2013 MLB Free Agency: Predicting All 30 Teams' Biggest Target This Winter

The 2013 MLB offseason is still a long way off, but with all the surprises in the majors this year, such as the Baltimore Orioles somehow being in first, it's not too early to look at free agency.

For those that want to win it all next year, as well as those who should be contenders this year but need another piece, the top free agents will be looked at closely and solid role-players will be as well.

Here is the biggest target for every team this winter.

Baltimore Orioles: Angel Pagan

I was considering putting Kevin Youkilis on here, and it could be a nice option for them, but I don't see them going for him too much, since they can use Wilson Betemit as a third baseman.

However, Adam Jones will be a free agent, and I think he's playing himself out of their price range, so they'll need a center fielder. Top ones are out of their price range, but a second-tier one like Angel Pagan makes a lot of sense if the Giants decide not to give him a new deal.

A lot of this depends where they finish 2012. No one saw them being not last this year, let alone first, so they could suddenly become buyers this offseason.

Boston Red Sox: Cole Hamels

The Red Sox badly need starting pitching, and major-market money is not much of an issue. They also need outfield help, but since Carl Crawford and Josh Hamilton share the same position, signing the top free agent is out.

That leaves Cole Hamels, who is set to get a huge contract, and with the year he's having the Red Sox may be only of the only teams that can afford him anyway. Plus, it would be a great consolation prize if the Phillies end up re-signing Roy Oswalt sometime this year.

New York Yankees: Mike Napoli

Despite their record right now, the only weakness the Yankees seem to have on paper is at catcher. Russell Martin's just been flat out bad, and while the Yankees don't have much at starting pitching either, at least they have an ace in CC Sabathia and can find others to work around him.

That and they have great young pitchers in their farm system yet traded their rising catcher. As a result, Mike Napoli is the best option. His hitting style is not that far off from Martin, but anything's still an improvement at this point.

Tampa Bay Rays: Yorvit Torrealba

I knew the Tampa Bay Rays were going to look for a quality catcher the day they signed Jose Molina, a veteran catcher who never played full-time, and made him the full-time starter.

I could see them trying the veteran route again, which means Yorvit Torrealba will be a best bet. He's one of the better mixes of offensive and defensive ability for the catcher spot, and as a small-market team that signing would probably be the big one.

Toronto Blue Jays: Francisco Rodriguez

As was the case last year, the Toronto Blue Jays have struggled with their bullpen, and so far, losing Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch have hurt the team. Yes, Darren Oliver is great as usual, but you can't rely on a 41-year old.

They need to pick up a closer in the offseason, and the market will be a bit smaller than usual. Someone like Francisco Rodriguez, who is struggling yet wants to close, could be had for a nice price, and he's someone I could see them going after.

Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd

This past offseason, Gavin Floyd was one of the biggest names in the trade rumor market, and he has since responded by having another very nice year while John Danks struggles.

Due to this, my gut feeling is that their top priority will be re-signing Floyd this coming offseason in spite of the rumors, even though there are other positions that would be nicer to bolster.

Cleveland Indians: Kevin Youkilis

So far, it's clear the Casey Kotchman experiment failed, which means the Cleveland Indians have a gaping hole at first base to fill. Some forget that Youkilis has spent a majority of his career at that position.

It's clear that his option won't be picked up so he will be available, and he seems like the type of player management would go after, since due to his issues so far this year he could be had for a bargain.

Detroit Tigers: Edwin Jackson

The Tigers may have a loaded lineup, but outside of Justin Verlander and perhaps Doug Fister, their starting rotation is at best overrated. Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer in particular can't seem to get it going this year, and they weren't that great at their best either.

Adding starting pitching depth seems their best bet for 2013. I see them going for a No. 3 type, and with the numbers he's put up in Washington so far, Edwin Jackson seems to fit the best, since he's solid enough but not so dominant as to put the Tigers well over budget.

Kansas City Royals: Ryan Dempster

The Kansas City Royals always seem to need starting pitching, that goes without saying. More accurately, they need a veteran presence who's had continued success.

Someone like Ryan Dempster would provide a valuable addition to the team, since he's consistently solid, and even his bad years are still better than the Royals seem to get with their usual crop. He might be out of their price range, but at 35 he could be available at a good enough price.

Minnesota Twins: Ervin Santana

I thought the Minnesota Twins would bounce back after 2011, but so far, it's clear that they are a disaster. They have a couple nice hitters, but their starting rotation is a joke and their bullpen s really the only thing keeping them in games.

They'll have openings in the rotation with Jason Marquis and Francisco Liriano presumably gone. As a result, grabbing a bargain pitcher to add depth might be best. Ervin Santana has talent, and given his win-loss record he could be a bargain pickup if the Twins want to rebuild quickly. Plus, as of right now I don't see his option being picked up.

Having said all that, if the Twins want to return to respectability, they'll have to look at quantity over quality. They vould add in five serviceable free agents, improve the team, and still not fix all the problems.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Dan Haren

The Angels are tough to figure out a free-agent prediction before, since they spent so much last offseason. Their numbers make it look like they should be playing a lot better than they are, and they can't remove those that are struggling.

Despite Dan Haren's struggles, I still think he's capable of being an ace-quality pitcher, and depending on how he does this year, they should either pick up the option or get him for a bit cheaper in free agency if they can. Either way, they know that keeping the pitching core together will be a big deal.

It sounds silly to give the Angels a player they already have, but this is a situation where everyone needs to gel together, and massive turnover would only make things worse.

Oakland Athletics: Brandon McCarthy

The Oakland Athletics are not going to go after anyone big since they are a small-market, Moneyball team. Besides, they have a player they want to re-sign anyway.

Brandon McCarthy seemed to come out of nowhere in 2011, and he's pitching great this year. He's someone the Athletics will try to sign long-term, even though it's something they generally don't do.

Seattle Mariners: Delmon Young

The Seattle Mariners always need help in the lineup. You could pick out the fifth-best free agent at a position, plug him in, and it'll likely be a benefit.

The biggest need is at first base, but instead of replacing Justin Smoak I think the Mariners will spend the offseason looking for a Chone Figgins replacement in left field (which says a lot about the position since it's not his usual spot).

Delmon Young might be out of the Mariners' price range, but I could certainly see them trying to acquire him nonetheless.

Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton

The Texas Rangers have a slew of free agents in this offseason market, and all are players that are crucial to future success. None are more so, however, than Josh Hamilton.

Yes, Hamilton is going to want a massive contract, but he's been amazing especially this year, and as the leader of the team, the Rangers are going to do everything they can to try and keep him.

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones

The Atlanta Braves have a great lineup this year, and while they have a couple holes in their starting rotation, they have prospects to fill those. Who would they actually pick up in free agency then?

If his option doesn't end up being guaranteed, then they'll try to keep Chipper Jones around for one more year. It makes sense, as he's not only the heart and soul of the team, but he's still playing well despite his age.

Miami Marlins: Mike Napoli

With all the money the Miami Marlins spent in free agency last year, I don't see them going after much in terms of major names. One they might target, however, is Mike Napoli.

Catcher and first base are weak spots in the lineup right now, and Napoli can play catcher and first base in case Gaby Sanchez slumps. They also know that they'll have money, so spending won't be an issue.

New York Mets: David Wright

If the scenario with Jose Reyes last year was any indication, if the Mets haven't signed David Wright by now, then he's most likely leaving in free agency, since he's obviously the top third baseman on the market.

That, of course, is not going to stop the Mets from at least throwing whatever money they can at him. He's hitting over .400 this late in the season, and he's someone the Mets can again try to build around.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cole Hamels

If I was talking about who the Phillies want to get now, it would be Kevin Youkilis. They need some infield help, and the Red Sox are tired of him, so it fits perfectly.

When it comes to this offseason, however, you know that Cole Hamels is going to be their top priority. Pitching has been what's kept them relevant this year so far, and even though Hamels would be an ace nearly anywhere else, the Phillies are willing to hold onto him.

Washington Nationals: Josh Hamilton

I know two things about the Nationals. First, they're not afraid to spend money. Second, their glaring weakness is obviously the outfield. When a hobbling Jayson Werth is your best guy, that's a problem.

Josh Hamilton would give the Nats an outfield of him, Werth, and Bryce Harper. The defense wouldn't be that great since one of them would have to spend the year at center field, probably Werth. Still, that move would make the Nats a World Series-quality team.

Chicago Cubs: David Wright

Could the Chicago Cubs become spenders again and go after a marquee free agent? I believe so; the question is simply which one.

Right now, Ian Stewart is struggling big time at the plate, and with David Wright in the lineup, it gives the Cubs a veteran presence for their young talent. They'll at least ask about him, even if they decide they want to focus on pitching first.

Cincinnati Reds: Brandon League

Sean Marshall looked like he'd be a great bargain as a closer heading into this year. Thing is, he's a great setup man, but he's no closer; the Reds will need to find one this offseason.

Perhaps the best one out there this year is Brandon League. He's good, but not so elite as to rob the Reds of money that they've needed to sign players to long-term deals. Plus, Marshall can go back to being a setup man, which he's best at.

Houston Astros: Joe Saunders

The Houston Astros could really use some pitching depth. More accurately, they need a consistently solid veteran guy, since while their young rotation has talent, they need someone in there, especially if Brett Myers leaves, to take over the clubhouse.

I'm not sure who they'll target specifically, but Joe Saunders is a safe bet for their budget. He puts up nice numbers and could fit in behind Wandy Rodriguez to help out the young talent.

Milwaukee Brewers: Zack Greinke

The Milwaukee Brewers weren't able to afford Prince Fielder, but they should at least be able to sign one of their pitching stars. Even if not, they'll do whatever they can to sign Zack Greinke.

Greinke's having a good year after having a merely decent 2011, and that kind of arm at the front of the rotation is what the Brewers need if they want to continue to compete in the NL Central.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Edwin Encarnacion

The Pittsburgh Pirates can't catch a break. For the first time in forever they actually have a really nice pitching staff, but now no one can hit.

Getting a guy who can play multiple positions and hit for a good average works, which Edwin Encarnacion can do. He can jump right in at third base, or first if needed, and provide quality hitting to a team that needs it. The only issue is that he's playing well enough that he might move himself out of their price range.

St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle Lohse

I'm not sure if the Cardinals will target any marquee players. Their lineup is top-notch right now, and their rotation is great too. Their bullpen could use some work, but so can any. They could look at second basemen, but the only potential improvements signed long-term deals.

Signing Kyle Lohse for another couple years, as long as he continues to produce, is probably the only major move I could see them doing.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon League

J.J. Putz went from being one of the better closers in the game recently to just bad this year, and while they have a few holes in the lineup they could fix, the Diamondbacks do need a closer.

Brandon League is not only the best option for them, but he seems like a guy the Diamondbacks would go after. He's not elite, but he definitely gets the job done.

Colorado Rockies: Jhonny Peralta

If it was up to me, my top priority would be to give Jamie Moyer another contract this coming offseason. Given how much the Rockies are struggling, they have other matters to worry about.

If Detroit doesn't pick up the option (which is highly doubtful), then I can see the Rockies making a play for Jhonny Peralta to fill the third base issue. His fielding is bad, but you come to Colorado to hit, and that's what he would do there.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Nick Swisher

What the Dodgers do this offseason depends on whether their extremely hot start is a fluke or if they'll run away with the division this year. In any case, they could use some outfield help around Matt Kemp, especially if Andre Ethier walks.

Someone like Nick Swisher, who's usually a guarantee for a nice average, as well as good HR and RBI totals, would make a good addition in right field and would, at worst, be able to do everything Ethier does.

San Diego Padres: Freddy Sanchez

As usual, the San Diego Padres have a nice pitching staff but a bad lineup. Chase Headley and Yonder Alonso are playing well at the corners, but the middle infield is terrible.

Freddy Sanchez might be out of the Padres' price range even though he's past his prime now, but he seems ideal, as he is solid on offense and defense, and can move around the infield if needed.

San Francisco Giants: Kelly Johnson

The San Francisco Giants were able to convert their outfield from a joke to a solid piece in free agency last offseason. Now, their infield needs that same work done.

Adding a second baseman would be best. Brandon Crawford's not the answer at shortstop, but I think the Giants will hold off on him. Instead, they'll look at Kelly Johnson. He's having a good year so far, and would make the Giants' lineup that much better.