We continue our countdown of the top 100 free agents.
As previously noted, the rankings are not absolute player rankings or rankings which reflect inherent value or how big a bargain the player may be on the market. Rather, these rankings are based, primarily, on how teams might value these guys, going from the largest expected contracts to the smallest.
Yesterday we did numbers 100-81. Now let’s do the next 20 on the list.
80. Jordan Lyles (RP) -- He's pitched for four teams over eight seasons and became a free agent just after turning 28. That's quite a trick. His 11-game stint in Milwaukee this year is the only time his ERA+ line has ever been above 100. pic.twitter.com/DCHUdTDuTT
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
79. Sergio Romo (RP): Not one of his best seasons by rate stats, but he pitched more games and more innings than he ever has in 2018, thanks in large part to the Rays' innovative bullpen usage. Whether he's as valuable to another team as he was the Rays is an open question. pic.twitter.com/VPgVzAXmM8
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
78. Oliver Perez (RP) --This is a cheat. Fernando Rodney was in this space before the A's exercised his option. But man, Perez was a super effective lefty specialist this year despite being 147 years-old (roughly). He was supposed to be toast, like, 10 years ago! pic.twitter.com/BZs7PA17Uk
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
77. Curtis Granderson (OF) Some suspect he may retire. A .242/.351/.431 line at age 37 -- combined with him being an acclaimed great guy -- is probably enough to land him a bench/platoon role, however. pic.twitter.com/31AausLK12
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
76. Jon Jay (OF) He got hit by pitches 18 times in 2018. That wasn't the most in the bigs, but it was close. He gets on base, even when he's not hitting. And lately, no, he has not really been hitting. Still, you could do worse in a 4th-5th outfielder. If he's your starter? Eh. pic.twitter.com/zFu616CGza
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
75. Jake Diekman (RP) He posted a 3.69 ERA in 47 games for Texas and a 7.53 in 24 games for Arizona. Maybe he just doesn't like Arizona? pic.twitter.com/PTA7jfymhw
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
74. Daniel Descalso (INF) .238/.353/.436 is not setting the world on fire, but that line meant that Descalso put up a career year at age 31. And he did it while getting his second highest number of plate appearances ever. pic.twitter.com/9Jim7gQf70
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
73. Denard Span (OF): Useful at the plate last year -- he hit .272 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 94 games with the Mariners -- but is no longer a center fielder, really. pic.twitter.com/tcujKGnBNx
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
72. Jesse Chavez (RP) An historically below average pitcher until he went nuts in 2018, posting a 2.55 ERA overall (ERA+ 182) and a microscopic 1.15 ERA in 32 games with the Cubs. That'll get him a deal someplace, likely before Christmas. pic.twitter.com/JvxXv4qbKW
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
71. Derek Holland (SP): He definitely turned things around in 2018, posting a 3.57 ERA after an ugly 6.20 in 2017. His strikeout rate climbed and walk rate declined too. Did he figure something out, or was it just a fluke? pic.twitter.com/9dQjubrF3m
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
70. Another Wild Card as our previous 70, David Freese, signed a deal with L.A. already. How about . . . Jose Bautista! Nah, his nice short stint in Philly aside, I don't think he's worth a guaranteed deal, but it'd be fun if he went to Japan or something and hit 45 homers. pic.twitter.com/q46SqBpDsU
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
69. Matt Wieters (C) .238/.330/.374 in 74 games for the Nats. That's backup catcher stuff, really, even if he doesn't know it yet. Remember back when he was expected to be the next Johnny Bench? Man, we were all deluded about a lot of things back in 2007 or so. pic.twitter.com/QNS7MBZmcR
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
68. Jordy Mercer (SS) A solid enough albeit unspectacular bat who has anchored short in Pittsburgh for the past several seasons. His range is slipping, though, and once that's gone so too is his most of his value. pic.twitter.com/EK7NHv6vwE
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
67. Justin Wilson (RP) struck out 69 batters in 45 2/3 innings with the Cubs. In the age of bullpenning, he will not have any trouble finding a job. pic.twitter.com/YN5tAMFMhY
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
66. Adam Warren (RP) A 3.42 career ERA but 2.72 over the last two years. Another solid bullpen arm for whom there will no doubt be many suitors. pic.twitter.com/EDUSgomfpK
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
65. Bud Norris (RP) 64 games, 28 saves, slightly above average production but lost his closer's role in 2018 and strained his hamstring at the end of the season. At this point Norris is an arm. Assuming his leg's OK. pic.twitter.com/rrtPW90icF
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
64. Ian Kinsler (2B) He's still a name, he still has a glove -- a gold one even -- but his bat is in decline. There are not a ton of glove-only second baseman in the world these days, so it may be tough for a .240/.301/.380 hitter who turns 37 next season to find a steady gig. pic.twitter.com/IthaKzBuVh
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
63. Ryan Madson (RP): Still throws hard but he had a train wreck of a 2018 season and faceplanted in spectacular fashion in the World Series. Part of that was Dave Roberts not putting him in a position to succeed, but what is that position these days, exactly? pic.twitter.com/uvzoMiH7kI
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
62. Jonathan Lucroy The story was everyone but the A's passed on him last year, they got him and ha ha ha the rest of the league blew it. He also hit a putrid .241/.291/.325 (OPS+ 71) so did the A's succeed because of him or despite him? He'll test the market value of intangibles pic.twitter.com/KhGmj7Q8nu
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018
61. This was Trevor Rosenthal, but he has signed with the Nats already. Let's do another Wild Card: Anyone wanna sign . . . Carlos Gomez? Anyone? Anyone? pic.twitter.com/50Dfi40Qkr
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 6, 2018