Posted by Craig Brown on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Pitchers and catchers have reported and the position players are starting to file in, dusting off their gloves for another season. Well, some players are still hanging around without a team so not everyone is in camp.

It’s time to revisit our list of the top nine remaining free agents. Amazingly, there has been little movement this week, with only Ken Griffey, Jr. signing from last week’s nine. Does anyone have a calendar? It is February… Time to report to camp and all that. Get ready for the season.

On to the nine:

1. Manny Ramirez

Suprise! Manny is still number one. Or should I say numero uno. Via David Pinto at Baseball Musings from a tipster:

Manny is vacationing close to Jaco in Costa Rica.

Nice. I figured something like this would happen. Manny has never been among those who arrive early in camp, but clearly, that’s never been an issue. Last week I wanted to write that I didn’t think he’d sign until the end of February, just to avoid some of the drills that go on ahead of the exhibition schedule. (I swear, I did!)

This week, I’ll stick to my guns. The Dodgers will get him, but not for at least another week.

(Watch… Now he’ll probably sign tomorrow.)

2. Orlando Hudson

Ken Rosenthal reported this week that Hudson prefers the Royals and the feeling is probably mutual. The issue for Kansas City is salary. Their projected payroll sits around $74 million, which puts them at $4 million over budget. They could shed some of that by releasing John Buck and Mark Teahen, who are on the books to earn a combined $6 million and figure to be backups. But the Royals like the versatility of Teahen and aren’t convinced minor leaguer Bryan Pena is ready to be a major league backup catcher.

The Dodgers remain in the picture and have the fiscal flexibility to sign both Hudson and Ramirez.

3. Juan Cruz

Every week, we’ve mentioned Cruz and how being a Type-A free agent who declined arbitration has hurt his standing among all other teams who are reluctant to part with a draft pick for a middle reliever. This week came news that the commissioner’s office may be willing to alter the rules which would allow the Diamondbacks to resign Cruz and then deal him to another team. Under current rules, free agents who change teams cannot be dealt prior to June 15 as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. The union may be willing to waive that, so Cruz can join a club as part of a sign and trade.

There’s so much here, it’s crazy. The Diamondbacks don’t want to lose a potential early round draft pick they thought they were gaining, but with Cruz going nowhere, they stand to lose the pick anyway. And how much will the Diamondbacks ask in return? You would think they would want a comparable talent to an early round draft pick. But if teams are unwilling to surrender a pick already, why would they deal a similar talent who is already in their organization.

Then there’s the fact that a sign and trade runs counter to the very spirit of the collective bargaining agreement.

4. Orlando Cabrera

At this point, it looks like Oakland or bust. He could be included in that sign and trade ruling, but the A’s are reportedly unconcerned over losing a second round pick, so it’s not like they care to make a trade. The fact Cabrera is still looking for $9 million seems to be the problem. That’s Edgar Renteria cash, but Renteria signed well before the market was set. And he signed with the Giants who have a recent history of irresponsible fiscal management.

5. Joe Beimel

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick floated an interesting idea where the Phillies make an offer to Beimel, Dennys Reyes and Will Ohman. Whoever agrees first, gets the contract. It’s the Law & Order gambit I mentioned last week, where they try to get someone to rat on their accomplice by offering deals. The winner agrees first.

I like the way the Phillies work.

6. Joe Crede

Like Cabrera, Crede seems to be sticking to his asking price of around $7 million. The Twins are still interested but there’s no way they sign him at that price. The Giants have been in the mix. Are they crazy enough to hit the magic number, especially after overpaying for the aforementioned Renteria? Probably.

7. Will Ohman

Ohman is playing the contract version of Russian Roulette. He reportedly has offers in hand from the Pirates, Marlins and Padres, but wants to play for a contender. So he waits. And waits.

Last week, I speculated he would fall somewhere in the NL East. As mentioned in the Beimel entry, the Phillies remain in the picture.

8. Garret Anderson

The Braves haven’t been in the mix for Anderson, but after losing Ken Griffey, Jr, they might turn their attention here.

9. Jim Edmonds

Since Griffey is returning to Seattle, Edmonds makes his first appearance on this list at number nine.

He looked finished in the early part of ’08 playing for the Padres, but he hit .256/.369/.568 for the Cubs in 250 at bats. That’s not bad at all. At this point, he’s perfectly suited as a pinch hitter/platoon type player who only plays against right handed pitching.

If only he can find a team.

Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the links.