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Free Agency 2000-01

© Greg Spira

Several major free agents have already signed. It's true that the biggest - Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez - are still out there. But enough has happened for us to take a look at the who and the what so far.

Mike Mussina - The best free agent pitcher who was out there. The Yankees offered Mussina a huge contract and a big selling job, thus luring Mussina to a city he once claimed he would never go to. While Mussina's age is a concern, it's likely he'll adapt well. Mussina has the best track record of any pitcher not named Maddux or Martinez, and they weren't available.

Denny Neagle - A decent pitcher who has struck gold in the Rockies. Neagle, who is from the Denver area, is one of the few pitchers who would ever consider signing with the Rockies, so the Rockies offered him everything but the team itself to finalize the deal. They overpaid ridiculously, but they probably couldn't have signed any other decent free agent pitcher with double the offer.

Ellis Burks - Signed early with the Indians. Will replace some of Manny Ramirez' production, but the Indians know he's no Manny. Will play some outfield and DH over the next few years; it was almost a given that he would end up in the AL because of the availability of the DH.

Rick Reed - Re-signed with the Mets for a relatively reasonable 3 years, $21.75 million. Negotiations took a while, but the Mets didn't have to go anywhere near Neagle territory to get him back.

John Franco - Decided his hometown ties and a chunk of change was worth not pursuing the all-time saves record.

Jose Valentin - Turned down more money from elsewhere to return to the White Sox. The White Sox are still nervous about Valentin's defense, but they know what he brought to their offense, and bid enough to keep a player who wanted to return.

Jeff Nelson - The Mariners paid an awful lot of money for 3 years of a right handed set up man. Nelson is a fine pitcher, and he is deadly to right handed hitters, but he does not eat up a lot of innings and is some what fragile. It's a definite gamble.

Turk Wendell - The Mets resigned their bullpen workhorse to a similar deal, but Wendell's track record makes him less of a gamble. He may not be as dominating as Nelson, but his reliability makes up for it.

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