MLB Free Agents: Power Ranking Players on the Market and Where They Will Land

Wow, who saw that coming?

If we are being honest, I don't think anyone did.

Back in November, 10 of Bleacher Report's MLB columnists got together to predict where the top 20 free agents would land—none of us picked Detroit as a likely landing spot for Prince Fielder, who when we awoke yesterday morning remained the best free agent available.

But now that Fielder has found himself a new home, agreeing to terms on a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, teams around baseball are trying to figure out their next move—who left on the open market can help their club in 2012?

Let's take a look at the 20 best players remaining on the open market and where they could wind up.

20. Javier Vazquez, SP

While the vast majority of people believe that after 14 seasons, 35-year-old righty Javier Vazquez will retire, he has yet to issue a public statement one way or the other, so he makes the cut as one of the 20 best players remaining on the market.

Vazquez spent 2011 with the Florida Marlins, posting a 13-11 record with a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 162 strikeouts over 192.2 innings pitched.

Where He Plays in 2012: His backyard. Javy's done.

19. Magglio Ordonez, RF/DH

Still recovering from the second fracture of his right ankle in the past two years, 37-year-old Magglio Ordonez is said to be progressing well and is expected to be medically cleared for full activity in two weeks.

Coming off of the worst season of his 15-year career that saw him hit .255 with five home runs, 32 RBI and a .634 OPS, Ordonez says that he plans on playing in 2012.

Ordonez, who is six home runs away from 300 and 44 hits for 2,200 in his career, will need to show teams that his ankle is 100 percent healthy before anyone will show serious interest in signing him.

Where He Plays in 2012: It all depends on his ankle and what salary he is willing to accept on a one-year contract. If he's just happy to be with a team and is willing to accept an incentive-laden deal, there are a handful of teams Ordonez could end up with.

I'll say Ordonez ends up back where his career started, with the Chicago White Sox.

18. Carlos Guillen, 2B/3B/SS

Now over a year removed from having microfracture surgery on his left knee, 36-year-old Carlos Guillen is looking to bounce back from a rough three-year end to his career with the Detroit Tigers.

From 2009 through 2011, Guillen only played in 177 games, hitting .252 with 20 HR, 88 RBI and a .735 OPS—a far cry from his back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2007 and 2008.

Guillen won't find work as a starter and will have to prove himself again as a utility infielder.

Where He Plays in 2012: Guillen would be a good fit with the Kansas City Royals, providing some depth and a veteran presence in the clubhouse on what is a young team on the rise.

17. Rick Ankiel, RF

Five years into his major league career as an outfielder, not a pitcher, 31-year-old Rick Ankiel has struggled to find the swing that led to his breakout 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals where he hit .264 with 25 home runs and 71 RBI.

Ankiel spent 2011 with the Washington Nationals, hitting .239 with nine home runs, 37 RBI and a .659 OPS.

Where He Plays in 2012: There simply isn't much interest in Ankiel aside from the Nationals, who continue to have interest in bringing him back. He will end up back with the Nats, getting a front-row seat for the major league debut of Bryce Harper.

16. Ryan Theriot, 2B/SS

Like another middle infielder on this list, Ryan Theriot brings with him a solid bat but little in the way of power.

Theriot, 32, spent 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .271 with one home run, 41 RBI and a .662 OPS. In the field, he is a stronger 2B than he is at SS, but he has the ability to play both positions.

His preference is to remain in the NL unless a starting spot was offered to him in the AL, so it's likely he signs with a NL team.

Where He Plays in 2012: Theriot would be a fit with the Atlanta Braves—they can use an experienced utility infielder, and his asking price isn't likely to be very high, fitting into Atlanta's budget.

15. Hideki Matsui, DH

A consistent contributor early in his major league career, 37-year-old Hideki Matsui may be a man who is out of options.

Coming off a subpar 2011 with the Oakland Athletics where he hit .251 with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and a .696 OPS, the oft-injured outfielder is relegated to designated hitter duty, essentially cutting his potential suitors in half.

With other DH candidates, including Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero and Raul Ibanez also seeking employment, the only team linked to Matsui thus far has been his former team, the New York Yankees.

Unfortunately for Matsui, I believe the Yankees will go in a different direction.

Where He Plays in 2012: Perhaps he returns to Japan to finish out his career, otherwise Matsui will likely find himself waiting into the season until a need for a left-handed bat off the bench develops with an American League team.

14. Jeff Francis, SP

Nearly three years removed from major shoulder surgery that cost him part of the 2008 season and all of 2009, 31-year-old Jeff Francis finds himself as arguably the best left-handed starter left on the market.

Francis spent 2011 with the Kansas City Royals, posting a 6-16 record with a 4.82 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 91 strikeouts over 183 innings pitched.

Where He Plays in 2012: A candidate for a relatively inexpensive one-year deal, a number of teams have been said to have interest in his services, including the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets.

Francis could be a good addition for the New York Mets, giving them some depth and an arm to eat some innings as they continue to wonder what Johan Santana will look like upon his eventual return from injury.

13. Mike Gonzalez, RP

As long as teams do not allow Mike Gonzalez to face right-handed batters, the 33-year-old southpaw remains a highly effective left-handed specialist.

Gonzalez held left-handed batters to a .214 average and .574 OPS. Conversely, right-handed bats put up a .287 average and .900 OPS against him.

He split time between the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers in 2011, going a combined 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 51 strikeouts over 53.1 innings pitched.

Where He Plays in 2012: Teams are always looking for left-handed specialists out of the bullpen, and the Rangers are no different. I expect Gonzalez to stay in Arlington.

12. Raul Ibanez, DH/1B

While he still has some pop in his bat, 39-year-old Raul Ibanez is primarily a designated hitter at this point in his career.

Ibanez is coming off a 2011 with the Philadelphia Phillies that saw him hit .245 with 20 home runs, 84 RBI and a .707 OPS.

A possibility for the Yankees as a left-handed DH and potential backup for Mark Teixeira at first base, Ibanez could also fit with the team he spent the bulk of his career with, the Seattle Mariners.

However, re-joining the Mariners would likely only be as a part-time DH as they will look to play newly acquired Jesus Montero as much as possible. Ibanez would primarily serve as a lefty bat off the bench and a veteran presence in the clubhouse.

Where He Plays in 2012: Seattle Mariners

11. Gerardo Concepcion, SP

Having established residency in Mexico and been declared a free agent by the commissioner's office, 18-year-old Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion breaks into the top 20.

Concepcion defected in June of 2011 after he finished his first (and only) season in Cuban Serie Nacional, going 10-3 with a 3.36 ERA for Industriales de la Habana—numbers good enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors. For a comparison, the Cuban Serie Nacional is comparable to High-A in the minor leagues.

Concepcion still needs work and seasoning in the minor leagues, but at least 10 teams are known to have expressed some level of interest in signing him—the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants.

According to his agent, Concepcion has already received one offer and is expected to sign with a team in the next two weeks.

Where He Plays in 2012: If it simply comes down to money, you'd have to put yours on the Yankees, who can outspend nearly every team mentioned. That being said, if the bidding gets to a level above what Brian Cashman is comfortable with, any of the above named teams could swoop in and snag Concepcion.

10. Rich Harden, SP/RP

Rich Harden, a 31-year-old righty, remains one of the great enigmas in baseball, posting a 9.9 SO/9 ratio for the Oakland Athletics in 2011 and averaging more than a strikeout per inning for his career.

Upon returning from the disabled list and making his season debut on July 1, Harden made each of his 15 scheduled starts for the rest of the year on regular rest, posting a 4-4 record with a 5.12 ERA and 1.43 ERA over 82.2 innings pitched.

Harden's problems are two-fold: He simply cannot stay healthy, and when he is not striking hitters out, he loves to serve up the long ball, allowing 58 home runs over the last three seasons, spanning 315.2 innings pitched. That's an average of 19 per year.

Where He Plays in 2012: The market for Harden will not develop until after Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson sign, but someone will take a chance on Harden for 2012.

A contending team could take a chance on Harden as a reliever, with the thinking being that only throwing one inning per game would save his arm and hopefully keep him healthy.

Harden could fit with the San Francisco Giants, pitching out of the pen and in AT&T Park, which saw the fewest home runs per game (0.56) in all of baseball in 2011.

9. Chad Qualls, RP

Middle relievers are seemingly always in demand, and 33-year-old righty Chad Qualls is a quality middle reliever.

Qualls spent 2011 with the San Diego Padres, going 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 73.1 innings pitched.

Two perennial contenders, the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, have been linked to Qualls recently.

Where He Plays in 2012: Qualls would be a fit for either the Red Sox or Phillies, but I'd bank on Qualls remaining in the National League and joining the bullpen in Philadelphia.

8. Derrek Lee, 1B/DH

Derrek Lee is looking for a perfect situation to continue his playing career, though nobody is quite sure what that situation actually is. My guess, Lee is looking to latch on with a contender that will give him ample playing time.

The problem for Lee is twofold—few contenders have an opening at 1B or DH that would fulfill his desire to play on a fairly regular basis, and he seems to have priced himself out of the market for those who have shown interest.

He split 2011 between the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting a combined .267 with two home runs, 19 RBI and a .771 OPS.

Lee, 36, sits on the cusp of reaching a handful of milestones for his career—he is 19 runs away from 1,100, 41 hits away from 2,000, nine home runs away from 340 and 22 RBI away from 1,100.

Where He Plays in 2012: The Pirates had interest in bringing him back, and while not the perfect situation that Lee is seeking, I think the chance to extend his career wins out and he re-signs with the Bucs.

7. Jeff Keppinger, 2B/SS/3B

A solid contributor over the course of his seven-year major league career, 31-year-old Jeff Keppinger does not have blazing speed or big power.

What he lacks in those departments he makes up for with his professional approach to hitting and solid defense. Keppinger, a career .281 hitter, is coming off a 2011 split between the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants that saw him hit .277 with six home runs, 35 RBI and a .677 OPS.

Keppinger could be attractive to some teams as a utility infielder, but there are also a handful of teams who could utilize his skills on a more regular basis. He has options and will not command a big salary.

Where He Plays in 2012: The Tampa Bay Rays seem like an excellent fit for Keppinger and are said to have interest. While he would not start over 2B Ben Zobrist or 3B Evan Longoria, he could battle Sean Rodriguez for the starting SS spot in spring training.

6. Casey Kotchman, 1B

No longer the über-prospect he was with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back in 2000, 28-year-old Casey Kotchman had a solid season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.

Kotchman hit .306 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI and a .800 OPS while playing outstanding defense at 1B, committing only two errors in 1,201 chances.

Where He Plays in 2012: With their own disappointing über-prospect at 1B in Matt LaPorta, the Cleveland Indians have interest in adding a 1B at a reasonable price. Kotchman fits the bill.

5. Vladimir Guerrero, DH

No longer one of the great players in the game, 36-year-old Vladimir Guerrero intends to continue playing in 2012 as he has a number of career milestones within his grasp.

Guerrero sits 10 hits away from 2,600, one home run away from 450, and four RBI away from 1,500 for his likely Hall of Fame career.

His problem, not unlike many of the other veteran bats that remain available, is that he is no longer a capable fielder and is relegated to designated hitter duty, severely limiting his options.

His agents reached out to the New York Yankees shortly after they traded their incumbent DH, Jesus Montero, but it is likely that the Yankees prefer a left-handed bat, and Guerrero is a righty.

If Guerrero decides that he is willing to accept a lesser role—that is, if he is willing to serve as a right-handed bat off the bench for someone, he could greatly widen his potential suitors.

Where He Plays in 2012: Prior to their signing of Jonny Gomes, I would have said that the Oakland A's were a good fit. At this point, Vlad may have to settle for a non-roster invitation to spring training in order to find a home.

4. Johnny Damon, DH

Prior to the Detroit Tigers signing Prince Fielder, Johnny Damon was hoping for a return to his former stomping ground:

"

I have interest knowing that I loved playing there and they are a team built to win.

"

With Fielder on board, the chances of Damon returning to Detroit seem to be slim-to-none.

Damon, 38, is coming off a 2011 with the Tampa Bay Rays that saw him hit .261 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .743 OPS.

Primarily a designated hitter at this point in his career, Damon can still hit and while he no longer has explosive speed on the bases, can serve as a table setter on a deep lineup. A left-handed bat, a number of teams have been rumored to have some level of interest in him, including the team I believe he will eventually sign with.

Where He Plays in 2012: New York Yankees

3. Edwin Jackson, SP

Depending on what you are looking for, it can be debated whether Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt is the best pitcher remaining on the open market.

Jackson, 28, is a talented right-handed starter who has played for six teams over the course of his nine-year major league career. He split 2011 between the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, posting a combined 13-9 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 148 strikeouts over 199.2 innings pitched.

An innings-eater, Jackson has averaged nearly 200 innings pitched a year since becoming a full-time starter with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007 and could be a serviceable middle-of-the rotation arm for a number of teams, but the sticking point has been his asking price.

When the offseason began, Jackson's agent, none other than Scott Boras, was said to be asking for a five-year contract in the $80 million dollar range—a number that has since dropped precipitously.

Jackson may ultimately have to settle for a one-year contract and try his luck again after next season, though Boras knows that the market is expected to be flooded by a number of quality starting pitchers, all with resumes far more impressive than Jackson's and will fight for a multi-year contract for his client until the bitter end.

Where He Plays in 2012: Assuming he agrees to sign a one-year deal, the Seattle Mariners, who could use another veteran arm after dealing away MIchael Pineda.

2. Roy Oswalt, SP

Eager to show teams that he has put his back issues behind him, 34-year-old Roy Oswalt is willing to sign a one-year deal with a team to prove his point.

Oswalt spent an injury-filled 2011 with the Philadelphia Phillies, going 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 93 strikeouts over 139 innings pitched.

Many believe that last week's trade that saw the Boston Red Sox send Marco Scutaro and his $6 million salary to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Clayton Mortensen was made to free up some money to bring Oswalt into the fold.

Where He Plays in 2012: I agree with the masses—Oswalt will take his talents to Beantown.

1. Yoenis Cespedes, CF

Now that he has established residency in the Dominican Republic, all that stands between Yoenis Cespedes and the major leagues is the commissioner's office declaring him a free agent.

Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban defector, has been linked to nearly every team at one point since the end of the 2011 season.

Last week, Cespedes said that the Chicago Cubs were had the most interest, but also named the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles as having serious interest as well.

With the Tigers signing Prince Fielder, we can probably take them out of the equation.

Where He Plays in 2012: Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have yet to make their "big splash" since arriving in Chicago, and signing Cespedes would do just that.