Out of more than 30 players, who were non tendered last season, only three received multi year contracts. The culprits: Ty Wigginton (2 years-Baltimore), Wily Taveras (2 years-Cincinnati), and Aaron Miles (2 years-Chicago). As the list of non tenders was finalized last night, I think the number of non-tenders, who land multi year contracts will be similar to last year's total, but probably wind up lower. Let's take a look at some of the non tenders, who are candidates to land a multi year contract:
Matt Capps
Upside:
- If Brandon Lyon can land a 3 year/$15 million dollar deal, then shouldn't Matt Capps be able to land at least a two year deal?
- Capps is only 26 years old
- Capps has experience closing
- Capps's ERA from 2006-2008 was 3.04 and his WHIP was 1.05
- Why was he so hittable in 2009?
- Why did his walk rate rise so dramatically in 2009?
- Can he be an effective closer on a good team?
- Does he strike out enough hitters?
Jack Cust:
Upside:
- Averaged 28 home runs from 2007-2009
- Averaged .378 OBP from 2007-2008
- Led the AL in walks in 2008
- Can he hit for a high enough average?
- Declining OBP and slugging
- Inability to play defense
Ryan Garko
Upside:
- Very few right handed power hitting first basemen on the free agent market
- Career .313 hitter against left handed pitching
- .351 lifetime OBP
- 6.2 UZR/150 last season at first base
- Can he hit enough to be a starting first baseman?
- How many teams are willing to give Garko more than a one year deal?
Kelly Johnson
Upside:
- Averaged 14 HR from 2007-2008
- 39 doubles in 2008
- .375 OBP in 2007
- Can he hit enough to be a left fielder?
- Can he field enough to be a starting second baseman?
- Declining OBP
- Why has he struggled against right handed pitching?
Garrett Atkins
Upside:
- Averaged 25 HR from 2006-2008
- .409 OBP in 2006
- ..289 lifetime batting average
- Is he a product of Coors Field?
- Defensive liability at third base
- Declining OBP, slugging %
- Declining HR total
- Declining batting average
- Who is the real Garrett Atkins? At what level will he be able to produce outside of Coors?
