Yesterday, I weighed in on two of Saturday’s non tender players; Jack Cust and Garrett Atkins. This morning, there are several new additions to the free agent market. The following players were non tendered by their former team before last nights midnight deadline.
Matt Capps, RP – Capps would be an interesting reliever to consider for the Mets. Only 26 years old, it was surprising to see the Pirates let him go. After posting solid seasons for the Bucs in 07 and 08, he slumped in 2009 during an injury (elbow) marred campaign that saw his ERA balloon to 5.69. However, his career ERA stands at a respectable 3.61 with a 1.17 WHIP to go with it. Capps was still able to post a career high 7.61 K/9 ratio last season, and the former closer could make an excellent setup man for the Mets at a cost of about $2,5 million dollars. Two thumbs up.
D.J. Carrasco, RP – Another surprise non tender, Carrasco, 33, led both leagues in relief innings pitched and posted a 3.76 ERA. He prefers to be a starter, but seems to be more effective in a relief role. His WHIP jumped from 1.13 in 2008 to 1.41 in 2009. Depending on his price, he may be worth a flyer. One thumb up, one thumb down.
Ryan Garko, 1B – The right handed Garko will be 29 in January, and was in the midst of a solid career before a trade to the Giants changed all that. After a 90 RBI season in 2008, Garko slipped to 51 RBI’s last season with 13 homers and a .269 batting average. The first baseman has a career .313 batting average and a .887 OPS against LHP which would suggest he’d be the perfect platoon mate for Daniel Murphy. His defense is ranked well above league average at first base. Two thumbs up.
Mike MacDougal, RP – The writing was on the wall for MacDougal when the Nationals acquired Brian Bruney last week from the Yankees. He saved 20 games in 2009, but it wasn’t pretty. Still, he may have some value at the backend of a bullpen. But this is one former Royals prospect that I’d stay away from. Two thumbs down.
Jonny Gomes, OF – I have always been intrigued by Gomes ever since his breakout year in 2005 when he hit 21 homeruns and batted .282 for the Rays. He has never come close to repeating that campaign, but still has some pop in his bat. Now 29, his terrible LH/RH splits suggests that he is probably best suited for a platoon role. Defensively, Gomes is far below average as a corner outfielder, and he doesn’t seem like a good fit patrolling the vast expanses of CitiField. Still, his power against left handed pitching is worth consideration. One thumb up, one thumb down.
Previous Non Tendered Player Reviews
Jack Cust, OF – Two thumbs down.
Garrett Atkins, 1B/3B – Two thumbs up.
