2012 MLB Free Agents: Third Basemen
Players filed for free agency yesterday, 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 third baseman.
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 among third basemen in the 2012 free agent class is Aramis Ramirez. The 33-year-old rebounded after a down 2010 to post solid numbers this season. Over his 149 games played for the Cubs, Ramirez hit at a clip of .306/.361/.510 with 26 home runs, 35 doubles and 93 RBI’s. A 14-year veteran, Ramirez has a career line of .284/.342/.500.
Wilson Betemit revived his career in 2010 as a member of the Royals, finishing the season with a line of .285/.343/.452. At this point, Betemit enters the offseason as perhaps the second most appealing option on the free agent market when it comes to third basemen. The 29-year-old has proven he can handle the bat over the past two seasons, but there are still questions surrounding Betemit defensively.
Casey Blake has been a decent option at the hot corner in the past, but injuries seem to be catching up to the 37-year-old. Blake was only able to play in 63 games in 2011 as a member of the Dodgers. Edwin Encarnacion would be worth mentioning but most consider him to be more of a designated hitter, a position he manned 70 times this season for the Blue Jays.