MLB Free Agency: Jose Reyes and the 15 Best Infielders Who'll Be Available

While there is still plenty of baseball to be played in 2011, and it is shaping up to be one of the tightest postseason races in years, it is never too soon to look ahead to what is sure to be an exciting offseason.

With a number of big names set to hit the free-agent market, and several teams with tens of millions of dollars coming off the books, the moves made at this year's winter meetings could shape the MLB landscape for years to come.

So here is a look at the 15 best infielders set to hit the market this offseason, with a number of players capable of pushing a team over the top in 2012.

No. 15: Greg Dobbs, Third Baseman

Age: 32

Season Stats: .294/.334/.401, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 29 R

Career Stats: .267/.312/.409, 36 HR, 197 RBI, 148 R

After spending the past four seasons as a part-time player and pinch-hitter with the Phillies, Dobbs signed with the Marlins prior to this season looking for an opportunity to get more playing time.

He has gotten just that, and while he has lost at-bats to Emilio Bonifacio at third base in the second half, he is still having a nice season.

Chances are he will never find an everyday job, but he is a nice platoon player and pinch-hitter at this point.

No. 14: Jamey Carrol, Shortstop

Age: 37

Season Stats: .295/.365/.361, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 40 R, 10 SB

Career Stats: .278/.356/.350, 12 HR, 207 RBI, 457 R, 63 SB

Carrol spent the bulk of his 10-year career as a utility infielder, but when Rafael Furcal went down with an injury this year, he got a chance at regular at-bats, and he has performed well.

Still, it is his versatility that makes him valuable, as no teams will be looking to sign a 38-year-old starting infielder but more than a few would love to add a solid all-around player like Carroll to their roster.

No. 13: Alex Gonzalez, Shortstop

Age: 34

Season Stats: .233/.260/.341, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 47 R

Career Stats: .247/.291/.396, 147 HR, 650 RBI, 629 R

Acquired from the Blue Jays for Yunel Escobar midway through the 2010 season, it is clear that Gonzalez' best days are behind him. Still, he has solid pop and plays a very good shortstop.

Chances are he will fill the role that likely retirees Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera have filled in past seasons, contributing to a contending team that does not rely on him for much offensively.

No. 12: Derrek Lee, First Baseman

Age: 35

Season Stats: .247/.303/.420, 14 HR, 44 RBI, 41 R

Career Stats: .281/.364/.494, 326 HR, 1,063 RBI, 1,067 R

A staple at first base for the Cubs for six seasons, Lee recently joined his fourth team in two years when he was dealt to the Pirates at the deadline.

While he has certainly lost a good deal offensively, he still has decent power, and he makes the entire infield better with his superior defense.

No. 11: Aaron Hill, Second Baseman

Age: 29

Season Stats: .226/.275/.312, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 37 R, 14 SB

Career Stats: .265/.319/.414, 95 HR, 105 RBI, 435 R, 37 SB

Hill is just two years removed from a monster .286 BA, 36 HR, 108 RBI season, but his production has steadily fallen since that year.

His average dipped all the way to .205 last season, though he still managed 26 HR and 68 RBI.

This season, his average is still dismal, but his power seems to have disappeared as well. Anyone who signs Hill will be hoping to tap into his 2009 form, as he is still just 29 years old.

No. 10: Wilson Betemit, Third Baseman

Age: 29

Season Stats: .292/.349/.428, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 32 R

Career Stats: .270/.337/.445, 60 HR, 234 RBI, 215 R

Once the prize of the Braves minor league system, Betemit has never put it all together for an entire season, and he has already played for six teams over his nine-year career.

However, he has performed well after being dealt to the Tigers at the deadline this season, hitting .333/.379/.500 with two HR and 10 RBI over 54 at-bats.

He could certainly boost his stock by helping the Tigers make the playoffs and performing well in the postseason, but as it is, he makes for a good starting option for a low-budget team.

No. 9: Omar Infante, Second Baseman

Age: 29

Season Stats: .279/.324/.364, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 38 R

Career Stats: .275/.320/.391, 48 HR, 302 RBI, 364 R

While his All-Star selection in 2010 as a utility player will always be questioned, there is little question that Infante is among the best utility infielders in the game today.

Dealt to the Marlins in the deal that sent Dan Uggla to the Braves, Infante has played second base exclusively this season, but he is most valuable in a super-utility role where he moves around day-to-day but gets everyday player at bats in the process.

No. 8: Casey Kotchman, First Baseman

Age: 28

Season Stats: .335/.395/.475, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 34 R

Career Stats: .270/.336/.404, 57 HR, 323 RBI, 266 R

Once ranked as high as sixth on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, Kotchman would certainly fall under the category of late bloomer.

While he has only gotten 358 at-bats this season, there is no denying that his .335 average is impressive, and it will be interesting to see if a team is willing to take a chance on him as an everyday first baseman based off one good season as a full-time player.

No. 7: Kelly Johnson, Second Baseman

Age: 29

Season Stats: .210/.291/.417, 18 HR, 49 RBI, 59 R, 12 SB

Career Stats: .260/.343/.443, 89 HR, 326 RBI, 422 R, 54 SB

Johnson has always had above-average pop for a second baseman dating back to his days with the Atlanta Braves, but he took his game to the next level in 2010, his first season with the Diamondbacks.

He signed with the Diamondbacks prior to last season and put together a career year with a .284/.370/.496 slash line that included 26 HR, 71 RBI and 13 SB.

That earned him a one-year, $5.85 million deal in his final year of arbitration eligibility. However, he has struggled greatly this season. That said, he is still the best second baseman on the market, and while he may have to take a one-year deal, he could be a steal for someone.

No. 6: Carlos Pena, First Baseman

Age: 33

Season Stats: .221/.341/.452, 23 HR, 65 RBI, 53 R

Career Stats: .239/.350/.486, 253 HR, 715 RBI, 612 R

Signed to a one-year, $10 million deal prior to this season following a horrendous season in which he hit just .196 and posted his worst power numbers four years, Pena has shown improvement enough to boost his stock this coming off season.

It remains to be seen if a .221/.341/.452 slash line will be enough to generate any interest in a multi-year deal from teams, but his power numbers are back up, and his defense is as good as ever.

He will be a consolation prize for whoever loses out on Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.

No. 5: Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop

Age: 32

Season Stats: .265/.339/.396, 13 HR, 54 RBI, 75 R

Career Stats: .272/.329/.396, 167 HR, 716 RBI, 1,068 R

While it would be hard to picture Rollins leaving the Phillies, the fact that little talk has been made about an extension to this point means that there is at least a chance that he could be playing elsewhere in 2012.

He is no longer the player that won the NL MVP in 2007 with a 20-20-20-20 season, but he still hits better than most shortstops and plays terrific defense.

Look for him to re-up with Phillies, but if he doesn't, he could be an interesting option for teams not willing to pay for Jose Reyes.

No. 4: Aramis Ramirez, Third Baseman

Age: 33

Season Stats: .290/.333/.499, 21 HR, 72 RBI, 59 R

Career Stats: .282/.340/.499, 310 HR, 1,101 RBI, 852

Following a couple of injury-plagued season, Ramirez has bounced back big this season, and while he does have a $16 million team option with the Cubs next season, chances are he'll be bought out.

With as weak a third base crop as there has been in a long time, Ramirez is more or less the only option for a team looking to add an impact player at the hot corner.

As long as he stays healthy, he should have at least a few more top-tier production seasons in him.

No. 3: Jose Reyes, Shortstop

Age: 28

Season Stats: .336/.377/.507, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 80 R, 34 SB

Career Stats: .291/.339/.441, 79 HR, 416 RBI, 714 R, 365 SB

It seemed a sure thing that the Mets would deal Reyes at the deadline this season, with the team set to begin rebuilding.

However, a fantastic season has made Reyes the player the Mets hope to build around moving forward, and they elected to keep him in hopes of getting a jump on locking him up.

He is on his way to winning the NL batting title and should receive at least some consideration for NL MVP.

The Mets will have their work cut out for them trying to convince Reyes to come back, and whoever ends up with him, will most likely have to pay something along the lines of a seven-year, $142 million contract that Carl Crawford received from the Red Sox.

No. 2: Prince Fielder, First Baseman

Age: 27

Season Stats: .305/.417/.567, 27 HR, 89 RBI, 75 R

Career Stats: .282/.389/.539, 219 HR, 625 RBI, 551 R

The Brewers surprised everyone last offseason when they elected to hold onto Prince Fielder, instead dealing for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum as they are all-in for the 2011 season.

With a six-game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central, the team is in position to make a postseason run.

However, it appears that at this point even a World Series win wouldn't be enough to keep Fielder from moving on to "greener" pastures.

No. 1: Albert Pujols, First Baseman

Age: 31

Season Stats: .288/.353/.544, 29 HR, 75 RBI, 80 R

Career Stats: .328/.421/.619, 437 HR, 1,305 RBI, 1,266 R

While guys like Jose Reyes and Prince Fielder are among the best in the game and on their way to big-time paydays this offseason, there is little argument that the prize of the 2012 off season is Albert Pujols.

After starting off the season with some of the worst numbers of his career, Pujols is back on track and currently leading the National League with 29 HR and 80 R.

He will be seeking something in the way of $30 million per year, and while it is hard to imagine the Cardinals letting him walk, it isn't out of the question.