Ranking The 2011-12 Free Agent Third Basemen

This is a one-man wrecking crew, and he doesn't wreck as well as he used to.

That pretty much sums up a very weak crop of free agent third basemen, a group that's headed by Aramis Ramirez, who had a $16.5 million option but elected to become a free agent instead.

He might think there's a big market out there, and as the only real impact player at third base, he just might be right. Don't think he's in for a raise, but he should get some long-term security.

The rest of this group is not stellar. A look at the top five:

1. Aramis Ramirez: Amazing that he's played 14 seasons already. It seems like he came up from the Pirates' minors yesterday. He was productive last season for the Cubs, bouncing back from a .241 season to get back over .300, which is where he had resided in four of his previous six seasons. He also hit 26 homers. But it will take probably a three-year deal to get him to sign, and defensively, he looks like a DH or first baseman waiting to happen.

2. Wilson Betemit: Yes, he's No. 2 on this list. It's that steep a fall-off. Betemit was a nice pickup for the Tigers last season in a trade with the Royals, and he hit .292 as the replacement for Brandon Inge. He strikes out a bit too much, and the Tigers went back to Inge defensively during the late innings in the playoffs. But you could do worse.

3. Greg Dobbs: The Marlins took a flier on the former Phillies backup last season and got a good year out of him. He played in 134 games and hit .275 with eight homers, holding the fort down while younger players in the Florida system developed. He's certainly capable of performing the same role this year for somebody.

4. Mark DeRosa: Not a great option, but has some upside. He goes down as a terrible free agent acquisition for the Giants, who got one home run in 73 games for their $12 million investment. He'll be 37 this spring, and used to be a good hitter (career .272). It wasn't that long ago, either - he hit 13 homers in 71 games for the Indians in 2009. (Cleveland dealt him at the perfect time, and got their closer, Chris Perez, in exchange.)

5. Casey Blake: Good guy, solid veteran. But he might be done as a productive, everyday third baseman. He's coming off a neck injury at age 38, and his power numbers were way down.

Others: Nick Punto is on the second base list and could help here.

Ages are as of Opening Day 2012.

Free agent third basemen