MLB Free Agency: 5 Teams with Most to Gain This Offseason

In baseball, as in every professional sport, free agency can be a game-changer. Oftentimes, the market is saturated with talent, so if a team is willing to go out and spend the money, the next season could be totally different.

This winter, the story will be the same. There are five teams in particular that have a lot to gain this offseason. Let's take a look at who they are.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have a lot of money that will be free after this season due to expiring contracts. This money has now been linked to Albert Pujols. If they get Pujols, they would automatically be the lottery winners of this offseason.

Having Pujols in the middle of their lineup would give consistent production to a team that has had a disappointing 2011. Maybe the Cubs still won't win the World Series, but they have a lot to gain if they can grab Pujols.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have had a disappointing season, and they are 15.5 games back in the division. However, with a core of Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Jhoulys Chacin and hopefully a solid returning Jorge De La Rosa, the Rockies may be in the position to do well next season.

However, they need more starting pitching. The rest of their rotation is very suspect, and free agency is one possible time to improve that right now. I think that the Rockies do indeed have a lot to gain this winter.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I had a hard time putting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on this list because they are not doing badly. However, that is kind of the point. They are on the edge of going very far, and I think that they could gain a lot this offseason.

For one thing, the starting rotation could use some support behind Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Dan Haren. However, they could use a little more firepower in the lineup that has scored the fifth fewest runs in the American League.

If they fill these needs, they should be back on top of the West.

San Francisco Giants

I know that I said this on the last slide, but the San Francisco Giants aren't that bad either. However, they scored the fewest runs in baseball this season. There is definitely room to improve in that area, and Jose Reyes would help that.

The Giants also have the second best team ERA in baseball led by Tim Lincecum. If this pitching staff is combined with a team that can actually score, the Giants have a lot to gain next season.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays baseball will always have to contend with a pair of giants. However, they are still in the race this season, and they have a lot to gain by diving into the free-agent market.

They need to be able to counteract whatever moves both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox make.

The easiest way for them to do this would be to add a powerful bat into the middle of their lineup. They only have two men who have had hit 20 home runs this season. I know that not all teams try to hit for power, but it helps to have at least some of that dimension in the lineup.