Any life left in these old bats?

Just days before the '06 HOF election results are announced, several active players with Cooperstown credentials are still looking for work, writes Jerry Crasnick.

Updated: January 27, 2006, 1:04 PM ET
By Jerry Crasnick | ESPN Insider
In the sports world, January is known more for bowl games and NFL coaching turnover than baseball hot stove machinations. But try telling the 80-plus free agents still on the market that the month is inconsequential.

The list of job seekers includes the usual array of characters. There are Scott Boras clients (Jeff Weaver and Julian Tavarez), recent non-tenders (Josh Fogg), lefty lifers (Buddy Groom) and spare-part veterans (Carlos Baerga, Jose Offerman and Daryle Ward) in search of just the right fit.

There was a time when the game's biggest names spent the month of January monitoring their stock portfolios and polishing their golf swings. No more. They've joined the ranks of the baseball proletariat.


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Jerry Crasnick | email

ESPN.com MLB Sr. Writer
  • ESPN.com senior writer
  • Author of "License to Deal"
  • Former Denver Post national baseball writer

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