FOFC MLB Free Agency contest.

[stevew]

Pick where the following players will sign. Most correct answers wins.

1. Albert Pujols
2. CJ Wilson
3. Yu Darvish
4. Prince Fielder
5. Jose Reyes
6. Jonathan Papelbon
7. K-Rod
8. Ryan Madson
9. Jimmy Rollins
10. Aramis Ramirez
11. Carlos Beltran
12. Mark Buehrle
13. Edwin Jackson
14. Heath Bell
15. Roy Oswalt

[stevew]

Reserved for scoring

[gstelmack]

I think I'm down to #7 before my answer is not "Yankees".

[Butter]

Are we allowed to just alternate Yankees and Red Sox from 1-15? I will probably get at least 3-4 right that way.

[Logan]

1. Albert Pujols - St Louis
2. CJ Wilson - Boston
3. Yu Darvish - Yankees
4. Prince Fielder - Texas
5. Jose Reyes - Mets
6. Jonathan Papelbon - Dodgers
7. K-Rod - Anaheim
8. Ryan Madson - Philadelphia
9. Jimmy Rollins - San Francisco
10. Aramis Ramirez - Baltimore
11. Carlos Beltran - Cubs
12. Mark Buehrle - Yankees
13. Edwin Jackson - Kansas City
14. Heath Bell - Washington
15. Roy Oswalt - Milwaukee

[stevew]

1. Albert Pujols-Orioles
2. CJ Wilson-Yankees
3. Yu Darvish-Rangers
4. Prince Fielder-Blue Jays
5. Jose Reyes-Giants
6. Jonathan Papelbon-Red Sox
7. K-Rod-Blue Jays
8. Ryan Madson-Phillies
9. Jimmy Rollins-Phillies
10. Aramis Ramirez-Orioles
11. Carlos Beltran-Red Sox
12. Mark Buehrle-Cubs
13. Edwin Jackson-Dodgers
14. Heath Bell-Padres
15. Roy Oswalt-Yankees

[lungs]

1. Albert Pujols - Cardinals
2. CJ Wilson - Yankees
3. Yu Darvish - None
4. Prince Fielder - Mariners
5. Jose Reyes - Giants
6. Jonathan Papelbon - Reds
7. K-Rod - Marlins
8. Ryan Madson - Rockies
9. Jimmy Rollins - Phillies
10. Aramis Ramirez - Orioles
11. Carlos Beltran - White Sox
12. Mark Buehrle - White Sox
13. Edwin Jackson - Athletics
14. Heath Bell - Padres
15. Roy Oswalt - Rangers

[tarcone]

1. Albert Pujols- Cardinals
2. CJ Wilson- Yankees
3. Yu Darvish- Rangers
4. Prince Fielder- Cubs
5. Jose Reyes- Red Sox
6. Jonathan Papelbon- Dodgers
7. K-Rod- Cubs
8. Ryan Madson- Rockies
9. Jimmy Rollins- Mets
10. Aramis Ramirez- White Sox
11. Carlos Beltran- Tigers
12. Mark Buehrle- Cardinals
13. Edwin Jackson- Rangers
14. Heath Bell- Royals
15. Roy Oswalt- Rays

[JediKooter]

I'm just picking teams off the top of my head. So let's see how random luck plays out.

1. Albert Pujols - Cardinals
2. CJ Wilson - Pirates
3. Yu Darvish - Royals
4. Prince Fielder - Giants
5. Jose Reyes - Atlanta
6. Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox
7. K-Rod - Indians
8. Ryan Madson - Twins
9. Jimmy Rollins - Astros
10. Aramis Ramirez - Blue Jays
11. Carlos Beltran - Dodgers
12. Mark Buehrle - White Sox
13. Edwin Jackson - Marlins
14. Heath Bell - Cubs
15. Roy Oswalt - Yankees

[claphamsa]

1. Albert Pujols-Dodgers
2. CJ Wilson-Washington
3. Yu Darvish-stay in japan
4. Prince Fielder- Cubs
5. Jose Reyes-Giants
6. Jonathan Papelbon-STL
7. K-Rod-dodgers
8. Ryan Madson- florida
9. Jimmy Rollins-Houston
10. Aramis Ramirez-Cleveland
11. Carlos Beltran-STL
12. Mark Buehrle-Washington
13. Edwin Jackson-Florida
14. Heath Bell-Padres
15. Roy Oswalt-Yankees

[tarcone]

Can we make comments?

[korme]

1. Albert Pujols - STL
2. CJ Wilson - WSH
3. Yu Darvish - NYY
4. Prince Fielder - SEA
5. Jose Reyes - ATL
6. Jonathan Papelbon - BOS
7. K-Rod - CIN
8. Ryan Madson - PHI
9. Jimmy Rollins - PHI
10. Aramis Ramirez - BAL
11. Carlos Beltran - BOS
12. Mark Buehrle - CHW
13. Edwin Jackson - WSH
14. Heath Bell - SD
15. Roy Oswalt - DET

Why didn't Pujols retire on top? Go out a winner Albert!

[jbergey22]

1. Albert Pujols-Cards
2. CJ Wilson-Rangers
3. Yu Darvish-Mariners
4. Prince Fielder-Angels
5. Jose Reyes-Tigers
6. Jonathan Papelbon-Red Sox
7. K-Rod-Angels
8. Ryan Madson-Dodgers
9. Jimmy Rollins-Phillies
10. Aramis Ramirez-Brewers
11. Carlos Beltran-White Sox
12. Mark Buehrle-Yankees
13. Edwin Jackson-Twins
14. Heath Bell-White Sox
15. Roy Oswalt- Red Sox

[stevew]

Can we make comments?

Yeah, whatevs. Just realized I forgot Big Papi.

[tarcone]

Pujols is going to stay in St Louis. He has it made here. He has tons of money, he is a local heor, he moved to Missouri in his teens, the local media wont rip him.
Also, if he stays he will get to pick the manager. Plus, going to another team at the money he wants will ruin his career. He will be ripped to shreads if he doesnt produce .350, 50 HR, 150 RBI seasons.

And Mark Buehrle is a St Louis guy. Grew up here as a Cardinal fan. I can definitely see him signing here for less then anywhere else.

[Bearcat729]

1. Albert Pujols - Red Sox
2. CJ Wilson - Yankees
3. Yu Darvish - Cincinnati
4. Prince Fielder - Cubs
5. Jose Reyes - St Louis
6. Jonathan Papelbon - Cubs
7. K-Rod - Dodgers
8. Ryan Madson - Phillies
9. Jimmy Rollins - Phillies
10. Aramis Ramirez - Baltimore
11. Carlos Beltran - Washington
12. Mark Buehrle - Cubs
13. Edwin Jackson - St Louis
14. Heath Bell - Padres
15. Roy Oswalt - Phillies

[Bearcat729]

Pujols is going to stay in St Louis. He has it made here.

I think that it's close and could definitely see him staying but I think Boston might offer him a ton of cash so that they make up for not making the playoffs for the second year in a row.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I think that it's close and could definitely see him staying but I think Boston might offer him a ton of cash so that they make up for not making the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Really? To play where?

There is no chance of this happening.

[stevew]

I suppose Teixera or AGonz could play RF so their team can sign Pujols. After all, we've seen that good RF defense isnt that important.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

No way that either team does that. These are supposed to be the teams that are betting on defense mattering, right?

[stevew]

I was making a obviously not obvious joke at Nelson Cruz's expense.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Gotcha. Would've been more suspicious if I hadn't seen that idea floated for BOTH those teams already.

Not to mention "Pujols used to play 3rd, we can put him there!"

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, same crap has been tossed out for the Angels going after Pujols or Fielder. "Yeah, Kendry used to play 3B and LF, and Trumbo can play RF."

Stupid.

[Bearcat729]

Really? To play where?

There is no chance of this happening.

David Ortiz is a free agent, that leaves an open spot at DH. It's not crazy to think that Boston couldn't sign Puljos and move AGonz or him to DH. I'm not saying it's the best move for the team, I'm just saying it is something that is possible.

[tarcone]

Pujols is an above average fielder.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

And AGon just won a GG. You'd be wasting money on defense, for starters. Additionally, I think that both teams probably think one first baseman on a ridiculous deal is enough.

[jbergey22]

Yeah, same crap has been tossed out for the Angels going after Pujols or Fielder. "Yeah, Kendry used to play 3B and LF, and Trumbo can play RF."

Stupid.

I figure one of Trumbo/Morales or Fielder will play DH and trade one of them for an OF. Its hard to not see the Angels interested. They have money and a need for power hitting. Out of the teams with money they seem like the team the lacks hitting the most.

[Chief Rum]

I figure one of Trumbo/Morales or Fielder will play DH and trade one of them for an OF. Its hard to not see the Angels not interested. They have money and a need for power hitting. Out of the teams with money they seem like the team the lacks hitting the most.

From a cursory look, that seems possible. Unfortunately, much closer it falls apart.

1. The team is paying about $100 M to players already under contract in 2012 and figure to dole out another $20 M to arb-eligible players. Total of $120 M.

2. Moreno has come out and said he's planning on the team having a $130-140 M payroll, which means new GM DiPoto only has $10-20M with which to upgrade C, 3B, the back two rotation spots and the pen. None of these holes, BTW, can be filled by Pujols or Fielder, and neither will come to Anaheim for $20 M per, which is the best the Angels can pay them.

3. Abreu's third year option kicked in based on plate appearances last year, meaning he's getting $9 M in 2012. He's no longer an effective OF and even if he was, he's much worse defensively than Hunter-Bourjos-Wells, and his offense has fallen off three years running. But he's under contract, and the only place to play him as DH.

4. No one will take a chance on Morales when even the Angels themselves are running on the assumption he won't be available next year. It's actually likely he will be back, but just what the team will get is an unknown. And if he does come back, he will likely also need to see a lot of time at DH.

5. The team won't trade Trumbo because he's a cheap power hitter on a team full of underperforming expensive power hitters.

BTW, the Angels don't really need OFs. If they were to do a trade, they would look to fill one of the above mentioned holes. Bourjos is cheap and solid, Hunter is a team leader and popular (and still decent), and Wells is uber-expensive and impossible to move. And they are all ahead of Mike Trout, who is considered one of the top five prospects in baseball and ready to play MLB.

My guess is the Angels will flirt with Aramis Ramirez for 3B, fail to get him and sign some stopgap (i.e. Casey Blake type) at the position. They will focus on the rotation and pen, and get some okay vet type to be the #4 (along the lines of Pineiro, whom said vet type will replace) and expect Jerome Williams to compete with Garret Richards, Tyler Chatwood and Trevor Bell for the 5th rotation spot. They may get a veteran backup catcher with offensive potential (Rod Barajas type). And their "big move" will be to gun after a closer; Papelbon will be too much and K-Rod too much history, so figure they'll go for Bell or they'll make a trade for a closer who's too expensive for his current team.

[jbergey22]

Well said CR.

It does kind of leave them handcuffed having Abreu and Wells for more years.

I should have considered some of this before making my pick. The Nats or Cubs would be much better choices but he is so terrible on defense an AL team makes more sense.

I enjoyed this comment from Where Will Prince Fielder Sign in Free Agency? | September (http://bloguin.com/theoutsidecorner/2011-articles/september/where-will-prince-fielder-sign-in-free-agency.html)

Giants - They almost have to sign Fielder just so they can prove that they will spare no expense when it comes to finding ways to prevent Brandon Belt from getting regular playing time. In all seriousness, Fielder figures to be just a bit too expensive for the Giants and they do have a number of options at first base already.

[stevew]

I didn't realize that the Marlins were never getting any money from parking and suites allegedly. I wouldn't be shocked if the went after a Latin player or two. Don't think they are in the right spot for Pujols, but maybe Aramis Ramirez for 4 years would work.

[DanGarion]

Everyone knows Fielder is going to the Dodgers...

[stevew]

Wow....it's amazing how bad we suck. Rollins might be the only correct answer thus far.

[Chief Rum]

From a cursory look, that seems possible. Unfortunately, much closer it falls apart.

1. The team is paying about $100 M to players already under contract in 2012 and figure to dole out another $20 M to arb-eligible players. Total of $120 M.

2. Moreno has come out and said he's planning on the team having a $130-140 M payroll, which means new GM DiPoto only has $10-20M with which to upgrade C, 3B, the back two rotation spots and the pen. None of these holes, BTW, can be filled by Pujols or Fielder, and neither will come to Anaheim for $20 M per, which is the best the Angels can pay them.

3. Abreu's third year option kicked in based on plate appearances last year, meaning he's getting $9 M in 2012. He's no longer an effective OF and even if he was, he's much worse defensively than Hunter-Bourjos-Wells, and his offense has fallen off three years running. But he's under contract, and the only place to play him as DH.

4. No one will take a chance on Morales when even the Angels themselves are running on the assumption he won't be available next year. It's actually likely he will be back, but just what the team will get is an unknown. And if he does come back, he will likely also need to see a lot of time at DH.

5. The team won't trade Trumbo because he's a cheap power hitter on a team full of underperforming expensive power hitters.

BTW, the Angels don't really need OFs. If they were to do a trade, they would look to fill one of the above mentioned holes. Bourjos is cheap and solid, Hunter is a team leader and popular (and still decent), and Wells is uber-expensive and impossible to move. And they are all ahead of Mike Trout, who is considered one of the top five prospects in baseball and ready to play MLB.

My guess is the Angels will flirt with Aramis Ramirez for 3B, fail to get him and sign some stopgap (i.e. Casey Blake type) at the position. They will focus on the rotation and pen, and get some okay vet type to be the #4 (along the lines of Pineiro, whom said vet type will replace) and expect Jerome Williams to compete with Garret Richards, Tyler Chatwood and Trevor Bell for the 5th rotation spot. They may get a veteran backup catcher with offensive potential (Rod Barajas type). And their "big move" will be to gun after a closer; Papelbon will be too much and K-Rod too much history, so figure they'll go for Bell or they'll make a trade for a closer who's too expensive for his current team.

There is massive potential for UIC here, with 20/20 hindsight.

Anyone want my fave stock picks, too?

[EagleFan]

I'll get my selections in later today...

;)

[stevew]

We suck. Jackson is still out there I guess.

Logan 0-14
Stevew 2-14



Lungs 1-14
Tarcone 1
Jedi 0
Clap-1
Jbergey-2
Bearcat-1
Korme-1

[claphamsa]

i got beltran right!!!!

[stevew]

My bad, I did this quickly on my phone. It's amazing that the highest score is 2/15.

[korme]

Pretty crazy that I only got Jimmy Rollins right, which was pretty much the lock pick.

[stevew]

Pretty crazy that I only got Jimmy Rollins right, which was pretty much the lock pick.

Edwin Jackson right as well. I guess Oswalt is the only player left on this list.