2012 MLB Free Agency Predictions: Where the Top 25 Hitters Will Land

Although the Major League Baseball season is far from over, the winter is approaching quickly. General managers are going to start dealing big contracts to free agents in hopes of competing for the 2012 World Series.

Now comes the fun part. Who is going to land where? Let's take a look at the top 25 free-agent hitters and talk about where they could land.

25. Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre could possibly end up with the New York Mets in my mind.

However, as you'll find out later, I do not think the Mets will have their leadoff hitter Jose Reyes anymore. This means Angel Pagan would be the only legitimate baserunning threat the Mets would have.

Pierre would definitely be a bargain signing for the Mets, but he could definitely fill a void that they will likely have in their lineup next year.

24. Jason Varitek

I really have no doubt that Jason Varitek will re-sign with the Boston Red Sox—assuming that he doesn't retire, of course.

The captain of the Boston Red Sox will not be leaving anytime soon. He is definitely not as productive as he used to be, but he still has decent power. He ended up splitting a lot of time with Jarrod Saltalamacchia but is still a leader on the team. If he plays for any other team, I would genuinely be surprised.

23. Greg Dobbs

Greg Dobbs has had a nice resurgence for the Florida Marlins, but I see him moving, as weird as this might sound, to the New York Yankees.

Obviously, he will not start ahead of Alex Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez has missed quite a few games for the past couple of years. Eric Chavez was not the best replacement for him, and he will be a free agent anyway.

Dobbs played off the bench in Philadelphia a few years ago, so it is definitely possible that the New York Yankees sign him as an insurance policy.

22. Ryan Doumit

I really do not have many catchers on this list, but Ryan Doumit will be desired this winter. He should end up with the Cincinnati Reds.

Ramon Hernandez will appear later on this list signing elsewhere, but I think Doumit could replace him. Perhaps he is a bit of an injury risk because he missed quite a few games this season. However, assuming that he is healthy, Doumit can be extremely productive. I think the Cincinnati Reds will approach him to replace Ramon Hernandez at a lower cost.

21. Hideki Matsui

Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui will likely re-sign with the Oakland Athletics.

Next season, the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners are opening their season in Tokyo. Ichiro plays for the Mariners, obviously, and why might Oakland be going? I would have to assume it's because the Athletics intend to re-sign Hideki Matsui. He seemed like a good fit for the Athletics this season anyway, so he should re-sign.

20. Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero was one of the best hitters in baseball for a number of years. Even though he is getting older, he still can hit the ball. He will probably end up staying with the Baltimore Orioles.

He would most definitely be a bargain, and he performed very well in Baltimore this past season. His power has decreased, but as a designated hitter he was still able to hit for a very quality average. I think the Orioles would like him back in Baltimore next season.

19. Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez is definitely a power-hitting shortstop, and I see him returning to the Atlanta Braves next season.

Although he strikes out way too much, he provides quite a bit of power to a Braves lineup that definitely wanted more production. He has played for several teams throughout his career, but he has always been able to deliver power. There will be substantial interest in him this winter, but he will most likely return to the Atlanta Braves.

18. Raul Ibanez

I definitely do not think Raul Ibanez will be in Philadelphia next year; in fact, I do not think he will be anywhere next year. He will probably retire.

Ibanez had a tough year in Philadelphia. Although he definitely had some moments where he showed that he can hit the ball very well, he struggled for a great portion of the season and eventually lost a lot of playing time because of the emergence of John Mayberry Jr.

Ibanez is 38 years old, and I predict that after what I would assume was a frustrating season, he will retire.

17. Wilson Betemit

Wilson Betemit would fit nicely with the Florida Marlins.

Greg Dobbs is going to be a free agent, and Betemit would be an upgrade. He will also be very affordable, which means that the Marlins could try to go out and acquire a few more stars for their transition to that new stadium.

Betemit's average has been climbing every year even though his power has been decreasing. What if they both move up together? He could be a very good and productive bargain.

16. Laynce Nix

Laynce Nix could possibly end up with the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves needed some more offense, and Nix could definitely provide that. He demonstrated this season that he can hit some home runs. The Braves were desperate for runs this year, and it would not hurt to bring in someone with more power than the duo of Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz. This could be a decent move.

15. Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon will probably return to the Tampa Bay Rays.

He had a very productive year there, and he worked out a lot better than Manny Ramirez. He actually proved that he could produce runs, and he was a relative bargain. If he could produce those numbers again, the Rays would be very happy with him. I see him returning to continue his tenure in Tampa Bay.

14. Carlos Pena

I know Carlos Pena strikes out a lot, but many teams will want his power. However, the team that will want him the most is the Oakland Athletics.

I say this because they did not get a lot of production out of their first-base position this season. Pena has the potential to add some power to a lineup that only had one batter hit over 20 home runs. Obviously he is not as productive as he was a few years ago in terms of home runs and RBI, but he could still solidify a lineup that needed more runs.

13. Ramon Hernandez

I do not think there will be a lot of depth for free-agent catchers, but Ramon Hernandez is atop the list. I think he will sign with the Houston Astros.

The Astros are definitely rebuilding. Rebuilding normally revolves around a young staff of pitchers rising together. Having a veteran catcher like Hernandez would definitely help this process. This is nothing against Humberto Quintero, but Hernandez has a nice bat that would help the Astros, and he could help develop the young pitchers.

12. Josh Willingham

Josh Willingham is definitely a higher-power but lower-average outfielder who I think will end up playing for the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox have never been opposed to taking a risk on a low-average, high-power hitter. Although a similar type of gamble on Adam Dunn didn't work out that well, it is very possible that the White Sox go after Willingham. He would definitely do a respectable job of holding down a corner outfield spot in Chicago.

11. Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson will probably be the best second baseman on the free-agent market this winter, and he should remain with the Toronto Blue Jays.

I think the Blue Jays traded for him for a reason. Why would they be buyers when they were not near the race? I assume they traded for him with the intention of re-signing him this offseason. It would not have made sense for them to acquire him when they were out of the race just to let him walk in the winter.

10. Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee has been great in Pittsburgh, but I think he could move to the Milwaukee Brewers.

I know that I just showed my hand about Prince Fielder, but Lee would be a perfect replacement in Milwaukee. He has a great glove, he showed that he can still hit the ball and he would be a veteran leader in the clubhouse that will have a large void to fill with the departure of Fielder. The Brewers will have some money to spend, and I think it should go to Derrek Lee.

9. Jason Kubel

Jason Kubel could return to Minnesota again, but I think that it is more likely for him to go to the San Francisco Giants.

They need offense, and Kubel can provide that for a much lower price than some of these other options. He also has greater potential than he showed this season. 2009 was his prime year, but quite honestly the Giants need any type of offense they can get. The Giants could make him an attractive offer.

8. Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins will probably not leave the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rollins is most definitely the emotional leader of the Philadelphia Phillies. Although he has not been the same since his MVP season in 2007, he is still the second-best shortstop on the market behind Jose Reyes. However, I do not think he will necessarily hit the market because the Phillies do seem to like him.

7. Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer should also remain with his team, the Minnesota Twins.

He was the most productive bat Minnesota had this season. I remember thinking at the beginning of the year that Minnesota had way too many outfielders, but they handled that dilemma by dealing Delmon Young to the Detroit Tigers. Now, Cuddyer will indeed fall into their plans. I don't see him going anywhere.

6. Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran would be an interesting fit for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Essentially, their outfield consisted of Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Peter Bourjos this past season. This is definitely a decent outfield, but adding Beltran would be an improvement over this combination. I know that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to move either Hunter or Wells to bring in Beltran, but I'm not sure why I really feel like something this crazy could happen.

5. David Ortiz

David Ortiz will most likely return to the Boston Red Sox.

Not only has he been a large part of reestablishing the Red Sox as one of the better teams in Major League Baseball, he is also a very productive player. He has been a fixture in the middle of the Boston lineup, and even though he seems disgruntled right now, I think he will overcome that. It is definitely most likely that he stays in Boston.

4. Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez could very well move a little bit Northeast and become a Detroit Tiger next season.

Brandon Inge has been largely underwhelming this season, and Wilson Betemit will be a free agent as well. The Tigers have a pretty good lineup anyway, but another powerful bat never hurts. Ramirez will be the best third baseman on the market this offseason, and Detroit should definitely make a play for him.

3. Jose Reyes

I do not think that Jose Reyes will re-sign with the New York Mets. He will probably go to the Boston Red Sox.

I like Marco Scutaro, but he is not the long-term answer. Boston has the money to pull off a giant free-agent signing as well. The Red Sox will not be happy that they choked and missed out on the playoffs. Because of this, they will be willing to spend, and a shortstop like Reyes could help them out next season.

2. Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder could very well end up with the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago will have money to spend, and imagine what Fielder could do in Wrigley Field. He would give them a giant bat in the middle of their lineup. Carlos Pena has been playing that position, but obviously Fielder would provide a lot higher average, more power and fewer strikeouts. I see Prince Fielder staying in the NL Central.

1. Albert Pujols

I would be incredibly surprised to not see Albert Pujols return to the St. Louis Cardinals next year.

First of all, the Cardinals are doing really well this year. It is not as if he would be trapped with a bad team. Also, the future economic benefits of having Pujols while he starts to achieve more and more milestones could be huge. The fans will come pouring in to see him hit his 500th and 600th home runs. I figure the benefits will offset his very large contract.