Sunday, October 29, 2006

Free Agent Analysis Part 2 or 4

This is part two of a series where I will examine the free agents and name the top players the Rangers should go after. This week, I will examine the free agent infielders.

Grade A:
Sean Casey
Aubrey Huff
Julio Lugo

Grade B:
Ronnie Belliard
Mark DeRosa
Ray Durham
Mark Loretta
Rich Aurilia
Nomar Garciaparra

Grade C:
Shea Hillenbrand
Travis Lee
Joe McEwing
Doug Mientkiewicz
Kevin Millar
Todd Walker
Craig Wilson
Craig Biggio
Miguel Cairo
Chris Gomez
Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Tony Womack
David Bell
Mark Bellhorn
Aaron Boone
Pedro Feliz
Alex Gonzalez
Tony Graffanino
Wes Helms
Joe Randa
Scott Spezio
Alex Cora
Desi Relaford

Grade D:
Jeff Conine
Erubiel Durazo
Brian Jordan
Phil Nevin
Eduardo Perez
J.T. Snow
Daryle Ward
Dmitri Young
Manny Alexander
Damian Easley
Damian Jackson
Adam Kennedy
Chris Woodward
Edgardo Alfonzo
Tony Batista
Geoff Blum
Russell Branyan
Vinny Castilla
Jeff Cirillo
Lou Merloni
Royce Clayton
Craig Counsell
Ramon E. Martinez
Jose Hernandez
Tomas Perez
Jose Vizcaino

Grade F:
Jeff Bagwell
Fernando Tatis


Top infielders that the Rangers should go after:

1. Sean Casey: He can fill our DH roll and back-up Teixeira at the same time.

2. Aubrey Huff: He can fill one of our empty outfield spots (he plays outfield and infield).

3. Rich Aurilia: There is a good chance that Blalock will get traded and he would fill 3B or he could take the job the last half of the season.

4. Mark DeRosa: He has been a great utility guy for us.

5. Todd Walker: He can play every position except pitcher and catcher.

6. Kevin Millar: He can play a little outfield.

7. David Bell: There is a good chance that Blalock will get traded and he might fill 3B or he could take the job the last half of the season.

8. Alex Gonzalez: He could give us some more infield defense and back up Young and Kinsler.

9. Scott Spezio: He is a good clutch hitter.

10. Desi Relaford: he would be a good prospect.

Come back next week for part three for this series.

1 comment:

Ken Pittman said...

Nice analysis, Grant. I can't really see Casey coming to Texas, but that would be nice. Aubrey Huff I think would be an excellent pickup. I'd love to have DeRosa back, but he might have played too well this year for us to keep him. I would like a good utility reserve infielder, but don't want us to spend much on one - because our pitching needs are a higher priority and I also feel like we have more in the minors for the infield than anywhere else.