2012 MLB Free Agency: Predicting Winter's Highest Paid FA at Each Position

There are a number of players who are due for a big payday when MLB Free Agency rolls around in 2012. A number of players, such as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, will receive deals in excess of $100 million.

These two big name stars are not the only players who teams will be billing to break the bank on this offseason. At every position, there is at least one player who will receive a mega-deal from a team this offseason.

Catcher: Ramon Hernandez

Ramon Hernandez may not be an everyday catcher with the Cincinnati Reds, but there is a good chance that some team will sign him to be their starting catcher.

Power is a very valuable trait for a catcher to have and Hernandez has demonstrated that he can still hit the long ball. He has 12 home runs in under 100 games this year and he also has a solid .154 ISO.

First Base: Albert Pujols

There are two questions that will surround Albert Pujols this offseason. How much money will he make and who will sign him? He could sign the biggest contract in MLB history.

It is very rare that the best player of a generation hits free agency while he is in his prime. There will almost undoubtedly be a bidding war between teams who are trying to add Pujols to the middle of their lineup.

Second Base: Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson is having a bit of a down year this season but that likely will not stop him from signing a big contract this offseason. Teams are always looking for a power hitting second baseman.

Johnson is still under the age of 30 which means that a number of teams will be looking to sign him to a multiple-year deal.

Shortstop: Jose Reyes

It is hard to find a more exciting player in the game today than Jose Reyes. The New York Mets shortstop is outstanding in the field, at bat and on the base paths.

Reyes can lay down a bunt or rip a hard line drive into the gap for a triple. There are so many different ways for him to get on base. A team will be willing to give Reyes a contract in excess of $100 million this offseason.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez will be opting out of his contract at the end of this season and testing the waters of free agency. He believes that he could get a big deal this winter.

There is a high probability that he will get the mega-deal that he wants because of the fact that Ramirez managed to hit over .300 with at least 25 home runs this year.

Right Field: Carlos Beltran

The San Francisco Giants traded away Zach Wheeler for Carlos Beltran this year and they will likely need to offer him a big deal if they have any chance of retaining him.

Beltran has had a resurgence this year after struggling for the past two seasons. He should parlay his success into a two or three year deal.

Center Field: Grady Sizemore

Teams are also willing to pay for young players with potential. Grady Sizemore fits in perfectly into this mold. He has both power and speed.

While he has struggled with injuries the past few years, Sizemore still has a chance to turn things around. If he plays to his potential he is an All-Star, which is why some team will give him a big deal.

Left Field: Jason Kubel

The Minnesota Twins will have two of their outfielders become free agents after the season. They may not be able to retain both of them.

Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer offer different things to teams, but Kubel could get a slightly larger deal because of the fact that he is a bit younger than Cuddyer.

Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia

Both CC Sabathia and his agent Greg Genske know that Sabathia could be in line for a big payday if he opts out of his contract with the New York Yankees after the season.

Sabathia could pick up at least $20 million by opting out of his deal. Teams will bid up the Yankees to ensure that Sabathia gets a massive deal.

Relief Pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon was able to reach 200 saves quicker than Mariano Rivera did. He is one of the best closers in the game and will expect to get a big deal.

Elite closers do not come on the market often and when they do, they receive massive contracts. It should be no different for Papelbon this year.