2013 MLB Free Agency: Every Team's Top Soon-to-be FA That Will Stay Put

General managers have to be able to focus on the present while looking at the future and learning from the past all at the same time.

Obviously teams want to win now, but not every team is built to do so.

As the 2012 season rolls on and we inch closer to the highly anticipated free-agent class of 2013, GMs are trying to assess what they have and whether investing money in another team's free agent is a worthwhile expense.

While not the "sexy" move that many fans prefer, it's often better to stick with what you've got rather than take a chance on a player who might not be the right fit inside your clubhouse.

Lets take a look at a potential free agent from each team who, while they might test the market, will ultimately stay where they are.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Lyle Overbay

Miguel Montero is obviously going to be their priority, and while it's possible that two sides come to an agreement on a contract extension during the season, chances are that Montero will hit the open market in search of a Victor Martinez-like four-year, $52 million deal.

Far from being a superstar, Lyle Overbay is a solid bench player who can spell Paul Goldschmidt at first base, give Kirk Gibson a veteran left-handed bat off of the bench and he won't cost much in the way of dollars or years to retain.

Other Free Agents in Arizona: Henry Blanco ($1.24 million mutual option), Geoff Blum, Stephen Drew ($10 million mutual option or $1.35 million buyout), Miguel Montero, J.J. Putz ($6.5 million team option or $1.5 million buyout), Takashi Saito, Joe Saunders

Arbitration Eligible: Craig Breslow, Ryan Roberts, Brad Ziegler

Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

After seeing the five-year, $75 million extension that Yadier Molina signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Braves had to be kicking themselves for not trying to get Brian McCann signed to an extension earlier.

Braves president John Schuerholz knows that Molina's extension will make keeping McCann even more difficult, as he told ESPN's Jayson Stark last month:

"

Sure, it affects it. Absolutely. Does the Votto contract make it more difficult for teams to sign other first basemen? Does the Brandon Phillips contract make it more difficult for teams to sign other second basemen? Of course. They all do. They impact all of us. … Of course, it makes it more challenging.

Our organization has always been able to keep our players whom we wanted to keep. And our hope is that we're going to keep Mac. We hope he's here for a long time. But I'm pretty sure he and his agent read the papers and watch television. And they may even log onto the Internet now and then. So there are no guarantees.

"

While the Braves will undoubtedly try to get a long-term deal worked out with McCann, the fact is that he'd command a multi-year deal paying $18-20 million a season from a number of teams if and when he hit the open market.

Even if they're only postponing the inevitable, the Braves will absolutely pick up McCann's $12 million option for 2013. Knowing that should they not be able to work out a new deal, they'd have an attractive trade chip to dangle for a sizable return at next year's trade deadline.

Other Free Agents in Atlanta: Michael Bourn, Matt Diaz, Chad Durbin, Livan Hernandez, Eric Hinske, Tim Hudson ($9 million team option or $1 million buyout), Chipper Jones (intends to retire), David Ross, Jack Wilson

Arbitration Eligible: Jason Heyward, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Cristhian Martinez, Kris Medlen, Eric O'Flaherty, Martin Prado, Jonny Venters

Baltimore Orioles: Luis Ayala and Matt Lindstrom

While Adam Jones has carried the Orioles offense, it's their bullpen that has carried the team to the top of the AL East.

As a unit, Baltimore's bullpen has gone 11-4 with a 2.29 ERA and 19 saves while holding opponents to a batting average of .219.

Two key pieces of that bullpen, Luis Ayala and Matt Lindstrom, cost the Orioles a combined $4.425 million in 2012.

The duo has allowed a total of six earned runs in 34 innings of work—a combined ERA of 1.59.

Baltimore holds team options on both pitchers for 2013—$1 million for Ayala and $4 million for Lindstrom.

There's no chance the Orioles will let either one test free agency again in 2013.

Other Free Agents in Baltimore: Endy Chavez, Kevin Gregg ($6 million team option), Mark Reynolds ($11 million team option or $500,000 buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Robert Andino, Brad Bergesen, Dana Eveland, Jason Hammel, Jim Johnson, Adam Jones, Darren O'Day

Boston Red Sox: Cody Ross

Cody Ross has been invaluable to the Boston Red Sox in 2012, spending time at all three outfield positions while the team presses on without the injured Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Ross, 31, hasn't been a slouch at the plate either, posting a slash line of .271/.349/.534 with eight home runs and 28 RBI.

Signed to a one-year deal for $3 million, Ross will be looking for a longer commitment and more money this winter.

With lingering questions over the ability of Crawford and Ellsbury to remain healthy and the versatility that Ross brings to the table, there's little doubt in my mind that the two sides will come to an agreement relatively quickly.

Other Free Agents in Boston: Marlon Byrd, Bobby Jenks, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Vicente Padilla, Kelly Shoppach, Kevin Youkilis ($13 million team option or $1 million buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Alfredo Aceves, Matt Albers, Scott Atchison, Mike Aviles, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Rich Hill, Darnell McDonald, Andrew Miller, Franklin Morales, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Sweeney, Junichi Tazawa

Chicago Cubs: Paul Maholm

With 35-year-old Ryan Dempster set to become a free agent following the season and unlikely to accept a below-market value deal to stay with the Cubs, there's already one spot in the starting rotation that needs to be filled.

Picking up a $6.5 million team option on Paul Maholm is an inexpensive way to make sure the Cubs aren't left needing to replace two starting pitchers.

Maholm is what he is: an average pitcher who will eat some innings and pitch to an ERA in the fours. 

Other Free Agents in Chicago: Jeff Baker, Shawn Camp, Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson

Arbitration Eligible Players: Starlin Castro, Blake DeWitt, Matt Garza, James Russell, Jeff Samardzija, Geovany Soto, Ian Stewart, Luis Valbuena, Chris Volstad, Randy Wells

Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd

While he was the subject of multiple trade rumors this past winter, I fully expect the Chicago White Sox to exercise their $9.5 million team option on Gavin Floyd following the 2012 season.

That is, of course, unless they wind up trading him. To do so, though, White Sox GM Kenny Williams would likely need to reduce his asking price, which ESPN's Buster Olney reported in March was "huge."

Floyd, who will turn 30 before Opening Day in 2013, has been Chicago's third-best starter in 2012 behind Jake Peavy and Chris Sale, posting a 3.44 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 46 strikeouts over 52.1 innings pitched.

Quality starting pitching is hard to find, and keeping Floyd at a reasonable price at least provides some stability to a rotation that is all but guaranteed to lose its ace, Jake Peavy, who the team holds a $22 million option on for 2013, at the end of the season.

Other Free Agents in Chicago: Will Ohman, Jake Peavy ($22 million team option, $4 million buyout), A.J. Pierzynski

Arbitration Eligible Players: Alejandro De Aza, Gordon Beckham, Kosuke Fukudome (team can buy out arbitration with $3.5 million salary in 2013), Phil Humber, Brent Lillibridge

Cincinnati Reds: Nobody

Miguel Cairo, Willie Harris and Scott Rolen are all eligible for free agency following the 2012 season.

In addition to that, the Reds hold team options on Ryan Ludwick ($5 million team option, $500,000 buyout) and Ryan Madson ($11 million team option, $2.5 million buyout), who will reach free agency never having thrown a regular-season pitch as a member of the team.

The quartet of Cairo, Harris, Ludwick and Rolen have combined to hit .172 with six home runs and 29 RBI so far in 2012.

Obviously, none of them have performed well enough to be bought back at anywhere near their 2012 salaries. Of the group, Cairo and Harris could be offered minor-league contracts.

Arbitration Eligible: Homer Bailey, Bill Bray, Chris Heisey, Paul Janish, Mat Latos, Mike Leake, Sam LeCure, Logan Ondrusek, Alfredo Simon, Jordan Smith, Drew Stubbs, Wilson Valdez

Cleveland Indians: Ubaldo Jimenez

The Indians really don't have a choice here.

After paying through the nose in prospects to acquire Ubaldo Jimenez at last year's trade deadline, the Indians simply can't jettison their prized acquisition only a year and two months after acquiring him.

I spent much of the time leading up to last year's trade deadline talking about how Jimenez was fool's gold—that he was overrated and simply not that good.

Yet the Indians gave up four prospects to get him, and in exchange he's provided them with an ERA of 5.09, a WHIP of 1.55, and a $5.75 million team option that they have to exercise, hoping that their gamble finally pays off in 2013.

Other Free Agents in Cleveland: Johnny Damon, Roberto Hernandez (formerly Fausto Carmona, $9 million team option), Jose Lopez, Casey Kotchman, Grady Sizemore, Dan Wheeler

Arbitration Eligible: Shin-Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez,  Kevin Slowey, Joe Smith

Colorado Rockies: Marco Scutaro

If the latest setback in Jorge De La Rosa's rehab doesn't prevent him from returning to action and pitching well, then the Rockies picking up his $11 million option would be the choice here.

But for now, the pick would be Marco Scutaro, who has bought some sort of stability to a position at which the Rockies used seven different players at one point or another in 2011.

Scutaro, who turns 37 in October, is making $6 million this season as he finishes a three-year, $17 million contract that he signed with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2010 season.

With neither Josh Rutledge or Trevor Story having moved off of shortstop in the minor leagues—and Story still being at least two years away from being ready for prime time—the Rockies don't have much in the way of better options for second base than Scutaro.

Other Free Agents in Colorado: Jorge De La Rosa ($11 million player option, $1 million buyout), Jason Giambi, Jeremy Guthrie

Arbitration Eligible: Dexter Fowler

Detroit Tigers: Jhonny Peralta

Jhonny Peralta has been everything the Tigers thought they were getting since acquiring Peralta from the Cleveland Indians during the 2010 season.

He's been solid in the field and solid at the plate, so picking up the $6 million option that the Tigers hold for the 2013 season should be nothing but a formality at the end of the season.

Other Free Agents in Detroit: Octavio Dotel ($3.5 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Gerald Laird, Delmon Young

Arbitration Eligible: Alex Avila, Brennan Boesch, Phil Coke, Doug Fister, Austin Jackson, Rick Porcello, Ryan Raburn

Houston Astros: Brandon Lyon

My pick here is Brandon Lyon only because he's the most logical choice of the Astros' pending free agents, but I could easily see the team not bring back any of the four players set to hit the open market.

Lyon, who is making $5.5 million this year, could be the Astros' replacement for Brett Myers if and when they decide to trade their closer.

Other Free Agents in Houston: Carlos Lee, Brett Myers ($10 million vesting option, $3 million buyout), Chris Snyder ($4 million mutual option, $500,000 buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: J.A. Happ, Jed Lowrie

Kansas City Royals: Yuniesky Betancourt

Utility infielder Yuniesky Betancourt, currently on the disabled list with a sprained ankle, is the most likely candidate of the pending Royals free agents to return to the team in 2013.

Signed to a one-year, $2 million contract this winter, the utility infielder can play three positions and gives the Royals a veteran right-handed bat off of the bench—not to mention that he's an excellent clubhouse guy who seems to fit in well with the youngsters on the team.

Other Free Agents in Kansas City: Jonathan Broxton, Humberto Quintero, Jonathan Sanchez, Joakim Soria ($8 million team option or $750,000 buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Chris Getz, Luke Hochevar, Mitch Maier, Jose Mijares, Felipe Paulino, Brayan Pena

Los Angeles Angels: Chris Iannetta

Although he was unimpressive at the plate over his first 26 games of the season before going down with wrist surgery, Chris Iannetta is a likely candidate to have his $5 million team option picked up this winter.

Iannetta, 29, would be the youngest and most inexpensive starting option among catchers who are eligible to become free agents—and the Angels could have competition trying to sign him should they decline his option.

Other Free Agents in Los Angeles: Dan Haren ($15.5 million team option, $3.5 million buyout), LaTroy Hawkins, Torii Hunter, Chris Ianetta ($5 million team option, $250,000 buyout), Jason Isringhausen, Maicer Izturis, Ervin Santana ($13 million team option, $1 million buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Alberto Callaspo, Kevin Jepsen, Kendrys Morales, Rich Thompson, Jerome Williams, Bobby Wilson

Los Angeles Dodgers: Andre Ethier

While the Dodgers are under new ownership, GM Ned Colletti hasn't changed his tune, recommending a contract extension for Andre Ethier to his new bosses, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden.

A five-year deal that paid Ethier between $14 and $16 million annually sounds about right for the 30-year-old right fielder who is earning $10.95 million this season.

Other Free Agents in Los Angeles: Bobby Abreu, Adam Kennedy, James Loney, Mike MacDougal ($2.375 million team option, $350,000 buyout), Juan Rivera ($4 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Matt Treanor ($950,000 team option, $150,000 option), Jamey Wright

Arbitration Eligible: Ronald Belisario, A.J. Ellis, Blake Hawksworth

Miami Marlins: Anibal Sanchez

While calling anything a sure thing on a team owned by Jeffrey Loria can be a futile exercise, I would be shocked if the Marlins don't get Anibal Sanchez signed to a contract extension before he hits the open market.

Sanchez, 28, is in the prime of his career and having an outstanding season, posting a 2.32 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and leading the team with 55 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.

The Marlins would be fools to let him become a free agent, where he would most assuredly become the object of a bidding war among those teams who do not wind up with Zack Greinke or Cole Hamels, assuming both pitchers reach free agency.

Should neither of them become free agents, Sanchez would be one of, if not the most sought-after starter on the market.

Other Free Agents in Miami: Randy Choate, Chad Gaudin, Austin Kearns, Juan Oviedo, Carlos Zambrano ($19.5 million vesting option)

Arbitration Eligible: Chris Coghlan, Brett Hayes, Donnie Murphy, Gaby Sanchez, Donnie Webb

Milwaukee Brewers: Shaun Marcum

While trying to re-sign Zack Greinke will be Milwaukee's top priority, Greinke is almost guaranteed to receive lucrative, multi-year offers that are simply out of the Brewers' price range.

In Marcum, the Brewers would retain a quality starter who will command far less in the way of salary than Greinke, allowing the team to still add other pieces this winter while pairing Marcum and Yovani Gallardo at the front of their rotation.

Other Free Agents in Milwaukee: Alex Gonzalez ($4 million vesting option), Zack Greinke, Cesar Izturis, Francisco Rodriguez, Randy Wolf ($10 million team option, $1.5 million buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: John Axford, Marco Estrada, Carlos Gomez, Travis Ishikawa, George Kottaras, Kameron Loe, Nyjer Morgan, Chris Narveson, Manny Parra, Jose Veras

Minnesota Twins: Ryan Doumit

Ryan Doumit's versatility—he's already spent time at catcher, first base and right field—along with the fact that he's not going to cost much to re-sign makes him the prohibitive favorite to return to Minnesota out of the free agents the Twins have heading into 2013.

With constant concerns over the health (and availability) of both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, having a capable veteran to spell them is a luxury that the Twins can afford to have.

Other Free Agents in Minnesota: Scott Baker ($9.25 million team option), Matt Capps ($6 million team option, $250,000 buyout), Francisco Liriano, Jason Marquis, Carl Pavano

Arbitration Eligible: Sean Burroughs, Jared Burton, Alexi Casilla, Brian Duensing

New York Mets: David Wright

Exercising the $16 million team option that they hold on third baseman David Wright for 2013 should be nothing but a formality for the Mets at the end of the season.

Wright, who has hit the ball as well as anyone in baseball this season, could reach an agreement with the team on an extension during the season as Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported earlier this month, making the option a moot point.

While part of me still thinks the Mets could be better served in the long run by dealing Wright at this year's deadline for a boatload of prospects and then move to re-sign him as a free agent this winter (his 2013 option voids with a trade), the probability is that he'll sign an extension and the Mets can focus on improving other areas.

Other Free Agents in New York: Miguel Batista, Tim Byrdak, D.J. Carrasco, Ronny Cedeno, R.A. Dickey ($5 million team option, $300,000 buyout), Scott Hairston, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch

Arbitration Eligible: Manny Acosta, Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Bobby Parnell, Mike Pelfrey, Andres Torres

New York Yankees: Mariano Rivera

I told you when Mariano Rivera went down with a season-ending injury that his career was not over, and it seems as if I was right.

Rivera only reaffirmed that in comments to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News: "I am coming back. Write it down in big letters. ... I'm not going out like this."

That's music to the ears of the Yankees and their fans.

Other Free Agents in New York: David Aardsma, Robinson Cano ($15 million team option, $2 million buyout), Eric Chavez, Pedro Feliciano ($2.5 million team option), Freddy Garcia, Curtis Granderson ($13 million team option, $2 million buyout), Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones, Russell Martin, Andy Pettitte, Nick Swisher

Arbitration Eligible: Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, Phil Hughes, Hiroki Kuroda, Boone Logan, David Robertson, Cory Wade

Oakland A's: Brandon McCarthy

Brandon McCarthy has solidified himself as the ace of the A's staff and as far as starting pitchers go, McCarthy is a steal at $4.28 million for the 2012 season.

A multi-year deal with an increase in pay is undoubtedly what he'll be seeking, but there's little reason to expect the two sides to not come to an agreement—McCarthy has played the best baseball of his career in Oakland, and the A's need a veteran leader for what could be a young staff in 2013.

Other Free Agents in Oakland: Grant Balfour ($4.5 million team option, $350,000 buyout), Bartolo Colon, Brian Fuentes ($6.5 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Jonny Gomes

Arbitration Eligible: Daric Barton, Dallas Braden, Joey Devine, Adam Rosales, Seth Smith

Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz

While working out new deals for Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino figures to be a long, tedious and expensive process for GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies, one move that the team can make with no effort is to retain their starting catcher, Carlos Ruiz.

With top catching prospect Sebastian Valle struggling to hit at Double-A, exercising their $5 million team option on Ruiz is a no-brainer. He's solid behind the plate, the Phillies pitching staff is comfortable with him and he's not a liability at the plate.

All things considered, Carlos Ruiz is one of the great bargains in baseball at $5 million.

Other Free Agents in Philadelphia: Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras ($2.5 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Cole Hamels, Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco ($5.5 million mutual option, $1 million buyout), Chad Qualls, Brian Schneider, Jim Thome, Shane Victorino, Ty Wigginton ($4 million team option, $500,000 buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Antonio Bastardo, David Herndon, Hunter Pence, Pete Orr

Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez

Even with his continued struggles at the plate, there's no way the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to give up on Pedro Alvarez yet.

Alvarez, selected second overall in the 2008 draft by the Pirates, has struggled mightily at the plate, though he has shown flashes of power.

Regardless, the Pirates hold a $700,000 option on him for the 2013 season.

For less than a million dollars, the Pirates will give Alvarez another year to prove that he's not one of the biggest busts in draft history.

Other Free Agents in Pittsburgh: Rod Barajas ($3.5 million team option), Erik Bedard, Kevin Correia, Jason Grilli, Nate McLouth

Arbitration Eligible: Jason Grilli, Joel Hanrahan, Garrett Jones, Jeff Karstens, Casey McGehee, Evan Meek, Charlie Morton, Chris Resop

San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin

Assuming that he returns from knee surgery and plays more than a handful of games for the Padres in 2012, Carlos Quentin is the only pending free agent the Padres have who merits another run with the team.

Quentin, who turns 30 in August, isn't likely to command more than the $7.03 million he's earning in 2012 on the open market, so a return to San Diego to prove that he can stay healthy on a short-term deal makes sense for both sides.

Other Free Agents in San Diego: Jason Bartlett ($5.5 million team option, $1.5 million buyout), Mark Kotsay

Arbitration Eligible: John Baker, Chris Denorfia, Luke Gregerson, Chase Headley, Dustin Moseley, Clayton Richard, Tim Stauffer, Joe Thatcher, Will Venable, Edinson Volquez

San Francisco Giants: Melky Cabrera

The Melkman has cometh into his own in San Francisco, leading the Giants in hitting and becoming an irreplaceable piece of their lineup.

Making $6 million this season, Cabrera wants to stay in San Francisco and is open to mid-season talks on an extension, as he told Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.

While somewhat of a gamble given the fact that Cabrera is outperforming his career numbers by leaps and bounds this year, allowing him to hit the open market, where he could receive multi-year offers paying him $10 million a season, could prove to be a costly mistake for the Giants.

They'll work out an extension with Cabrera before the season ends.

Other Free Agents in San Francisco: Jeremy Affeldt, Aubrey Huff ($10 million team option or $2 million buyout), Guillermo Mota, Angel Pagan, Freddy Sanchez, Ryan Theriot

Arbitration Eligible: Emmanuel Burriss, Santiago Casilla, Clay Hensley, Buster Posey, Sergio Romo, Nate Schierholtz, Eli Whiteside, Brian Wilson

Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki

While 39-year-old outfielders typically don't fit into the plans of a team that's rebuilding, can you really picture Ichiro playing anywhere else?

Ichiro, making $17 million this season in the last year of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed in 2008, is simply too valuable to the Mariners for them to allow him to go elsewhere this winter.

He won't be making $17 million in 2013, but I fully expect Ichiro and the Mariners to agree to a new deal following the season, keeping him off of the open market and in the only place he's called home since arriving from Japan in 2001.

Other Free Agents in Seattle: Brandon League, Kevin Millwood, Miguel Olivo ($3 million team option, $750,000 buyout), George Sherrill

Arbitration Eligible: John Jaso, Shawn Kelley, Adam Moore, Brendan Ryan, Jason Vargas

St. Louis Cardinals: Jake Westbrook

Originally I was going to go with Kyle Lohse, but I have a feeling that he'll receive offers on the open market that could be for more years and money than the Cardinals care to spend on Lohse.

So that brings us to Jake Westbrook, who turns 35 in September.

Due $8.5 million in 2013, it's feasible to think that Westbrook might prefer to see what he could get as a free agent, but with what could be a crowded pitching market, including the aforementioned Lohse, Westbrook might find himself waiting for the phone to ring.

Westbrook has been solid for the Cardinals and there's no reason that relationship shouldn't continue in 2013.

Other Free Agents in St. Louis: Lance Berkman, Scott Linebrink, Kyle Lohse, J.C. Romero

Arbitration Eligible: Mitchell Boggs, David Freese, Kyle McClellan, Jason Motte, Marc Rzepczynski

Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields

It's no surprise that James Shields' ERA is up almost a full run from the 2.82 mark he posted in 2011—entering last year, he had a 4.25 career ERA—but that doesn't mean he's having a bad season.

An innings-eating workhorse with a penchant for making batters swing and miss, Tampa holds a $9 million team option on the 30-year-old for the 2013 season.

Considering that he'd receive offers far more lucrative than that were he to become a free agent, there's no chance that the Rays won't keep him in Tampa for at least another season.

Other Free Agents in Tampa: Kyle Farnsworth, J.P. Howell, Jeff Keppinger, Jose Molina ($1.5 million team option, $300,000 buyout), Carlos Pena, Joel Peralta, Fernando Rodney ($2.5 million team option, $250,000 buyout), Luke Scott ($6 million team option, $1 million buyout)

Arbitration Eligible: Burke Badenhop, Jeff Niemann, David Price

Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see how the Josh Hamilton sweepstakes plays out.

Hamilton won't give Texas a hometown discount, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, and Nolan Ryan told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that while the Rangers will "put their best foot forward," he doesn't think that it will be a quick process, expecting negotiations to drag on into November or December.

There's no questioning Hamilton's talent or production, but there's always the worry that he could make a poor decision and fall off the wagon of sobriety at any moment.

Rosenthal suggests a lucrative short-term deal, and I have to agree with his thinking.

Hamilton is going to get paid very well by someone. It might as well be the Rangers, where he's come into his own.

I think Rosenthal's proposed four-year, $100 million contract would satisfy both sides.

Other Free Agents in Texas: Mike Adams, Scott Feldman ($9.25 team option, $600,000 buyout), Ian Kinsler ($10 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Colby Lewis, Mark Lowe, Mike Napoli, Yorvit Torrealba

Arbitration Eligible: Neftali Feliz, Alberto Gonzalez, Matt Harrison, David Murphy, Koji Uehara

Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion is in line for a sizable raise from the $3.5 million he's making in 2012, but there's no reason to think that increase will come from anywhere besides Toronto.

With Adam Lind lost at the plate, Encarnacion has been able to take over at first base without much of an issue.

His ability to play both corner infield spots makes him a valuable piece to the puzzle in Toronto. Had you asked me prior to the season starting, I would have told you that he was highly expendable and a likely trade candidate.

Now, I'd be surprised if he didn't work out a two- or three-year deal to stay in Toronto.

Other Free Agents in Toronto: Francisco Cordero, Rajai Davis ($3 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Jason Frasor, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Mathis, Darren Oliver ($3 million team option, $500,000 buyout), Carlos Villanueva

Arbitration Eligible: Ben Francisco, Jesse Litsch, Colby Rasmus

Washington Nationals: Sean Burnett

With a $3.5 million mutual option on the table for 2013, it's hard to imagine either the Nationals or Sean Burnett not wanting to exercise it.

He's been an important part of the Nationals bullpen since arriving in 2009 from the Pittsburgh Pirates and it's possible that the two sides work out an extension at some point this winter that keeps him in Washington past 2013.

Other Free Agents in Washington: Edwin Jackson , Adam LaRoche ($10 million team option, $1 million buyout), Brad Lidge, Chien-Ming Wang

Arbitration Eligible: Tyler Clippard, Jesus Flores, Tom Gorzelanny, John Lannan, Jordan Zimmerman