Top 50 MLB Free Agents



Here is Sportscity.com's Top 50 2008 - 2009 MLB Free Agents. The MLB free agency period is under way, and after a slow start to the signing period, things are starting to pick up. When creating the top MLB free agents list, some of the factors we took into account the players age, position, and likelihood of signing with another team. Check out our 2008 - 2009 MLB Free Agents by Position and the Type A and B MLB Free Agents.

Top 50 2009 MLB Free Agents
Rk. Player 2008 Team Contact Notes
1 CC SabathiaMilwaukee Brewers Signed with the Yankees. 7 years, $161 million.
2Vladimir Guerrero Los Angeles Angels Team Exercised Option: $15 million
3 Mark TeixeraLos Angeles Angels Signed with the Yankess. 8 years, $180 million
4 Manny RamirezLos Angeles Dodgers Re-signed with the Dodgers. 2 years, $45 million. 2nd year is player option. $25 million first year, $15 million deferred.
5Carl CrawfordTampa Bay Rays Team Exercised Option
6John Lackey Los Angeles Angels Team Exercised Option: $9 million
7 Francisco Rodriguez Los Angeles Angels Signed with the Mets. 3 years, $37 million.
8 Pat BurrellPhiladelphia Phillies Signed with the Rays. 2 years, $16 million.
9 Adam DunnArizona DiamondbacksSigned with the Nationals. 2 years, $20 million.
10 AJ BurnettToronto Blue Jays Signed with the Yankees. 5 years, $82.5 million.
11 Ben SheetsMilwaukee Brewers 
12Chipper JonesAtlanta Braves Team Option as Jones did not reach 450 ABs in 2008 (11 short)
13 Milton BradleyTexas RangersSigned with the Cubs. 3 years, $30 million.
14 Ryan DempsterChicago Cubs Re-signed with the Cubs. 4 years, $52 million
15 Joe CredeChicago White Sox Signed with the Twins. 1 year, $2.5 million
16 Bobby AbreuNew York YankeesSigned with the Angels. 1 year, $5 million
17 Orlando HudsonArizona DiamondbacksSigned with the Dodgers. 1 year, $3.8 million
18Troy GlausSt. Louis CardinalsPlayer Option
19 Mike MussinaNew York Yankees Retired
20 Derek LoweLos Angeles DodgersSigned with the Braves. 4 years, $60 million.
21 Rafeal FurcalLos Angeles Dodgers Re-signed with the Dodgers. 3 years, $30 million.
22 Orlando CabreraChicago White SoxSigned with the A's. 1 year, $4 million.
23 Jon GarlandLos Angeles AngelsSigned with the Diamondbacks. 1 year plus option
24Hank BlalockTexas Rangers Exercised Team Option: $6.2 million
25 Oliver PerezNew York MetsRe-signed with the Mets. 3 years, $36 million
26 Kerry WoodChicago CubsSigned with the Indians. 2 years, $20.5 million.
27 Brian FuentesColorado Rockies Signed with the Angels. 2 years, $17.5 million
28 Trevor HoffmanSan Diego PadresSigned with the Brewers, 1 year, $6 million
29 Carlos DelgadoNew York MetsMutual Option: $16 million, $4 million buyout
30Jim ThomeChicago White SoxTeam Option: $13 million, $3 million buyout. Vesting with 564 P.A.'s in 2008
31Brad PennyLos Angeles Dodgers Signed with the Red Sox. 1 year, $5 million
32John SmoltzAtlanta Braves Signed with the Red Sox. 1 year, $5.5 million.
33 Brandon LyonArizona Diamondbacks Signed with the Tigers. 1 year, $4.25 million
34 Casey BlakeLos Angeles DodgersRe-signed with the Dodgers. 3 years, $17.5 million
35 Mark EllisOakland A's Re-signed with the A's for 2 years
36 Jason GiambiNew York Yankees Signed with the A's. 1 year, $5.25 million
37 Raul IbanezSeattle MarinersSigned with the Phillies. 3 years, $30 million.
38Garrett Anderson Los Angeles Angels Not offered arbitration. No draft compensation. Signed with the Braves. 1 year, $2.5 million
39 Andy PettitteNew York YankeesRe-signed with the Yankees. 1 year. $5.5 million plus bonuses
40 Greg MadduxLos Angeles Dodgers Retired
41 Chad DurbinPhiladelphia Phillies Re-signed with the Phillies
42 Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks Signed with the Giants. 1 year, $8 million.
43 Pudge RodriguezDetroit Tigers Signed with the Astros. 1 year, $1.5 million.
44 Mike CameronMilwaukee Brewers Exercised Team Option: $10 million
45 Braden LooperSt. Louis CardinalsSigned with Milwaukee. 1 year $5.5 million
46 Damaso MarteNew York Yankees Re-signed with the Yankees, 3 years, $12 million
47 Edgar RenteriaDetroit Tigers Signed with the Giants. 2 years, $18.5 million.
48 Jason VaritekBoston Red SoxRe-signed with the Red Sox. 1 year, $5 million
49 Nomar GarciaparraLos Angeles Dodgers Signed with the A's. 1 year, $1 million.
50 Mark Kotsay Boston Red Sox Signed with the Red Sox. 1 year, $1.5 million.