Here is a list of potential free agent starting pitchers for 2010. I wish this were like the old “Wheel of Fortune” of the 1980s and I could give you $30 million to wander around and pick a few of these guys and put the rest on a gift certificate, but the reality is the Astros’ payroll will go down next year, so if you’re picking one of these guys to fit into the rotation in 2010 you will need to exercise restraint.
Another thing to keep in mind is that once these options are picked up, there won’t be a great amount of attractive talent available. That means the price will go up.
The guys with asterisks have options for 2010, and the (A) next to the names means that pitcher projects as a Type A free agent. And (B) means Type B free agent. So who do you like? (This list is the product of Cot’s Baseball Contracts.)
Brandon Backe, HOU
Miguel Batista, SEA
Josh Beckett, * BOS
Erik Bedard, SEA (B)
Daniel Cabrera, ARZ
Bartolo Colon, CWS
Jose Contreras, COL
Doug Davis, ARZ (B)
Justin Duchscherer, OAK (B)
Adam Eaton, COL
Kelvim Escobar, LAA
Jon Garland, * LAD (B)
Tom Glavine, ATL
Mike Hampton, HOU
Rich Harden, CHC (A)
Tim Hudson, * ATL
Randy Johnson, SF (B)
John Lackey, LAA (A)
Cliff Lee, * PHI (A)
Braden Looper, * MIL (B)
Jason Marquis, COL (B)
Kevin Millwood, * TEX
Brett Myers, PHI
Vicente Padilla, * LAD (B)
Carl Pavano, MIN
Brad Penny, SF
Odalis Perez, WAS
Andy Pettitte, NYY (B)
Joel Pineiro, STL (B)
Sidney Ponson, KC
Jason Schmidt, LAD
John Smoltz, STL
Tim Wakefield, BOS (B)
Jarrod Washburn, DET
Brandon Webb, * ARZ (B)
Todd Wellemeyer, STL (B)
Randy Wolf, (A)
