Free Agent Crib Notes: First Base

Julio Franco- I can’t see him leaving Atlanta, could you? For a guy who’s almost 50, he still looks younger than the 25 year-old Otis Nixon.

Scott Hatteberg-Unfortunately, the ill-advised contract extension that Oakland gave him two years typecast Hatteberg as a “Moneyball” type, and that will turn off some teams. Still, Hatteberg has use in a platoon or reserve role, although he probably shouldn’t start anymore.

Paul Konerko- The thing about Konerko isn’t that he’ll be overpaid, it’s that he’ll be under contract for well into his decline phase. The smart team pays him more up front so they aren’t on the hook for that fourth or fifth year. I don’t think the smart team will sign him. The White Sox will likely him keep him out of sense of obligation to keep the championship squad together, coupled with the fact that he’s the best 1B out there, and it isn’t close.

Travis Lee- A bit more useful than guys down the list, he’s at least shown that he won’t cripple you for a month or two.

Kevin Millar- He lost a lot of power last year, but most teams can find a use for a righty bat that can play the corners of the field (badly). He really needs to give up the “I wanna go with my firends” shtick, though. Be a man, Kevin.

Mark Sweeney-He finally got the PT, and showed that he can draw walks with some pop. You shouldn’t count on him hitting .294 again, but he’ll be a smart signing somewhere.

If you pay these guys more than 1 million dollars in a season, or treat them as anything other than pinch-hitters or emergency reserves, then you aren’t really trying.

Greg Colbrunn
Dave Hansen
John Olerud
Olmedo Saenz
Daryle “Heavy D” Ward
Tino Martinez
Doug Misspelling
J.T. Snow