2012 MLB Free Agency: Updating Every Team's Hottest Target

With Prince Fielder off the market, Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson have assumed the role of most sought-after free agent as they are the top remaining players on the market.

That said, there are still a number of intriguing players without a home; chief among them is Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who recently gained citizenship in the Dominican Republic to become a free agent.

As we find ourselves one week closer to spring training, here is an updated look at the top player each MLB team is targeting here in the final weeks of the offseason.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Kyle McClellan

While he is not a free agent, the St. Louis Cardinals have been actively shopping the versatile McClellan this offseason in an effort to free up some salary to make a run at Roy Oswalt. McClellan's name has been a popular one on the rumor circuit of late.

The Diamondbacks are among a handful of teams that have shown interest, and with the Cardinals simply looking for someone willing to take on all $2.5 million that he is due in 2012, it may not take much more than a mid-level prospect to land him.

Atlanta Braves: Money to Spend, No Clear Target

While the Braves are not currently linked to anyone in particular, the team's chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk recently announced that the team has set its payroll cap at $94 million for this coming season, leaving them with roughly $7 million still available to spend.

The team has no glaring hole as they look set to enter the season with rookie Tyler Pastornicky as the starting shortstop and veteran free-agent signing Jack Wilson as his backup. They could wait until during the season when a need arises due to injury and use that money to make a trade.

Baltimore Orioles: Casey Kotchman, Koji Uehara and Kyle McClellan

As it stands now, the Orioles would open the season with Chris Davis at first base, Mark Reynolds at third base and free-agent acquisition Wilson Betemit as the starting DH.

However, the team has shown interest in signing first baseman Casey Kotchman, which would allow the team to shift Chris Davis to DH and use the versatile Betemit in a utility role off the bench.

The team is also looking at a pair of right-handed relievers in Kyle McClellan and Koji Uehara, with the latter a member of the team last season before being dealt to the Texas Rangers at the deadline.

Boston Red Sox: Edwin Jackson

While no deal has been struck to this point, it was reported that the Red Sox offered a contract to Jackson last Wednesday, and that the team preferred him over fellow free-agent Roy Oswalt.

That said, it is looking more and more likely that the team will bypass signing either one of them. It was reported that the team was leaning towards using the payroll space they freed up by dealing Marco Scutaro to acquire someone at midseason.

Chicago Cubs: Yoenis Cespedes

Since bringing in Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, the Cubs have made a number of small-scale moves and have picked up some nice young pieces to add depth to the organization.

While they have yet to pull off the high-profile signing that many hoped they would, there is still time for them to do so and one report has them as the team showing the most interest of anyone in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

Chicago White Sox: Yoenis Cespedes

Despite reports from GM Kenny Williams that the team is "maxed out" as far as salary goes, the team remains in contention to land Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

Current White Sox outfielder and fellow Cuban Dayan Viciedo has rallied to the White Sox's cause in trying to convince Cespedes to come to the South Side, and time will tell if that plays any part in influencing his decision.

Cincinnati Reds: No One

After a busy offseason that has seen them deal four players for Mat Latos, another for Sean Marshall and sign Ryan Ludwick and Ryan Madson in free agency, the team's only remaining need was a backup shortstop who could play all over the infield.

While the team was linked to Ryan Theriot, he wound up signing with the San Francisco Giants and the Reds then picked up Philadelphia Phillies infielder Wilson Valdez. So as of now, they look set to head into 2012 with the roster they have.

Cleveland Indians: A Hitter

The Indians failed to land Carlos Pena, offering him a one-year, $8 million deal that he eventually turned down to return to Tampa for a one-year, $7.25 million contract.

Manager Manny Acta made it no secret that the team needs to add some offense, and admitted that the team is looking to add one or two more bats before spring training starts.

Colorado Rockies: Position-Player Prospects

The Rockies have acquired a ton of starting pitching since the deadline last season when they picked up Alex White and Drew Pomeranz from the Cleveland Indians for Ubaldo Jimenez.

Since that deal, the team has also picked up Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman from the Oakland A's for Seth Smith, Tyler Chatwood from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Chris Iannetta, Kevin Slowey from the Minnesota Twins for Daniel Turpen and signed Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal.

The team has already flipped Slowey to the Indians and could look to move another pitcher before the season starts in an effort to replenish their position-player crop, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.

Detroit Tigers: Veteran Starter (Minor League Deal)

Despite the signing of Prince Fielder, the Tigers remain active on the free-agent market, as they offered Roy Oswalt a one-year, $10 million deal but were turned down. With Oswalt out of the picture and Edwin Jackson not on the team's radar as of now, they could look to go more low-cost in signing a starter.

The team could look to add a veteran starter on a minor league deal reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports. Options include Livan Hernandez, Chris Young and Jon Garland among others.

Houston Astros: Roy Oswalt

Just a season-and-a-half removed from being dealt from the Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies, Oswalt is on the free-agent market after the Phillies declined their $16 million option on the 34-year-old.

While the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals have all shown interest in him, a reunion with the Astros is not out of the question.

Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald recently tweeted that the Astros are still in the running for him, as they could look to sign him and then flip him for prospects at the deadline as they continue to rebuild.

Kansas City Royals: No One

The Royals will continue to move closer to contention in 2012, as their young core of players should only get better with experience and there is plenty more young talent on the way.

The team's biggest weakness right now is its starting pitching, and while the team did acquire starter Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants for Melky Cabrera, the rotation is still weak.

That said, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported that the Royals GM has said the team needs to get a better look at young starting pitching prospects like Chris Dwyer, Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery before they make any big moves.

Los Angeles Angels: Luis Ayala

After struggling to a 5.63 ERA in 40 innings in 2009, Ayala spent the entire 2010 season in the minors and little was expected of him when the New York Yankees signed him to a minor league contract last offseason.

However, he wound up making the team out of spring training and went on to post a 2.09 ERA over 56 innings of work. That has led to a number of teams showing interest in signing him, and the Angels are one of a handful that have tendered him an offer.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Hong-Chih Kuo

A former All-Star setup man when he posted a 1.20 ERA and an 11.0 K/9 mark over 60 innings of work in 2010, Kuo struggled with control problems on the field and social anxiety disorder off of it last season, leading to his non-tender by the Dodgers this winter.

Despite that, there are a trio of three West Coast teams that are reportedly looking into signing him as a low-risk, high-reward play, and it appears that the Dodgers are one of those three.

Miami Marlins: Yoenis Cespedes

The Marlins have had a busy offseason already, adding Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell in free agency and trading for Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, while falling just short of signing Albert Pujols.

However, the team may not be finished, as they have been linked to Cuban outfielder Cespedes since the beginning of the offseason and Marlins president David Samson has gone so far as to come right out and say that the team plans to make an aggressive run at him.

With Emilio Bonifacio penciled in as the Opening Day starter in center field and top prospect Christian Yelich still at least a couple years away, signing him would certainly fill a need and could certainly prove to be worth the risk and then some.

Milwaukee Brewers: No One

After watching Prince Fielder sign with the Tigers, the Brewers will likely head into the 2012 season without making any more significant additions.

GM Doug Melvin admitted that the team was "way over budget" with the payroll pushing $100 million when it was expected to be low-$90 millions.

The team's biggest concern at this point is working out an extension with Zack Greinke, who is in the final year of his contract and is reportedly open to extension talks despite not currently having an agent.

Minnesota Twins: More Pitching?

The Twins have had a tough offseason as they watched outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel depart in free agency. They did sign Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit and Jamey Carroll to help offset those losses.

Pitching-wise, the team let Joe Nathan walk in free agency and dealt Kevin Slowey to the Colorado Rockies. They also signed Jason Marquis and he is expected to fill out the back of their rotation. 

That might not be the end of their additions to the staff though, as Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported that GM Terry Ryan said he's not ruling out adding more arms.

New York Mets: Left-Handed Hitting Outfielder

The Mets are looking for a left-handed bat to serve as a top pinch-hitting option, fourth outfielder and possible platoon partner for Jason Bay in left field.

The best candidates to fill that role look to be Kosuke Fukudome or Rick Ankiel, while Johnny Damon and Raul Ibanez could also be less versatile options to fill the void.

New York Yankees: Raul Ibanez

After trading Jesus Montero and seeing Jorge Posada retire, the Yankees have no set DH heading into the 2012 season. Andruw Jones will get some at-bats there and the position could perhaps be used as a rotational resting spot for some of the older guys.

However, the team has shown some interest in signing Ibanez despite a down 2011 season in which he hit just .245.

He could be in line for a comeback of sorts though after a three-day session in December with Chicago Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo apparently proved very helpful.

Oakland Athletics: Manny Ramirez

Following a one-year, $2.02 million contract, a 1-for-17 start and a second positive test for PEDs, it seemed as though the illustrious career of Manny Ramirez had come to an end.

However, he is looking to make a comeback and while he won't contribute to anyone until he serves a 50-game suspension, the Athletics are said to be "very interested" in him. The team has described him as a no-risk option and he could provide the offensively challenged Athletics with a much-needed shot in the arm.

Philadelphia Phillies: Utility Infielder

The Phillies dealt infielder Wilson Valdez to the Cincinnati Reds last week, and are now without a true utility infielder, although the light-hitting Michael Martinez could step into the role.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports reported that the Phillies are "bottom fishing" for infielders, and after Ryan Theriot and Omar Vizquel both signed elsewhere, their remaining options include Aaron Miles, Alex Cora and Edgar Renteria.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Derrek Lee

The Pirates dealt for Lee at the deadline last year, and he played well down the stretch, hitting .337, seven HR and 18 RBI in 28 games with the team.

Pittsburgh showed interest in bringing him back early on in the offseason, but Lee was not quite as interested in re-upping with the team.

However, Lee is having a hard time finding a suitor for the contract he is looking for. As Joel Sherman of the New York Post pointed out, he could be headed for a forced retirement of sorts akin to Jermaine Dye a few years ago if he doesn't lower his demands, and in the end he could very well wind up going back to Pittsburgh.

San Diego Padres: Kyle McClellan

Like the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Padres have also been thrown into the mix of teams that have at least expressed interest in dealing for St. Louis Cardinals reliever Kyle McClellan.

The team has already brought in Huston Street and Andrew Cashner in trades so far this offseason as they try to make up for the losses of Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Chad Qualls in what was once a dominant bullpen.

San Francisco Giants: Xavier Nady

Having recently added Ryan Theriot to the mix, the Giants look to be on their way to adding another veteran bat to the bench as they have been linked to first baseman/outfielder Xavier Nady.

According to Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the two sides have mutual interest on what will likely be a minor league deal and spring training invite. If nothing else, he provides a cheap power source with some upside if he stays healthy.

Seattle Mariners: No One

Despite being named as a potential landing spot for Prince Fielder throughout the offseason, in the end the Mariners were never really serious contenders for the slugger thanks to a lack of money.

The team opted to go with the Michael Pineda-for-Jesus Montero trade instead as a low-cost alternative to signing a big-money free agent. That likely means that the team is finished adding pieces to what will be their 2012 roster.

St. Louis Cardinals: Roy Oswalt

Despite what already looks to be a solid rotation of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook, the Cardinals were rumored to be close to a deal with Oswalt over the weekend.

No deal has been reached yet, and the Cardinals continue to shop reliever Kyle McClellan and his $2.5 million in an effort to free up some money to potentially outbid the other teams in the running for Oswalt. In the event he was signed, Westbrook would likely be moved to long relief and shopped as well.

Tampa Bay Rays: A Shortstop

The Rays recently shored up one of their major holes when they signed Carlos Pena to a one-year deal to play first base. However, the team still has holes at shortstop (Sean Rodriguez/Reid Brignac) and catcher (Jose Molina), and they can now turn their attention to those areas.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe thinks that the team can now "accelerate a deal for B.J. Upton to get a shortstop."

Upton recently agreed to a contract worth $7 million for 2012 to avoid arbitration, and the 28-year-old outfielder will hit the free-agent market for the first time next offseason.

Texas Rangers: Roy Oswalt

Despite signing Japanese import Yu Darvish to a deal that will cost the team over $100 million when all is said and done, the Rangers remain in the market for Oswalt as well.

According to Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News, the team will meet with Oswalt today although no offer has been made to the right-hander to this point. Signing him would likely mean a move to the bullpen for Matt Harrison.

Toronto Blue Jays: No One

The Blue Jays' offseason moves likely ended with the signing of closer Francisco Cordero last Tuesday, as the team added the reliever to fill out their bullpen.

That after GM Alex Anthopoulos told MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm, "I wouldn't expect us to do anything else. Maybe adding a reliever is probably the only thing I think we have a chance at doing."

Washington Nationals: Reliever

After coming to terms with former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Brad Lidge last Thursday, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said that the team is "not done with our bullpen," and they will likely look to add another reliever in the days ahead.

Top remaining available arms include Shawn Camp, Luis Ayala, Todd Coffey and Mike Gonzalez among others.