I thought it might be interesting to compile a list using the 2010 CHONE projections of potential right handed bats that could hit 30 home runs, since that is what Frank Wren says he is looking for.  Once we have those narrowed down, I'll look at the players left and give my thoughts on who we sign or trade for to be our big bat.

If you see anyone who I might have left out, please let me know!  Remember that these are based on CHONE projections, so if I left someone off it is probably because they weren't projected to do very well.

So, here is the list of FA players that could possibly hit 30 bombs (predicted 20+):

Let's eliminate the L handed batters:

Hmmm.  All these guys are outfielders, and several are on the list that FW said he wasn't going to pursue.  Let's eliminate those:

Well, that is not a pretty list.  Jermaine Dye could possibly be who FW is referring to here.  I personally would eliminate Shelley Duncan and Vlad from a 1st base possibility, but I'll leave them in there for shits and giggles.

So, that was our FA list.  Let's go check out the lists of 1st baseman that could possibly throw up 30 round trippers:

Good list.  Let's eliminate the lefties:

Ah, that's much better!  Now, to insert the human element:  I'm going to eliminate who I think is untouchable from this list.... those that we cannot afford and are pretty much unobtainable.  Tex (you bastard), Pujols and Cabrera are gone.  Berkman makes right at 15 million, so I scratched him as well, too:

Much better.  So, in total we have a list of 7 possibilities:

I am going to eliminate Vlad and Duncan, just because I don't think they can play first very well.  I'm also going to eliminate Youkilis, because Boston would rather cut off a nut than trade theirs.

Morales is interseting, because we've already had discussions with the Angels, and I'm certain that his name has come up.  The Braves KNOW already what it will take to get him... of this I am certain. I simply don't think we pull that trigger, though, because it would literally cost us a fortune, and he would block Freeman.

Derrek Lee has been batted around several times, but I don't know why the Cubbies would want to trade him.  Same with Konerko.  Maybe they'd entertain the discussion, but I highly doubt we'd both want to pay what they'd be asking for.  Especially because of the next name on the list is...

Jermaine Dye is a FA, and he is obviously available.  He wouldn't block Freeman, and he has shown interest in playing 1st base already.  He would also sign on the cheap.

So, my projection that the individual Frank Wren is going to bring in to man first base for us that has the potential to hit 30 HRs with 100 RBIs and bats right handed is:

drum roll.....

Jermaine Dye!

He didn't put up a bad line last year... I wish that SLG was up around .500... but overall not too bad.  I personally would want a little more out of my cleanup guy, but he looks a hell of alot better than nothing.

What do you guys think?  Did I leave anyone out?  I definitely want to say that this is in no way me pushing for or condoning a Jermain Dye signing... all I was doing was taking a look at what Frank Wren said he wanted, looking at who fit that description, and came up with a matrix based on that. 

The only blatant loophole that I see is those OF and other position players that are not FA that can play first base... like Michael Cuddyer.  There was no way for me to exhaustively check all of those, so I left them out.  Same with other positions that have been discussed (Uggla @ 2nd, so on).  I just had to assume that FW was looking at a natural 1st baseman or a FA that could easily make that move.