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The Non-Tender All Star Team

This week a load of players were non-tendered by their clubs, adding a hefty amount of names to the free agent list. While none of the newest batch of free agents are stars, there are some more than serviceable major leaguers now on the market looking for a new team. While lacking the sex appeal of Holliday, Lackey, or Bay, these players can play roles on contending teams or fill a need inexpensively for a team on a budget. The list below represents the best non-tenders at each position. Again, no one here is a game changer, but each can contribute on a winner for a very reasonable price.

Catcher: John Buck

Every team needs a catcher, right? Buck has never reached an on base average above .310 and is known as an average defender. Yet, he signed with Toronto almost immediately after being non tendered by Kansas City.

First base: Ryan Garko

Garko had two very productive years in 2007 and 2008 for the Indians, but after posting similar numbers in the first half of 2009, he was traded to the Giants and experienced a precipitous decline while hitting in a pitcher friendly ballpark. Garko’s power numbers are average at best, but he becomes a much more complete player when hitting against lefties. He has hit .313/.392/.495 in his career against southpaws. In his best years Garko can produce as an everyday player, but as a free agent he may find a role as a part time player looking for a right compliment at first base or in the corner outfield. He may be a nice fot with the Mets to spell Daniel Murphy against lefties.

Second Base: Kelly Johnson

Much like Garko, Johnson posted respectable numbers in 2007 and 2008 (.276/.375/.457 in 2007 and .287/.349/.446 in 2008). In 2009 Johnson suffered through prolonged slump and lost his job to Martin Prado by midseason. He likely will find a job backing up with a shot to earn a starting spot somewhere throughout the season, similar to Adam Kennedy’s 2009 journey that began in Tampa and then culminated with a productive season in Oakland.

Third Base: Garret Atkins

Atkins joins Garko and Johnson as players who were unable to match previous success, but still may have something left. Atkins  earned himself a hefty $7 million salary and promptly lost his job last year to Ian Stewart while hitting only .226. If he takes a major pay cut he may catch on with someone who is willing to give him a one year deal to show he isn’t done. While his home/away splits may give many teams pause, he is worth a flier. Much like a player with a decent pedigree coming off of an injury, an incentive laden contract may produce some suitors.

Shortstop: Alfedo Amezaga

Amezaga has filled the super utility role for the Marlins for years, and after knee surgery last year the team was not willing to commit much money to him. He is far from spectacular (his highest batting average to date is .264), but he is able to play numerous positions with solid defense and he can steal a few bases (41 total from 2006 – 2008). He would fit in well on a team needing an infielder who can be counted on for 250 at bats while spelling various players during the year.

Outfield: Ryan Church

Church came to the Mets in 2008 with the perception that he was platoon player. On a weak Nationals team he put up respectable numbers as an everyday player, but a stronger team seemed less likely to tolerate his poor numbers against lefties. The Mets put him in right field against all pitchers and he excelled, batting .276 for the year and .264 against lefties. Then came a series of concussions, with Church being rushed back by Mets. He never recovered in 2008 and never exited manager Jerry Manuel’s doghouse in 2009. Church may never fully recover from his disastrous experience in New York, but he can still be a starter on many teams in the majors. His career 162 game average is .272 15 72, with a .787 OPS.

Outfield: Jonny Gomes

Gomes was due a decent raise through arbitration this year and the Reds just weren’t willing to spend a few million on someone they view as a part time player. As he turns 29, Gomes hasn’t proven he can play every day and there is no reason to think he ever will, but he has hit left handed pitching very well throughout his career. His power numbers are similar against both lefthanders and right-handers (30 HR/.517 slugging in 600 plate appearances against left-handed pitching and 56 HR/.448 slugging in 1184 plate appearances versus righties). The difference is that his batting average and on base percentage skyrocket against southpaws. His batting average goes from .224 to .274 and his OBP goes from .311 to .369. While Gomes is not normally counted on to get on base, he can fill a need as a part time player with power and decent on base numbers who can be used daily when he gets hot, which is exactly how the Reds got the most out of him in 2009.

Outfield: Jack Cust

Cust hits with a ton of power (85 home runs in the last three years), but he has seen his on batting average, base percentage, and slugging percentage decline in those three years. While many can look past his strikeouts, not many teams will tolerate 190 of them when coupled with a sub .250 averageand a .370 OBP. Still, Cust had value as the cleanup hitter in the anemic A’s offense. General Manager Billy Beane is hoping to retain Cust for a cheaper salary than he would have been due in arbitration or to find a replacement making less than Cust would have. This is a gamble because Cust may find a bigger contract elsewhere on a team seeking a power bat.

Starting Pitcher: Chien-Ming Wang

I tried hard not to include Wang on this list because he is the obvious choice, but as reclamation projects go, this is one that many teams will jump on. Reportedly as many as six teams are already interested in Wang. The injuries that led to his downfall with the Yankees started with a foot problem that forced him to change his motion, which in turn led to his shoulder surgery this year. Any team that signs Wang would be smart to wait until closer to the All Star break to bring Wang back to the bigs (Wang’s agent expects him back in the majors by May 1). Wang’s sinkerball and winning history makes him a logical choice for a contract from a contender.

Relief Pitcher: D.J. Carrasco

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called Carrasco his team’s MVP last year. He served many roles in the bullpen and, while expendable on Chicago’s roster, he can become a cheap alternative on another team. He wants to start, but as an almost 33 year old with only 23 career starts under his belt, he would fit nicely in a Darren Oliver on the Angels-type role.

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