5 potential bargains available in free agency

It's Black Friday and that means people everywhere are flipping through flyers, watching television, and scrambling to stores looking for the best bargains to fulfill their frugal shopping needs.

In the spirit of America's day of discounts, MLB executives are on the hunt for depth additions and everyday contributors to help improve their club, while looking for ways to pinch the penny.

Here are five of the best bargains available on the open market:

Doug Fister, RHP

DOB: Feb. 4, 1984 (31 years old)
Projected contract: 1 year, $10 million

After a productive 2014 season that saw the 31-year-old post a career-high 16 wins and a 2.41 ERA across 25 starts, Fister regressed last season, posting the most hits allowed per nine innings and highest ERA of his seven-year career. He would eventually lose his spot in the Washington Nationals rotation in early August and never make his way back. The former Seattle Mariners draft choice has shown he can pitch successfully in either league and could provide a team in need of a back-end starter with a cheap, low-risk option as he tries to rebuild his value.

Alexei Ramirez, SS

DOB: Sept. 22, 1981 (34 years old)
Projected contract: 1 year, $7.5 million

Shortstop is such a valuable, hard-to-fill position at the big-league level that when the Chicago White Sox declined a $10-million option on the 34-year-old Ramirez in early November, the Cuban almost certainly started receiving calls immediately. Since his 2008 debut, Ramirez has solidly averaged 14 homers, 17 steals, and 28 doubles per season, while ranking fifth at his position with 32 defensive runs saved. He's also durable, never appearing in less than 136 games, which occurred in his rookie year. Although his range and defense are in decline, he should still provide a team starving for a veteran shortstop with a reliable and affordable option.

Justin Morneau, 1B

DOB: May. 15, 1981 (34 years old)
Projected contract: 1 year, $8 million

The 2014 NL batting champion and former AL MVP is jobless. The Colorado Rockies declined a $9-million mutual option on the 34-year-old Canadian at the end of October, buying him out for $750,000 after the first baseman was limited to just 49 games because of neck issues and reoccurring concussion symptoms. Morneau may not be the powerhouse he once was in his prime with the Minnesota Twins, but if he can stay healthy and perform similar to the way he did two seasons ago, he'd make for a great bat on a cash-strapped squad in need of a veteran first baseman or DH.

Denard Span, OF

DOB: Feb. 27, 1984 (31 years old)
Projected contract: 3 years, $39 million

The 31-year-old outfielder dealt with a kitchen sink full of injuries in 2015, suffering through hip, back, knee, and abdomen problems, limiting the speedy veteran to just 61 games. Washington refused to make him a qualifying offer, leaving Span and his career .287/.352/.395 hitting line and 152 stolen bases to test the open market. He's shown to be effective out of the leadoff spot with good glove work in center, and could supply a club with a solid top-of-the-order spark plug if he can keep his health in check.

Bartolo Colon, RHP

DOB: May. 24, 1973 (42 years old)
Projected contract: 1 year, $13 million

The ageless wonder wants to continue pitching and there's no reason for him to stop. The 42-year-old Colon still possesses the ability to get hitters out with his wit and pinpoint control of a two-seam fastball. Colon remarkably supplied the New York Mets with close to 200 innings for a second consecutive season, and has been good for 30 or more starts in three straight years. The veteran may have to settle for a one-year deal at this point, but like a fine wine he's gotten greater with age.

Contract projections for Fister, Ramirez, Morneau and Span are courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors. Colon was crowdsourced by Fangraphs.