[Lefty Noob]

Who are the best free agents in baseball this offseason?

Yahoo! Sports compiled their list. Matsuzaka tops the list and is joined in the top tier by Soriano, Zito, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Lee and Jason Schmidt. Barry Bonds is listed under them, followed by the so-called second tier of J.D. Drew, Gary Matthews Jr., Nomar, Akinori Iwamura, Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver, Julio Lugo and Juan Pierre. So what do you think of these ratings?

[MVB]

Fox sports actually had a better list in my opinion:

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka
2. Barry Zito
3. Alfonso Soriano
4. Roger Clemens
5. Aramis Ramirez
6. Carlos Lee
7. Frank Thomas
8. Barry Bonds
9. Jason Schmidt
10. Andy Pettitte
11. Julio Lugo
12. Mike Mussina
13. Gary Matthews, Jr.
14. Jeff Suppan
15. Moises Alou
16. Nomar Garciaparra
17. Gil Meche
18. Ray Durham
19. Mike Piazza
20. Mark Mulder

Thomas is way too high on this list, while Gary Matthews, Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra are too low.

Other then that, I agree with this list...

[MJHMarc]

Here are my thoughts, comments and notes about this list.

1. Daisuke Matsuzakaa risk:hideki matsui or hideki irabu
2. Barry Zito solid pitcher:NYM?
3. Alfonso Soriano great 2b. age correct?:soriano33 says Cubs
4. Roger Clemens how old is he now? 43
5. Aramis Ramirez one of the best 3bs out there
6. Carlos Lee grab him now! this guy is amazing
7. Frank Thomas #7??? He could play DH or 1b, but mostly DH
8. Barry Bonds has the potential. but health and age are factor
9. Jason Schmidt power pitcher, #1-#3 in rotation
10. Andy Pettitte Come home, Lassie:NYY
11. Julio Lugo comparable to Mark Loretta. Check out Mets Forum
12. Mike Mussina Free Agent? Yankees trying to work out his contract
13. Gary Matthews, Jr. Average
14. Jeff Suppan Too high. I remember those days in KC
15. Moises Alou Age is factor. But, still great.
16. Nomar GarciaparraNot as good as in Boston. Good, though
17. Gil Meche No comment
18. Ray Durham always like him, great 2b.
19. Mike Piazza age is giant factor. don't expect 30 HRs
20. Mark Mulder Higher on list? Not as good when in Oakland

[firefrozen]

The best line I have heard about Gary Matthews jr. is that he should be paying the guy that created the word web gem. And its true while he did have 100 runs he wasnt on the map until the catch.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by firefrozen

The best line I have heard about Gary Matthews jr. is that he should be paying the guy that created the word web gem. And its true while he did have 100 runs he wasnt on the map until the catch.

I don't fully understand why people are high on Gary Matthews. To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't produced much as a complete every day starter. If he gets a starting job next season, I guess I'll see then.

Some thoughts on the top free agents...

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka -- I project he'll stay in Japan after Boston gives him a low offer. Next season, he'll become a free agent and go to the highest bidder.
2. Barry Zito -- Mets, Yanks or Dodgers. Who will need him worse...I'm thinking one of the NY teams.
3. Alfonso Soriano -- Been linked to the Cubs, Padres, and Phillies. Sweet Lou wanted Sheffield but perhaps he'll get his power in the form of 2B.

4. Roger Clemens -- If he comes back, he'll return to Houston.
5. Aramis Ramirez -- He'll remain with the Cubs...but for a LOT more money.
6. Carlos Lee -- Reports say he wants to be a Cub...perhaps.
8. Barry Bonds -- I'd give San Fran 65% chance to keep him. Otherwise, to the AL West he goes.

9. Jason Schmidt -- He'll sign with the hometown Mariners.
10. Andy Pettitte -- retired
11. Julio Lugo -- I just hope he doesn't sign with the Mets.
12. Mike Mussina -- He'll remain a Yankee.

[soriano33]

Well my order would go like this,
1. Alfonso Soriano-hes a sure thing compared to number two, heck hes one of the best in the game
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka- hes a big risk for sure, but high reward potential
3. Aramis Ramirez
4. Jason Schmidt
5. Barry Zito
6. Andy Pettite
7.Gil Meche* this guy has some talent if he had a good offense to support him with the right coaching, look out
8. Jeff Suppan
9. Gary Matthews JR.-potential to become a superstar at CF
10. El Caballo (Carlos Lee)

[Lefty Noob]

I'm with Empire on this one in that I have Zito higher that Soriano, mainly because in today's game pitching is far more valuable than hitting, and fewer players are really good at it. That said, I really think if the Cubs let Aramis Ramirez get away, he could be the steal of the year for some contender.

[soriano33]

You maybe right about the pitching Lefty but look at Zitos season production from 2003-2006, not really that amazing, 14, 11, 14 and 16 wins...I dont know I guess im just not that big of a Zito fan...Soriano is coming off a career year and yes he did have a lot of strikeouts, however he had his career high OBP and career high walks. Look at Mulder or Hudson after leaving Oakland, they basically fell apart

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by soriano33

Well my order would go like this,
1. Alfonso Soriano-hes a sure thing compared to number two, heck hes one of the best in the game
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka- hes a big risk for sure, but high reward potential
3. Aramis Ramirez
4. Jason Schmidt
5. Barry Zito
6. Andy Pettite
7.Gil Meche* this guy has some talent if he had a good offense to support him with the right coaching, look out
8. Jeff Suppan
9. Gary Matthews JR.-potential to become a superstar at CF
10. El Caballo (Carlos Lee)

No surprise that Soriano33 ranks Alfonso Soriano at the top.

[Trashed]

I don't think Zito is coming to the Big Apple. Mets don't want players that are gonna demand way too much money like Zito will and even the Yankees must have some kind of budget...don't they????

[EmpireWF]

I really don't know one way or another. I've been reading mixed feelings from each team on Zito since before free-agency. It seemed both teams may be interested but frankly aren't in love with dishing out the money to bring him here. And with Boras, he'll likely command AT LEAST $15 Mil per season. However, both New York squads may need to go after him if for nothing else, sheer need.

Unless the Mets are serious about going after a guy like Willis or Peavy.

And with the Yankees, unless they're fine with having Weing and Johnson at the top of the rotation again (specifically, RJ), they will need at least one more guy to fill out the rotation. Wouldn't they rather bring in a top flight pitcher to push evryone down a spot in the rotation?

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I really don't know one way or another. I've been reading mixed feelings from each team on Zito since before free-agency. It seemed both teams may be interested but frankly aren't in love with dishing out the money to bring him here. And with Boras, he'll likely command AT LEAST $15 Mil per season. However, both New York squads may need to go after him if for nothing else, sheer need.

Unless the Mets are serious about going after a guy like Willis or Peavy.

And with the Yankees, unless they're fine with having Weing and Johnson at the top of the rotation again (specifically, RJ), they will need at least one more guy to fill out the rotation. Wouldn't they rather bring in a top flight pitcher to push evryone down a spot in the rotation?

If Pedro does retire then I think the Mets should and would go after Barry Zito gangbusters. The only thing is the Mets won't know Martinez's decision till spring training when Zito will most certainly be signed so it's a tricky situation for them.