MLB Rumors: Where the Remaining Free Agents Will Land

Most of this offseason's top free agents have already been gobbled up, but there are still a select few up for grabs.

First baseman Prince Fielder, who helped lead the Milwaukee Brewers to the playoffs last season, finished 2011 hitting .299 with 38 home runs, 120 RBI and 95 runs.

He leads the top five free agents still on the market.

PITCHERS

3. Edwin Jackson, SP

Edwin Jackson has always had the stuff to be a top pitcher in the majors, but his command has hindered his potential.

Nonetheless, he posted a 3.79 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 199 innings last season with the Chicago White Sox and eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals.

At 28 years old, Jackson still has room to grow. The Toronto Sun's Richard Griffin reported that the Blue Jays may go after him. There's also the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox just found their closer in Andrew Bailey and now should look at a starter after John Lackey's nightmare season in 2011.

I expect Jackson to land with the Yankees in the long run, however.

2. Ryan Madson, RP

Ryan Madson has simply been spectacular the last two seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies.

After recording a 2.55 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 55 innings in 2010, Madson posted a 2.37 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 2011, striking out 62 batters in 60 innings, collecting 32 saves.

After the Red Sox nabbed Bailey on Wednesday, Madson likely won't end up in Boston. Instead, we could see him land with the Los Angeles Angels or Texas Rangers, as Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported. The Cincinnati Reds would also be a possibility if Madson prefers a one-year deal.

I could see Madson ending up with the Angels.

1. Hiroki Kuroda, SP

Hiroki Kuroda has been linked with the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs this offseason.

I don't think the Yankees will break the bank for him, but the Red Sox could go after him. There is increasing speculation that he will end up with the Red Sox, and I would agree with this sentiment.

Kuroda is 37 years old, but he was solid last season, posting a 3.07 ERA with 161 strikeouts in 202 innings. There's always the chance he could break down at any second, but last season he was remarkably durable.

HITTERS

2. Carlos Pena, 1B

After Carlos Pena rejected the Cubs' arbitration offer, he's been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The Cardinals would make sense in two respects: 1) They just lost Albert Pujols and need a power-hitting first baseman and 2) He would be a nice weapon against their historic division rivals.

I expect Pena, who has hit 28 home runs or more in each of his last five seasons, to land with the Cardinals.

1. Prince Fielder, 1B

Prince Fielder, this offseason's second-biggest prize behind Pujols, will most likely land with an American League team.

He is asking for a multi-year deal and his defensive abilities aren't going to improve with age, meaning he's destined to become a designated hitter.

Cafardo reports that the Texas Rangers appear to be the front-runners for Fielder's services, but if Fielder lowers his asking price a bit, the Washington Nationals could also go after him. There's also the remote possibility that the Baltimore Orioles take a run at him.

I'm thinking the Rangers will land Fielder, but there is plenty yet to be decided.