2012 MLB Free Agents: Second Basemen
By Editorial Staff
Players filed for free agency today, and Major League Baseball has released its list of its 2012 free agents. Clubs have exclusive negotiating rights with their players until Thursday, when they will be able to sign with any team. Here is a look at the 2012 free agent class of second basemen.
Players and teams have until Monday night to make decisions regarding their options. Players with either club and/or their own options are in italics.
The big name on this list is Brandon Phillips. It’s TBD whether or not the Reds will exercise the 30-year-old’s 2012 option, but it is known that Phillips will be a hot commodity if he does reach the free agent market. The two-time All-Star and Gold-Glover led all National League second basemen in hits (183) and doubles (38) while finishing second in OPS (.810) and RBI’s (82).
If Cincinnati does decide to pick up Phillips’ option, the best of the rest will be a pair of guys that were involved in the same trade earlier in the season. Back in August, Kelly Johnson and Aaron Hill switched teams as the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays swapped second basemen. Each are lacking in certain areas, but Hill hit 36 home runs in 2009 while Johnson has gone deep at least 21 times in back-to-back years.