The 2006-07 free agent list is considered to be down this year based on the lack of impact players that are available, a continuing theme from last year’s free agent class. However, it could be a very good year to add integral finishing pieces to teams’ rosters given the depth available at nearly every position.

I’m going to break down the biggest names available while pointing out a few areas of strength. The list below does not include a very intriguing trio of Japanese players expected to make their mark on Major League Baseball next season. They’re not included because they aren’t truly free agents. Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-handed pitcher with the Seibu Lions, Kei Igawa, a left-handed pitcher with the Hanshin Tigers, and Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman with the Yakult Swallows, were all made available, but first teams must win the right to negotiate with these players via the posting process. The Boston Red Sox have already reportedly won the rights to negotiate exclusively with Matsuzaka by posting an unbelievable and unprecedented $51.1 million. The Devil Rays have reportedly won the rights to negotiate with Iwamura with a posting fee of around $4.5 million, while we should learn Igawa’s likely future home by the end of the week (the Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Mariners were all expected to be involved).

Mike Mussina also has been intentionally left off this list. While the Yankees declined the $17 million option for Mussina in 2007, they reportedly are re-negoatiating an extension that will keep the Moose in the Bronx for a few more years. Given the Yankees need for pitching, not to mention their seemingly bottomless pocketbook, I don’t see them letting Mussina getting away.

1. Alfonso Soriano

Soriano is the most notable impact player available this offseason. While he seems to be somewhat without a defensive position, he should continue to play the outfield, most likely left field. Soriano will make his earnings with his bat, as he has done in the past, as well as with his wheels. He finally achieved his first 40-40 season in 2006, an incredibly rare feat that has happened only three times before (Jose Canseco in 1988, Barry Bonds in 1996, Alex Rodriguez in 1998). The list of suitors will be long, although that list may be shortened quickly when teams discover his hefty contract hopes. The Phillies, Angels and Cubs were expected to make the biggest push for Soriano.

2. Barry Zito

Zito is looking for a big pay day this offseason, and he is sure to get it. A proven winner with one of the most devastating curveballs in all of baseball, at 28 years old, Zito already has 102 big league wins under his belt over seven seasons, and he has showed no signs of slowing down.

3. Jason Schmidt

Similar to impact hitters, there aren’t too many bona-fide staff aces available this offseason. Schmidt rebounded well from a down 2005 season with a strong ’06 campaign, although he will be 34 years old in January. He is expected to remain on the West Coast, either re-signing with the Giants or moving north to Seattle, but don’t be surprised to see the Yankees get involved now that they lost out on the opportunity to sign Matsuzaka.

4. Barry Bonds

How could Bonds be fourth on this list? Age is starting to catch up with Bonds, the best slugger in all of Major League Baseball since Babe Ruth. While Bonds may be a one-year rental as he pursues Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record, he still provides a very productive and feared bat. The Giants seem to be willing to let Bonds walk (no pun intended), as he would likely be better suited in the American League where he could serve as some team’s primary designate hitter while taking the toll off of his tender knee.

5. Carlos Lee

The third big slugger available this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Lee last season after he turned down a four-year, $48 million dollar contract extension. So, we know what Lee won’t sign for. The suitors for Lee will likely line up after Soriano has been signed. The Astros, Cubs and Orioles are expected to represent the teams most interested.

6. Andy Pettitte

At 34 years old, I have heard some rumors that Pettitte has considered retirement, but I’ll believe that when I see it. He remains very productive, logging 200 innings each of the past two seasons for the Astros even if his ERA creeped above 4.00 this past season.

7. Nomar Garciaparra

Nomar enjoyed a huge comeback season this past year, even if injuries still continue to haunt his career as he appeared in only 122 games playing first base for the Dodgers. The Dodgers are ready to hand first base over to youngster James Loney, so Garciaparra will be looking for a new address. Even in part-time duty, Nomar is an impact hitter, and don’t be surprised to see him moved to the outfield when he changes address.

8. Frank Thomas

The Oakland A’s reportedly are pretty optimistic about re-signing Thomas to a two-year extension, but until that happens, Thomas, like Garciaparra, remains one of the better run producers in baseball even if he is unable to take the field each and every day.

9. Gary Matthews, Jr.

Matthews is an interesting player, since teams likely will approach him with some scrutiny as his 2006 season, at 31 years old, was far and away his best season ever. That said, some team may be willing to roll the dice and take that chance if the Rangers are unable to re-sign him.

10. World Series heroes

Coming off their incredible performances in the playoffs, Cardinals starting pitchers Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver are both eligible for free agency. It’s unlikely the Cardinals let both of them go. Suppan has been quietly productive the past several years, while Weaver’s career has been a lot more inconsistent.

11. Hall of Fame righties

Rogers Clemens and Greg Maddux, the two greatest starting pitchers of their era, are both eligible for free agency. Clemens is a wild card, as he has been the past several years, since he may not sign until May or June of next season and seems intent on staying close to home with the Astros, if he doesn’t retire that is. Maddux isn’t the same pitcher he used to be, but he proved that he still is quite productive while pitching for the Dodgers after being traded from the Cubs. And don’t overlook Vicente Padilla and Tomo Ohka, two productive right-handed pitchers that may be relative bargains on the open market.

12. Speed Burns

Teams looking for a speedy leadoff hitter have three pretty good ones to choose from this offseason: Kenny Lofton, Dave Roberts and Juan Pierre. Lofton, who turns 40 next May, has played for seven different teams in the past five years, and while he isn’t the dynamic player he once was during his time in Cleveland, he still has swiped 54 bags while hitting .316 the past two years. Roberts is on the older side as well, but has solid on-base and base-stealing skills. Pierre, the youngest of the trio, has game-changing speed, but doesn’t get on base nor steal bases as efficiently as Lofton and Roberts.

13. Complementary Bats

While there aren’t many impact bats available after the key names listed above, there is very good depth, particularly in the outfield, for teams to round out their rosters with. Moises Alou, Jeromy Burnitz, Sean Casey, Frank Catalonotto, David Dellucci, Darin Erstad, Steve Finley, Cliff Floyd, Luis Gonzalez, Jose Guillen, Shea Hillenbrand, Aubrey Huff, Travis Lee, Mike Lieberthal, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, Bengie Molina, Trot Nixon, Mike Piazza, Shannon Stewart, Michael Tucker and Dmitri Young represent that depth.

14. Lefties for Starters

There is also a fair amount of depth among the left-handed starting pitchers available. The names include Ted Lilly, Mark Mulder, Mark Redman, David Wells and Randy Wolf.

15. Sinister Relief

The 2006-07 offseason overall is a very good one for left-handed pitching, and teams are always willing to pay a premium for left-handed specialists. Joey Eischen, Alan Embree, Eddie Guardado, Mike Remlinger, Arthur Rhodes, J.C. Romero, Scott Sauerbeck, Scott Schoenweis, Mike Stanton, Ron Villone and Jamie Walker are all available.

The thoughts and opinions listed here do not necessarily reflect those of Perfect Game USA. Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.