Here is the free-agent class of 2009-10, ranked from Nos. 1 to 131. The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s history, age and potential, and are as much about predicted performance as market value, providing a general outline as free agency unfolds between now and spring training.
Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses, Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on the other free agents.
1. Matt Holliday(notes), LF: SIGNED Which player is he: The Oakland disappointment or the St. Louis marvel? Here’s betting on the latter. The Cardinals are making that same bet to the tune of a seven-year, $120 million deal. Story
2. John Lackey(notes), SP: SIGNED This time when Lackey yelled “This is mine!” it was in response to Theo Epstein handing him a contract that will pay him $82.5 million over five years to pitch for the Red Sox. Story
3. Jason Bay(notes), LF: SIGNED Tall order for agent Joe Urbon: procure a five-year contract for a defensively limited corner outfielder who turns 32 this year. Of course, the guy can hit, and the Mets are happy to have him – to the tune of four years, $66 million. Story
4. Aroldis Chapman, SP: SIGNED Based on potential for greatness, he’s No. 1. Based on potential for calamity, he’s No. 131. Lefties who throw 100 mph don’t grow on trees. In fact, they don’t grow but every 25 years or so, and here is this generation’s. So it’s understandable that the Reds signed him for $30 million over five years. Story
5. Chone Figgins(notes), 3B: SIGNED A Gold Glove-caliber third baseman with positional versatility, on-base acuity and true leadoff skills, he has agreed with the Mariners to a four-year, $36 million deal. Story
6. Randy Wolf(notes), SP: SIGNED The Dodgers did Wolf an immense favor not offering him arbitration. So the Brewers signed him to a three-year, $29.75 million deal without giving up draft picks. Story
7. Rich Harden(notes), SP: SIGNED The most dominant pitcher in the class, in terms of stuff and disabled list stays, Harden signed a one-year deal for $7.5 million with the Rangers, who hold an option for a second year at $11.5 million. Story
8. Erik Bedard(notes), SP: SIGNED Remember when Seattle gave up Adam Jones(notes), Chris Tillman(notes), George Sherrill(notes) and two others for him? There’s a word for that. Hahahahaha. And that is your No. 8-ranked free agent, whom the Mariners’ trainer said might not recover from a torn labrum until May or June. Seattle decided to keep him for at least one more year. Story
9. Andy Pettitte(notes), SP: SIGNED The steady veteran will be back with the Yankees for another year at a nice raise, getting an $11.75 million deal. Story
Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses, Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on the other free agents.
1. Matt Holliday(notes), LF: SIGNED Which player is he: The Oakland disappointment or the St. Louis marvel? Here’s betting on the latter. The Cardinals are making that same bet to the tune of a seven-year, $120 million deal. Story
2. John Lackey(notes), SP: SIGNED This time when Lackey yelled “This is mine!” it was in response to Theo Epstein handing him a contract that will pay him $82.5 million over five years to pitch for the Red Sox. Story
3. Jason Bay(notes), LF: SIGNED Tall order for agent Joe Urbon: procure a five-year contract for a defensively limited corner outfielder who turns 32 this year. Of course, the guy can hit, and the Mets are happy to have him – to the tune of four years, $66 million. Story
4. Aroldis Chapman, SP: SIGNED Based on potential for greatness, he’s No. 1. Based on potential for calamity, he’s No. 131. Lefties who throw 100 mph don’t grow on trees. In fact, they don’t grow but every 25 years or so, and here is this generation’s. So it’s understandable that the Reds signed him for $30 million over five years. Story
5. Chone Figgins(notes), 3B: SIGNED A Gold Glove-caliber third baseman with positional versatility, on-base acuity and true leadoff skills, he has agreed with the Mariners to a four-year, $36 million deal. Story
6. Randy Wolf(notes), SP: SIGNED The Dodgers did Wolf an immense favor not offering him arbitration. So the Brewers signed him to a three-year, $29.75 million deal without giving up draft picks. Story
7. Rich Harden(notes), SP: SIGNED The most dominant pitcher in the class, in terms of stuff and disabled list stays, Harden signed a one-year deal for $7.5 million with the Rangers, who hold an option for a second year at $11.5 million. Story
8. Erik Bedard(notes), SP: SIGNED Remember when Seattle gave up Adam Jones(notes), Chris Tillman(notes), George Sherrill(notes) and two others for him? There’s a word for that. Hahahahaha. And that is your No. 8-ranked free agent, whom the Mariners’ trainer said might not recover from a torn labrum until May or June. Seattle decided to keep him for at least one more year. Story
9. Andy Pettitte(notes), SP: SIGNED The steady veteran will be back with the Yankees for another year at a nice raise, getting an $11.75 million deal. Story
