Here's the first of two free agency preview columns. We're running down the hitters this time. Along with predicting destinations for the top free agents, I'm reviewing the trade candidates and non-tender possibilities, as well as listing the free agent classes for the next two offseasons.

Catchers

Bengie Molina (Giants) - While his stock appears to be down a bit, Molina still stands out as the top catcher available in free agency and should command a multiyear deal as a result. He's hit between .265 and .295 with 15-20 homers in five straight seasons, and that kind of consistency will be valued, even by the teams that recognize his brutal OBP, not to mention his total lack of speed, makes him a weak option in the middle of the lineup. I count eight teams in the market for a starting catcher: the Astros, Blue Jays, Brewers, Giants, Mariners, Mets, Reds and Royals. Of the group, Seattle and San Francisco are the only clubs at all likely to stay in house. A return to the Giants is likely out for Molina unless a multiyear offer fails to materialize. They're not going to want to block Buster Posey behind 2010. Prediction: Mets - two years, $11 million

Miguel Olivo (Royals) - Olivo had a career year, finishing with 23 homers and a 781 OPS, and the Royals still weren't interested in bringing him back. It says a lot about him as a player. Olivo swings at everything, and it's gotten him a .278 career OBP. He's also frustrated his employers with his inconsistency behind the plate. He has the tools of a quality defensive catcher, but he's awfully erratic. On the plus side, he really does have the power to hit 20 homers annually for a couple of more years. That skill figures to land him a starting job and perhaps a two-year deal. Prediction: Astros - one year, $5 million

Ramon Hernandez (Reds) - Declining Hernandez's $8.5 million option was an easy call, but the Reds are interested in re-signing the 33-year-old, even though he hit an unimpressive .258/.336/.362 and played in only 81 games in his first season with the club. Hernandez would be a reasonable investment at half of the option price, and he's not at all likely to get a multiyear deal after such a down year. He hasn't been an above average catcher since 2006, but in such a weak field, he still seems like one of the better choices out there. Prediction: Reds - one year, $4 million

Yorvit Torrealba (Rockies) - The Rockies offered Torrealba a two-year deal to stick around as a part-timer, but he's decided to explore his options. After all, even though Torrealba won back his old job in the second half, Chris Iannetta still figures to be the Rockies' long-term catcher. Torrealba is a fine choice to start 60-70 games per year, but to push him beyond that would be to ask for trouble. He's likely a plan B for a bunch of teams this winter. Prediction: Giants - one year, $3 million

Rod Barajas (Blue Jays) - The 19 homers and 71 RBI that Barajas produced in 2009 would have drawn more oohs and aahs in free agency if he wasn't so similar yet inferior to Molina and Olivo offensively. Fortunately, he does rate as the best defensive catcher of the likely starters available in free agency. The Jays are kicking around the idea of bringing him back, though their interest in Chris Snyder suggested that Barajas is on the backburner. The 34-year-old seems just about perfect for Kansas City. Prediction: Royals - one year, $2.5 million

Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers) - After a nice August, Pudge ended up just as unproductive with the Rangers as he did in his four months with the Astros to begin 2009. In fact, he finished with OPSs in the 660s in both stops. Rodriguez is a future Hall of Famer, but at this point, it's fine to think of him as Barajas without the power. Prediction: Rangers - one year, $1.5 million


Other free agents: Brian Schneider (Mets), Jason Kendall (Brewers), Gregg Zaun (Rays), Ramon Castro (White Sox), Jose Molina (Yankees), Josh Bard (Nationals), Henry Blanco (Padres), Brad Ausmus (Dodgers), Mike Redmond (Twins), Jason LaRue (Cardinals), Michael Barrett (Blue Jays), Chris Coste (Astros), Paul Bako (Phillies), Vance Wilson (Royals), Matt Treanor (Tigers), Chad Moeller (Orioles), Kevin Cash (Yankees), Jamie Burke (Nationals), Eliezer Alfonzo (Padres), Corky Miller (Reds), Mike Rabelo (Marlins), Eric Munson (Athletics), Rob Bowen (FA), Sal Fasano (Rockies), Paul Phillips (Rockies), Wilkin Castillo (Reds), Robby Hammock (Orioles)

Schneider and Kendall remain candidates to land starting jobs, no matter how much they've declined. Perhaps the Royals will bite, or the Mariners or Giants could latch on to one to serve as a bridge to the younger options. … Zaun and Castro are the cream of the backup crop. Jose Molina could also be viewed as part of that group, but it'd be a surprise if the Yankees didn't bring him back. … Besides the Yankees, teams likely to sign backups include the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Rangers, Rays, Rockies and White Sox. … Barrett can't be completely forgotten about, but a lost 2009 due to injury probably means that he'll have to head to the minors in an attempt to work his way back.


Trade candidates: Russell Martin (Dodgers), Mike Napoli (Angels), Ryan Doumit (Pirates), Kelly Shoppach (Indians), Gerald Laird (Tigers), Dioner Navarro (Rays), Chris Snyder (Diamondbacks), Taylor Teagarden (Rangers), Ronny Paulino (Marlins), Landon Powell (Athletics), Lou Marson (Indians), Bryan Anderson (Cardinals), J.R. Towles (Astros), Shawn Riggans (Rays), George Kottaras (Red Sox), Dusty Brown (Red Sox), Max Ramirez (Rangers), John Jaso (Rays), Clint Sammons (Braves), Robinzon Diaz (Pirates), Wyatt Toregas (Indians), Matt Pagnozzi (Cardinals)

It'd be an extreme case of selling low if the Dodgers parted with Martin now, and for what it's worth, there's been nothing recently to suggest it might happen. Oddly, the organization seems happier with him now than it did following his far superior 2008 season. … The Angels could keep Napoli and still provide Jeff Mathis with an expanded role if they decline to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero and give Napoli some time at DH. Still, Napoli's name seems likely to come up, particularly if the Angels go asking the Jays about Roy Halladay.

Doumit seems more likely to go in an in-season deal since his stock is down. … Shoppach is due $2.5 million or so in arbitration, and the Indians could turn to Marson behind the plate. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Shoppach serving as Milwaukee's catcher on Opening Day. … The Tigers could save money by moving Laird and going with Alex Avila and Dusty Brown behind the plate. … Snyder was nearly traded to Toronto already and almost certainly will go at some point, though perhaps not until spring training. … The Rangers have chosen Jarrod Saltalamacchia over Teagarden as their long-term catcher, though Salty's shoulder surgery has increased the chances that Teagarden will stick around a little while longer. … I'm assuming that Powell will stay in Oakland as Kurt Suzuki's backup, but the A's would listen is someone wants him for an expanded role. He delivered seven homers and seven doubles in 140 at-bats last season.


Non-tender candidates: John Buck (Royals), Humberto Quintero (Astros), Mike Rivera (Brewers), Wil Nieves (Nationals), Raul Chavez (Blue Jays), Dusty Brown (Red Sox), Eli Whiteside (Giants), Ryan Budde (Angels), Jose Lobaton (Rays), Drew Butera (Twins), Luke Carlin (Diamondbacks)

Playing about half as often as usual, Buck quietly hit .247/.299/.484 in 186 at-bats to essentially match Olivo's production in 2009. Still, the Royals want to blow up their catching situation and aren't likely to tender him a contract. He'll land another part-time gig at less than the $2.9 million he earned last season. … No one else here is particularly notable. Quintero and Rivera could keep their backup gigs if the Astros and Brewers, respectively, pick up true starting catchers. Neither is worthy of more than 30-40 starts per year.


First Basemen/Designated Hitters

Adam LaRoche (Braves) - Fortunately, LaRoche's big surge as a member of the Braves -- he hit .325 with 12 homers and 40 RBI in 57 games after being traded for the second time in 2009 -- still wasn't enough to make him a Type A free agent. In fact, not one of the free agent first basemen/designated hitters will require draft pick compensation.

That he's just now turning 30 and he's proven quite durable gives LaRoche a significant advantage over the other options at first base. His worst OPS in six big-league seasons was a 775 mark in 2005, and he's a steady defender. He's the safest available choice and the only one worthy of a three-year deal. Besides the Braves, it looks like the Orioles, Mariners, Mets, Giants and Diamondbacks have the biggest needs at first base. However, most of those teams have quality first base prospects on the way and will target one-year options. That might make Baltimore and San Francisco the best first for LaRoche. Prediction: Orioles - three years, $21 million

Nick Johnson (Marlins) - Johnson failed to recover his power last season after missing so much of 2008 with wrist problems, but he did manage to play in 133 games and get on base at a .426 clip. Even if he's no longer a candidate to hit 20-25 homers, he's still the best player in this group of first basemen. Of course, he's also the most fragile. He's never played in 150 games, and he's been held under 100 games four times in his eight seasons. He'll likely get a two-year deal anyway, but it won't be for big money. Not helping his case is that most of the teams that particularly value OBP are already set at first base. Prediction: Mariners - two years, $12 million

Carlos Delgado (Mets) - The Mets probably wouldn't have paid the price to bring back a healthy Delgado in 2010, but the 37-year-old will be forced to take quite a discount after hip surgery cost him the final 132 games of last season. He'd seem to make a fine stopgap for one of the teams waiting on a first base prospect. However, that will depend on whether he's still going to be able to field his position. The Mets are the ones with all of the info about his condition, so if they're not interested in re-signing him, other NL teams would be smart to stay away. Prediction: Giants - one year, $7 million

Russell Branyan (Mariners) - Branyan gave the Mariners 31 homers for a mere $1.4 million last season, so it's not surprising that Seattle wants him back. It's also not surprising that Branyan is holding out for a multiyear deal this time around. He would have had a much better chance of getting one if he didn't miss the final five weeks of last season with back problems. Branyan's 2009 performance wasn't necessarily a fluke, but his slumps get especially ugly and his extreme strikeout rate will cause many teams to shy away. Working under the theory that it's really tough to hit homers at Citi Field -- whether it's true or not -- the Mets might think it makes sense to go with someone who hits bombs. Prediction: Mets - one year, $5 million

Hank Blalock (Rangers) - One of the game's best young players in 2003 and '04, Blalock has now gone five straight seasons without being both healthy and productive He excelled in 2007 and 2008, but he played in just 123 games between the two seasons. In the other three years, he finished with OPSs of 749, 726 and 736. Also needing to be weighed in is that he may no longer an option at third base and that he's a career .245/.300/.414 hitter away from Arlington. Still, he's just turning 29 and his power hasn't gone anywhere. He'll probably need to accept a one-year deal in order to rebuild his value, and that will make him worth trying. Ideally, the team that signs him would also get an option for 2011, just in case he does come through with a big season. Prediction: Diamondbacks - one year, $4.5 million

Jim Thome (Dodgers) - Thome's back seems to be deteriorating to the point at which he's no longer even an everyday designated hitter, but he still managed an 864 OPS and 23 homers in 345 at-bats before the White Sox sent him to Los Angeles for the final month of last season. The move was welcomed by Thome, since the White Sox were out of contention, but the 39-year-old is open to returning to Chicago now. It'd be a surprise if the two sides couldn't work something out. Prediction: White Sox - one year, $4 million

Aubrey Huff (Tigers) - Huff appeared to be in position for another multiyear deal when he hit a respectable .275/.342/.450 over the first three months of last season. Unfortunately, a July slump followed and he was particularly terrible after being sent from Baltimore to Detroit, coming in at .189/.265/.302 in 106 at-bats the rest of the way. Needless to say, he cost himself a lot of money in the process. He should land another starting job, but there's a good chance he'll be one of the last first basemen off the board. Prediction: Braves - one year, $3.5 million


Other free agents: Jason Giambi (Rockies), Chad Tracy (Diamondbacks), Mike Sweeney (Mariners), Ross Gload (Marlins), Kevin Millar (Blue Jays), Nomar Garciaparra (Athletics), Daryle Ward (Nationals), Robb Quinlan (Angels), Chris Shelton (Mariners), Dmitri Young (Nationals), Jeff Bailey (Red Sox), Ryan Shealy (Royals), Justin Huber (Twins), Tony Clark (FA), Doug Mientkiewicz (Dodgers), Joe Koshansky (Brewers), Bryan LaHair (Mariners), Greg Norton (Braves), Kevin Barker (Reds)

Giambi was a bust as Oakland's first baseman, but he excelled in a brief stint as a bench player with the Rockies, driving in 11 runs in just 24 at-bats. While his defensive limitations are obvious, there are likely several NL teams that would welcome his presence off the bench. … Tracy has been a big disappointment since returning from knee surgery in 2008, but he's a 29-year-old with a career OPS of 792 and he'll come awfully cheap. It will be interesting to see who takes a chance on him. Cleveland is my guess.


Trade candidates: Adrian Gonzalez (Padres), Prince Fielder (Brewers), James Loney (Dodgers), Lyle Overbay (Blue Jays), Jorge Cantu (Marlins), Casey Kotchman (Red Sox), Travis Ishikawa (Giants), Ryan Garko (Giants), Gaby Sanchez (Marlins), Jake Fox (Cubs), Micah Hoffpauir (Cubs), Jeff Larish (Tigers), Juan Miranda (Yankees), Steve Pearce (Pirates), Oscar Salazar (Padres), Kila Ka'aihue (Royals), Josh Whitesell (Diamondbacks), Jordan Brown (Indians)

Can the Red Sox or Mets pry Gonzalez away from the Padres? He seems like the better bet to go than Fielder, but since there's two years left on his deal, there's no pressure on San Diego to pull the trigger now. New GM Jed Hoyer won't want to make a Gonzalez trade his first move with the team unless there's a really sweet deal on the table. … Loney's name popped up when the Dodgers were supposedly in on Gonzalez at midseason. First base seemed a reasonable place to look for an upgrade then. However, between Loney's strong finish and the money problems expected to result from the Dodgers' ownership mess, a move seems pretty unlikely now.

Overbay is expected to exit Toronto, with Adam Lind likely stepping in at first base. His name has already come up in rumors with the Diamondbacks, Mets and Mariners, and it'd be no surprise to see him connected with the Giants and Braves soon. That he has only one year and $7 million left on his deal makes him rather attractive. … Cantu is likely due around $5.5 million-$6 million next season, so a move is possible. However, the Marlins should have the flexibility to keep him if they trade Dan Uggla. … The Cubs can't hold on to both Fox and Hoffpauir when they're scared to play either in the outfield. As the left-handed hitter on a team with a right-handed first baseman, Hoffpauir seems like the better fit of the two.


Non-tender candidates: Casey Kotchman (Red Sox), Mike Jacobs (Royals), Ryan Garko (Giants), Shelley Duncan (Yankees), Juan Miranda (Yankees), Michael Aubrey (Orioles), Aaron Bates (Red Sox), Barbaro Canizares (Braves)

The Jeremy Hermida acquisition didn't seem to bode well for Kotchman's chances of sticking in Boston, as the team can only keep so many $3 million bench players. Free agency might be the best thing for Kotchman anyway. I still view the 26-year-old as a long-term regular. … Jacobs won't be brought back by the Royals, and it's doubtful that anyone will trade for him when he figures to make $3.5 million or so in arbitration. … Garko is a first-time arbitration eligible player, and he is worth his likely $1.5 million-$2 million salary. The Giants, though, would have little reason to keep him around if they went out and got a full-time first baseman. Odds are that he wouldn't last long in free agency. Since every notable first baseman in free agency is left-handed, his right-handed bat would be pretty attractive.


2010-11 free agents: Albert Pujols (Cardinals)*, Adrian Gonzalez (Padres)*, Carlos Pena (Rays), Lance Berkman (Astros)*, Derrek Lee (Cubs), David Ortiz (Red Sox)*, Paul Konerko (White Sox), Jorge Cantu (Marlins), Lyle Overbay (Blue Jays), Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners), Wes Helms (Marlins)

2011 options: Pujols - $16 million ($5 million buyout), Gonzalez - $5.5 million, Berkman - $15 million ($2 million buyout), Ortiz - $12.5 million

2011-12 free agents: Albert Pujols (Cardinals), Prince Fielder (Brewers), Adrian Gonzalez (Padres), Ryan Howard (Phillies), Todd Helton (Rockies)*, Casey Kotchman (Red Sox), Mike Jacobs (Royals)

2012 options: Helton - $23 million ($4.6 million buyout)

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