Potential Free Agent Market (Pitchers)

It's never to early to take a look into the future and today the Ripken Jr Blog Team will take a look at what could be next years Free Agent Crop so sit back and take a look at the players that you could be spending your money on next season! (or even trading for this year?)

First off we will start by looking at the Pitchers. There are a few solid starters and a few good relievers but none should receive the deals that Joe Cohen or Jarrod Collins received from Philly.

Relief Pitchers:

Frank Liang, Jacksonville - The aging (36 years old) setup man still might have a few years left in his tank and could even be a closer for some teams.

Gene Butler, Hartford - Butler is another solid setup man and could potentially be a closer in the right situation.

Sean Powell, Philadelphia - Once signed to be a starter for the Black Lightning, Powell's 4 year, $17.2 million deal ends this year. So far he is having his best season at 4-1 with a 4.97 era in 10 apperances.

Chun-Lim Wang, Charlotte - A top setup man for a serious playoff contendor, if Wang decides to test the market he could also potenially close out games.

Starting Pitchers

Zack Schalk, Boston - Boston's #1 starter is potentially free agent eligable. The aging starter (career 34-48, 4.61 era) still might have a few years left.

Ronald Douglas, Helena - The 31 year old relief pitcher converted starter (43 starts out of 165 apperances) is only in his first full season as a starter (2-3, 4.75 era).

Angel Cedeno, Tacoma - Potentially the best starter on the market this offseason, Cedeno is a career 57-41 with a sparkling 3.76 era. Including a career best 2.98 last season in over 200 innings.

P.T. Abbott, Helena - With his third team just this season (Florida, Salem and Helena) Abbott could wind up being a long reliever next year as his stamina, which was never great to begin with, continues to deplete with age (currently 36).

Clayton Rocker, Tampa Bay - Rocker is another name that could be moving next year. He has pitched over 900 innings in his 4+ years with Tampa Bay and has complied a dazzling 2.77 career ERA to go with 62 wins, while striking out 667 batters to 276 walks.