A preview of the upcoming MLB free agent class

Now that all but one of the MLB pennant races has been decided, we know which teams have one the wild card in each league, and beyond the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers show down to win the American League Central there is not a lot of good storylines in MLB on this final weekend of the season. With that in mind let us take a look at the emerging Free Agent market.

Best Bets for Big Raises

Matt Holliday OF St. Louis Cardinals- He has a lot going for him, he is only 29, and a good second half for the Cardinals and Scott Boras is his agent. Holliday is in line for an 80 million dollar deal over the next 4 or 5 years

John Lackey SP Los Angeles Angels- He has pitched well enough in 2009 to be rated the best starting pitcher on the free agent market

Chone Figgins 3B Los Angeles Angels- He has improved his discipline and may be the finest leadoff hitter on the market. His on base percentage is around .400 and that should get him a big raise over his 5.775 million he made in 2009

Jason Marquis SP Colorado Rockies- He is a sinkerball pitcher that put up good number in Coors Field of all places. He is about to complete a three year 21 million dollar deal, and his 2009 performance should get him a nice bump from that.

In need of a big raise

Bobby Abreu OF Los Angeles Angels- He is going to cost some team far more than the 6 million he earned in 2009

Fernando Rodney Closer Detroit Tigers- He made 2.7 million in 2009, but proved he can be a reliable closer for a contending team. He should at least double his salary on a new deal

Russell Branyan 1b Seattle Mariners- While he strikes out far too often he hit 31 home runs and that is worth more than his 1.4 million dollar salary

Marco Scutaro SS Toronto Blue Jays- An everyday shortstop with a strong OBP, and who has more walks than strikeouts is worth more that 2 years and 2.65 million

Randy Wolf SP Los Angeles Dodgers- He grew his 5 million dollar salary to 8 with incentives, and will not have to take a home town discount to get paid by the Dodges or somebody else