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agent signing is not only a waste of money, but it actually makes the team worse because Juan Pierre is blocking ascension by better players. To a lesser extent, the Dodgers made the same mistake by signing Nomar Garciaparra for two years as a first baseman; it's just that it's only 2 years instead of 4.

Sean Casey - Similar to Juan Pierre, signing Sean Casey for $4 million is merely blocking the chance for a much better hitter to play for less money. And if you are the Tigers, who have realistic hopes for the playoffs, how can you let this guy take the field for you every day?

Shea Hillenbrand - One more of the blocking-a-better-and-cheaper- player variety, Hillenbrand is getting $6.5 million from the L.A. Angels. They have at least three minor league sluggers who can do better than Hillenbrand right now.

Miguel Batista - The Seattle Mariners are paying this guy about $25 million. Why? Not only is he the definition of a mediocre pitcher, but Seattle is a lousy team that doesn't have a chance to be competitive even if Batista does great.

Alex Gonzalez - Although this is a cheap signing (at under $5 million per year for three years), this player is known among fans as "the bad" Alex Gonzalez. He has never been any good, and now a lousy team without a lot of cash (the Cincy Reds) have locked themselves into his mediocrity through 2009.

Orlando Hernandez - The Mets only signed "El Duque" for 2 years, but he's old and injury-prone. There's no way he pitches in more than 50 games for the team in 2 years - or about 2/3 of what one would expect from a starting pitcher.

Jim Edmonds - Uggh. Spending $19 million over the next two years on an aging, injury-prone centerfielder is crazy. Doing it when he made it clear he didn't want to leave St. Louis is even crazier. The Cardinals just bid against themselves in a post-World Series frenzy.

Julio Lugo - He's a pretty good hitter and fielder, but the Red Sox had to offer him a 4-year contract in order to beat out other teams. That's crazy, when they have guys who are basically just as good in the minor leagues.

Jason Marquis - A very dumb move by the Cubs, as they are paying more than $20 million to a guy who pitched well for about a month at the end of the 2006 season. This is the classic "buy high" sucker strategy. Perhaps it will work for the Cubs if Marquis and their other expensive free agents all play well at the same time, and they get into the playoffs.

Tony Armas, Jr. - Another one of those situations in which a lousy team (Pittsburgh) just throws money away for no reason ($3 million). There's no conceivable way in which Armas helps Pittsburgh in the short-term or long-term to reach the playoffs, so why spend the dough?

Benji Molina - There are tons of catchers who can't hit who are available in the minors. So I don't understand why San Fran decided to commit $16 million to this guy.

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