MLB Free-Agent News: Top 12 Sluggers on the Market This Winter

Even though fall is just beginning, it is never too early to be planning for the future Hot Stove season. This year in particular is going to see a plethora of sluggers enter the market. Who knows what the implications of this might be? Will some big bats be on the move or will they remain where they are?

Let's take a look at the top 12 sluggers to enter the free-agent market this offseason.

12. Kelly Johnson, Toronto Blue Jays

Kelly Johnson broke out last year with 26 home runs. Although his power production has dropped off a little bit since last season, he is still establishing himself as one of the better power-hitting second basemen in baseball with a .215 average and 19 bombs.

His batting average may not be the highest but, at the same time, this list is about slugging and Johnson can hit with power.

11. Vladimir Guerrero, Baltimore Orioles

I know that his best years are behind him, however, Vladimir Guerrero has been one of the most consistent hitters of the current century.

He is low on the list simply because this season is beginning to show his age a little bit with a lower batting average and less power (.276 with 10 home runs).

Nevertheless, he can still play DH effectively and perhaps find his stroke for one more season if someone signs him.

10. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

Jimmy Rollins is currently on the DL. However, he has more power than most leadoff men in baseball with 14 long balls.

He has had over 20 home runs in three separate seasons during his career and probably could have done that again this year if he had not been injured.

Nevertheless, he will enter the free-agent market as probably the most powerful shortstop available.

9. Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins

Jason Kubel cannot be judged by this season. His power production is definitely down so far this year with only 12 bombs and a .278 average, but he should be able to regain his form of hitting more than 20 home runs again.

Over the past three seasons, he has hit over 20 home runs, and he is 29 years old. He is still in his prime, and he should be able to regain that form.

8. Carlos Pena, Chicago Cubs

Carlos Pena strikes out a lot (134 so far). He hits for a low average (.225). However, this is a list of sluggers, and he is capable of hitting the long ball (24 so far).

In his last four seasons, his lowest home run total was 28. He should hit that level again this year.

Yes, this is the same Carlos Pena who hit .196 last season. He is on my list of free-agent sluggers because he can hit the ball hard.

7. Carlos Beltran, San Francisco Giants

Carlos Beltran was hopefully able to shake the injury bug that has plagued him for the past two seasons. Although he lost a lot of speed, he can still hit the ball hard with 16 bombs and a .284 average.

He now plays for one of the lowest scoring teams in baseball, but he can still hit home runs and drive in runs. He could be good for 20 home runs and 80-90 RBI next season in the right situation.

6. Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins

He is slightly removed from his career year of 2009 where he hit 32 home runs and drove in 94 runs.

Nevertheless, his batting average this season is approximately .19 over his career average (.291), and he could probably hit in the neighborhood of 22 or 23 home runs by the time the season ends (18 already) and drive in around 80 runs (61 so far).

If he moves to a very hitter-friendly ballpark, maybe 2009 could make another appearance.

5. Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals

Last season was largely forgettable for one of the elite sluggers of the last decade. However, after a move to St. Louis, he has hit 30 home runs for the first time since 2007.

He still has the amazing plate discipline that helped him get an on-base percentage of .450 in 2004 (.402 right now).

He's getting older, so hopefully his production will be able to stay up for whatever team he signs with next season.

4. Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs

Except for one injury-plagued season since he has arrived in Chicago, Aramis Ramirez has always hit 25 home runs.

He is on pace to easily break that number this season (24 now) and potentially drive in over 100 runs with one last solid month (83 currently).

He has consistently batted around .300 during his tenure in Chicago (.305 in 2011), and most teams would welcome a very likely stat line of .300/25/100.

He does have an option for next season, so he may not be on the market. However, I wanted to include him on this list because the Chicago Sun-Times reported that he might want to test the free-agent market.

3. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Although the past three seasons have been rough on David Ortiz in terms of batting average, he brought it right back up so far this season (.313) and has not been sacrificing any power (28 home runs).

He has slipped since his career-high 54 home runs in 2006, but he is still on pace to hit over 30 home runs and drive in over 100 this season.

Those are pretty great power numbers.

2. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

On most lists of sluggers, Prince Fielder would be first.

He has already crested the 100 RBI mark for the season with approximately one month left (102). He hits for a pretty good average (.293), hits for a lot of power (29 home runs) and draws a lot of walks (.409 OBP).

These are all very important skills for a slugger, and Fielder is one of the best in all of them.

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols is one of the best pure hitters in baseball today.

He has hit over 30 home runs in every one of his 10 major-league seasons and has driven in at least 100 runs in every previous season (he hasn't gotten there yet this year but definitely could with a really good September with 79 so far).

Although his batting average is slightly down this season (.286), this should not be a concern.

For excellent and consistent performance, there is no free-agent or maybe even baseball player today better than Pujols.