Bert Blyleven

Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are the two big bats out there on the free agent market. Everyone knows they’re great, and the big-spending teams will be throwing bags of money at them.

But what about the rest of the field? And what if you’re not the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox and don't have an unlimited budget?

A few weeks ago we looked at some of the best pitchers available this offseason beyond Roy Halladay. Now, with the Winter Meetings set to begin on Monday in Indianapolis, it’s time we took a look at the top hitters aside from Bay and Holliday.

This is widely considered a weak class of free agents, but there are some gems out there for the taking. Here are my favorites:

Chone Figgins
There are clubs out there looking for third basemen and outfielders, and Figgins can play just about anywhere on the field.

Every club needs a spark plug and he’s one of the best. What he brings to a team is both subtle and tangible. In addition to his good defense and solid bat, he brings speed, a consistent work ethic, and charisma and leadership in the clubhouse.

The Angels will miss him if he goes, as he was one of the big heroes for the team last season. When Torii Hunter got hurt, it was Figgins and Kendry Morales who carried the weight.

Figgins’ value increased quite a bit over the season as he hit .298 with a career-best .395 on base percentage, 42 steals and 114 runs scored, and he will not come cheaply. The Phillies, for one, should be hot on his trail. But I would be surprised if the Angels let him get away.

Marco Scutaro
Much like Figgins, Scutaro has made himself into a hot commodity with his talent and versatility. Scutaro can play anywhere on the infield, but he really has made himself into a good shortstop.

What you’re getting in Scutaro is a guy who is very steady. His offense has really improved over the last couple of seasons, and in 2009 he reached career highs in batting average (.282), on base percentage (.379), home runs (12), runs (100) and steals (14). He also makes all the routine plays on defense.

He’ll bring great value to whatever team signs him, as I don’t think he’ll rob the bank in today’s marketplace.

As far as where he ends up, I think Boston makes a lot of sense. The Red Sox lost Alex Gonzalez, and are uncertain about Jed Lowrie’s health. Boston has seen a revolving door at shortstop since the departure of Nomar Garciaparra, and I’m sure Terry Francona would like to have a steady presence up the middle over the next two or three years.

Johnny Damon
Damon has his limits on defense, particularly in the running game as every team likes to test his arm. He’s also not getting any younger, but he can still swing the bat and come up with big hits and heady plays, as he showed in the playoffs.

Damon will test the market, but I think in the long run he’ll come to his senses and realize that his best fit is right where he is in the Bronx.

He knows the Yankees have a chance to win every year and why wouldn’t you want to be on a winner? And for the Yankees, I don’t think they can afford to let him go, not with Hideki Matsui also a free agent and likely to go.

Damon would probably like a three-year contract, and I don’t know if the Yankees will give that to him, but I also don’t think he’ll get that long a contract anywhere else. So I think in the end he’ll end up back in New York, which is where he should be.

Vladimir Guerrero
The great Guerrero will be lucky to get anything more than a one-year contract this offseason as teams will be concerned about his health and declining power. He played only 100 games in 2009, hitting .295 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs.

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But I think whoever gets him is going to get a bargain because Guerrero can still flat out hit. I would not give up on this guy. He is primarily a DH at this point in his career, but he can still play some right field once in awhile. And as far as his declining power, I think those issues came hand-in-hand with his injuries. If he can get healthy over the offseason, look out.

From a pitcher’s perspective, there is just no way to pitch to Guerrero. He’s like Roberto Clemente and Kirby Puckett, guys who swing at everything, but always seem to get the meat part of the bat on the ball.

I think Guerrero would be a nice fit for the Chicago White Sox. Jermaine Dye is a free agent and unlikely to return, and it doesn’t look like Jim Thome is coming back. That leaves room for a corner outfield/DH spot that Guerrero would fit nicely.

You look at that division and it seems like it’s there for the White Sox to take. With Jake Peavy and Mark Buehrle anchoring a strong rotation, they could do it. Why not take a flyer on a future Hall of Famer?