MLB Free Agents 2012: Where the Best at Each Position Will Likley Land

For 30 teams, the offseason has already begun, as well as the meetings to discuss top Free Agent priorities. As in past years, the decisions of top players will be heavily covered, and as we learned last year, expect the unexpected when it comes to the top names on the market. This year, the class is highlighted by names like Prince Fielder, C.J. Wilson, and Albert Pujols. As we saw last season, you never know what is going to happen when the offseason comes around. This year, some positions have multiple stars in Free Agency, while others positions are on the thin side.

1st Base: Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder

This year, two of the most appealing fee agents come from the first base position—Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.

The two recently faced off in the 2011 NLCS, where the Cardinals came out on top.

Pujols is sure to be paid big money this year, and he has expressed interest in staying with the team where he has built his legacy.

Free Agent Prediction (Pujols): St. Louis Cardinals

As for Fielder, I can't picture him playing anywhere other than Milwaukee, and the organization probably feels the same way. I don't know what it will take, but I believe the Brewers will find some way to keep their Braun & Fielder Duo together for the future.

Free Agent Prediction (Fielder): Milwaukee Brewers

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Other than Fielder and Pujois, there are no other really talented free agents at the first base position, except Casey Kotchman. Casey had a stellar year with the Tampa Bay Rays, and I forsee them resigning him, securing the middle of their lineup.

Casey Kotchman- Tampa Bay Rays

2nd Base: Aaron Hill

The second base position is an extremely weak one in the 2012 free agent market, which is why Aaron Hill is the best option available. Not to say Hill isn't a good player, as he was an All-Star a few years ago, he just hasn't found his swing since.

The Mets are in need of an infielder, and Aaron Hill is their best option.

Free Agent Prediction: New York Mets

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If Aaron Hill is already the best second baseman available, you can imagine the rest of the group must be pretty week. That group is Kelly Johnson. Brandon Phillips has an option for next season, and it seems as if the Reds are looking to re-sign him. Johnson will likely return to Arizona—where he spent most of 2011—as they try to duplicate their 2011 campaign.

Kelly Johnson- Arizona Diamondbacks

Shortstop: Jose Reyes

Unlike the second base position, the shortstop position is loaded with talent this offseason, none more talented than Jose Reyes.

Reyes was on his way to winning the NL MVP Award, but he was sidelined by injuries and fell behind in the race. After winning the batting title this past year, Reyes is due for a paycheck.

He has expressed interest in staying with the Mets, but who really wants to play for a team that doesn't make the playoffs? The Giants have been mentioned as favorites to sign Reyes, but they don't seem willing to pay him the necessary money, which is unfortunate. The Red Sox could be contenders too, but Jacoby Ellsbury would need to move down into a power spot in the lineup, which is alright since he has hit 32 home runs this season.

In the end, I believe Reyes will betray the Mets, and join the Philadelphia Phillies. Reyes has never been an amazingly nice guy, and a blow to the Mets fits his attitude.

Free Agent Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

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With Reyes out of New York, there are still two appealing options for shortstop—Jimmy Rollins and Rafael Furcal.

Furcal will resign with the St. Louis Cardinals, but I believe Jimmy Rollins could be headed out west. The Giants won't pay the money for Jose Reyes, but a leader like Jimmy Rollins would definitely thrive in San Francisco. Not that I wouldn't enjoy seeing Reyes hitting balls into Triples Alley, but Rollins is the more realistic choice.

Jimmy Rollins- San Francisco Giants

Rafael Furcal- St. Louis Cardinals

3rd Base: Aramis Ramirez

Aramis' time in Chicago is likely done. He has been playing with the Cubs for years now, and still has nothing to show for it. In what is a very bare position this year, Ramirez is the only third base standout.

Aramis will go to whoever gives him the most money, and the Colorado Rockies need a third basemen. A move to Colorado could help both Ramirez, and the struggling Rockies.

Free Agent Prediction: Colorado Rockies

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There really are no other strong third basemen this year.

Outfielders: Carlos Beltran and Nick Swisher

Carlos Beltran put together an All-Star season in 2011. While Nick Swisher had a slow beginning, he ended up putting together strong numbers as well.

Swisher has been the heart of the Yankees for years now, I'm just not sure if they have realized it.

Beltran and Swisher will both earn decent money, and will both play for AL East teams. The Yankees won't pursue Nick Swisher for the 2012 Season, and the Red Sox fan will go to Boston.

The Red Sox will sign Nick Swisher from the Yankees. With a void now in right field, the Yankees will get the biggest outfielder on the market, Carlos Beltran. They will take a chance on Beltran, and after last year, it will likely work out.

Free Agent Prediction (Beltran): Yankees

Free Agent Prediction (Swisher): Red Sox

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With Swisher and Beltran off the market, there are still strong options for the outfield. Those options are Josh Willingham, Grady Sizemore and Michael Cuddyer.

The Phillies will need Willingham's services in right field, the Indians will resign their fan-favorite, Sizemore and Michael Cuddyer will become the utility player the Giants need. The Giants will also pick up a very strong bat.

Josh Willingham- Philadelphia Phillies

Grady Sizemore- Cleavland Indians

Michael Cuddyer- San Francisco Giants

Designated Hitter: David Ortiz

Big Papi has shown his frustrations with the Red Sox organization, following their September meltdown.

After the Red Sox stun the Yankees and sign Nick Swisher, the Yankees will be looking for redemption, and to fill their DH spot with David Ortiz.

This isn't only for redemption though, as Ortiz is arguably the best designated hitter in baseball. Jorge Posada is likely out, and this decision should be a fairly easy one for the Yankees. Putting all the rivalry drama aside, the Yankees need a DH, and Ortiz is a good hitter.

Free Agent Prediction: New York Yankees

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The only other real DH option may be Carlos Pena. I see Pena going to a team like the Tigers, and hitting in the lower part of the lineup. He will no longer be asking for a lot of money, and should perform well in Detroit.

Starting Pitchers: CC Sabathia and C.J. Wilson

The Yankees are in need of a consistent starting pitcher, this is no secret.

CC Sabathia is not only the best pitcher on the Yankees, but one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, so they can't afford to let him go. After Sabathia signs a new contract with the Bronx Bombers, they will still be in need of another ace, that is where C.J. Wilson comes along.

Wilson put together a very solid season with the AL Champions this year, and is due for a big paycheck. Wilson could still return to Texas though, because who wouldn't want to play for a team who has made the World Series two years in a row? Wilson will likely join either the Yankees or Rangers, but the Yankees will offer him more money, and he will come to New York. 

Free Agent Prediction (Sabathia): New York Yankees

Free Agent Prediction (Wilson): New York Yankees

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When Sabathia and Wilson are off the market, there will still be plenty of good options for teams in need of pitching.

Mark Buehrle, Hiroki Kuroda, Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt, are just a few of those options.

For teams with smaller budgets, there are pitchers like Erik Bedard, Ryan Dempster and Joel Pineiro, all pitchers who are still capable of impacting a team.

The Red Sox are in need of starting pitching, so send Buehrle and Kuroda to Boston. Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson seem pretty content with their current teams, so expect them to stay put in Philadelphia and St. Louis. The Mets may be willing to take chances on some lower level pitchers, so they will sign Bedard and Pineiro. As for Dempster, the Angels could really use someone to fill out the end of their rotation, Dempster could be that guy.

Mark Buehrle- Red Sox

Hiroki Kuroda- Red Sox

Roy Oswalt- Phillies

Edwin Jackson- Cardinals

Erik Bedard- Mets

Joel Pineiro- Mets

Ryan Dempster- Angels 

Relief Pitchers: Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon and Ryan Madson

The demand for relief pitching is growing, especially after watching teams like the Cardinals get to the World Series using mostly relief pitching.

There are many strong relievers on the market this year, many closers as well. Heath Bell, Ryan Madson and Jonathan Papelbon, are just a few of these names. Heath Bell has quietly become one of the best closers in baseball for the San Diego Padres, and is a top free agent this offseason. Sources report that Bell would like to stay in San Diego, and the Padres definitely are interested in retaining him.

Free Agent Prediction (Bell): San Diego Padres

Aside from his loss that cost the Red Sox their season, Jonathan Papelbon was very good in 2011. The Red Sox feel that Daniel Bard is ready to finish games for them, and Papelbon's time in Boston may be done. The Philadelphia Phillies have the ability to lure Papelbon in, and Brad Lidge's time in the City of Brotherly love is most likely over. The Phillies won't obtain the No. 1 closer on the market, but Jonathan Papelbon is a very good No. 2.

Free Agent Prediction (Papelbon): Philadelphia Phillies

Madson is another pitcher who put up good numbers in 2011. The Mets have money coming off the books this season, and are in need of a closer. Being a Met fan, I love the idea of Madson closing games in New York, lets just hope Sandy Alderson feels the same way.

Free Agent Prediction (Madson): New York Mets

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There are still many good options after those three names of off the free agent market. Matt Capps, Octavio Dotel, Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are very good pitchers in their own rights.

The Tampa Bay Rays are lacking a Closer, and Soriano is looking to find the success he once had in Tampa, so he returns. Dotel has rejuvanted his career with St. Louis, and they seem interested in retaining him. As for Capps and Rodriguez, the Washington Nationals are a team looking to build, and these two pitchers could be lead them to success.

Matt Capps- Washington Nationals

Francisco Rodriguez- Washington Nationals

Rafael Soriano- Tampa Bay Rays

Octavio Dotel- St. Louis Cardinals