Free Agent Pitchers

Let's start the conversation with Japanese phenom Tanaka.  Again no compensation is tied to Tanaka so that means teams at risk of losing a 1st round pick for signing one of the lesser names will be all in on this guy and who ever comes out the winner will likely be out on some of these other names.

Garza-The prize of the off season because there is no compensation tied to him.  Garza will be the litmus test for how much money is flooding into baseball.  Why?  Because there are definite red flags about the elbow and none about his competiveness.  When he is right he is all day long a 5/$100.  The Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Braves and Rangers will all be in the mix for his services.

Nolasco-Look for the Mets to make a major move to land his services with Matt Harvey being gone they need a guy that eats up innings and is close to being a front line starter at least something of a solid #3.  Their pick is protected so they can afford to into the Anabel Sanchez area for Nolasco. 4/$72 seems right to me with an option to take it up to $90.

Santana-Is not a 5/$100 despite what he or his camp thinks.  Honestly they don't really think that its classic negotiating tact to publicly put out an outrageous number.  Look for the Mets to jump in here is they don't land their first choice which is Nolasco.It still will be obscene I'm thinking 4/$64.

Ubaldo-Not very interesting although once upon a time in Colorado he was.  A return to the Rocky Mountains is not out of the question.  I think teams will be reluctant to go more than 3/$42 and that might be tough to come by with compensation needed to be given up.  Look at teams with a protected pick as possible options.

Rodney-Fernando should call the cops because the Rays picked his pocket big time for the last two years.  No such luck this year he gets a big raise from Texas.  3/$27

Joe Nathan-Everyone says Tigers but I think the Tigers are looking for a guy they can give multi years to so that the position is sure for the next few years.  I actually think Nathan lands with the Yankees on a 1/$9 with a vesting option that would take it up to $18.

Grant Balfour-How about the Tigers on a 2/$15

AJ Burnett-He's picky about where he wants to be.  The Pirates say publicly they want him back but I don't believe they do.  Definition of mercurial is this guy.  I won't believe he retires until I see it.  So while I have no idea where he will play I do see him playing on a 1/$15 deal.

Kuroda-I see no reason why he would leave NY.  Possible the Dodgers bring him back but he gets a multi year deal this time 3/$51

Tim Timmy Hudson-This guy loves Atlanta, is 38 and coming off a severe ankle injury.  I say he stays with Atlanta on a 1 Year Incentive laden deal 1/$8.