Outfield targets for 2009
Cox News Service
Monday, August 18, 2008
ATLANTA — Now that the trading deadline is passed, free agent shopping days aren't far off.
Here are five free-agent outfielders any team might add to their wish list. Last week we looked at five pitchers.
1. LF Adam Dunn. (Age 28; 2008 salary $13 million). He's an all-or-nothing power hitter, with undeniable production. Just traded to Arizona, he's hit 40 or more homers in each of the past four seasons and is on pace for 47 this year. He also might strike out 190 times a year and has a .247 career batting average. But he walks — an average of 94 times per season — and has a career on-base percentage of .381. He averages 34 home runs and 81 RBI per season.
2. LF Pat Burrell (Age 31; 2008 salary $14.25 million). He endured hitting .258 in 2006 and .256 in 2007 with the Phillies, but even when he struggles Burrell still hits for power and drives in nearly 100 runs (think Andruw Jones). He averaged 27 homers a year coming into this season. He hit 30 or more homers in 2002, 2005 and 2007 and is on pace for 40 this year. He's topped 100 RBI twice — with 116 in 2002 and 117 in 2005.
3. RF Bobby Abreu (Age 34; 2008 salary $16 million). He might be overpriced for what he can do now, but he's out there if the Yankees don't re-sign him. He's been around 15 homers and 100 RBI the past two years, and he had 15 homers, 76 RBIs through 110 games this year. He had a career-high 101 RBIs, 40 doubles and 123 runs in 2007. He's stolen at least 20 bases in nine straight seasons. The former Gold Glover is also durable, playing at least 150 games in the past 10 seasons.
4. LF Raul Ibanez (Age 36; 2008 salary $5.5 million) He's no spring chicken, but he could be a link until Jason Heyward is ready, and he's affordable. As a Mariner, he might not be a household name on the East Coast, but he's put together a nice career. Ibanez is a career .285 hitter who has had 20 or more home runs in four of the past six seasons. He had a career year in 2006 with 33 homers and 123 RBI. He played all 162 games in 2005 and 159 and 149 in the next two seasons.
5. LF Juan Rivera (Age 30; 2008 salary $2 million). He might be a stretch, but the free-agent crop thins if players such as Brian Giles and Mike Cameron have their options picked up. He's had two off years for the Angels due to injuries. He missed all but one month of 2007 after breaking his leg in winter ball in Venezuela. This was after a career year in 2006 when he hit .310 with 23 homers and 85 RBI. He can play right or left field and has a good arm. Rivera led AL outfielders with 13 assists in 2006.
Carroll Rogers writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.




