Unnoticed Free Agent Hitters to Watch for

Yesterday I brought insight on the big names in the free agent hitters and where they should go. But sometimes it’s the small acquisitions that make a big impact. In last year’s offseason, I had three players that I personally thought would make a HUGE impact but would go under the radar: Those three were Koji Uehara, Jonny Gomes, and Shane Victorino. What do you know, they all were signed by the World Series champs, the Boston Red Sox.

Let’s be honest, how many of you have heard of Uehara before the 2013 season? That’s why sometimes there are much more valuable players that the media forget about. I’ve found six hitters that are under the radar in this year’s free agency list, but can make a big impact in the 2014 season. Don’t worry, there are plenty of pitchers too, but today let’s focus on the batters.

Stephen Drew

Position: SS

2013 Salary: $9.5 million

Notable 2013 stats: Batted .253/.33/.443 with 13 homers and 67 RBI’s; great defender
Wins Above Salary: 1.59 

Probably one of the more well-known guys, I admit, but I put him on this list and not yesterday’s because he is much more known for his defensive capabilities. The 8-year veteran did have one of his best years with the Red Sox, batting .253/.333/.443 with a 3.1 WAR (2^nd best in his career). He also, however, struck out a career high 124 times, and was horrible offensively in the postseason. 

Nevertheless, he has postseason experience with the Red Sox, and is a well-known veteran.

Rumor has it that the New York Yankees have expressed interest in Drew. This is kind of surprising, as they just resigned Derek Jeter with a $12 million contract. Drew could always play 3B, a position that the Yankees really lacked in the 2013 season without Alex Rodriguez. But Jeter was always injured, and it’s unclear whether or not he can go all 162 games. He also will turn 40 next season. I can still see New York trying to acquire him, though.

Another place he could go would be in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are losing Clint Barmes to free agency, and Drew would be an upgrade both offensively and defensively over Barmes.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Position: Catcher

2013 Salary: $4.5 million

Notable 2013 stats: Batted .273/.338/.466 with 40 doubles in 121 games
Wins Above Salary: 3.16

Another Red Sox player, Salty had one of the best years in his career both offensively and defensively, and has become Boston’s main catcher. He had a pretty mediocre postseason, especially in the World Series, when he is arguably the one to blame for the two games the Red Sox lost. 

He’s been in the league since 2007, and is only 28 years old still. He’s not too expensive, either. The Red Sox are not likely to make a qualifying offer to Jarrod, so it looks like he’s off to another team.

There are plenty of catchers going in this offseason, with not too many teams interested. I can, however, see Salty go to Philadelphia, who needs a catcher with Carlos Ruiz in free agency.

Carlos Ruiz

Position: Catcher

2013 Salary: $5 million

Notable 2013 stats: Batted .268/.320/.368, which is a sharp decline from the 2012 season, but he finished playing only 92 games.
Wins Above Salary: 1.65

Speak of the devil! Ruiz is a talented veteran with a good arm and can get on base. He had a great 2012 season, batting .325/.394/.540, having his first all-star appearance. Not very much of a home run hitter per say, but doesn’t strike out much at all and is close to a 1-1 career K/BB ratio. He also has performed well in the clutch with a career .447 OBP with two outs and with RISP.

Last season, he served a 25-game suspension for testing positive for Adderall.

The Colorado Rockies have pursued interest in Ruiz, mainly for his defensive capabilities. He can always go back to Philadelphia, but the Rockies have a lot to spend with after failing to acquire Cuban slugger Jose Abreu, who went to the White Sox.  

Willie Bloomquist

Position: OF, SS, 3B

2013 Salary: $1.9 million

Notable 2013 stats: Batted .317/.360/.367 in 48 games with the D-Backs, striking out only 11 times in 150 plate appearances.
Wins Above Salary: .51

I love Willie Bloomquist because he can hit pretty well and play any position that you want him to play. He won’t hit for power whatsoever, but he can drive in runs and even steal bases. He’s 35 years old, but a team can easily acquire him just for defensive purposes.

The Cubs might be interested in him if they can acquire him and potentially trade him for the deadline. Other teams that might be interested are the Marlins and the Mariners. He did start off his career in Seattle, playing seven years there. The Diamondbacks still have options to resign him, or he can always retire after a successful 12 year career.

 

Juan Uribe

Position: SS, 3B, and 2B

2013 Salary: $8 million

Notable 2013 stats: Batted .278/.31/.438 in the regular season, and had a clutch two run homer in the NLDS to send the Dodgers to the NLCS.
Wins Above Salary: 2.49

Have you noticed that Juan Uribe has two World Series rings and has always come up in the clutch when he’s there? He has a career .214 batting average, but has five homers and 23 RBI’s in that time as well.

I’d say a high payroll club that’s playoff bound should sign the 33-year old veteran. Maybe not for $8 million, but for a decent amount at least. I wouldn’t be surprised in the Dodgers just resign him.

I have heard, however, that the Miami Marlins might want to spend on Uribe, which eliminates my notions. They are losing two veterans in Juan Pierre and Placido Polanco, so maybe Uribe could fill in their roles.

Dioner Navarro

Position: Catcher

2013 Salary: $1.75 million

Notable 2013 Stats: Batted .300/.365/.492 with 13 homers and 34 RBI’s in 89 games.
Wins Above Salary: 2.74

Navarro is my pick-that-nobody-had-looked-at for this year. In 89 games with the Cubs this year, he was able to have some clutch hitting both starting and as a pinch hitter, and is pretty good defensively as well. He also can hit from both sides as well. He was a great help for the Cubs’ poor batting against left handed hitters as well.

He has played in the Tampa Bay Rays’ system before, and I can see him going back there. He is cheap and can provide pretty decent play. In the three years that he was arguably a “starter” (all with the Rays), he batted .249/.301/.364, which is still pretty good for a catcher.

Other teams that might be interested are the Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners.

Tomorrow, check out the hitters that teams should stay away from in the free agency to avoid being plagued with a big contract and poor hitting. Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd