[Bluellama44]

At the catcher position, our best FA option seems to be 33 year old Sean Mata. His first year playing over 70 games was 2006 at age 29. He hit .274 with 6 home runs, but had a very low OBP, at .312. Last year, Mata put up a 2.4 WAR while hitting .262 with 10 longballs and 30 doubles. He provides above average defense with a strong arm, but is asking for more than what I’d ideally give him. Mata’s agent suggested a 1 year deal worth $6M. I’m happy with giving him a one year deal, but $6M is a lot for a decent catcher, and also takes a big chunk out of our free agent money.

The next option at the catcher position is the 29 year old Israel Cabrera, the starting catcher on the Portland Moose. He’s a durable player, and put up the same WAR as Sean Mata (2.4). Like Mata, he’s a very good defender, but Tim grades Cabrera as a slightly better defender. The catch is Cabrera’s contract. He will make $8.9M next year, and then $12.3M in 2012 and 2013, which takes him right through his prime and allows us to let him go when his decline begins. However, he would account for a big part of our payroll for not being a star player. The Moose aren’t asking for too much, as I would have to give up Jayden Anderson, a decent starter.

The top SP in the free agent pool seems to be Bill Catania. He’s getting up there in age at 35 years old, but posted a 2.53 ERA with an 11-6 record last year. Catania won the Whip Award after an outstanding 2008, and then followed that up with a 7 WAR in 2009. The only problem is, He demands a 5 year contract worth $117M ($23.4M annually), which would sap up all of our FA money.

The next player in line is 36 year old Mike Fragoso. He has 185 wins, 2 Whip Awards, and 2765 career strikeouts. The future hall of famer has a reputation for never getting injured, which is a huge plus for a starter. He went 11-8 with a 3.53 ERA last year, and has told me that he is not interested in becoming a Bruin. He’ll just have to watch us win on TV.

Juan Garcia is someone that I am seriously considering making an offer to. Garcia is 29, and went 12-8 with a 2.50 ERA in 172.2 innings. He draws a lot of ground balls and is great at holding runners on base. Add on his good control, and you have a pitcher that people won’t be stealing on much, presuming we get ourselves a catcher. Garcia’s agent has expressed interest in joining the club, but has steep demands. Garcia would want a 9 year contract with a player opt out in year #5. The deal would be worth $8M in year 1, and then $9M for the next 8 years. This would lock up Garcia until he’s 38. I’m not sure if I’m willing to give that to a pitcher.

Jim Mizner is a cheap reliever for one of his skill level. Tim Maruca describes him as a 3 star pitcher, someone I’m willing to give a 3 year deal worth $9M to.

In conclusion: Mata, Garcia, and Mizner will be offered contracts. We’ll have to work out a deal with a new catcher next year, or find our next one in a trade, or in the draft. Garcia’s offer will be worth $10M per year in order to get the money he wants, but will be offered a 5 year deal with a player option, rather than the full 9 years he was asking for. I doubt any team gives him that many years.