Free agency predictions as promised....

Today's column is totally based on predictions only...MINE!!!

I put a list together of what I thought were the key Free Agents this year and where I thought they would end up.....So lets get started.

Catchers
1. Jason Varitek- He'll soon be 37, His Agent is the Evil Boros Monster and his starting negotiations came in at the same salary of what Posada got $14M per. The difference here is that Jorge can still hit and hit for power, while El Capitan is more of a Defensive player now. So for Varitek to get 4 years and over $50 million is a pipedream....Realistically, if he wants to stay here, and the Sox would like that, he's looking at two years at about 5.5 Million per. If the Sox get Saltalamacchia, still a possibility, Tek can train him.
Prediction----The Red Sox---(no other team interested)

2. Pudge Rodriguez- Everyone needs a good catcher, but Pudge would be an incredible back up, wouldn't he? He's also insurance, if Tek goes to the Tigers.
Prediction----The Red Sox---(no other team interested)--but if they get Salty, neither will Boston

3. Paul LoDuca- Definately on the decline, but weak Free Agent group of catchers.
Prediction----Cincinnati Reds---(Padres, Tigers)

4. Javier Valentin- No more than a platoon player at best.
Prediction----San Diego Padres--(Reds, Tigers)

First Baseman
1. Mark Texeira- The big offensive gun out there. Lots of teams want him. Can the Angels afford to lose him?
Prediction----Boston Red Sox---(Angels, Nationals, Orioles, Yankees)

2. Jason Giambi- Still has that Balco power. Had 32 homers last year. Some team, most likely on the West Coast, will want a strong lefty power hitter.
Prediction----Oakland A's-------(Giants, Mariners, Angels, Blue Jays, Orioles, Yanks)

Second Baseman
1. Orlando Hudson- The ODog had three straight solid years and there is no other competing second sacker on the market. Great timing for a big contract.
Prediction----White Sox---------(Marlins, Cardinals, Dodgers, Mets, Yankees)

2. Ray Durham- After mid-season trade to Brewers, he helped bring them to the playoffs. At 37, with his bat, he'll get a job.
Prediction----Brewers------------(Marlins, Cardinals, Dodgers)

Shortstops
1. Rafael Furcal- From what I hear, he wants to return to LA, but he may receive more offers than any other player on the market. So Toronto could tempt him.
Prediction----Dodgers------------(Blue Jays, A's, Red Sox, Giants, Braves, Orioles, Indians, Royals & Cubs)

2. Orlando Cabrera- He'll end up at one of the teams chasing Furcal, or--
Prediction----Blue Jays----------(Orioles, Dodgers, Royals & Twins)

3. Edgar Renteria- Mediocore year. Not a very good American League player.
Prediction----Cardinals----------(Braves, Orioles)

Third Baseman
1. Casey Blake- Had good year. Dodgers will try to hold him, Indians want him back dearly.
Prediction----Indians-------------(Dodgers, Twins)

2. Joe Crede- Power hitter if he is to stay healthy.
Prediction----Dodgers-------------(Indians)

Outfielders
1. Manny Ramirez- He wants the long term contract, Dodgers not willing, but they are ready to strike with a contract that would make Manny the highest paid player in baseball annually by meeting him down the middle. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. I still firmly believe, as Bill Lee said, with Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox are the 2008 champs.
Prediction----Red Sox---(JUST KIDDING)----
Real Prediction---Dodgers--------(Angels, Blue Jays, Orioles, Giants, Yanks, Mets & Phillies

2. Bobby Abreu- He wants three years to stay in New York. This would be his first choice. But the length of the contract is too much for Brian Cashman.
Prediction-----Cubs-----(Mets, Blue Jays & Yankees)
Update---The Yankees have offered Abreu arbitration. It is thought that this was done so that they could receive draft choices, if and when Abreu walks.

3. Adam Dunn- Believe it or not, for four straight seasons Dunn has hit 40 homers, ON THE NOSE. This has to be some kind of a record. So is his strikeout speed.
Prediction-----Nationals----(Cubs)

4. Raul Ibanez- The Mariners had a chance to trade him last year and they blew it. Big dummies. Now he can walk for nothing.
Prediction-----Cubs-----(Mets, Rays, Royals)

5. Milton Bradley- He can hit, but such a cancer in every clubhouse he plays for. He'll soon leave Texas too. Reminds me of Carl Everett.
Prediction-----Rays-----(Blue Jays, Nationals)

6. Pat Burrell- Loves Phillies, but they aren't interested anymore.
Prediction-----Mets-----(Cubs, Rays, Red Sox)

7. Garrett Anderson- All time Angel leader in everything. Time to leave LaLa land.
Prediction-----Mariners---(Cubs, Mets)

8. Rocco Baldelli- Great that he was able to come back and win a ring last year. Should get to play for his hometown team.
Prediction----Red Sox---(Phillies, Rays)

9. Jim Edmonds- Pulled a Roger Clemens last year. Missed the first two months, almost retired, then showed everyone he still had it.
Prediction----White Sox----(Brewers, Retire)

10. Ken Griffey, Jr.- There's no place like home!
Prediction-----Mariners---(No one else)

Designated hitter
1. Mike Sweeney- Possible help. He can hit when healthy, which is not often. But Sweeney has a great clubhouse presence.
Prediction-----Rays----(no one else)

2. Frank Thomas- Same as top, except for the clubhouse deal.
Prediction-----Rays----(no one else)

Starting Pitchers
1. CC Sabathia- Want $25 Million? He can have it. He will hit the jackpot this year. Prefers the West Coast and the NL, but with all these teams making big offers, who knows?
Prediction----Yankees----(Brewers, Angels, Dodgers, Giants & Mets)

2. AJ Burnett- Had a year where he wasn't injured and was close to domination. Should top $20 Million. Listen to the list after the prediction.
Prediction----Red Sox----(Yanks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Dodgers, Braves, Rangers, Cubs, Mets & Angels) WOW!

3. Derek Lowe- Do you know that DLowe has tossed 200 innings in 5 out of 6 years. He's pretty durable. I think he might be the best starter of them all, but who am I? The Sox would welcom him home as a second option if they lose out on Burnett.
Prediction----Yankees/Red Sox---(Tigers, Braves, Mets, Cardinals, Blue Jays, White Sox, Angels)

4. Ryan Dempster- Last year's DLowe, he won, switching from the closers role to the starting rotation. He wants to remain a Cubbie, but....
Prediction----Cubs---(Braves, Mets, Cardinals, Blue Jays)
Update-----Yesterday signed a 4 year deal to stay with the Chicago Cubs

5. Mike Mussina- 20 wins at age 39. A remarkable experience for him. If he doesn't retire, he'll only return as a Yankee.
Prediction----Yankees-----(RETIRE?)
Update------Mussina retired today...most likely will be a Hall of Famer

6. Andy Pettitte- Pitched 200 innings for the fourth straight year and it showed at times.
Prediction----Texas Rangers------(Houston, longshot-Yankees)

7. Randy Wolf- Looked good for the Astros after Tommy John surgery.
Prediction----Dodgers-------(Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals)

8. Mike Hampton- Finally healthy at the end of last season and the team he finished with, the Braves, should be the only team interested.
Prediction----Braves-------(no one else)

9. Brad Penny- Missed the whole season. But, is it in his head? Too talented. Sox want him badly.
Prediction----Red Sox-----(Blue Jays, Mets, Nationals, Astros, Cardinals, Pirates, White Sox, Royals)

10. Jon Garland- Pretty good the past few years, but ERA was terrible last season.
Prediction----Pirates-----(Blue Jays, Mets, Nationals, Cardinals, Royals)

11. Tom Glavine- Didn't really get to pitch for the Braves last year, will he this year?
Prediction----Braves----(Retire)

12. Pedro Martinez- I think he still has something left and no one would to see the Red Sox bring him back more than I. But, its an outside shot.
Prediction----Nationals----(Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers)

Relief Pitchers
1. Francisco Rodriguez- Record breaking year. Wants the big bucks. Looking at who needs relief help, the Mets CAN afford him, the Padres cant. But, if they lose Trevor Hoffman, which it looks like they might, maybe they get into the bidding war.
Prediction---Mets-----(Padres, Angels)

2. Trevor Hoffman- Someone said they can't believe he would sign anywhere else. We'll have to see.
Prediction---Padres---(Indians, Tigers, Cardinals. Angels, Rays)

3. Kerry Wood- He could be a monster swing man-34 saves
Prediction---Rangers--(Indians, Mets, Brewers, White Sox)

4. Brian Fuentes- Lefty Stopper and a great one.
Prediction----Mets(if they dont get KRod)---or Cardinals----(Indians)

5. Jason Isringhausen- His closer days are done, but someone might take a chance on a setup man-
Prediction----Phillies----(Rockies, Brewers)

6. Chad Cordero- Injured last year, but too good to pass up on.
Prediction---Rockies----(Philles, Mets, Brewers, Red Sox)

We'll see how I do....

Al D's Sideliners Notes will be up tomorrow...look forward to his story about the Watertown High ladies field hockey team. Thats tomorrow in this space.