The ultimate free-agent tracker, by position

Overall Rankings | By Position: | SP | RP | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | UT

Here is the free-agent class of 2008-09, ranked from Nos. 1 to 183. The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player's history, age and potential, and should serve as an outline as to how free agency shakes out between now and spring training.

Bookmark this page and return frequently. As the offseason progresses, Yahoo! Sports will update it with news of signings and their impact on the other free agents.

1) CC Sabathia, SP: SIGNED Nobody west of Milwaukee made an offer so Sabathia took the Yankees' historic seven-year, $161 million offer with an opt-out clause after three years. Brown and Edes story

4) A.J. Burnett, SP: SIGNED In severe spending mode, the Yankees gave Burnett a five-year, $82.5 million deal two days after signing CC Sabathia. Brown story

8) Ben Sheets, SP: Sure, he hasn't made his full complement of starts since 2004. But if healthy, he's better than Burnett and nearly Sabathia's equivalent.

10) Derek Lowe, SP: SIGNED One of baseball's best pitchers the last seven years signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Braves after turning down a shorter offer by the Mets. Story.

12) Ryan Dempster, SP: SIGNED Making the most of coming off a career year (17-6 record, 2.96 ERA), Dempster re-signed with the Cubs for four years and $52 million. Story

15) Oliver Perez, SP: SIGNED The left-hander is staying in New York, reaching a reported three-year deal for $36 million. More

19) Brad Penny, SP: SIGNED The Dodgers didn't exercise a $9.25 million option because of a sore arm and a belligerent attitude, so the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal hoping that his arm problems are behind him. Story.

21) Jon Garland, SP: SIGNED Gives up lots of hits, strikes out no one but logs a guaranteed 200 decent innings, which prompted the Diamondbacks to give him a one-year, $7.25 million deal to follow Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Doug Davis in their rotation. Story.

24) Junichi Tazawa, SP: SIGNED The 22-year-old right-hander eschewed the Japanese major leagues and signed a $3.3 million, three-year deal with the Red Sox. Story

27) Mike Mussina, SP: RETIRED Moose calls it quits after an illustrious 18-year career that could land him in the Hall of Fame. Story

28) Andy Pettitte, SP: SIGNED The lefty was upset over the Yanks' initial $10 million offer. After weeks of talks, he settled for $5.5 million before incentives kick in. Story

29) Randy Johnson, SP: SIGNED Not only is he motivated (five wins shy of 300), but from July 6 to the end of the year, his ERA was 2.56 and he struck out 91 in 98 1/3 innings. He stays in the NL West, this time with the Giants on a one-year, $8 million deal. Story

30) Koji Uehara, SP/RP: SIGNED Offered $3 million a decade ago by the Angels, he turned it down and has dominated with the Yomiuri Giants as a starter and closer. Now he'll pitch for the Orioles for the next two years. Story.

34) Randy Wolf, SP: SIGNED Takes his surgically repaired shoulder to the Dodgers, who gave him a one-year, $5million deal after a strange offseason. More

36) Jamie Moyer, SP: SIGNED Moyer wants to pitch until he's 50; the Phillies may oblige, giving him a two-year deal. Story

37) Braden Looper, SP: SIGNED Solid, if not overwhelming, Looper signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for $4.75 million with a mutual option for 2010.

45) Kenshin Kawakami, SP: SIGNED Previously among the best pitchers in Japan, he lost some zip on his fastball but has enough left to land a three-year deal from the Atlanta Braves.

46) Greg Maddux, SP: SIGNED The master of control and consistency retired after 18 seasons and 355 victories. Story

47) Paul Byrd, SP: The pitcher equivalent to David Eckstein – and 26 spots higher than Eckstein because pitching scrappiness yields league-average performance.

51) John Smoltz, SP/RP: SIGNED Leaving the Braves after 21 seasons couldn't have been easy, but Smoltz signed an incentive-laden one-year deal with the Red Sox that guarantees him $5.5 million. Story.

53) Pedro Martinez, SP: Hasn't looked like Pedro since 2005, and to be even a facsimile, he can't walk nearly four batters per nine innings like he did in '08.

61) Freddy Garcia, SP: SIGNED Garcia made it back from shoulder surgery last season, but all he could get was a minor-league deal from the Mets. Story.

70) Tom Glavine, SP: SIGNED Arm surgery is one thing. But elbow and shoulder? That's tough for anyone, let alone a 43-year-old. Leave it to the Braves to give him a $1 million deal with performance bonuses that could add $3.5 million. Story.

74) Mark Prior, SP: SIGNED The Padres signed the injury-riddled right-hander to a minor-league deal.

83) Kenny Rogers, SP: Decent option if he does decide to play. Second-half ERA (7.93) could scare teams away.

87) Mike Hampton, SP: SIGNED Injury-plagued left-hander coming off a $121-million deal gets $2 million plus another $2 million in incentives over one year from the Astros. Story

88) Odalis Perez, SP: SIGNED The truest sign of how bad Washington was in '08: Perez started on opening day. Now he'll return to the Nats on a minor-league deal.

100) Curt Schilling, SP: Oh, what the hell.

116) Sidney Ponson, SP: For being on his 115th chance.

118) Carl Pavano, SP: SIGNED The often-injured pitcher who did little for a lot of money with the Yankees signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Indians. Story.

129) Mark Hendrickson, SP/RP: SIGNED The tall left-hander might be better suited in a relief role, although he likely will compete for a starting job with the Orioles, who signed him to a one-year deal. Story.

131) Jon Lieber, SP/RP: Is there another season left in the arm? He turns 39 right before opening day.

132) Orlando Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he'd still throw the same stuff he does now at 43. He'll get a look somewhere if he wants it.

133) Livan Hernandez, SP: Teams could bring him back at 60 and he might have a difficult time fitting through the doorway. As is, he's not very good at 33.

143) Josh Fogg, SP: SIGNED Penance for accepting the nickname "The Dragon Slayer" is a 7.58 ERA the next season. So he'll go back to Colorado on a minor-league deal and try to earn the nickname again.

145) Bartolo Colon, SP: SIGNED Injured and overweight the last several years, the former Cy Young Award winner will get $1 million and another $2 million in incentives from the White Sox to compete for a spot in the rotation.Story.

146) Mark Mulder, SP: Also a sad story: The victim of injuries has thrown only 17 1/3 innings since June 20, 2006. He probably will end up with a minor-league deal.

147) Jason Jennings, SP: SIGNED Flexor-tendon surgery in consecutive years is the stuff of which minor-league contracts are made. He got one from the Rangers. Story.

151) Jamey Wright, SP/RP: SIGNED Wright made 75 appearances with the Rangers last season, so the Royals were more than glad to give him a minor league contract. Story.

155) Kip Wells, SP/RP: So promising once, he hasn't finished with an ERA under 5.00 since 2004.

170) Tony Armas Jr., SP: SIGNED A pitcher who failed to reach his potential gets a shot with the Mets, who brought him in on a minor-league deal. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-metsmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns">Story.

5) Francisco Rodriguez, RP: SIGNED Coming off a record 62 saves, K-Rod didn't get the deal he sought, but the Mets stepped up with a three-year, $37 million contract with a vesting option for a fourth year at $14 million. Story

14) Brian Fuentes, RP: SIGNED The left-handed closer signed a two-year, $17.5 million deal with the Angels, his first choice. Story.

17) Kerry Wood, RP: SIGNED The Indians desperately needed a closer and gave Wood a two-year, $20 million deal after his 34-save season with the Cubs. Story

23) Juan Cruz, RP: This year's version of gonna-try-to-make-him-a-closer. Certainly has the stuff, with an NL-best 12.4 strikeouts per nine.

40) Brian Shouse, RP: SIGNED The Rays brought in Shouse to replace Trever Miller as the left-handed situational reliever. Story.

41) Trevor Hoffman, RP: SIGNED Chose the Brewers over the Dodgers for a one-year, $6 million deal after the Padres closed the door on the all-time saves leader. Story.

49) Russ Springer, RP: SIGNED Life begins at 40 for a set-up reliever who signed a one-year deal for $3.3 million with the Athletics. Story.

50) Joe Beimel, RP: Great ERA (2.02) is a bit misleading – 20 of 60 inherited runners scored.

52) Darren Oliver, RP: Even worse than Beimel with inherited runners (41 percent scored). Still, second-half ERA of 1.95 and nearly equal righty/lefty splits make him valuable.

55) Doug Brocail, RP: SIGNED The aging but effective right-hander returned to the Astros for one year at $2.75 million and a club option for 2010. Story

56) Damaso Marte, RP: SIGNED After declining Marte's option, the Yankees signed the 33-year-old left-hander to a three-year, $12 million deal. Story

58) Chan Ho Park, RP: SIGNED He's headed to the Phillies but whether as a starter or in relief has yet to be decided. Story

62) Jeremy Affeldt, RP: SIGNED The Giants filled a bullpen void by making the left-hander the first free agent to sign with a new team, giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. Story

63) Dennys Reyes, RP: Nearly unhittable against lefties (.537 OPS), too, but value drops because he's mostly a one-out guy.

65) Will Ohman, RP: Workhorse's 83 games pitched ranked second in baseball in 2008.

66) Arthur Rhodes, RP: SIGNED The Reds boosted their bullpen by agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with the left-hander. Story

67) David Weathers, RP: Still an effective right-handed reliever – and a rare one that gets out lefties, who had a .635 OPS against him in 2008.

68) Brandon Lyon, RP: SIGNED His numbers through June 12 last season: 2-1, 1.29 ERA, 14 saves. After: 0-4, 8.01 ERA. The Tigers hope he shows consistency after signing Lyon to a one-year deal. Story

69) Eddie Guardado, RP: SIGNED At 38 and four years removed from his last 30-save season, Guardado signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers.

72) Kyle Farnsworth, RP: SIGNED Hard-throwing, underachieving right-hander signs a two-year deal with the Royals for $9.25 million. Story

87) Trever Miller, RP: SIGNED The left-hander who helped the Rays to the World Series by getting situational outs accepted $500,000 for one year from the St. Louis Cardinals after his physical showed a labrum tear, dashing his hopes for a two-year, $4 million deal. Story

97) Chad Cordero, RP: Former NL saves leader could miss all of 2009 recovering from a labrum tear. Would likely sign an incentive-loaded multiyear deal.

98) Luis Ayala, RP: SIGNED The Twins signed the sinkerball specialist to a one-year, $1.3 million deal to set up Joe Nathan.

99) Alan Embree, RP: SIGNED After the A's declined its $3 million option on him, he agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2010 with the Rockies. Story

101) Rudy Seanez, RP: As this so dutifully points out, Seanez is two years from being a four-decade pitcher.

103) John Parrish, RP: SIGNED The rare left-handed reliever who's better against right-handed hitters, Parrish signed a minor league deal with the Orioles that would pay him $850,000 if he makes the team. Story.

105) Guillermo Mota, RP: SIGNED The hard-throwing 35-year-old right-hander signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers. Story.

111) Keith Foulke, RP: Rather good in his return from retirement, particularly in short stints. His ERA through 15 pitches was 2.14, and after was 8.68.

112) Jason Isringhausen, RP: SIGNED Not close to the Izzy of old after hip surgery, but the Rays signed him to a minor-league deal as a safety valve in case Troy Percival falters. Story.

113) Eric Gagne, RP: SIGNED Not close to the Gagne of old after he stopped pumping himself full of performance-enhancing drugs. So he took a minor-league deal with the Brewers, the same team that paid him $10 million last year.

119) Bob Howry, RP: SIGNED The Giants bolster their bullpen, signing the 35-year old to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. Story

121) Jorge Julio, RP: SIGNED Reinvigorated himself during September in Atlanta, finishing with 11 1/3 scoreless innings and 17 strikeouts. Lands in Milwaukee, for a one-year deal. Story

125) Julian Tavarez, RP: Hey, he's always up for throwing at batters, if nothing else.

128) Casey Fossum, RP: SIGNED The left-hander signed a minor-league deal with the Mets.

134) Mike Lincoln, RP: SIGNED Workmanlike return to the major leagues after a four-year absence buys him another shot, his time with the Reds for a two-year stint. Story

137) Matt Herges, RP: He returned to form after a career year in 2007, allowing 79 hits in 64 1/3 innings.

139) Ron Villone, RP: Truly an anomaly: survived Joe Torre and lived to tell about it without a scar on his pitching arm.

142) Mike Timlin, RP: Wait. He's really not Bob Howry's twin?

144) Horacio Ramirez, RP: SIGNED The 29-year-old lefty's headed to Kansas City after agreeing to a $1.8 million, one-year contract. Story

148) Tom Gordon, RP: Flash missed most of the season, and at 41 could be a long shot to play again.

154) Glendon Rusch, RP: SIGNED The Rockies signed the soft-tossing left-hander to a one-year, $750,000 minor-league deal to be a spot starter and long reliever.

156) Juan Rincon, RP: Used to be a great setup man. Used to take steroids. Any correlation?

162) Brendan Donnelly, RP: SIGNED The former Angels stalwart is still trying to rebound from 2007 elbow surgery as well as steroid allegations in the Mitchell Report. The Rangers gave him a minor league deal. Story.

173) Kent Mercker, RP: Drink that Goose in peace, kind sir.

174) Matt Wise, RP: Wise missed almost the whole season with a shoulder problem, and already has had two surgeries on his right arm.

175) Jason Johnson, RP: SIGNED Eleven big-league seasons under his belt, Johnson signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees.

176) Ricardo Rincon, RP: And its cosmic counterpart: left-handed, has pulse.

181) Elmer Dessens, RP: He finished fifth-worst in last season's rankings. Moving down in the world.

182) Chad Fox, RP: SIGNED Fox, who has pitched a grand total of 22 innings in the majors since 2004, signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs.

35) Ivan Rodriguez, C: The paucity of catchers increases his value significantly, because otherwise, teams would be more concerned with 18 years of major league squatting.

38) Jason Varitek, C: SIGNED Miscalculated the market and signed a cut-rate deal with the Red Sox. Edes column

92) David Ross, C: SIGNED Lots of raw power (38 home runs between '06 and '07) disappeared in '08. He did show improved plate discipline, though, and could be a sleeper signing for the Braves, who got him for two years at $3 million. Story

104) Gregg Zaun, C: SIGNED The 37-year-old veteran signed a one-year deal with the Orioles to hold down the fort until uber-prospect Matt Wieters is ready. Story.what

106) Brad Ausmus, C: SIGNED The veteran whose best years came with the Houston Astros signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Dodgers to back up Russell Martin. Tim Brown story.

130) Michael Barrett, C: SIGNED Although he hasn't been the same since Carlos Zambrano whaled on him in the clubhouse, Barrett signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays. Story.

149) Paul Lo Duca, C: It's bad when you're below a bunch of guys recovering from injuries.

163) Henry Blanco, C: SIGNED Seemingly minutes after the Dodgers signed Brad Ausmus, the Padres responded by inking Blanco to a one-year, $750,000 deal to back up Nick Hundley. Story.

164) Toby Hall, C: He is better known in the White Sox clubhouse for his facial hair than his talent.

165) Paul Bako, C: Rather Dunnian – perhaps even Howardian – in his strikeout prowess: 90 in 299 at-bats.

166) Javier Valentin, C: Actually isn't half-bad.

167) Gary Bennett, C: Actually is.

168) Adam Melhuse, C: He holds the lowest batting average among available catchers at .167. A mark of honor in these quarters.

177) Sal Fasano, C: Hey, Joe, you're passé. This country needs Sal the Plumber.

179) Chad Moeller, C: Here's to franchise No. 7 being the lucky one.

183) Vance Wilson, C: SIGNED Wilson hasn't played in the major leagues since 2006, but the Royals signed him to a minor-league contract.

2) Mark Teixeira, 1B: SIGNED Switch-hitting, power-hitting, Gold Glove-winning, in-the-middle-of-his-prime, Scott Boras-represented first baseman signs an eight-year, $180 million deal with the Yankees, stunning the Red Sox, Nationals and Orioles. Edes Story

60) Eric Hinske, 1B/OF: SIGNED Huge power and little else, Hinske signed a one-year deal with the Pirates.

71) Kevin Millar, 1B: SIGNED Managed 20 home runs last season with the Orioles, but couldn't get more than a minor league contract with the Blue Jays. Story.

78) Sean Casey, 1B: RETIRED The left-handed hitter with the sweet swing and disposition to match has retired with a .302 career batting average. Story.

81) Rich Aurilia, 1B: SIGNED Great against left-handed pitching, Aurilia signed a minor league deal with the Giants that will pay him $1 million if he makes the team.

110) Tony Clark, 1B: SIGNED The veteran and strong clubhouse presence will return to the Diamondbacks, for whom he played from 2005-2007 and the second half of last season, on a one-year, $800,000 contract. Story.

114) Daryle Ward, 1B/OF: SIGNED After two standout pinch-hitting seasons, regressed to a .216 average last year and had to take a minor league deal with the Reds. Story.

117) Richie Sexson, 1B: From consistent 30-homer masher to … below Sidney Ponson. Oy.

120) Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B: Showed tremendous plate discipline with 44 walks to 28 strikeouts, even if all his power is sapped.

122) Ben Broussard, 1B: Another whatever-happened-to-him case. He went from a consistent 15-homer, 60-RBI guy to nothing overnight.

140) Mark Sweeney, 1B/OF: SIGNED Sweeney signed with the Mariners, but when the club added Ken Griffey Jr. it diminished his chances of making the team.

9) Orlando Hudson, 2B: SIGNED A victim of being a Type A free agent with injury issues, Hudson signed with the Dodgers after spring training began for one year at $3.38 million, which performance bonuses that could boost the deal to $8 million. Story.

48) Ray Durham, 2B: Can't run much and is slow in the field, too, but high on-base percentage and doubles power make him a nice one-year fill-in.

39) Mark Grudzielanek, 2B: High batting average and above-average fielding make up for Grudzielanek's lack of power and patience.

54) Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B: SIGNED Ability to play three positions and hit home runs – well, from 2004-07, at least – makes him worth a minor league deal for the Giants. Story.

57) Jeff Kent, 2B: RETIRED The all-time home run leader among second basemen calls it quits in a teary farewell speech at Dodger Stadium and now waits five years for a Hall of Fame verdict. Brown story.

79) Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS: SIGNED The Diamondbacks, apparently impressed by his strong September, signed Lopez to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to replace Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson. Story

85) Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B/OF: SIGNED Coming off a strong season in which he played six positions, Hairston will return to the Reds on a one-year, $2 million deal. Story.

153) Marcus Giles, 2B: SIGNED Although he sat out last season, the Phillies signed him to a minor-league deal as insurance in case Chase Utley isn't ready to start the season.

22) Casey Blake, 1B/3B/OF: SIGNED Twins wouldn't go three years, so the reliable Blake returned to the Dodgers on a three-year, $17.5 million deal with an option. Brown story

25) Joe Crede, 3B: SIGNED He's only 30 and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense when healthy, so the injuries of the last two seasons didn't deter the Twins from giving Crede a one-year deal. Story.

91) Russell Branyan, 3B: SIGNED Almost always starts the year in the minors, only to get recalled and crank home runs. Hit 12 in 132 at-bats for Milwaukee, and wasn’t half bad on defense, either. He’s off to the Pacific Northwest, signing a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Mariners. Story

107) Mike Lamb, 1B/3B: SIGNED The Brewers signed the veteran corner utility infielder to a one-year, $1 million deal. Story

6) Rafael Furcal, SS: SIGNED After an ugly episode that prompted the Braves to vow never to deal with Furcal's agent again, the shortstop returned to the Dodgers in a three-year, $30 million deal that includes a vesting option for 2012. Brown story

20) Edgar Renteria, SS: SIGNED Lost a step, certainly, though his offensive numbers should pick back up for the Giants, who signed him to a two-year, $18.5 million deal. Story

26) Orlando Cabrera, SS: Still good with the glove, but he simply can't hit well. Only once in his 11 full seasons has his OPS been better than league average.

73) David Eckstein, SS/2B: SIGNED Even though he took a drastic pay cut from $4.5 million to $850,000, the former shortstop is excited about the opportunity to play second base every day for the Padres. Story.

77) Cesar Izturis, SS: SIGNED The Orioles filled a problematic position by signing the defensively gifted Izturis to a two-year deal. Story

82) Omar Vizquel, SS: SIGNED Perhaps bound for the Hall of Fame, the slick-fielding Vizquel will spend a year tutoring prospect Elvis Andrus after signing a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers. Story.

127) Adam Everett, SS: SIGNED The Tigers believe he can improve their defense and signed him to a one-year contract worth about $1 million. Story

169) Luis Rivas, 2B/SS: One of the rare cases of Minnesota rushing a player, Rivas never recovered from early failures and is little more than a bounce-around guy.

3) Manny Ramirez, OF: That $100 million he was telling his buddies in Boston about seems pretty far-fetched now unless the Yankees overpay.

7) Adam Dunn, OF: SIGNED You know you're getting 40 home runs and 100 walks, yet only the Nationals would go two years, and they landed Dunn for $20 million. Story.

11) Pat Burrell, OF: SIGNED The powerful but streaky Burrell will become the Rays' designated hitter after agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract. Story.

13) Bobby Abreu, OF: SIGNED Six straight 100-RBI seasons is impressive, and by waiting out the market the Angels landed him for the bargain price of $5 million over one year. Story.

16) Raul Ibanez, OF: SIGNED Late bloomer didn't play full time until he was 30, and now, seven years later, he's a .290-hitting, 20-homer, 100-RBI guy with character to match the numbers. Story

18) Milton Bradley, OF/DH: SIGNED The Cubs got the switch-hitter they sought by signing Bradley to a three-year, $30 million deal despite his history of injuries. Story.

32) Garret Anderson, OF: He still will hit .300 with 15 home runs, not take any walks and look like Grandpa Abe Simpson when he's running.

33) Juan Rivera, OF: SIGNED The Angels re-signed the power-hitting left fielder to a three-year, $12.75 million deal even though his production has declined the last two years because of injury. Brown story

42) Rocco Baldelli, OF: SIGNED The Rhode Island native with chronic healthy issues signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with the nearby Red Sox, ending his seven-year run with the Rays. Story.

43) Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH: SIGNED Junior returns to the scene of his glory days – Seattle, for one year and $2 million. He'll mostly DH. Story.

44) Jim Edmonds, OF: He looked cooked before a renaissance in Chicago. At 38, Edmonds won't get anything more than an incentive-laden one-year deal.

59) Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF: SIGNED His days as a full-time player are probably over, but the Red Sox re-signed him for one year at $1.5 million to back up in the outfield and first base. Story.

84) Moises Alou, OF: Even at 42, he can still rake. When healthy. Which, unfortunately, is never.

90) Gabe Kapler, OF: SIGNED Took off 2007 to manage, returned and hit .301 with an .838 OPS, an enticing enough resume for the Rays to give him a one-year, $1 million deal. Story.

93) Emil Brown, OF: Nice counting stats (13 home runs, 59 RBIs) belie his terrible on-base percentage, bad baserunning instincts and laughable defense.

95) Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF: SIGNED Hit 30 home runs and walked 100 times only four years ago, so someone is bound to take a flyer. Turns out it's the Red Sox, hoping he can replace Sean Casey as a bat off the bench.

108) Luis Gonzalez, OF: This year's best candidate for 40-something to get squeezed by youth movement.

115) Jacque Jones, OF: SIGNED Will attempt a comeback after taking almost all of last season off, signing a minor league deal with the Reds. Story.

124) Jason Michaels, OF: SIGNED The 32-year-old agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Astros. Story

126) Jay Payton, OF: Sub-.300 OBP for consecutive seasons isn't exactly a résumé booster.

150) Kevin Mench, OF: SIGNED Mench reached agreement on a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League.

152) Corey Patterson, OF: SIGNED The Nationals, already flush with mediocre outfielders, signed the fleet but feeble-hitting Patterson to a one-year, $800,000 minor-league contract. Story.

161) Scott Podsednik, OF: Gone is his speed on the basepaths and range in center field. Which renders him … a minor leaguer.

172) Trot Nixon, OF: SIGNED A long way from his glory days with the Red Sox, Nixon signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers.

178) Juan Encarnacion, OF: The saddest case of all: Freak injury – struck by a batted ball while in the on-deck circle – will, in all likelihood, end his career.

64) Nomar Garciaparra, UT: Another injury-filled season begs the question of whether the 35-year-old can return to two-years-ago form, let alone that of his prime.

80) Nick Punto, UT: SIGNED The high-energy guy who steals bases and plays stellar defense is staying in Minnesota after agreeing to a two-year contract worth $8.5 million. Story

86) Ramon Vazquez UT: SIGNED The Pirates are hoping he can keep his hot hitting going after batting a career-high .290 last season for Texas, agreeing to a $4 million, two-year contract with Vazquez. Story

94) Mark Loretta, UT: SIGNED The Dodgers brought back the Pasadena-raised Loretta as a utility infielder, shutting the door on re-signing Nomar Garciaparra. Story

96) Aaron Boone, UT: SIGNED Boone signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Astros and will compete for the third-base job and backup Lance Berkman at first. Story

102) Damion Easley, UT: He can play every position but catcher. Biggest issue at 39 is his speed: grounded into 15 double plays in 316 at-bats.

109) Craig Counsell, UT: SIGNED The odd stance and decent production remains valued by the Brewers, who signed Counsell to a one-year, $1 million deal. Story.

123) Alex Cora, UT: SIGNED Good for a walk and some range as a middle-infield fill-in, the veteran Cora signs a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets. Story.

135) Greg Norton, UT: SIGNED He can hit right-handers well (.841 OPS last year, .792 career), and that's the reason the Braves re-signed him for one year at $800,000. Story

136) Alex Cintron, UT: Never developed into an everyday guy, but Cintron is serviceable in a utility role.

138) Chris Gomez, UT: SIGNED The consummate journeyman, Gomez may have found his ninth team by signing a minor-league deal with the Orioles.

141) Ramon Martinez, UT: Three more seasons and he'll actually have had as long of a career as the good Ramon Martinez.

158) Willie Bloomquist, UT: SIGNED His .324 lifetime slugging percentage notwithstanding, Bloomquist signed a two-year, $3.1 million deal with the Kansas City Royals. Story.

159) Miguel Cairo, UT: Seattle gave Cairo, Bloomquist and Vidro nearly 700 at-bats combined last season. Is it any wonder the Mariners lost 100 games?

160) Pablo Ozuna, UT: Only five players in history have had as many at-bats as Ozuna (677) and drawn fewer walks than his 23. So why, again, is Tony Pena Jr. (18 in 778) a major leaguer?

171) Rob Mackowiak, UT: SIGNED After a dismal year with the Nationals, Mackowiak will try to make the Mets roster as a minor-league invitee. Story.

180) Juan Castro, UT: SIGNED The 14-year veteran with a career OPS of .579 signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers.

31) Jason Giambi, DH: SIGNED The power-hitting admitted steroids user will return to the scene of his best years, signing with the Oakland A's for one year at $4.5 million with an option for 2010. Story.

75) Cliff Floyd, DH: SIGNED Great in a 250-at-bat role, which is what he should get with the Padres as an outfielder and mentor.

89) Frank Thomas, DH: No need to Willie Mays it anymore.

157) Jose Vidro, 1B/DH: Coming off the third-worst DH season of all time for players with at least 300 at-bats, his .612 OPS was unfathomably bad.