2010 MLB Free Agents: Adrian Beltre Stands Out At Third Base

Adrian Beltre: one of the best overall free agents on the market blows the third base competition away. Beltre plays defense as well as anybody, and rebounded offensively in 2010 and wound up with a Silver Slugger Award for his troubles. He is a premier talent.

Nick Punto: Punto doesn't hit much at all for a third baseman, and he's better suited for the middle infield, but his glove is what makes him a passable player. He doesn't have any power, but he makes contact and has a decent eye.

Felipe Lopez: Lopez struggled through a miserable 2010 that saw him lose most of his playing time with the Cardinals towards the end. The talent is there, and he's a year removed from an .810 OPS, but there are big questions about his attitude.

Melvin Mora: Mora put up a surprising .358 OBP as a semi-regular player for Colorado, and the 38 year old can still play, although he's probably no longer worthy of starting very often.

Pedro Feliz: maybe the worst hitter in baseball a year ago, Feliz isn't going to get any starting opportunities, but he's flashed power in the past, and he's solid with the glove, so he'll end up in somebody's camp next March.

Worth noting: Miguel Cairo. It's also worth noting other guys like Juan Uribe, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Miguel Tejada, who were listed at other positions but are very capable of playing third base. The market isn't quite as thin as it looks here.