
I put together a team of remaining free agents. I chose not to include some who have decided to retire when putting this together. After I put together this roster, I will describe how good the team would be and how many losses they would have if a team was actually fielded looking like this. Obviously, there will be little youth on a team of free agents. I will give the starting lineup, the starting rotation, bullpen and bench.
Batting Order
1. Michael Bourn CF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2B: Sanchez, in my opinion, has a lot left in the tank. His 2012 season was lost, but he can certainly still be an everyday 2B.
3. Carlos Lee 1B/OF: Lee is definitely passed his prime, but could work as a platoon player at 1B as he still hits left hand pitching well. He has been an outfielder, but there are questions whether he can still play out there.
4. Rod Barajas C: Barajas can play everyday on a team that doesn't rely on their catcher to be a focal point of the offense. He still has some power and handles a pitching staff very well.
5. Casey Kotchman 1B: Kotchman has been a regular MLB 1B over the past several seasons, but few have noticed. This past season was particularly tough as he hit just .229 for Cleveland. Most teams are set when it comes to their everyday 1B, but Kotchman can provide some insurance.
6. Scott Rolen 3B: Rolen is considering retirement, but still may have something in the tank. As a couple teams may need a 3B, he can provide some presence in a lineup.
7. Ryan Theriot SS: Theriot has been a contributor to the last two World
Series wi0nning teams, but has not gotten himself an everyday role. Teams
that lack certainty in the middle infield should consider Theriot as an everyday
player, or at least platoon with what they already have.
8. Scott Podsednik RF: Podsednik still can catch the ball, but he has found little work over the past couple seasons. While he is a bench player at best, he gets the nod in this team's everyday lineup.
Jim Thome could serve as a DH or as a primary pinch hitter. Brandon Inge was a contributor for the Detroit Tigers until playing an important role for the 2012 Athletics. Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Aubrey Huff and Chris Snyder round out the team's bench.
The pitching staff looks much better than the projected offense, led by Lohse, Francisco Liriano, Joe Saunders, Derek Lowe and Carlos Zambrano. Chris Young would get his share of starts, allowing Lowe or Zambrano to go to the pen if necessary. Jonathan Sanchez is a good candidate for a comeback season. He just needs a team to believe he has anything left in the tank.
The pen would be led by Jose Valverde and Brian Wilson. Jon Rauch helps this team out in the 7th inning. The bullpen will be rounded out with Mark Lowe and Rafael Perez.
In all, I like the pitching of this team, assuming everybody stays healthy. The bullpen in particular, could be deep, especially if Valverde and Wilson return to pre-2012 form. The offense is a joke, a sign that teams have loaded up on what offensive talent was left. Pitching is a different song, as teams can benefit from adding any one of the before mentioned pitchers. As expected, if this was an actual team, they would lose well over 100 games, showing in spite of Lohse and Bourn, that teams have done an adequate job of assessing the free agent market.