Interesting Upcoming EBA FAs This Offseason

[agrudez]

After an impressive ’08 FA class coming across the pond, including the return of all-star IF Bernard Maselli to the MBBA it seemed prudent to analyze the upcoming EBA FA class. Here are the players of interest that could potentially make the trip to the states this offseason:

DH John Johnston – At 38 years old the former Barnstormer and Bison (who compiled a .869 OPS in 1450 games during his MBBA career) could potentially make a return to across the pond. In 3 seasons thus far since signing in the EBA at age 35 (for a paltry 530K/year) Johnston has posted a .94 OPS in 1226 ABs which should translate well into a starter’s capacity back in the states.

DH Nicolas Delalande – This EBA lifer will turn 34 years old this offseason, but still has plenty of pop left in his left-handed bat. Though this season has been a down one thus far for him (and to a lesser extent last season as well), the slugger has compiled an .871 career OPS in 3773 ABs across the sea which is difficult to overlook for some teams as they fill out their benches.

IF Jeff Crozier – With a sure glove at every infield position this 36 year old should be able to leverage a career .728 OPS in 1569 ABs in the MBBA as well as a .753 OPS in 1351 ABs in the EBA into a utility role somewhere.

RP Juan Perez – This 37 year old reliever has seemingly gotten better with age and with a resume that includes a respectable 5.33 ERA in 207.2 MBBA IP he could certainly help some struggling MBBA bullpens next season.

SP Raymon Maglio – With an impressive arsenal this 35 year old Southpaw may garner interest as a back of the rotation/long reliever option, particularly with a career 4.79 ERA in 86 starts and 319 game appearances in the MBBA prior to his coming to the EBA.

SP Ricky Jamaica – After a long, successful MBBA career (mostly in Valencia) in which ‘Tofu’ posted a 3.99 career ERA in 1858.2 IP, he has come over to the EBA and picked up right where he left off (3.98 ERA in 1047.1 IP) over the last 7 seasons. Now; however, with his contract coming to an end he could certainly garner interest as a LOOGY or LR.

SP Tim Jimerson – With drastic splits against LHB and RHB it is difficult to see Jimerson as a starter in the MBBA, but even if he doesn’t catch on in a bullpen he would make an excellent depth piece collecting a paycheck in AAA.

All in all, it is a significantly weaker class this year (particuliarly due to not having a headliner in the vein of Maselli); however, there ARE a plethora of potential depth signings to be made from this crop, onl some of which have been outlined in this piece.

[recte44]

And there might be more...or, at least a way to try and get them.

[agrudez]

Might we possibly see some derivation of my EBA buyout idea?

If nothing else, like Al (I believe) said in another thread, merely lowering that league's cost-control years would do wonders... the EBA AAA has some elite prospects in it that we may not see eligible for the MBBA until 2016-2018 at this rate.

[recte44]

Perhaps.

[Manny]

Perhaps.

Oooo tell us more!!