As  Major League Baseball’s offseason begins, many fans are crossing their fingers in the hope that their team will be able to sign at least one superstar from this year’s very talented panel of free agents. However, success stories of teams with low payrolls doing big things swept the league this past season, proving that making the highest bid on the game’s top players won’t always mean a spot in the playoffs.

This offseason I am going to sit back and hope my favorite team can make a push for players under the radar who think about baseball before bucks. There are several attractive “sub-par” players  who I believe could make an impact next season outside of this year’s free-agent superstars, such as C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixera, Manny Ramirez and Adam Dunn. Cross your fingers and toes that your club gets a superstar, but if the chances are slim, here are some safety players who could resurrect their careers in a new uniform.

•  Garret Anderson OF LAA

Anderson blew up the second half of the season by hitting .335 in an Angels lineup that won the most games in baseball last season with  more than 100 wins. Anderson is 36 years old but can still hit consistently toward his .296 career batting average. The mobile left fielder can move around the field and should bring moderate power to a new team. 

• Cliff Floyd DH/OF TB

After the Tampa Bay Rays lost the World Series, one of the first things they did was make a bad move by declining Floyd’s option to come back to the team. He proved to be a valuable designated hitter in just 80 games for the Rays’ last season. Floyd hit .268 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. The statistics might not scream “sign me,” but Floyd is turning into more of an every-other-day type player and would be a blessing as a pinch hitter to any National League club.

• Joe Crede 3B CWS

At 30 years old, I believe Crede hasn’t shown his full potential yet. Crede’s potential may seem as if it’s on the decline, as he hit just .248 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI last season in 97 games. Crede caught the injury bug the past two seasons, but a healthy Crede could bring the days of old with numbers closer to 30 home runs and 100 RBI.

• Edgar Renteria SS DET

The market for shortstops this year is very attractive, and Renteria may actually be the best pick. The 33-year-old shortstop is very reliable and durable, playing in at least 130 games at shortstop since his rookie season in 1996. Renteria’s bat has stayed consistent to his lifetime .290 batting average, and he puts up decent power numbers for a shortstop, as he hit 10 home runs with 55 RBI last season. Renteria split time with an array of Tiger infielders last season, but he could be a starter on about 75 percent of baseball teams’ rosters. Expect the St. Louis Cardinals or Atlanta Braves to make a big push to get their former shortstop back. 

• Oliver Perez SP NYM

Assuming the New York Mets will pursue a high price tag in the pitching market, Perez could go unnoticed and bring a developing arm somewhere else. Perez isn’t considered a prestigious pitcher yet, but he is certainly on his way. Ever since his arrival to an actualy competitive team, Perez is 25-17 with the Mets in two years and has an ERA just under 4.00. If he continues to show he can improve, it could be quite possible to see Perez in the All-Star Game as early as next season.

Any of these five players will be great additions to teams in need of solid players who prove they can compete at the professional level day in and day out. 

It’s most likely that these players won’t be sought out by the big market teams. If the small market teams can make a bid on this group, look for these players to ditch their stereotypes of has-beens and redeem their former titles as baseball’s best.