Whether you buy them or not, I am sure that if you are reading this article you have picked up a fantasy baseball magazine. It could have been at the newsstand, the corner convenience store, the library, or off someone’s desk at your fantasy draft. It is because I know this to be true that I also know you have seen more than one article touting potential sleepers or breakouts due to impending free agency. I have to admit, I think money drives many people and professional athletes in particular. However, I also think that when someone puts an extreme amount of pressure on themselves to perform at a better than usual rate, they stand a decent chance of doing exactly the opposite. I have no idea why (I’m not a doctor, damn it). I do know that wasting top fantasy picks and draft dollars on players based on this theory is daft. I could leave it at that, but that would not be much fun. So instead, we will look at some of the big name 2009 potential free agents to be, and I will let you decide for yourself.

Outfielders

Once a sure fire first rounder, everything except the walks and average are now gone. Photo Credit: Googie Man

Bobby Abreu (.299/.371/.464, 15 HR, 15 SB) - As a long-time Yankees fan, I find it very interesting that Bobby Abreu’s full name is Roberto Kelly Abreu. Unfortunately, that's about all that I find interesting about Abreu this season. His stats do not show anything outside his normal range of performance. He is getting old, slowing down, and his defense is in rapid decline. He probably will not be in much demand next season. I see him begging the New York Yankees for a chance to stick around.

Rocco Baldelli (.351/.442/.622, 2 HR, 0 SB) - Rocco Baldelli has always been a favorite of mine. Baldelli has regained his strength and finally looks healthy after years of false starts. He has made his comeback at exactly the right time for the Tampa Bay Rays, with Carl Crawford now expected to miss the balance of the season. His health problems will make it difficult for any team to consider giving him a contract of much value, but if he finishes the season healthy, at least he will have a chance at one.

Milton Bradley (.325./447/.584, 22 HR, 4 SB) - You may remember my past rants about not discounting your projections because of potential injuries; Milton Bradley is a prime example. He still suffered through his usual nagging injuries but managed to stay off the disabled list. I think Bradley may have finally found a home with the Texas Rangers. Rather than chalk this up to a contract year performance, I am going to call it a healthy performance.

Pat Burrell (.257/.375/.525, 30 HR, 0 SB) - This is the season that the Philadelphia Phillies have come to expect from Pat Burrell. The Phillies have not seemed especially interested in re-signing Pat the Bat, but he has been consistently good for so long that many teams should find him desirable.

Carl Crawford (.273/.319/.400, 8 HR, 25 SB) - The Rays made a good move by exercising Crawford’s 2009 option in April, but they might be just a little disappointed in their return in 2008. Instead of the dynamic leadoff hitter on the verge of a breakout power season, they received a mediocre season with stats more worthy of a number nine hitter, rather than a leadoff hitter.

Adam Dunn (.239/.390/.521, 34 HR, 2 SB) - Adam Dunn has a lot in common with Pat Burrell. They both play left field and hit for lots of power with a puny average. Dunn has the greater home run power, but his average also tends to sink below the .250 level. The trade from the Cincinnati Reds to the Arizona Diamondbacks may have sparked him to a higher level, or at least a different one. Since joining the D’Backs, he has batted .283/.493/.472 with 2 homers in 53 at-bats. He should be signing a huge contract far beyond the level his performance deserves.

Jim Edmonds (.233/.341/.467, 16 HR, 2 SB) - Those first few weeks of the season with the San Diego Padres should have illustrated for the doubters how difficult it is to hit in Petco Park. Many fans thought that Jim Edmonds’ career might have been finished. Edmonds is not washed up just yet, but he is getting rather close to the end. He may have a tough time signing a new contract with any team other than the Cubs, who have grown to love him.

Corey Patterson (.201/.237/.345, 8 HR, 13 SB) - Good ‘ol Dusty Baker! He loves him some Corey Patterson. He loves him so much that he gave him every possible chance to succeed and to win himself a new contract. Patterson just was not good enough to win a regular job, and he will not be signing a long-term contract either.

Manny Ramirez - (.326/.421/.577, 29 HR, 3 SB) - Manny Ramirez was so afraid that the Red Sox might actually exercise his option that he hijinked his way off the Red Sox and out of any possibility of not being a free agent. If that were all of the story I might even be proud of the man, but it was not. Manny sat out as many games as possible against talented hard throwers to make his numbers look better. It worked. Now we will see if GMs are silly enough not to see through this transparent ploy. 

Next Week: Corner Infielders

Jon believes that Dustin Pedroia may be the new Derek Jeter, but he isn’t a free agent or an outfielder. Send your thoughts, comments, arguments, questions, or declarations to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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