2012 MLB Free Agents: CJ Wilson and 3 Pitchers Set for a Huge Payday

CJ Wilson, Texas Rangers

With the Rangers 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, starting pitcher CJ Wilson was granted the chance to pitch at least two more starts.

Why is this a big deal?

Wilson, at the tender age of 31, is hitting free agency and will be expecting to cash in. After an outstanding regular season that watched him go 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.18 WHIP and an All-Star appearance…the dollar signs began to dance through his head.

Yet, after getting lit up by the Rays for six runs on three home runs in only five innings pitched last week, his value was dropping faster than a Hank Williams guitar.

It was a huge blow for a guy that is making a case to be a team’s ace.

He will have a chance to redeem himself in the ALCS.

No pressure Wilson, there is only millions of dollars and the fortunes of your team hanging in the balance. Right now it’s impossible to predict just how much money he can rake in this offseason.

Here are two other big-time pitches set to cash in this winter:

Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

The terrific closer was the subject of endless amounts of trade rumors this season, but ended up staying in sunny San Diego after all.

Now that he’s a free agent, there will be plenty of teams banging on his door looking to get a deal done.

In the last three seasons he’s averaged 44 saves with an ERA under 2.50. At the age of 34, Bell is a great leader in the clubhouse and would be a huge help to any team looking to get over the hump.

He can still be a dominant closer for the next three seasons considering his modest workload in his 20’s. Getting a three-year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-35M sounds about right.

Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox

The end of his season couldn’t have been any worse, but at the age of 30 there is still a lot of value to be had in the normally reliable closer.

His .93 WHIP is something to be excited about, as is his 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings. He has the rare ability to make hitters swing and miss on a consistent basis and also has the experience of pitching in the postseason and winning a World Series.

After blowing the ’11, his Red Sox days are numbered. Expect a team with money to spend like the New York Mets to take a stab on a guy that has four to five years left of top-flight pitching left in the tank.

Papelbon will cash in on a four- to five-year deal worth around $45M.