MLB Free Agency: Early Predictions for the Stellar 2012 Free Agent Class
The 2011 season is far from over. In fact, it's not even halfway through, as the All-Star break is still about two months away.
However, with teams starting to realize where their weaknesses lie this season, it's natural for us to start thinking about how they could possibly improve next season by means of the 2011-2012 free agent class. It's a talented group at almost every position, with perennial All-Stars leading the pack.
One thing is for sure: A lot of money is going to be spent this offseason on a small group of players, and odds are that most of them will earn that money. The talent of this free agent class is remarkable, and a number of players could make a huge difference on their new (or old) clubs.
I have fittingly formulated a list of the "12" best players of the "2012" free agent class, and all but two of them are locks for free agency, possessing no options for further seasons with their current club. So here they are: 2012's top 12 free agents, which teams could be interested and which team I believe they will ultimately end up with.
If you disagree with my predictions or feel like I've left someone off the list, feel free to comment below and offer your own input.
LHP C.J. Wilson
1 of 12
C.J. Wilson quickly established himself as one of the game's premier left-handed pitchers last year. After spending his entire career as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers, he asked for the chance to start and was given it. He didn't disappoint, as he anchored Texas' starting rotation up until the Rangers acquired Cliff Lee at the deadline and even afterwards as well.
Wilson finished the season with a record of 15-8, a 3.35 ERA and 170 strikeouts, leading the Rangers to the playoffs and a subsequent American League pennant and World Series berth.
He has picked up right where he left off this season, and if he can continue this trend, he will receive a nice payday this offseason, as every team would love to add a talented young lefty to its rotation.
Interested Teams: Rangers, Yankees, Twins, White Sox, Indians, Angels, Nationals, Mets, Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, Dodgers
Prediction: Rangers
3B Aramis Ramirez
2 of 12
Aramis Ramirez is one of the game's finest third basemen. However, he is one of the two players on this list with an option for next season—a club option worth $16 million.
After a down year last year, Ramirez has bounced back thus far this season at the plate, but it might not be enough for the Cubs to pick up his option. Chicago is struggling to win, so investing that $16 million elsewhere might be a better bet for it than sticking with Ramirez.
There is also the chance that the Cubs may try to cash in on Ramirez this season at the deadline and deal him to another team for a package of prospects.
Either way, Ramirez will make a great addition to a club looking for an offensive threat at the hot corner, as well as one that requires a strong veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Prediction: Marlins
LHP Mark Buehrle
3 of 12
It is very possible that Mark Buehrle will be the best starting pitcher on the market this upcoming offseason, but only if the other two starters on this list opt to stay where they are (more on that later).
Buehrle is best known for his perfect game in 2009, as well as for being one of the game's most consistent left-handed pitchers. With Jake Peavy being a disappointment in Chicago for the most part, Buehrle has been the ace of the staff.
However, despite many people thinking that the Sox would run away with the AL Central this season, they currently sit in fourth place behind the Indians, Tigers and Royals. If the offense doesn't start to click soon, and if Chicago continues to struggle, Buehrle may look for greener pastures this offseason and join a contender. He would be a great option for any team looking for an above-average No. 2 or 3 starter.
Interested Teams: White Sox, Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, Indians, Rangers, Angels, Braves, Nationals, Mets, Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, Dodgers
Prediction: Cardinals
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OF Carlos Beltran
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Carlos Beltran has had an up-and-down career with the New York Mets. When he hasn't been injured, which unfortunately hasn't been too often, he has shown that he still possesses one of the game's most lethal bats among outfielders.
However, due to his massive contract with the Mets, he has been looked at as a disappointment by the organization and will certainly leave through free agency if he has not already been traded midseason.
Although he is already 34 years old, Beltran has shown he has a lot left in the tank and has been one of the few bright spots on the last-place Mets this season. If he can stay healthy this season, he should receive his fair share of contract offers, although probably not as lucrative as the last time he was a free agent.
Any team looking for a semi-short-term fix for its outfield should be interested in Beltran, as he provides some production in the middle of the lineup and should not cost too much because of his age and injury history.
Teams Interested: Red Sox, White Sox, Tigers, Athletics, Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Dodgers, Giants
Prediction: Red Sox
RHP Jonathan Papelbon
5 of 12
It was once believed that Jonathan Papelbon would be the Red Sox closer for his entire career—that there was no way they would ever let him go.
Now, with the emergence of Daniel Bard, the flamethrowing setup man for Papelbon, opinions have changed. Many people believe that Bard will take over as Red Sox closer as early as next season, with Papelbon departing via free agency.
One thing is for sure: Papelbon will be a free agent at season's end, and when he hits the market, the Red Sox may not be able to retain him even if they want to. Papelbon is one of the game's best closers, and tons of teams will be setting their sights on him. A good closer is hard to come by, and when one becomes a free agent, he usually has no trouble finding suitors (see Francisco Rodriguez, 2009).
Interested Teams: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers
Prediction: Phillies
OF/DH Jason Kubel
6 of 12
Jason Kubel is one of the most underrated players in the game, and next offseason he may finally get the credit he deserves, as he will become a free agent. After spending the last five-plus years in the shadows of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, Kubel is poised to make a splash with his free agency.
Kubel has averaged a .275 batting average with 23 homers and 92 RBI per season during his time in Minnesota, even if nobody has realized it. He has constantly provided production in the Twins lineup, but after this season, which so far is going about as badly as possible for Minnesota, Kubel may want to abandon ship and join another club.
Although his defense is questionable, to say the least, his abilities with the bat will land him a nice payday, something that the Twins may be reluctant to do for him after devoting millions to Mauer last season. He would be an excellent fit in the five or six holes of almost any lineup, but it may need to be as a DH.
Interested Teams: Twins, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, Athletics, Giants, Dodgers
Prediction: Blue Jays
RHP Heath Bell
7 of 12
San Diego's Heath Bell has been one of the National League's best closers for the last couple seasons along with division rival Brian Wilson of the Giants.
Bell was tasked with replacing Trevor Hoffman, MLB's current all-time saves leader, as the Padres' closer and certainly stepped up to the challenge. He has recorded over 40 saves the past two seasons since becoming the full-time closer and made the NL All-Star team both times in those seasons.
Like I said before with Papelbon, tons of teams need a good closer to lock up close games, and Heath Bell will be the best available option in that category this offseason.
Teams Interested: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers
Prediction: White Sox
SS Jose Reyes
8 of 12
For teams looking for a speedy leadoff hitter, a perennial .300 hitter and/or a great defensive shortstop, the search ends here. Jose Reyes is without a doubt one of the best all-around shortstops in the game today.
At the end of the season, he will be 28 years old, right in his prime, and I highly doubt that the Mets will be able to retain him.
That's not to say that they won't be interested, as Reyes, along with David Wright, is the face of the Mets, and there is no one they would rather have at shortstop. However, with Reyes' wide range of skills, he will require a hefty paycheck, something that the Mets will not be able to afford and other teams will.
Reyes is already having an excellent season, and if he continues (and even if he doesn't), his agent's phone will be ringing off the hook with inquiries from interested teams.
Interested Teams: Red Sox, Orioles, Twins, Angels, Nationals, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants
Prediction: Cardinals
LHP CC Sabathia
9 of 12
Three years ago, CC Sabathia was the prize of the 2008-2009 offseason, and the Yankees walked away victorious after awarding him a seven-year, $161 million deal.
However, that deal includes an opt-out clause that takes effect after the 2011 season. With this clause, Sabathia can walk away from the remaining years and money on his current deal and become a free agent again.
While I personally believe it would be ridiculous for him to walk away from four years and $92 million, many people believe he may think that he can get more, either elsewhere or from the Yankees, and may choose to opt out.
I don't think he will opt out unless he and the Yankees agree that they want to stay together for longer than they had originally proposed and want to just draw up a new contract, but I guess you never know. If he does opt out, teams will be all over him, because he will immediately become the prize of yet another offseason.
Interested Teams: Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Nationals, Brewers, Cardinals, Rockies, Giants
Prediction: Yankees
1B Prince Fielder
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Prince Fielder would be the top hitter in just about any other free agent class, but the No. 1 guy on this list makes him only the second-best option in this talented pool of players.
Fielder has averaged a .280 batting average with 32 home runs and 105 RBI per season during his career, and he is only 27 years old, just now entering his prime. Despite his appearance, Fielder is also an elite defensive first baseman, with his only true weakness on the field being his speed as a baserunner.
Any team would love to slot Prince into its lineup and most would likely bat him in the cleanup slot, as his power and production numbers prove that he can get the big hit when his team needs it.
The Brewers would no doubt love to hold on to Fielder, but his contract will likely wind up being for eight years years and north of $160 million. The Brewers may not have that kind of money to spend, so expect Prince to be donning a new uniform this winter.
Interested Teams: Brewers, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays, Rangers, Nationals, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies
Prediction: Nationals
RHP Yu Darvish
11 of 12
We finally arrive at the top pitcher on this list, and he hasn't even pitched in a major-league game. His name is Yu Darvish, he is a young pitcher from Japan and he is quite possibly the best pitcher alive.
In 100 career games in Japan, Darvish has posted a 58-22 record with an unbelievable 1.81 ERA and 807 strikeouts. I don't care where you're pitching—those numbers will always be looked at as elite.
With as young as Darvish is, if he does in fact get posted, he'll be swarmed by MLB teams with their wallets wide open.
It's also not as if he has never seen any of MLB's current hitters, as he pitched for the World Baseball Classic champion Japanese team in 2009, going 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 13 innings during the tournament.
If this kid can continue doing what he's been doing in Japan once he makes it to the U.S., he would be a steal for any team, even if he winds up making $20 million a year.
Interested Teams: Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Angels, Rangers, Athletics, Mariners, Braves, Marlins, Nationals, Mets, Reds, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Rockies
Prediction: Yankees
1B Albert Pujols
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Last year, the NBA's best player, LeBron James, became a free agent, and the race began. Multiple teams made themselves serious contenders for his services, including the Nets, Knicks, Bulls, Heat and Cavaliers.
As we all know, the Miami Heat eventually won the LeBron sweepstakes, and they are currently squaring off against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals for a shot at the NBA championship.
At the end of this baseball season, that same chaos will occur as MLB's best player, first baseman Albert Pujols, will become a free agent.
With so many great first basemen already signed with other teams, Pujols likely will have a limited number of suitors, especially considering that the general consensus is that he will be looking for a 10-year, $300 million contract. Only a select number of teams will be able to come close to those demands, but whichever team signs Pujols will immediately become a lot better, so it may be worth it.
Pujols has the perfect combination of power, average and defense that makes him the elite player in MLB, and come this offseason, he will be made a very rich man.
Interested Teams: Cardinals, Orioles, Yankees, Rangers, Nationals, Cubs, Giants
Prediction: Cubs
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