Intriguing Free Agents: This year and next

I think Lowry is recovering from forearm injuries and might not be ready in Spring. I think the Giants could contend if they sign at least one bat. Dunn, Burrell, crazy Manny or whoever. Otherwise I’d guess no.

His injuries were so significant that I doubt he can pitch effectively in the major leagues anymore. He was never a hard thrower, and his velocity will be even worse. If he wants anything more than a minor league contract, I would say “no.”

I’ve never been high on Lowry, even before injury. He is a guy whose stats always looked like he was lucky.

If the Astros were willing to take a big gamble on an injury comeback player, I might try Pedro Martinez. However, he probably will re-sign with the Mets. Colon might fit the same category.

Yes, I think the Giants could surprise. As Astros’ fans, we have seen good pitching/ no offense teams contend. The Giants really do need to sign another bat.

that the NL West sucked this year. They had 3 90-game winners in 2007.

The competitiveness of the Dodgers will depend on whether they can manage to get Lowe to come back. They’ve got Billingsley (a great #2), Kuroda, Kershaw and maybe Schmidt (if they’re lucky) in their rotation after him. I don’t think losing Manny will be a crushing blow…but that’s only if Andruw Jones miraculously regains some of his form.

The Giants just need one power bat. Bengie, Rowand and Renteria are all good at driving in runs but they don’t scare anyone particularly with their bats and with the light bats around them you could pitch around them. A slugger and I think everything can come together for them since they have pretty much all the other components for a solid lineup.

I always thought the D’Backs were overrated when they started hot this year but they don’t look that bad. I wonder if Scherzer could go in the rotation full-time to replace Randy…

The Rockies are always going to be in it playing in a bandbox. Even though they dealt away Holliday, I think Francis and Morales can come back after poor seasons. They got Jason Marquis, he could rake there ;)