MLB Free Agency: The 15 Biggest Names Who Could Change Teams

The 2011 MLB trade deadline is a thing of the past while the waiver trade period has been rather quiet during the first two weeks of August. All things considered, I can guarantee one thing—we are set for a crazy carousel known as MLB free agency this winter.

With some of the biggest names in baseball possibly looking for new homes this winter, MLB may enter the 2012 season with a whole new look. At this point the possibilities are endless.

With an abundance of closers and big bats looking to cash in on the open market but only a few top-tier pitchers, we are bound to see plenty of surprises once the free agency period begins. 

Here are the 15 biggest names that could change teams in 2012. 

Honorable Mention

David Ortiz

I was going to include him since technically he will be a free agent, but there isn't a large demand for DH's and there is no way he leaves Boston anyway.

Mark Buehrle

It would be surprising to see him leave the White Sox, yet it's a very real possibility with the number of bad contracts they've tied themselves up with. Either way, he doesn't make the cut on this list.

Yadier Molina

There is no way the Cardinals don't pick up his $7 million option next season, regardless of whether Albert Pujols stays or goes.

Michael Cuddyer

He's having a great walk-year, but he may end up back in Minnesota anyway. Regardless, he misses out on this list.

Nick Swisher

Mundane season guarantees two things—the Yankees will not pick up his $10.5 million option and he is not good enough to be in the top 15.

Hiroki Kuroda

While good, he will be 37 years old next season and is enjoying his best season in MLB.

Lance Berkman

He has definitely put himself in line to get a multi-year deal next season. Could take over at first base if Pujols departs, but probably wouldn't return to St. Louis along with Pujols.

Closers 

Jonathan Broxton, Ryan Madson, Matt Capps, Joe Nathan, Francisco Cordero, Brad Lidge and Jose Valverde all stand the chance at being on the market this winter, and that doesn't include the three closers who made the top 15. 

15. Grady Sizemore

With yet another season marred by injuries, the chances of the Cleveland Indians picking up Grady Sizemore's $8.5 million option for next season seem to have dwindled away.

Sizemore wasn't productive this season even when he was healthy, but he is still only 29 years old and three years removed from a 33 HR, 38 SB season. He will definitely attract plenty of interest on the market if the Indians turn down his option.

Sizemore did hit 10 long balls in 61 games this season, but his average is below .240 and he has zero swiped bags on the season.

It would definitely be a risky move to give Sizemore a big contract, but for the potential, there may be a team who believes he's worth the risk.

14. Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon is one of a large handful of closers who will be on the market after the season, which in my opinion only increases his chances of returning to the Boston Red Sox on a two or three-year, team-friendly deal.

It doesn't help his cause that he is the third-best closer set to hit the market while the Red Sox have Daniel Bard waiting in the wings to take over in the ninth inning.

When push comes to shove, teams will have no reason to overpay for a closer because there will be so many available. Whether he lands with the Red Sox or another team, Papelbon is only 31 years old and should have no problem getting a three-year deal outside of Boston.

13. Chris Carpenter

Turning 37 years old a month into the 2012 season with clearly diminishing skills, there is no way the St. Louis Cardinals exercise his $15 million option for next season.

Carpenter's 3.68 ERA this year is his highest over a full season since 2001 and he has allowed the most hits in the NL so far this season.

With so many clubs in dire need of pitching, Carpenter will be able to land a three-year deal for way too much money. The only way he stays in St. Louis is if Albert Pujols does not.

12. Carlos Beltran

So far Carlos Beltran has done everything possible to help his case heading into free agency this winter, although how he performs down the stretch could make or break his next contract.

It is very possible that the San Francisco Giants try to retain him past this season, but he will definitely attract many suitor's around baseball. When healthy, Beltran is huge asset to any ball club—yet health concerns will be the big issue while negotiating his next deal.

Beltran will turn 35 years old a month into the 2012 season, but he should still find a team willing to bite on a three-year deal depending on how this season plays out. 

11. Jimmy Rollins

The only way Jimmy Rollins ends up back in Philadelphia is if he takes a team-friendly deal well below market value. To play on a team as talented as the Phillies look to be going forward, that won't be out of the question for Rollins.

Rollins will turn 33 years old after this season—not young, but still young enough to get a three or four-year deal on the open market at possibly upwards of $10 million per season.

The Phillies are pushing up close to the luxury tax threshold and won't be able to give Rollins top-dollar, and you can bet there is a team out there willing to give the defensive specialist and former NL MVP a lucrative contract.

10. Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips has established himself as one of the premier second basemen in baseball, and at 30 years old, he has to be hoping the Cincinnati Reds turn down his $12 million option for 2012.

With all of the young players on the Reds who will be looking for hefty raises and contract-extensions in the near future, a possibility remains where Phillips' option is declined. Ongoing contract talks between the two parties have not gone well, but both sides believe it's still possible for a long-term deal to get done.

If it doesn't, however, then Phillips could easily garner a four-year, $40-45 million deal on the open market. Teams would definitely be willing to pay for a great defensive second baseman with plus-power. 

9. Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez has regained form during the 2011 season, but there is still no way that the Chicago Cubs pick up his $16 million option for next season.

There is still a possibility that Ramirez is moved in August, which could help drive up his value on the open market. Ramirez is still just 33 years old and he could easily get a three-year deal, maybe even four if he puts on a show for a contender down the stretch.

Being the best third baseman in a weak free agent class will only help his case this offseason.

8. Roy Oswalt

Roy Oswalt will be one of the few good arms available during the upcoming free agency period. That is, of course, assuming that the Philadelphia Phillies will not pick up his $16 million option for next season.

With the money the Phillies have tied up in Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, paired with the the impending free agency of Cole Hamels after next season, it's hard to imagine any scenario where they are able to exercise the option. Best case scenario, they will end up having to choose between Oswalt and Jimmy Rollins.

Oswalt will turn 34 years old later this month, so it's not out of the question that he may get a four-year deal on the open market. Being the one of the few top pitchers on the market only increases his value.

Expect the Yankees, among many other teams, to look into Oswalt should the Phillies decline his option. 

7. Heath Bell

While the San Diego Padres are hopeful they can agree to a team-friendly contract with Heath Bell before he tests the free-agent waters, it is unlikely that the soon-to-be 34-year-old will forego his first chance at maximizing his value on the open market.

After ending the 2010 season with a sparkling 1.93 ERA, Bell has taken a step back with a 2.70 ERA so far in 2011. Still great, but if you consider he is nearing his mid-30s and pitches his home games at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, some suitors may shy away from giving him a mega-deal.

This could change if he is moved in August and is able to showcase his abilities in a different park and possibly in the postseason. 

While Bell is the second best closer heading to the open market, he may end up getting the third biggest contract behind Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez.

6. Francisco Rodriguez

Francisco Rodriguez should demand more on the open market than any other closer, if anything because he turns only 30 years old before the start of next season, whereas Heath Bell will be 34 years old.

That is a huge advantage as K-Rod seeks his second big free-agent deal, especially seeing as he may get to showcase himself in the postseason.

Stuck on some bad Mets' teams the last few seasons, K-Rod never put up monster save numbers like he did in Los Angeles. Still, K-Rod managed a 3.05 ERA while striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings. 

The abundance of closers available diminishes their values across the board, but K-Rod should be able to land the longest and most lucrative deal of the bunch.

5. C.J. Wilson

Two seasons ago C.J. Wilson was the closer for the Texas Rangers. Since then, Wilson has established himself into an All-Star starting pitcher who plays his home games at arguably the most hitter-friendly park in baseball.

Wilson is 26-13 with a 3.31 ERA since becoming a starter before the 2010 season and he has increased his SO/BB ratio from 1.83 to 2.64 during his second season in the rotation.

With the potential to be the "hidden gem" of this years entire free-agent class, you can bet plenty of teams will inquire about his services this winter.

Clearly the Rangers would like to get an extension done with the ace of their young staff, but a team like the Yankees may be willing to pay a lot more for Wilson's services. 

4. C.C. Sabathia

C.C. Sabathia ranks fourth on this list only because the odds of the Yankees not outbidding themselves to retain his services are slim to none. However, the fact remains that Sabathia will be a free agent and can sign with whichever team he so chooses.

Maybe he realizes how old the Yanks are getting and doesn't want to stick around to see Derek Jeter playing shortstop well into his 40s. You never know.

The fact that the Yankees have absolutely no pitching behind Sabathia (unless you want to count A.J. Burnett) may also be a concern, especially because it's slim-pickings for young starting pitchers on the market this winter. I'm sure he is also aware that there is no way Bartolo Colon duplicates his 2011 success into next season.

Either way, with the season Sabathia is putting up he may be able to command near $150 million. I can't name a team who would give him that kind of money other than the Yanks.

3. Jose Reyes

It was somewhat surprising that Jose Reyes wasn't dealt before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, but that is a clear sign the New York Mets were considering a contract-extension for one of MLB's best shortstops.

While Reyes has seemed open to the idea of staying with the Mets, one has to wonder whether yet another DL trip will make the Mets think twice before shelling out the big bucks this winter.

You can bet that Reyes will have at least 10 serious suitors once free agency begins, including both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

At this point in his career, you'd have to think Reyes not only wants money but he wants to win as well. That will not happen any time soon with the Mets, as they are clearly rebuilding from the ground up.

A player with Reyes' talent from the shortstop position will be a hot commodity on the open market. Whoever lands him is taking a huge risk for the possibility of a huge reward.

2. Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols may very well go down as one of MLB's all-time greats and he will surely enter Cooperstown as a St. Louis Cardinal. However, that doesn't mean he will retire with the Redbirds.

Everyone was sure that Pujols and the Cards would have a deal in place before the 2011 season. After that didn't happen, everyone swore the two parties would come to an agreement during the season. There's strike two.

The Cardinals made the right move by not shelling $300 million to him immediately. Although Pujols is still one of the top sluggers in the game, he has clearly lost a step or two as he gets further into his 30s and it will continue to get worse with each passing season.

I would be surprised if Pujols' next deal reaches $200 million, especially seeing as he may no longer be the best first baseman available going forward.

Pujols is batting only .284 so far in 2011. Coming into the season, Pujols' lowest average for a season was .312. By no coincidence, that was last season. The same goes for his .348 OBP and .535 SLG, where his previous season lows were .394  and .561, respectively, way back in 2002. 

Other than the Cards, the most serious suitor for Pujols' services will be the Chicago Cubs. Everyone is aware of the good relationship Pujols has with Cubs GM Jim Hendry, and that may be part of the reason Hendry was able to keep his job into next season.

The Baltimore Orioles are a potential suitor as well. In the end, it's probably going to be the Cardinals and Cubs bidding for his services. 

1. Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder is having a monster year at the perfect time. Enough so that he may garner the largest contract during free agency.

Fielder has two things going for him as he heads into free agency—he is a clear front-runner for the NL MVP Award and he will be only 27 years old on Opening Day of the 2012 season. That means Fielder is entering his prime rather than being on his way out of it like Albert Pujols.

Currently sitting at career-highs with a .308 BA and .420 OBP, Fielder has shown immense improvement driving the ball to all parts of the field this season. He also has 77 walks compared to only 73 strikeouts, proving he has been much more patient at the plate.

Where Fielder lands depends a lot on Pujols. Fielder's agent—Scott Boras—will most likely let Pujols set the bar before negotiating a contract for Prince. 

If Pujols stays in St. Louis there is a good chance Prince will make the short trip down to Wrigley to play for the Cubs. If Pujols signs with the Cubs, it is possible that the Cards would then go after Prince.

You also can't discount the Milwaukee Brewers attempting to retain Prince. It all depends on how the market plays out. If the Brewers make a run deep into the postseason, Fielder may be willing to sign a contract similar to Ryan Braun's. Crazier things have happened.

Again, the Baltimore Orioles or even the Washington Nationals may be dark-horses for Fielder or Pujols, but I think it's very unlikely that either player lands outside the NL Central.

Jeffrey Beckmann is a MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow Jeffrey on his new Twitter account for all of his latest work. You can also hear him each Friday at 1 pm EST on B/R Baseball Roundtable.