MLB Free Agents 2012: Ranking the Top 25 Players Who Will Leave for New Teams

The 2012 MLB free-agent class, including those players with options and up for arbitration, really is one for the ages.  It has some of the best players around today, and even a couple of the best in history. 

Where will Albert Pujols go?  David Ortiz?  C.C. Sabathia?  Jimmy Rollins?  Carlos Beltran?

Actually, don't expect to see those guys in this slideshow—the top free agents leaving town.  Those superstars are staying put and will quickly, and richly, remain with their current teams.

The Cardinals have no choice.  They will sign Pujols for less than that $300 million that was floated out there preseason.  David Ortiz's case is similar.  The Red Sox just can't let him go.  C.C.?  He'll either opt out and sign long-term with the Yankees, or less likely, pass on the option and finish off the last four $23 million years on his contract.

As for Jimmy Rollins, he may go, but I still see him in Philly pinstripes for four more years instead of the five he's looking for.  Beltran? His heart is in San Francisco.

What about National League batting champion Jose Reyes sticking with the Mets?  Don't think so.  And he isn't the best free agent on the market that will be splitting either, surely you know.

There's been a lot made of the offense that will be available this offseason, but there's a nice crop of pitching and relieving on the table too—especially when you look at those who will move.

That's what we're talking about here: the top 25 2012 free agents who'll be getting a ticket to ride.

25. Bartolo Colon, SP

Yes, Bartolo Colon is on the list.  He has one more year in him.

Despite the 8-10 record, Colon had a respectable comeback year—4.00 ERA, under 1.30 WHIP and a quite-nice 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

He won't be back with the Yankees, though, but some other American League team.  The Red Sox, Rangers, Angels, Rays or Indians might all be takers.

24. Hisashi Iwakuma, SP

The Oakland A's threw $19 million at Rakuten Golden Eagles hurler Hisashi Iwakuma last year to secure negotiation rights, but Iwakuma decided to stay in Japan after salary talks broke down.

There's a bad taste in both teams', and Iwakuma's, mouths following that failure—and the return of Oakland's money—so don't look for the A's to try again.

But Iwakuma might attempt the jump once more in 2012.  He's hired a new agent, and there's no longer a fee required to talk to him which paves the way for less financially endowed teams to take a shot.

Plenty of ballclubs could use Iwakuma's arm, including the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, but can they afford the likely $10 million price tag?

23. Joel Pineiro, SP

It is unlikely the Los Angeles Angels will re-sign Joel Pineiro, who had both a mediocre season and a shoulder injury in 2011.

Pineiro came back strong from his injury, though, and had a nice September, going three for four in wins.

This is just the type of project the New York Mets would look into.

22. Grady Sizemore, CF

It's impossible to believe that the Cleveland Indians would not buy out Grady Sizemore and the $8.5 million he'd be due in 2012, especially after yet another surgery just a week ago.  The buyout is only $500,000.

Sizemore has missed a good 200 games or so over the past three years.

Still, the potential is there for him to finally be healthy.  It happens.  A team will take chance, at a much-discounted rate of course.  The Chicago White Sox?

21. Paul Maholm, SP

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be letting Paul Maholm walk.

Maholm went 6-14, but then again, no starter on the Pirates had a winning record.

He'll be a nice relatively cheap pickup, and a fine back-end starter for any team looking to shore up their staff.

20. Hiroki Kuroda, SP

Hiroki Kuroda is leaving L.A., and maybe even the U.S.

He says there is a "50/50 chance" he'll be back in Japan in 2012, playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

19. Johnny Damon, DH

Johnny Damon's still kicking: 29 doubles, 16 homers, 73 RBI and a .261 batting average for the Tampa Rays in 2011.

Someone will pick him up when the Rays decline to re-sign him after they and agent Scott Boras don't see eye to eye on 2012 (and go all in on the youth movement).

Damon wants to come back to the Rays, but he'd play for the Red Sox, Yankees or Tigers, too.  I doubt any of that will happen.

18. Clint Barmes, SS

Clint Barmes is the odd man out in Astros owner Jim Crane's quest to get Houston's payroll down to $60 million.

The Milwaukee Brewers might still be interested.  The Minnesota Twins might also take a look at Barmes, who will come reasonably priced.  Both squads need shortstops badly.

17. Carlos Pena, 1B

Carlos Pena sort of says he wants to stay with the Cubs, and that he loves the city of Chicago, but it seems wishy-washy to me.

The Cubs have been reciprocally lukewarm to Pena.  We know who they're going for at first base.  If that doesn't pan out, Chicago can throw that money at pitching, which they desperately need, and give newbies Bryan LaHair or Tyler Colvin a chance.

That leaves Pena looking for a place to call home...Milwaukee?

16. Vladimir Guerrero, RF

The will-be 37-year-old, Vladimir Guerrero knocked 30 doubles and batted .290 in 2011.  There's life in him yet and he definitely wants to keep playing.

But it won't be with the Orioles.  How about the L.A. Angels?

15. Javier Vazquez, SP

Javier Vazquez has not retired...yet.  He will make his decision in December.

It doesn't look like Ozzie Guillen or the Miami Marlins are clamoring to have Vazquez back, and there are plenty of teams hungry for pitching that would surely take a chance.

14. Francisco Cordero, CL

Cincinnati Reds reliever Francisco Cordero is the first of a few solid closers who will be donning new duds come April.

The Reds are looking at a $12 million option, that will be not be exercised mostly due to Cordero's age; he'll be 37 in May.

What teams are looking for a good closer (which Cordero still is at 37 saves, a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP)?  Take a look at the "closer carousel" at mlbtraderumors.com.

13. Josh Willingham LF

The Oakland A's' plans are tied up in whether they get a new stadium (and city? San Jose?) or not.  If they do, bye-bye Josh Willingham and his 29 homers and 98 RBI.  If they don't, hello.

Who would take him?

The Atlanta Braves for one.

12. Jason Kubel OF/DH

The word is the Minnesota Twins will keep either Michael Cuddyer or Jason Kubel, and it looks like 11-year Twin Cuddyer is going to get the nod.

Around the trading deadline, ESPN noted the Pittsburgh Pirates' interest.  Are they still interested?

11. Coco Crisp, CF

As with Josh Willingham, Coco Crisp's future in Oakland depends on whether the A's get a new stadium.  As of late September, those plans were still in the air, but Crisp may not stick around to see what happens.

Already the San Francisco Giants are readying their pursuit.

10. Erik Bedard, SP

You get the sense the Boston Red Sox will be cleaning a little house this offseason, and Erik Bedard will probably be swept into the dustbin.  The Red Sox need more and they will go out and try to get it, probably even hampering the C.C. sweepstakes.

Before Bedard was shipped off to Boston, the Indians, Pirates and Reds were a few of the teams interested.

9. Ryan Madson, CL

You have to believe Ryan Madson will decline his $4.5 million option with the Philadelphia Phillies.  The premium on a solid closer dictates a higher price tag.

The Phillies might still try to keep him, but look out—the Washington Nationals are going to snatch him up.

8. Roy Oswalt, SP

It was almost over for Roy Oswalt in Philly by the end of the season; then there was Game 4 of the NLDS where he gave up five runs in six innings and delivered a critical loss.  So things are worse.

Now it seems the greatest pitching staff of all time will last only a year as the Phillies cannot possibly pick up the $16 million Oswalt will be owed in 2012.  Unless the two renegotiate, imagine Oswalt finishing his career in sunny Southern California, with Don Mattingly's Dodgers.

7. Francisco Rodriguez, CL

The big recent rumors, according to ESPN New York, surrounding K-Rod have him returning to the New York Mets, but really?  New York can do better and cheaper, and with less aggravation.

The Brewers too—they'll let Rodriguez split.

6. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Aramis Ramirez wants to be a Miami Marlin, but that probably won't happen.

Perhaps he will finish his career in sunny Southern California, too, but with the Angels.

5. Joe Nathan, CL

Joe Nathan, probably the second-best closer in the majors over the years 2004-2009, came back from Tommy John surgery this season.  He's still got it, but the Minnesota Twins might go with Glen Perkins out of the pen.

This is right up the New York Mets' alley.

4. Jonathan Papelbon, CL

Peter Gammons said if Jonathan Papelbon costs $36 million-$39 million over three years, the Red Sox will let him go. They have enough to deal with signing Ortiz.

Plus they have Daniel Bard waiting to take over the closer role.

Would Papelbon and Mariano Rivera be able to coexist for a year, before Papelbon takes over the Yankees' closing duties for good?

3. C.J. Wilson, SP

It looks like the Texas Rangers will be losing two left-handed aces two years in a row.  Believe it or not, the Rangers might be able to shrug this one off too.  They are deep.

Wilson is going to get paid either way, with not only Texas vying for his wares, but also New York and Boston, both desperate for a hardy No. 2 or 3, and a lefty one at that.

2. Jose Reyes, SS

The big "story" here is the New York Mets, as of October 7, had not contacted Jose Reyes about a new contract.  Sandy Alderson previously said that he doesn't expect the Mets to re-sign Reyes before the Mets' exclusive negotiation window closes, which lasts until five days after the World Series.

Something smells.  Look for Reyes to be in another uniform next season.

Ryan Braun has been courting him since the All-Star Game.

1. Prince Fielder, 1B

The great grand prize of the 2012 free-agent market (of those who will walk) is Prince Fielder.

He's going—that's for sure—and said so himself.

But who wants him?  Well, everybody wants him.  But who, realistically, will lay it all out there to make it happen?  The Chicago Cubs is the team most speculated.  But, what if Fielder wound up in the American League East, not with the Yankees or Red Sox, but the Baltimore Orioles?