A look at the 2010 free agents

Every offseason, teams are presented with the opportunity to improve their clubs by signing players that are no longer under contract. These free agents come in all talent levels and pricetags. Traditionally, almost every free agent class was packed with high-impact players just entering their prime performance years. However, the renewed focus by teams to secure young talent beyond arbitration has depleted the free agent pool. Now, teams are offering longterm contracts to players before they are arbitration-eligible, thereby pushing back the date they become free agents. In addition, this ensures that the players signed early play their prime seasons with their original team. Therefore, by the time they enter free agency, the players are usually entering the decline phase of their careers.
This winter we again see a shallow free agent class, with just two premier hitters and one legitimate frontline starting pitcher. Leftfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay join pitcher John Lackey as the best of the available players this offseason. All three can expect hefty contracts. Holliday and Bay will seek - and probably get - about five years at $17 million per season. Lackey will probably command about $15 million a year for at least four years.
Holliday and Bay are expected to draw interest from their current teams, the Cardinals and Red Sox. I would guess that both clubs will be the early favorites to secure the rights to each player, with the wildcard being the New York Yankees. The Yanks will be free of Hideki Matsui's contract and will be looking at acquiring a leftfielder. We already know they can outspend any team if they choose too, so it's just a matter of what they want to do. The Mets have been linked to both players, but I can't see them overspending and that's probably what it would require.
Lackey will also have plenty of suitors. The Angels appear to be somewhat indifferent, leading many to believe he will not be returning to Anaheim. Look for teams like Dodgers, Mets, Orioles and Tigers all to show some level of interest. Lackey appears to be a good fit in Texas with the Rangers, but their financial troubles probably remove them from the hunt.
One free agent that will fly under the radar but would be a tremendous addition to any team is the Angels' Chone Figgins. Figgins will probably not return to the Angels with Brandon Wood ready to replace him, but he will certainly find many clubs vying to sign him. The Cubs, Giants, Yankees and White Sox will all take a look. Figgins plays excellent defense at third or in the outfield, hits for contact and has the speed to steal 30 bases. He's a prototypical top-of-the-order bat that will command at least $12 million over three or four years.