Below is a list of all 2010 MLB free agents. These players are currently under contracts that expire following the 2009 season. You may also want to consult our List of 2011 Free Agents.

= Top Free Agent   = “Sleeper” Free Agent   = Signed Free Agent

2010 Free Agent Signings

The following players were free agents in 2010, but have since been signed to new contracts or exercised options to remain with their current team.

2010 Signed Free Agent Catchers
Name	Age1	Bats	Team2	Position	Type3
Victor MartinezC	31	L	BOS	C/1B	A
There is no way the Red Sox do not pick up the club option for 2010 for $7 million. Martinez is 30 years old and coming off an excellent year at the plate, with 23 HR, 108 RBI, and a .303 batting average. Management has said they intend to use him as their everyday catcher, meaning Varitek’s days may be numbered unless he accepts a back-up role. UPDATE: Nov. 9 – Red Sox pick up the club option for 2010. No surprise!
Bengie Molina	35	R	SFO	C
There is talk that the Giants may not bring Molina back next year despite some good offensive numbers (20 HR/80 RBI). Giants pitching staff will miss him even though he threw out only 23% of base runners trying to steal. Coming off a 3yr/$16 million deal. He is a Type A free agent so the team signing him would lose its first round pick to the Giants in the draft. UPDATE: The Giants have signed Molina to a 1-year $4.5 million deal.
Ivan Rodriguez	38	R	TEX	C	B
The chances of Pudge returning to the Rangers may have gotten slimmer now that hitting coach/mentor Rudy Jaramillo has left the team. Pudge had planned on working with him to boost the lackluster production of 2 HR and 13 RBI he achieved upon his midseason return to his original team via trade from the Astros. He’s 38, and could be a good mentor to likely starter Jarrod Saltalamacchia if Texas decides to keep him. Rodriguez is a Type B free agent, so the Rangers may get a supplemental draft pick between first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Nationals signed Rodriguez to a 2-year/ $6 Million deal.
Eliezer Alfonzo	31	R	SDG	C
31 year-old catcher Eliezer Alfonzo saw limited duty in 2009 with the Padres, playing in just 37 games, batting .175 with 2 HR and 8 RBI. Alfonzo threw out an above-average 38% of runners trying to steal,however. His best season was his rookie stint in 2006, when he played in 87 games with the Giants and batted .266 with 12 HR/39 RBI. He’ll most likely hope to land as a roster invite this spring. UPDATE: The Mariners signed catcher Eliezer Alfonzo to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Brad Ausmus	40	R	LAD	C
Ausmus got his wish to play on the west coast in 2009, and brought his 17 years of major league experience to a young Dodger team. He’s caught over 1900 games in his career, good for 8th most all-time. He’ll likely only continue to play if the Dodgers sign him for another year. Made $1 million in 2009. UPDATE: The Dodgers have re-signed Brad Ausmus to a 1-year deal worth $1 million. There is a mutual option for $1 million in 2011 with a $150K buyout.
Rod Barajas	34	R	TOR	C	B
It will be interesting to see if the new-look Blue Jays front office decides to retain Barajas in 2010. He’s coming off a pretty good year at the plate, with 19 HR and 71 RBI as Toronto’s starting catcher. He only batted .226, but his power production was very good in a little over 120 games played. Barajas also threw out a respectable 34% of baserunners attempting to steal, and did a good job handling a banged-up Blue Jays pitching staff. Barajas is a Type B free agent, so the Blue Jays may receive a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Mets have signed Barajas to a 1-year deal worth $1 million, but can go up to $2 million if he hits certain incentives.
Josh Bard	32	L	WAS	C
Bard has had some decent years in the past, especially in 2006 with the Padres, hitting .338 with 9 HR and 40 RBI in 93 games. He played in 90 games with the Nationals in 2009, hitting .230 with 6 HR/31 RBI. Bard is not a great defensive catcher, but he’s only 32 and could add some catching depth to a major league team. He made $1.6 million in 2009. UPDATE: The Mariners have signed Bard to a minor-league deal.
Henry Blanco	38	R	SDG	C
The early word out of San Diego is that the team is leaning toward re-signing Blanco. Team is happy with his veteran leadership and solid defense behind the plate, where he threw out 40% of runners trying to steal. Is 38 years old and a career .228 hitter. Best option does seem for him to stay in San Diego. UPDATE: Dec. 3 – Blanco signed a 1-year deal with the New York Mets for $1.5 million.
John Buck	29	R	KAN	C
Buck was non-tendered by the Royals. The hand-writing was on the wall after the team went out and signed free agent catcher Jason Kendall. Buck has good power, but does have a .235 career batting average. He has thrown out 26% of runners trying to steal. He made $2.9 million in 2009. UPDATE: The Blue Jays signed Buck to a 1-year, $2 million deal.
Ramon Castro	34	R	CWS	C
Castro has been a career platoon catcher at best. He has a career .233 hitter, but does have some pop in his bat. Had trouble with injuries the last couple of years. White Sox have not indicated whether there is an interest in re-signing him. Somewhat adequate defensively, but has only thrown out 28% of baserunners in his career. Made $2.625 million in 2009. UPDATE: The White Sox have re-signed Castro to a 1-year, $1 million deal along with a club option in 2011.
Raul Chavez	37	R	TOR	C
Chavez has played mostly a backup/reserve role in his career, but he does have defensive skills, throwing out 43% of runners trying to steal. He appeared in 51 games last season, hitting .258 with 2 HR/15 RBI. He made $500K in 2009. UPDATE: The Blue Jays re-signed Chavez to a minor league deal.
Chris Coste	37	R	HOU	C
Coste hit .224 this year with two home runs and 18 RBIs. With Houston, he hit .204 with 10 RBIs in 43 games. Coste was a late-bloomer, making it to the majors past age 30. He does hit for average, compiling a .272 career batting average. He’s not a great defensive catcher, having thrown out only 22% of base-runners. He may get some interest and should get a roster invite at a minimum. Having been in the minors for so long, you can bet that Coste is a survivor and will make the most of any opportunity. UPDATE: Nov. 30 – Coste signed a contract with the Mets that includes a spot on the 40-man roster.
Robinzon Diaz	26	R	PIT	C
Diaz was released by the Pirates on Nov.30. He appeared in 41 games this past season, hitting a respectable .279 with 1 HR/19 RBI. He threw out 10 of 37 runners trying to steal (27%). He will likely be looking for a minor league deal or at minimum a roster invite. UPDATE: Tigers sign Diaz to a 1-year deal.
Sal Fasano	38	R	CLE	C
Back in the spring of 2009, Fasano signed a minor league deal to return to the Rockies. He was also extended an invitation to spring training. He is a well-traveled catcher that has a career .221 batting average and has caught 23% of runners trying to steal. Not sure what his current status is, but at 38, there may not be too many opportunities for this veteran ballplayer. UPDATE: Nov. 25 – Fasano’s MLB playing days are over. He signed on to be the manager of Toronto’s Single-A affiliate.
Toby Hall	34	R	CHW	C
Hall did not play in 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery. His current status is unknown, but we expect him to need a roster invite to get back into the major leagues. Caught in 41 games in 2008 with the White Sox, finishing with 2 HR/7 RBI and a .260 batting average. UPDATE: Hall signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.
Ramon HernandezC	33	R	CIN	C	B
Hernandez has had some good years in the majors, but has not been able to cement himself in the upper tier of catchers as we had expected him to do so. Played for his 4th different team this year, but he still has the ability to be a good catcher somewhere. Threw out 30% of baserunners last year, which is nothing to get excited about. Reds would like to have him back, but not at the $8.5 million club option. Look for a lower offer from the Reds. He is a Type B free agent, so the Reds may get a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Reds have re-signed Hernandez to a 1-year deal.
Michel Hernandez	31	R	TAM	C
Hernandez, 31, played in 35 games with the Rays last year and hit .242 with 1 HR/ 12 RBI. Has had limited major league experience and will almost certainly need a roster invite to have a shot at continuing his major league career. UPDATE: Nov. 10 – Orioles signed Michael Hernandez to a minor league deal.
Jason Kendall	35	R	MIL	C	B
Kendall finished the year with 2 HR/43 RBI, while batting .241. He dropped off defensively, throwing out only 20% of runners attempting to steal. At 35, he may begin to see his role as an everyday catcher begin to diminish based on his last couple of years of results. We believe he can still generate interest and also provide some veteran leadership with the right opportunity. He is a Type B free agent, so the Brewers would get a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. Made $5 million in 2009. UPDATE: The Royals have signed Kendall to a 2-year deal thought to be in the $4 Million range.
Jason LaRue	36	R	STL	C
LaRue is primarily a back-up catcher these days, and is a quality back-up for any team that may be interested. He played in 51 games for the Cardinals in 2009 with 2 HR/6 RBI, while batting .240. The Cardinals will likely try to bring him back, as he is still pretty good defensively and has thrown out a career average 34% of runners attempting to steal. UPDATE: Nov. 30 – LaRue signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals.
Chad Moeller	35	R	BAL	C
Moeller has primarily been a reserve/backup catcher throughout his career. He played in 30 games last year, hitting .258 with 2 HR/10 RBI. His offensive ability is limited as he has below-average power and has a lifetime .226 batting average. He has thrown out 24% of runners trying to steal during his career. He does have lots of experience, but still may need a roster invite to stay in the majors. Made $800K in 2009 UPDATE: The Orioles signed Moeller to a minor league deal.
Jose Molina	34	R	NYY	C
Molina played in 52 games for the Yankees this past season, mostly as a catcher (exclusively for A.J. Burnett as well). He hit .217 with 1 HR/11 RBI and threw out 28% of baserunners trying to steal. He has a 40% success rate in his career at throwing out runners. We believe the Yanks may want to bring him back if they choose not to look at other catching options. Posada can likely be the main catcher again next year and that would mean about 40-50 games for Molina behind the plate. Made $2.125 million in 2009. UPDATE: The Blue Jays have signed Molina to a minor league, which will pay him $800K if he makes the team. The team also has a $1.2 million club option in 2011.
Miguel OlivoM	31	R	KAN	C	B
Well-traveled 31 yr. old catcher coming off his best offensive production year (23 HR, 65 RBI). Lacks defensive skills, but there may be enough interest in him where he will decline the mutual option for 1 year at $3.3 million and try to get a multi-year deal elsewhere. He is a Type B free agent, so the Royals may get a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Rockies signed Olivo to a 1-year deal for $2 million and then either exercise a club option for $2.5MM in 2011, or go with a $500K buyout.
Mike Redmond	38	R	MIN	C
Redmond batted a career-low .237 with two doubles, seven RBIs in 135 at-bats. He also threw out only five of 40 runners while behind the plate. At 38, he may have limited options moving forward as it appears the Twins will likely not bring him back. He is a career .289 hitter with little power (13 career home runs in 2200 at-bats) and has thrown out 30% of runners attempting to steal. He made $950K in 2009. UPDATE: Redmond signed a one-year deal to be the Indians’ backup catcher in 2010.
Shawn Riggins	29	R	TAM	C
Riggans has played sparingly during his career. He has a lifetime .202 batting average and does not do a good job of throwing out runners. He made $413,900 in 2009. UPDATE: The Mets have signed Riggans to a minor league deal.
Mike Rivera	33	R	MIL	C
Rivera was non-tendered by the Brewers. He caught in 41 games last year and hit .228 with 2 HR/14 RBI. He has a career .244 bating average and has thrown out 24% of runners trying to steal. He made $415K in 2009. UPDATE: The Yankees signed Rivera to a minor league contract.
Brian Schneider	33	L	NYM	C
Schneider has not had a good stay with the New York Mets and his days there are likely over, unless the Mets can not find a better catching option in the open market. He played in 59 games last year, hitting only .218 with 3 HR/24 RBI. He is a lifetime .251 hitter with so-so power, but a fair defensive catcher, having thrown out 39% of runners trying to steal. Made $4.9 million in 2009. UPDATE: Dec. 1 – Free-agent catcher Brian Schneider and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed Tuesday to a $2.75 million, two-year contract.
Mike Sweeney	36	R	SEA	C/1B/DH
Injuries have limited Sweeney’s production the last 4 years. He played in only 74 games with the Mariners in 2009, hitting .281 with 8 HR/34 RBI. He is a lifetime .298 hitter with good pop and if he can stay healthy, he can be a nice contributor to many ball clubs. He may be better off finding an American League deal if possible, where he can be a DH as well. Made $500K in 2009. UPDATE: Sweeny signed a minor league deal to return to the Mariners in 2010.
Yorvit TorrealbaM	31	R	COL	C	B
Torrealba is coming off a solid performance in the NLDS vs. the Phillies, where he batted .357 with 4 RBI in a losing effort for the Rockies. He played in only 64 games this year, and drove in 31 runs with 2 homers. Torrealba has an average to below-average arm as far as throwing runners out, and the Rockies may decide to go with Chris Ianetta instead. He is a Type B free agent, so the Rockies may get a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Padres have signed Torrealba to a 1-year, $1.25 Milllion deal that includes a $3.5 million option for 2011 (includes $500K buyout).
Matt Treanor	34	R	DET	C
Treanor played in only 4 games in 2009 after suffering a bone spur on his right hip in April. He was placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the 2009 season. Played in 65 games for the Marlins in 2008 – his career best. He hit .238 with 2 HR/23 RBI. He’s been mostly a reserve catcher in his career and will likely need a roster invite to get back into the majors. He made $750K in 2009. UPDATE: The Brewers signed Treanor to a minor league deal.
Jason VaritekC,P	37	L	BOS	C	B
Varitek had a tough year, batting only .209 with 14 HR/51 RBI. He saw his playing time cut back after the Red Sox picked up Victor Martinez from the Indians. Defensively he had an atrocious time trying to throw runners out, getting only 13% of the runners this past season. His days with Boston may be over, unless he exercises his $3 million player option. He’s a good clubhouse leader and would be missed in Boston. He is a Type B free agent, so the Red Sox may get a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: Nov. 11 – Varitek has exercised his player option to remain with the Red Sox in 2010.
Vance Wilson	37	R	KAN	C
Wilson has not played since 2006 after having Tommy John surgery and being treated for Plantar fasciitis. He signed a minor league deal with the Royals in January, but did not play in the majors. He has a career .251 batting average with some power, but is better know for his defensive abilities, having thrown out nearly 40% of runners trying to steal. He will likely need a roster invite to be able to get back to the major leagues. UPDATE: Nov. 20 – Wilson signed a minor league deal with the Royals.
Gregg ZaunC	38	L	TAM	C	B
Zaun has a $2-million option with Tampa Bay. The veteran catcher was traded to the Rays during the season and was primarily a platoon player. He played in 90 games in total this past season, and finished with a .260 batting average, along with 8 HR/27 RBI. He is a lifetime .251 hitter and does have a .345 on-base percentage. He does have a good reputation in baseball as being a above-average backup. Despite being 38, he may generate some decent interest from multiple teams, and possibly the Rays as well. He has thrown out only 22% of base-runners over the span of his career. Made $1.5 million in 2009. Barajas is a Type B free agent, so the Rays may receive a supplemental draft pick between the first and second round of next year’s draft if he signs elsewhere. UPDATE: The Brewers signed Zaun to a 1-year deal for $2.15 million.

Legend

¹ – Age – Player’s age entering the 2010 season (as of March 31, 2010).
² – Team – Team that player last played for in the 2009 season (if applicable).
³ – Type A/Type B – Type A and Type B free agents require compensatory draft picks from the team that signs the player (if the player changes teams).
^C – Club Option – Team has the option to renew the contract.
^P – Player Option – Player has option to renew the contract.
^M – Mutual Option – Both player and team have option to renew the contract.
^V – Vesting Option – Contract will automatically renew for one or more years if the player meets certain (usually statistical) requirements.