Top 5 MLB free agents for 2004

There is no doubt that wherever Bartolo Colon, Gary Sheffield and Vladimir Guerrero end up next season, they will make a huge impact on their new teams to go along with their new, long term, lucrative contracts.

However, who in this free agent class has the best potential to turn in performances above and beyond the contracts they are likely to get?

Who are the players that might not make over $10 million a year, but have the potential to make just as much of an impact as any of the most high profile free agents?

We're not talking about players like Shigetoshi Hasegawa or LaTroy Hawkins, who will sell high this offseason due to their proven abilities in less glorious roles.

We're talking about players that will sell low due to injuries or unrealized potential, and then possibly be impact players on their new teams.

Here are five players who might make an impact next season without making the big bucks.

Eric Young

Ray Durham is the undisputed starting second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. But while Durham was injured this past season, the Giants signed veteran Eric Young from the Brewers. During his short time as a starter, Young's power never materialized for the Giants, but with the Brewers, he hit as many home runs (15) as he had in the last three years combined. The 36 year old is training with Barry Bonds during the offseason, which should help his game. At his age, he won't hit better than .275, but is a 20 HR, 25 steal threat, which would make him invaluable for any team without Alfonso Soriano or Marcus Giles. Teams like the Brewers or the Mets could use the offensive boost at second base.

Matt Stairs

He's slowing down a bit, but this 35 year old veteran hit 20 HR in 300 AB's last season. This was the guy that hit 38 HR for Oakland in 1998 and hasn't quite been the same since. If his average stays anywhere near his second half numbers, he'll have a good year in 2004. He could potentially provide a team like the LA Dodgers with a good amount of pop at a low price. Basically, he's Jeromy Burnitz at a fraction of the cost.

Fernando Tatis

At 28, Tatis can still return to the .298, 34 HR player that he was in '99 with the Cardinals. He's been an injury liability since then, but it would only take one healthy year for this former 30-30 threat to return to his old form (although his steal numbers are not likely to come back). Especially if a hitting coach can work him through the bad habits he's developed, he could easily hit .290 and 20-30 HRs again. In fact, a move to a new team could give Tatis a new outlook on his career.

Sterling Hitchcock

After coming back from surgery and injuries, Hitchcock was ineffective this past season. It wouldn't take much though, for him to recover during the offseason and return to a more decent form. He'll never be a 20-game winner, but he could be a decent fourth starter for a good team, say, the Atlanta Braves, who are known to resurrect apparently dead careers.

Brad Ausmus

Ausmus should get some pretty decent offers in the $5-6 million a year range. He's a veteran catcher that would bring a great behind-the-plate presence to any team with a young pitching staff. In addition, he's a Gold Glover that can throw out runners with the best of them. He has never been an amazing hitter, and never will be, but, nevertheless, shows decent plate awareness. Furthermore, if the Astros let him go, look for their pitchers to struggle, at least early in the season. Ausmus's plate numbers might suffer away from Minute Maid Park, but so will the Astro's ERA without him. For any team that can't quite afford Pudge or Javy Lopez, Ausmus is a great solution.