Hot Stove, Heating Up

Hot Stove, Heating Up

Top MLB Free Agents

 As baseball season came to a close and the Giants celebrated in San Francisco, the focus has turned to the competitive offseason where some big names are on the table and ready to hear offers.  Turn that stove up to high heat, because the baseball offseason is officially underway.  Players hit the market bright and early on Sunday, Nov. 7th at 12:01 AM.  This year's crop is especially rich, as some of the best players in the game are up for grabs. 

Top 5 Free Agents in 2010

 1. Cliff Lee - P  Coming off another World Series appearance, Cliff Lee is the hottest pitcher on the market.  The Yankees have expressed serious interest in him moving forward, dropping out of other bidding wars to solely focus on the Lefty.  He's been a dominate pitcher over the past three seasons, and it's no surprise he's the top free agent this offseason.  

2. Carl Crawford - LF  The speed of Crawford makes him a dangerous asset for any team.  He lead the American League in stolen bases for the fourth season in a row in 2010.  Of course, he's strong at the place with solid numbers.  His age gives him the boost, sitting at 29, so he can expect a large, multiyear contract.

3. Adrian Beltre - 3B  He's considered one of the best on the hot corner, and topped that off with great offensive year with the Red Sox.  He carried the team when other big names couldn't hold up.  Reports are that he will test the market and deny his player option for 2011.  

 4. Jayson Werth - RF  A star on the rise, Werth has solidified his

 position as one of the best Right Fielders in the game.  Just three years ago, he never thought he would play again due to a broken wrist, but the Phillies offered him another shot and he worked his way up to a starter for the playoff  contenders.  A rare five-tool player is hard to find, but expect Werth to look for a long-term contract.  

 5. Victor Martinez - C  Martinez is seen as one of the few catchers that can deliver at the plate, driving in over 100 runs this year.  Although he is on the older side of baseball, but supposedly is willing to move to 1B if necessary.  A team may pick him up for the short term in order to protect the plate. 

Lots of factors play a role in the value of a player, both on and off the field. Effective branding throughout the season can help increase the value of a player's identity.  All in all, sports is a business and we look forward to seeing where these assets end up in 2011. 

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Spotlight on: Domonic Brown

Spotlight on: Domonic Brown

Birthday: 09/03/1987
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 204
Hometown: Zephyrhills, FL
Position: Outfielder

As the weather heats up a little in the Philadelphia area, it can only mean one thing: baseball season is right around the corner. In fact, the Phillies officially kicked off their Spring Training in Clearwater, FL on February 23rd. As the rest of the team begins to migrate south, we thought it would be great chance to highlight one of the best prospects the Phillies have up their sleeve.

Domonic Brown may be signed as a minor league player for now, but definitely look for him to make a splash on the Big League scene in 2010. With current outfielders Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth dealing with age and contracts, respectively, the Phillies need to make a decision on the corners, and it looks like Domonic will be the answer. The 37 year-old Ibanez will be entering the 2010 season rehabbing a sports hernia he suffered in the second half of the year, and Werth is on the last year of his contract extension that was signed in early 2009.

Brown could easily fill in for either of the players, and would add depth to the Phils bench. As a stand-out football player in high school, Brown turned down the opportunity to play at the University of Miami in college to focus on baseball. Standing tall at 6’5”, his physique lends itself to long strides and an extended swing. He is able to cover a lot of ground on the corners and execute on defense with his arm. Brown has worked on his hitting the past couple of years, developing a smooth swing that allows him to reach center/left field with ease. Known for his power and speed, Brown has developed into a five-skill player. He has the speed, the defensive ability, arm strength, and hitting for power and average needed for an elite Major Leaguer. He is currently ranked as the #14 prospect in the minors by Major League Baseball.

And don’t worry, the name is spelled right. Brown says that people have been spelling it wrong for years – all the way back in high school when he was first discovered – and that he was just too polite to correct anyone. Think of it as just another way for Domonic to stand out.

-Mia Spadoni

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