Elias Rankings for Cubs Free Agents
The official Elias rankings are out and they don't differ too much from the reverse-engineered list that MLB Trade Rumors was putting out (courtesy of Eddie Bajek).
Type A - John Grabow, Kevin Gregg
Type B - Rich Harden
Reed Johnson didn't make the cut and even if offered arbitration, the Cubs would not get any draft picks if he signed with another team. The Cubs weren't going to offer Gregg arbitration as is, since the chances of a team signing him and giving up a draft pick are between zilch and none and the Cubs don't want him back. Grabow may get offered arbitration because the Cubs would prefer to have him back in 2010. Rich Harden should be offered arbitration because he's one of the two most talented pitchers available on the market and even with his arm issues, a one year deal is pretty low risk even at $10Mish a year. Plus Ted Lilly is broken.
In case you forgot the rules, a Type A free agent - if offered arbitration by his previous team - nets a first round pick and a supplemental pick for his previous team if he signs with another club. That first round pick comes from the signing team but it could be a second round pick if that team has a draft pick in the upper half of the draft. It could also be a second round or lower pick if the signing team signs multiple Type A free agents. A Type B free agents nets a supplemental pick for the player's previous team but costs the signing team nothing.
In terms of some players the Cubs might have some interest in and who might get offered arbitration.
Type A - Chone Figgins, Billy Wagner, Johnny Damon, Placido Polanco
Type B - Mark DeRosa, Mike Cameron, Randy Johnson, Randy Winn
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