1- Randy Muelens- 5 years, $50.0M- Scranton Wild- Randy Muelens cashed in on yet another lucrative free agent contract. Its not the $110M that Baltimore put into his bank account, but during an offseason in which the front offices around the league showed restraint, the $50M deal gave to the 6-time All Star was the largest of this class. The Wild are hoping that Muelens will provide leadership, experience and saavy to lead the franchise to the post season for only the third time in the last 14 seasons.
2- Mandy Kelton- 5 years, $43.0M- Cleveland Lake Shores- In another example of how teams are willing to spend money on starting pitching more than anything else. Kelton has spent the last seven seasons pitching for Charlotte. Even though he was one of the key players in turning around the Dukies franchise, helping that team make the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, he was not an elite pitcher. He's be a solid, durable, effective starter. Solid starting pitching is tough to come by, and Kelton cashed in.
3- Del Castro- 5 years, $41.9M- Jackson Swamp Hogs- This is maybe the biggest head scratcher of the FA class. Castro has been pitching for the last seven season where he has essentially been a league average starting pitcher. Starting pitching certainly gets expensive on the FA market, and Castro is yet another example.
4- Davey Quixote- 5 years, $39.5M- Iowa City Badgers- After only playing in the postseason twice during his career so far, Quixote was hoping a move to the midwest Badgers would give him a chance to play for a World Series regularly. Getting the largest contract of any non-pitcher this offseason didn't hurt either. Iowa City has won their division for the last three seasons and Quixote gives the team a legitimate power threat to plug into the middle of the order.
5- Randall Bryant- 4 years, $37.6M- New Orleans Jazz- The always active Jazz landed the best positional free agent available, and at a very reasonable price. This is probably the best all around signing off the offseason. During his seven year career, Bryant is a 4-time All Star, 3-time Gold Glover, 2-time Silver Slugger and former MVP. He is a rare player who is both a legitimate power hitter and a outstanding base stealer, averaging 27 home runs and 55 steals during the previous eight season in which he was a starter. The Jazz managed to sign arguable the best LF in the league, and at less than $10M per season.
6- Esteban Hernandez- 4 years, $32.0M- Salem Volcanoes- The 36-year old, 4-time All Star, proved last season that he's capable of getting hot and carrying a team deep into the playoffs. Hernandez, already SP's career leader in complete games, proved that his durability can translate in to a World Series ring. As Chicago's ace during their stunning championship run last season, he made 9 starts and tossed 65 innings. His career playoff record is 10-6 with a 3.34 ERA. The Volcanoes are hoping that pairing the always reliable Hernandez with former Cy Young award winner Victor Delgado will give the team the firepower to compete with the other big guns in the AL.
7- Harold Paquette- 4 years, $31.0M- Charlotte Dukies- The Dukies had to replace the departed Kelton, and did so in fine style with Paquette. Paquette is a multiple time All Star and has a World Series ring. He's quietly been one of the most dominant pitchers in the NL for the last decade. He's racked up over 200 wins with an ERA of 2.77. Charlotte wants him to pair up with up-and-coming Frank Huang to provide him a mentor and the team with a legit 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
8- Maicer Almanza- 4 years, $27.0M- Scottsdale Camels- Maicer moves from the forested coast of Virginia to the wide open desert of Arizona, and the hitter friendly confines of the Dave. He was already an offensive force with Norfolk, and with the Camels his numbers should be ridiculous. Even with his bat though, the Desert crew will be hard pressed to crack the playoffs with a stacked top of the AL.
9- Otto Barker- 5 years, $26.1M- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks- With Almanza departed for the West Coast, Barker was signed to replace him. He is a patient, disciplined hitter with very good on-base skills. But he is not the offensive force of Almanza. He is five years younger though, and that may have been the motivation behind the switch, to keep the squad young.
10- Howie Mack- 4 years, $24.6M- Jackson Swamp Hogs- In the first eight seasons of his career, Mack was an effective short starter. As his durability had decreased a bit with age over the last couple of seasons, the Hogs have decided to move him to the pen. The hope his he will continue to be a very effective pitcher, but anchoring the bullpen and a workhorse in relief. He should be capable of giving 100+ innings in relief this season, and even make a start of two if needed. A very solid signing.
