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1. Zack Greinke, SP. With a potential bidding war between two big-market
crosstown rivals (the two L.A.'s), he stands to be the big winner. My expert
has him No. 1, and I agree. Expert: $147 million, 6 years. Me: $150 million,
6 years.
2. Josh Hamilton, OF. One of the more interesting markets in years. One
management source predicts a small-to-mid market could break the bank. I
could see Milwaukee, whether it be the US Bank (Brewers GM Doug Melvin joked
they might need that particular bank), or whatever bank. Expert: $137
million, 5 years. Me: $140 million, 6 years.
3. Michael Bourn, OF. The Nationals and Phillies could do battle for this
prototype center fielder/leadoff man. Expert: $83 million, 5 years. Me: $80
million, 5 years.
4. B.J. Upton, OF. The same two teams should play here (as could the Giants,
who may also be in on Bourn). Expert: $70 million, 5 years. Me: $65 million,
5 years.
5. Nick Swisher, OF. Regular-season numbers aren't far off those of Jayson
Werth, who got $126 million for seven years. But how much with defense and
October matter? Expert: $67 million, five years. Me: $39 million, three years.
6. Anibal Sanchez, SP. Very good postseason should help. Incumbent Tigers
have said they be will be in mix. Expert: $65 million, 5 years. Me: $70
million, 5 years.
7. Kyle Lohse, SP. Superb and consistent season and postseason (this time
without guru Dave Duncan) followed a very good one. Expert: $64 million, 4
years. Me: $70 million, 4 years.
8. Angel Pagan, OF. His big year in San Francisco changed his image. No one
benefited more from his walk year. Expert: $45 million, 4 years. Me: $30
million, 3 years.
9. Adam LaRoche, 1B. Monster year should pay off. The Red Sox, who had him
briefly, should covet LaRoche. The incumbent Nats surely do, too. Expert: $39
million, 3 years. Me: $56 million, 4 years.
10. Rafael Soriano, RP. Replaced Mariano Rivera and put up a Rivera-like
year. Could see the Tigers making a play. Expert: $39 million, 3 years. Me:
Agree.
11. Edwin Jackson, SP. The Nationals turned down a $13.3-million qualifying
offer, which ought to be a clue. But who knows? Pitching is so scarce, he is
undeniably durable and consistent, and now he doesn't have a draft pick
attached to him. Expert: $37 million, 3 years. Me: $36 million, 3 years.
12. Ryan Dempster, SP. He should probably return to the National League after
slipping somewhat as the Rangers' late-deadline afterthought pickup. Expert:
$33 million, 3 years. Me: $25 million, 2 years.
13. Delmon Young, OF. Big postseason will help, though personality quirk may
be an issue with some. Expert: $28 million, 3 years. Me: $12 million, 2 years.
14. Joe Saunders, SP. He encountered rough seas last offseason, but a cameo
in Baltimore should help. Expert: $25 million, 3 years. Me: $15 million, 2
years.
15. Torii Hunter, OF. Terrific finish showed he has plenty left. Expert: $22
million, 2 years. Me: $30 million, 2 years.
16. Brandon McCarthy, SP. Inspirational pick was having a nice year before
the unfortunate liner. Expert: $22 million, 2 years. Me: $20 million, 2 years.
17. Shane Victorino, OF. His off year will hurt a little, but probably not as
much as you think. Expert: $21 million, 2 years. Me: $30 million, 3 years.
18. Kevin Youkilis, 3B. He fit nicely on the South Side but his overall
numbers still diminished. Expert: $18 million, 2 years. Me: $20 million, 2
years.
19. Ryan Ludwick, OF. Huge year in Cincinnati perhaps makes him feel better
about Petco difficulties. Expert: $17 million, 2 years. Me: $24 million, 3
years.
20. Jonathan Broxton, RP. Very nice bounce back season. Expert: $16.5
million, 2 years. Me: $15 million, 2 years.
21. Joe Blanton, SP. He's solid and consistent, which plays pretty well this
year. Expert: $16 million, 2 years. Me: $24 million, 3 years.
22. A.J. Pierzynski, C. Big walk year helps. White Sox have replacement Tyler
Flowers ready, but watch if Jerry Reinsdorf brings back a favorite. Expert:
$15 million, 2 years. Me: $20 million, 2 years.
23. Sean Burnett, RP. Very good lefty reliever who should be appreciated this
winter. Expert: $14.5 million, 3 years. Me: $16.5 million, 3 years.
24. Mike Adams, RP. Nice set-up man, but was better in San Diego than Texas.
Expert: $16 million, 3 years. Me: $15 million, 3 years.
25. Cody Ross, OF. Had a very nice year in Boston but could surely use
competition from the other two big spenders, the Phillies and Yankees.
Expert: $14 million, 2 years. Me: $21 million, 3 years.
26. Marco Scutaro, 2B. Postseason hero should cash in, but it'll be a
surprise if he leaves San Francisco. Expert: $14 million, 2 years. Me: $15
million, 2 years.
27. Jeremy Guthrie, SP. He resurrected his career in Kansas City after not
dealing well with Coors Field. We can rule out Colorado, anyway. Expert: $14
million, 2 years. Me: $27 million, 3 years.
28. Hiroki Kuroda, SP. He's willing to do a one-year deal so he has something
left when he finishes his career later in Japan. The Yankees should be able
to make a deal here after giving him the $13.3-million qualifying offer.
Expert: $14 million, 1 year. Me: $15 million, 1 year.
29. Shaun Marcum, SP. He consistently outpitches his stuff, though he had a
bit of injury trouble last year. Expert: $10.25 million, 1 year. Me: $20
million, 2 years.
30. Ichiro Suzuki, OF. He resurrected his career once with the Yankees. Maybe
the Giants make a play this time. Expert: $11 million, 1 year. Me: $10
million, 1 year.
31. Jeremy Affeldt, RP. His huge postseason should make him coveted. Expert:
$11 million, 2 years. Me: $18 million, 3 years.
32. Mariano Rivera, RP. Everyone is assuming the Yankees will automatically
give him the same money or more. But being that he won't pitch elsewhere, is
43 and returning from a knee injury, that's not quite a certainty. Expert:
$10 million, 1 year. Me: $12 million, 1 year.
33. Dan Haren, SP. The Angels' trade fell through at the last minute, so he's
probably not too far off the difference between the $15.5-million option and
$3.5-million option. Expert: $10 million, 1 year. Me: $20 million, 2 years.
34. Kevin Correia, SP. Nice solid starter is better than you think. Expert:
$10 million, 2 years. Me: $14 million, 2 years.
35. Mike Napoli, C-1B. An off year offensively could hurt him. But his
ability to play first base or DH helps. The Red Sox, who have eyed him for
years, make sense. Expert: $9 million, 1 year. Me: $16 million, 2 years.
36. Russell Martin, C. The .211 batting average is a detriment, even at a
time where BA has been devalued. But should it? Very good defender with
power. Expert: $7 million, 1 year. Me: $15 million, 2 years.
37. Andy Pettitte, SP. He came back to pitch for a bargain $2.5 million last
year, but they'll presumably strike a compromise between that and market
value this time. Expert: $6.5 million (plus $4 million in incentives). Me:
$10 million.
38. Ryan Madson, RP. He'll look for a closer job a year after Tommy John.
Expert: $6.5 million, 1 year. Me: $7.5 million, 1 year.
39. Scott Baker, SP. Like Madson, he missed 2012 with an elbow issue. Expert:
$6.5 million, 1 year. Me: Agree.
40. Jose Valverde, RP. The poor finish where his pitches flattened out makes
the previous contract