MLB Free Agents: Statistical Predictions for the Top 10 Signed Position Players

With Prince Fielder finally making his decision and signing with the Tigers, one of the last remaining impact bats on the market has picked a team.

Yoennis Cespedes is still out there and he will make a splash if and when he comes stateside, but beyond him the top remaining hitters are guys like Casey Kotchman, Johnny Damon, Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero.

So with that said, here are a look at my statistical projections for the top 10 hitters who have already signed. Only players signing with a new team were included, so no re-signings or option pickups.

David DeJesus, Chicago Cubs

Stat Predictions

.270/.340/.400, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 75 R

Signed to a two-year, $10 million contract in what was Theo Epstein's first signing with the team, DeJesus will be the Cubs starting right fielder and lead-off hitter.

His average should move back towards his career mark of .284 after a down 2011 season saw him bat just .240. He's got double-digit home run power and he should score plenty of runs even hitting at the top of a subpar Cubs lineup. All in all, a solid addition to a team in the process of rebuilding.

Ramon Hernandez, Colorado Rockies

Stat Predictions

.280/.335/.415, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 35 R

The top backstop on the free-agent market, the Rockies scooped up Hernandez on a two-year, $6.4 million deal after trading Chris Iannetta to the Angels for Tyler Chatwood.

He will serve as a bridge to top prospect Wilin Rosario, and if the rookie proves unready to contribute in 2012 Hernandez still has plenty in the tank offensively. However, if Rosario steals the job by midseason expect the above numbers to be much lower, although I don't see him being ready for more than a September cup of coffee.

Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays

Stat Projections

.230/.350/.450, 28 HR, 90 RBI, 78 R

After spending a year in Chicago, Pena is back in Tampa on a one-year, $7.25 million contract and he finds himself in a much better situation than last season.

With Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria hitting ahead of him he will get plenty of RBI opportunities, and Ben Zobrist and Matt Joyce should give him plenty of lineup protection as well. He likely won't hit over .250 again, but he gets on base plenty and the power is still there.

Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins

Stat Projections

.255/.365/.475, 32 HR, 105 RBI, 75 R

Willingham enjoyed an impressive 29 HR, 98 RBI season despite hitting in the middle of a dreadful Oakland lineup. After mulling his options this offseason, he eventually signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Twins.

He will have the task of replacing All-Star Michael Cuddyer, and after putting up impressive numbers in a big park and in a poor lineup, he could see his numbers jump a bit this coming season on his way to the best stats of his career.

Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies

Stat Projections

.275/.340/.455, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 85 R

Coming off the first All-Star appearance of his career, Cuddyer had plenty of teams interested in him this winter and he eventually settled on a three-year, $31.5 million contract to play for the Rockies.

He has been as consistent as anyone in the league, and while his numbers could see a small spike in Colorado, there won't be many surprises here. His versatility and his bat are what earned him his contract, and he'll prove to have plenty of both in 2012.

Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers

Stat Projections

.290/.350/.480, 25 HR, 95 RBI, 75 R

Ramirez leaves Chicago after nine seasons with the Cubs, and he cashed in on a solid 2011 season and was far and away the best third baseman available with a three-year, $36 million contract.

He will be looked at to replace some of the production that departed with Prince Fielder, and paired with Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart, the Brewers still have a solid middle of the order.

Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals

Stat Projections

.305/.385/.510, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 105 R

After failing to retain superstar Albert Pujols, the Cardinals did some damage control in signing Beltran to a two-year, $26 million contract.

Lance Berkman will shift in to first base and Beltran will be the everyday right fielder. As of now, it appears that Beltran will hit second in the lineup, and that will mean plenty of protection and plenty of run scoring opportunities. Expect a big first season for Beltran in St. Louis.

Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins

Stat Projections

.305/.355/.440, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 95 R, 35 SB

The Marlins wasted little time getting their man this offseason, signing the shortstop to a six-year, $106 million contract in early December.

He likely won't match the career year he had in 2011 when he hit .337 to win the NL batting title, but he is still a premier catalyst when healthy, and if nothing else he will make the Marlins that much more fun to watch this coming season.

Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers

Stat Projections

.290/.415/.555, 37 HR, 122 RBI, 98 R

The Tigers were dealt a blow when Victor Martinez was lost for the season, but they replaced him in a big way by signing Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract.

He will team with Miguel Cabrera to form the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball, but his numbers likely won't be much different from his days in Milwaukee when he and Ryan Braun were the top 1-2 punch in the majors.

Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels

Stats Projections

.315/.410/.585, 40 HR, 114 RBI, 107 R

Despite the efforts of the Cardinals to keep him, and the Marlins to sign him, the Angels made Pujols an offer he simply couldn't turn down in signing him to a 10-year, $254 million deal.

There is no reason to think he won't bounce back from his down season in 2011, and while the last five seasons of that contract could be a bit dicey he is still at the top of his game right now.