As free agency approaches I am in the market for the following:

Starting SS
Backup C (Although I have a few defensive guys that may work in my system)
OF (Prefer someone who can rake with power and start but I have more pressing needs at SS and P)

SP
and a whole bullpen. Probably around 5 guys for the pen.

I have around 38 Million to play with heading into FA. I also have had several trade feelers for Carlos Molina. I highly doubt I trade him as his contract is good and I have him for 3 more years beyond this one but if someone knocks my socks off I may listen.

TRADE

The Wingnuts get: Eli Coronado

The Redhawks get: Philip Philips

My projections just do not show Philips playing in the bigs for me. He does show 83 power but his contact projects to 23 and his VR and VL are 35 and 43.

However the Redhawks do have depth at C, it dumps some salary and if Philips ever gets a DITR Bump he could be a stud.

Here is the WKRP Thread kneeneighbor was talking about - good stuff.

Free agency has begun and I am in on several guys. First priorities are SS, and Pitching. But there is a masher on the open market which I am trying to see where he is at. My guess is he gets a mega deal close to the $20 mil a year mark.

Rafael Merdrano

Stupid WIS

I love how they claim the HR total's were not affected too much. Look at this guy!

60 HR, 62 HR, 18 HR (yeah, right), 48 HR

All in the same ballpark too. No way that guy drops that much unless they totally screwed up the HR factor.

Great thread, knee.

This FA period seems to have a lot of talent. I maxed out an offer to Merdrano, but he still wouldn't consider me an option. Any idea how they work tie breakers for FAs?

edit: I was able to look it up in the faq. They look at coach IQs and ballparks.

I have already signed 4-5 guys and am still after a few more. I will post some about them later though. My boss is working in my building all day and in my office and my wife took our lap top on her trip making my computer usage spotty today.

My FA signings so far

Ricky Schwartz

Angel Alicea

Bernie Perez

Rolando Alonso

Oh and I forgot about
Coco Davis

Who will platoon in the outfield. And be a bat with some powere to pinch hit.

I have also been signing some coaches to fill out my coaching staff. I am going to need a few minor league pitchers but they are not my priority at this point in Free Agency.

I am still negotiating with a couple of top flight SP.

Here was my list of needs going into the FA period and what if anything has been done to address them.

As free agency approaches I am in the market for the following:

Starting SS (Rickey Schwartz)
Backup C (I traded for Eli Coranado which means one of my other guys will end up as the back up)
OF (Coco Davis) I needed some power and he will fill that spot against righties nicely.

SP (NOTHING YET)
and a whole bullpen. Probably around 5 guys for the pen.
Alicea, Perez and Alonso so far.

I also have started to develop back up plans if the SP's I am negotiating with decide to sign else where. I also have the first pick in the Rule V draft which could net me a pitcher of either the 5th spot in the rotation or a bullpen guy.

After looking at the current construction of my bullpen I am a little nervous that fatigue may become an issue. Especially since the guys I project as starters are not huge innings eaters.

I have posted in the world chat I am looking for some RP help. Someone who can take the ball a lot.

I also have somewhat of a log jam in the outfield in that I like my corner outfield guys but do not love any of them. Telgheder and Nieves can be a terror on the base paths when on this year. I plan to crank their SBs. The other thing is Nieves played 2B for me all year last year. His ratings are below average for that spot but he had 21 errors and 0 - plays. I may have to sneak him in here or there at 2B this year.

I went to 56.25 Million over 5 years for Tripp Kennedy. That was not enough which I thought may happen so I have pulled out of the race. Instead I am making another trade for a bullpen guy who makes just over 3 Mil and will peruse one other starting pitcher.