jay Powell
Steve Reed----------------------Team option declined
Jim Mecir
Dan Miceli-------------------Signed to play for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan
Paul Shuey
Roberto Hernandez
Brian Boehringer (Team Option)
Rod Beck (Team Option)
Antonio Osuna
Mike Fetters
Todd Van Poppel
Aaron Small

Closers
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

Mike Williams
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
Robb Nen
Rocky Biddle-----------Free agent, but surgery to fix a torn labrum will probably keep him out for the year.




As always, any updates, news, corrections (of my mistakes ), articles, etc, are welcome, so bring them on and I'll keep this post as up to date as possible.



Template for this post credited to Wrveres. Thank you.
Free agent list provided by J_D_McNugent. Thank you too.

[wrveres]

hey how did the Mets get violet?

[wrveres]

Designated Hitter
Player and Team(s) Currently Rumored

See 1B

Nice touch

[raiders_umpire]

great sticky here mad.........and anyways i found this and figured you would want to know....

Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Closer Billy Wagner and reliever Felix Rodriguez will be back with the Philadelphia Phillies for another season.


The Phillies exercised an option Friday for Wagner that will pay him $9 million next season. Had Philadelphia not exercised the option, Wagner would have been owed a $3 million buyout and would have been eligible to file for free agency.


Rodriguez notified the Phillies that he will exercise the 2005 player option that was part of his contract. Rodriguez, acquired from the San Francisco Giants in July, will be paid $3.15 million next season.

[Rico The Retard]

it will be good to have this around in the offseason, thanx mad

[Zito is God]

Man, I didn't even know Bordick was still playing, hes a solid of a veteran backup as you can get. (Yes yes, I know, random... )

[thetongueofire]

this is going to be helpful. thanks Mad..

[Sox FANatic001]

sweet

unfortunatley, way too many of those will end up as yanks

[DK]

I can tell you with quite certainty that Mo Vaughn's option will not be picked up.

Wrveres, honestly, don't you have something better to do than to rag on the Mets?

Honestly?

[LBJackal]

Well it's his chance for revenge. After letting Jason Bay and Oliver Perez go for a washed up Brian Giles, he feels the need to mock the mets

And Billy Wagner and Felix Rodriguez's contracts have been extended through 2005.

And for thsoe who care, DeWayne Wise was claimed off waivers by the Tigers.