MLB Free Agency: 10 Soon-to-Be All-Stars Your Team Can Snag This Winter

Contrary to popular belief, the baseball season doesn't end when the World Series champions are crowned. There's another whole behind-the-scenes game that takes place every winter. That's the game of free agency, and it's a nasty business.

To narrow the huge field of free agents after the 2012 season, I've done a few things. First, they've been narrowed to "soon-to-be All-Stars," so people who will likely make this year's Midsummer Classic in Kansas City.

Secondly, I eliminated guys like David Wright, who will likely be re-signed either during the season or right when it ends by the team he already plays for. And finally, you won't see Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano or Brian McCann on this list. All three are in the final years of their contracts, but have club options for 2013 that will most likely be picked up.

So without further adieu, here are ten possible All-Stars for 2012 who your team could snag this off season.

1. Mike Napoli, C

I have a feeling that no matter what kind of numbers Napoli ends up with this year, he'll ride his ridiculous 2011 season to a big fat contract from someone in 2013. By the way he's upped his game since coming to Texas, I wouldn't blame anyone for signing him.

Even with some sub-par years at the beginning of his career, Napoli averages 32 homers and 85 RBI, and had a solid .320 average last season. One worry with Nap is he's never played more than 140 games in a season, and averages under 100, which is bad even by catchers' standards.

In 2012 so far, his power numbers are still there, as he's reached double-digit homers and is slugging just under .500. By fan vote alone, Napoli will probably be in the All-Star Game again, and he'd be quite a catch for your team if he hits the market in November.

2. Andre Ethier, RF

I've been saying for years now that if Ethier had a full, healthy season, he'd be one of the most feared hitters in the league. He's always had the chops, he just couldn't stay off the DL. Now, in 2012, he's been carrying the Dodgers with a .302 average, nine homers and a National League-leading 46 RBI. 

Ethier is a two-time All-Star and is headed for his third this year. He won a Gold Glove in right field in 2011 and has a reputation as one of the most clutch hitters in the game. The Dodgers have new ownership and will do their best to sign Ethier long-term, but he's going to command top dollar.

So if Ethier goes out on the market, all teams with money are going to be clamoring for the 30-year-old slugger in the prime of his career. I could see him getting at least a six-year deal in the neighborhood of Adam Jones' $85 million contract, if not higher.

3. Edwin Encarnacion, DH

Encarnacion has always been a power hitter, as his 26 homer/84 RBI average will show. But he' s really stepped up his game this season, as he's already reached last season's home run total of 17, and we're only one-third of the way through 2012. 

He has really formed a ferocious power tandem hitting back-to-back with Jose Bautista in Toronto, and with his ability to play either corner position and DH, teams would be getting an improving player entering his prime that they can move around to their liking.

Encarnacion has had his injury troubles in the past, but again, he's right in his prime and will probably be a cheaper option than player who match his numbers. If you don't see him on the American League All-Star squad this season, something went terribly wrong.

4. Melky Cabrera, OF

If the Giants can afford it, they will absolutely lock up Cabrera after what he's done for them so far in 2012. And if they can't afford it, Melky will be a red-hot commodity in the offseason. All he's done through one-third of this season is lead all of baseball in hits, triples and multi-hit games.

Last season, after being somewhat of a disappointment in New York, he broke out in Kansas City by hitting .305 with 18 homers, 87 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Cabrera is only 27 years old and plays a solid outfield too. He thrives at all three positions and has a gun for an arm.

Cabrera will definitely be selected for his first All-Star Game this season, but it's just a matter of fan voting to see if he'll earn a starting spot. In the month of May, Cabrera surpassed Willie Mays with 51 hits in one month, tying Randy Winn for the most in one month in Giants history. The switch hitter has definitely earned a raise for 2013.

5. A.J. Pierzynski, C

The veteran catcher is having an offensive renaissance of sorts, hitting over .300 with 10 homers and 37 RBI so far in 2012, and is playing a solid defense for the American League Central's first-place team. His averages for a full season are .285/14/72.

Pierzynski definitely won't keep up the incredible numbers this year, and won't be able to sustain such solid averages at his age, but he's still a serviceable backstop and could easily transition to first base or DH. 

One thing A.J. does have going for him is that he's widely known to be the kind of teammate who will back up his pitchers and plays with a fiery passion every game. That kind of leadership will get him some kind of contract, and if he stays healthy, it would be a pretty good pick-up for a few more years.

6. Josh Hamilton, OF

Heard of him? If we stopped the season today, Hamilton would be the unanimous American League MVP winner, due to his incredible numbers through the first 53 games of the season. All the 2010 MVP is doing so far is leading the league in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases and sac flies. 

Hamilton can play a great outfield at all three positions, and has been an All-Star the last four seasons. The 31-year-old lefty has one of the best swings in baseball and seems to not have any spot in the zone he can't hit the ball hard from.

We all know Hamilton's story, but he's more than redeemed himself, with a 162-game average of .311/35/122 in five full seasons. Hamilton is due for a big contract in 2013, and there will be plenty of suitors. His health can be a question, but it's well worth the risk.

7. David Ortiz, DH

Big Papi is becoming the next ageless wonder, and is headed for his eighth All-Star selection in 2012, after another hot start. Currently, he's hitting .310 with 13 homers and 37 RBI, just above pace of his average line of .284/35/117.

At this point, Ortiz is only going to DH, but he's definitely the best at his position in the game. Adam Dunn can rake as well, but GM's will take the guy who hits .300 over the guy who hits .200 every single time. 

The only thing really working against Ortiz right now is his age. He's pushing 37 and probably has half a decade of production left in him at best. My gut tells me that Ortiz isn't going anywhere, but I'm sure he'll at least shop the market if given the chance.

8. Michael Bourn, CF

Bourn is enjoying one of his best seasons to date in Atlanta right now, and it couldn't have come at a better time. He's in a contract year, and will earn a big number based on the type of player he is, and the fact that he's just recently entered his prime.

So far in 2012, he's hitting .297 with just five home runs and 16 RBI, but that's not the type of player he is. Bourn is a scrapper, a lead-off hitter and a base stealer. He's got 15 this year, but averages 52 swipes a season. 

In Houston, Bourn won two straight Gold Glove awards and has a career fielding percentage of .992. This guy is going to be one of the best lead-off hitters in baseball for at least a good five or six more years, and teams in need of an offensive spark are going to pursue him hard this winter.

9. Carlos Ruiz, C

Has there been any more pleasant of a surprise this year than Chooch? He has been carrying the Phillies' offense in the absence of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Ruiz averages 64 RBI a season, and he's already got 32 so far this year.

We all know how good Ruiz is behind the plate, and he has been even better than usual this year. He's a shoo-in for his first All-Star appearance in 2012, but it remains to be seen if he will start over Cardinals' catcher Yadier Molina. 

In 2012, Ruiz is hitting .358 and has eight home runs already (his career high is nine) and even though he's on the wrong side of 30, there will be plenty of demand for a veteran catcher who can handle a pitching staff and come up with timely hits.

10. Angel Pagan, CF

Pagan is somewhat of an enigma, but if he continues to play well for the Giants this season, he'll get a decent contract offer for 2013. I don't think Pagan and Cabrera will stay in San Francisco, but if they don't keep Angel, there will be a very speedy, switch-hitting center-fielder on the market.

His numbers so far this year are .320/4/19 and 11 steals. Pagan's center-field defense can be a little suspect at times, but he more than makes up for it by covering a ton of ground with his speed. At 30 years old, Pagan has plenty of good years ahead of him.

I don't know if he'll be a lead-off hitter for the rest of his career, but he'll still be a threat on the base paths, and who knows? Maybe that .320 average this season is indicative of him turning a corner with the bat. His career averages are .283/10/62, but he'll get paid for the 29 steals he averages.