MLB’s Hall of Fame Class of 2014

By Paulie Knep
Love of Sports Correspondent

Several of the greatest baseball players of the past two decades will become free agents after this season.

If a large percentage of them call it a career, the Hall of Fame’s class of 2014 could amount to the greatest group of ballplayers inducted into Cooperstown in over 50 years.

These are 11 soon to be free agents that could join that historic class.

Potential Class of 2014

11. Omar Vizquel

Vizquel has the highest career fielding percentage (.984) among shortstops and has played more games at the position than anybody in the history of major league baseball. He’s been a solid contact hitter and amassed over 2,600 hits and 385 stolen bases during his career. This season, his average plummeted to .222, and at 41-years-old, he may have reached the end of the road. He’s probably not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but his reputation as one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all-time could eventually gain him entrance to Cooperstown.

10. Curt Schilling

Schilling missed the entire 2008 season with a shoulder injury and though he plans to return in 2009, there’s not a big market for a 42-year-old pitcher with a bum shoulder. The outspoken hurler hasn’t won a Cy Young award, though, and with just 216 wins would appear to be a long shot for the Hall of Fame. However, he has an 11-2 record in the playoffs, was an integral part of three World Series champions and was co-MVP of the 2001 Series. His “bloody sock” performance against the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS will carry a lot of weight with voters as well.

9. Ivan Rodriguez

Pudge has given no indication he’s ready to retire, but at 37 he’s ancient in catcher years, and his play has slipped to the point that Jim Leyland began platooning him in Detroit. He hit seven home runs this season, his lowest total since his rookie year, and hit just .219 after joining the Yankees in July. The proud Puerto Rican could call it a career if he’s not able to land a starting job for next season. He’s widely considered one of the best defensive catchers to ever play the game and with 13 All-Star appearances, 13 Gold Gloves and an MVP award on his resume, Pudge is a lock for Cooperstown.

8. Jeff Kent

Kent’s contract with the Dodgers expires after this season, and his days as a starting second baseman may be over. Never known for his defense, the former MVP’s become a liability in the field. He’s been hampered by various nagging injuries over the past few seasons and his power numbers have dwindled, having hit just 11 long balls this season. He’s the all-time home run leader among second basemen and has knocked in 90 or more runs in nine consecutive seasons. He’s likely slugged his way into the Hall of Fame and 2014 could be the year.

7. Trevor Hoffman

The Padres had no idea what they were getting when they acquired Hoffman in 1993 as part of the trade that sent Gary Sheffield to the Marlins. The flame thrower was named the team’s closer the following season, and he went on to save more games than any pitcher in history. At 40-years-old, he’s lost 5-10 mph’s on his fastball, but he keeps hitters off balance with an excellent changeup and saved 30 games this season. Still, the Padres may opt to hand the closer duties over to set-up man, Heath Bell, a younger and cheaper alternative.

6. Greg Maddux

Few pitchers have mastered their craft as well as Maddux. He’s baffled hitters for over 20 years with pinpoint accuracy and late movement on his pitches. He’s seventh all-time with 355 wins, has won four consecutive Cy Young Awards, a record 17 Gold Gloves and is the only pitcher to win at least 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons. Though the 42-year-old only won eight games this season, he’s remained healthy and can still help solidify a team’s rotation. At this point in his career, though, he’s only willing to pitch for a few teams. If that’s not possible, he’ll likely walk away.

5. Randy Johnson

Armed with a 100 mph fastball, the 6-foot-10 inch Big Unit is one of the most intimidating pitchers to ever toe the rubber. Johnson has the highest strikeout per nine innings ratio in the history of the game (10.78) and only Nolan Ryan struck out more batters. The Unit won five Cy Young Awards, was co-MVP of the 2001 World Series and tossed a perfect game for the Diamondbacks in 2001. He’s sitting on 295 wins and wants to return for a shot at 300. However, the big fella’s 45-years-old and has had back issues. He also won’t be offered the type of money he’s made in the past and may decide he’s had enough.

4. Tom Glavine

Glavine missed most of this season with a torn tendon in his throwing elbow and underwent surgery on his elbow and shoulder in August. If all goes well, he should be ready for spring training, but he’ll be 43 in March and it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to hang it up. The crafty lefty’s won over 300 games with the Braves and Mets, including at least 20 five different times. He’s sure to be voted into the Hall of Fame and could end up being inducted with long-time teammates John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.

3. Pedro Martinez

The Red Sox knew what they were doing when they let Pedro walk after the 2004 season. His shoulder is shot and he won just 17 games over the past three seasons combined. This year, his ERA ballooned to 5.61. It’s difficult for superstars to accept that they can no longer compete at an elite level, and he may decide to call it a career rather than accept a reduced salary after this season. Nobody made opposing batters look more foolish at the plate than Pedro in his prime, and his career 2.88 ERA speaks for itself. He’s one of the greatest pitchers of his generation and is a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer.

2. John Smoltz

Smoltz has been the bedrock of the Braves franchise for the past two decades. He’s one of the best big-game pitchers of his time and the only player ever to compile 200 wins and save 150 games. He showed his true colors early this season when he tried to pitch through chronic pain in his right shoulder. Ultimately, he had to shut it down and underwent season-ending surgery in June. He wants to return for a 22nd season with the Braves, but if his shoulder doesn’t cooperate, we may have seen the last of this future Hall of Famer.

1. Ken Grifey, Jr.

It’s hard to believe “The Kid” turns 39 in November. He’s arguably the greatest all-around player of his generation. The question isn’t if, but when, he’ll be enshrined in Cooperstown. Based on his performance this season, it could be sooner rather than later. He looked overweight and tentative in the field and only jacked 16 home runs. Even the heat of a pennant race couldn’t rejuvenate “The Natural’s” bat. Junior doesn’t have anything left to prove on an individual level, but may choose to return for one more shot at a World Series ring.

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