2012 MLB Free Agency: 10 Best Players Who Could Sign with a Rival Team

The baseball offseason is upon us.

Players will be moving from coast to coast, looking for the best place to play and the best paycheck.

GMs will frantically be calling upon all measure of their sensibilities to acquire the best players in an attempt to make the best team possible to compete for the World Series in 2012.

Some players might follow their hearts, but some might follow their wallets and play for traditional rivals to their current franchises.

Here are some of the best players who might switch sides of the rivalry.

CC Sabathia

There is a big possibility CC Sabathia could opt out of his current contract.

If he does, it isn't outside of the realm of possibility to see him with the Red Sox next year.

The Sox badly need pitching, especially with John Lackey's injury and poor performance over the past year.

It would be a massive coup, but it certainly would be possible given the Sox' payroll capabilities.

David Ortiz

If CC goes, Big Papi could go in return.

Not in a trade, but the Yanks aren't likely to have Posada back at DH.

Papi could take advantage of the small confines of Yankee Stadium, plus the pinstripes could be very slimming for Mr. Ortiz.

Coco Crisp

The Giants desperately need a leadoff hitter and a center fielder.

Crisp can do both of those things and could come on the cheap.

The A's likely won't retain his services, and the Giants are merely a quick trip across the Bay.

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is a franchise player on a franchise that can't afford to pay him.

As much as the Mets would like to keep him, many teams can offer him much more.

The Phillies probably won't keep Jimmy Rollins and Reyes would be a definite upgrade. As long as he can stay healthy, he will probably earn a seven-figure contract within the next few months.

Jimmy Rollins

Rollins is outta Philly.

He could go to the Mets with Reyes possibly taking his place in Philly.

He could also go back home to Oakland—almost. The SF Giants and Phillies have a burgeoning rivalry and Rollins could cross sides to play short in San Francisco next year.

CJ Wilson

The Rangers don't specifically have any direct rivals other than, of course, the Astros, but over the past few years, some tension between the Yankees and Angels has been growing with the Rangers.

CJ Wilson is probably the highest-valued free agent on the market. The Yankees and Angels both need starters and have the money to throw at Wilson.

Carlos Beltran

The Dodgers don't have a good deal of money to throw around, but Carlos Beltran could take the 101 down to LA and join the Chavez Ravine brigade.

The Giants would like to retain Beltran's services but probably don't have the financial wherewithal to do so.

Josh Willingham

Willingham had a very solid season for the Oakland Athletics, but by doing so, he probably priced himself out of the A's price range.

Just across the Bay, the Giants have a growing need for a powerful outfielder. Willingham will be relatively cheap on the open market because of his injury history, but many a team, including the Giants, will inquire about Willingham's services next year.

Brad Lidge

Lidge is an injury risk, but he does have immense talent.

His contract wasn't picked up by the Phillies, and he could be gotten on the cheap by a number of different teams.

The Mets could be in the hunt for a cheap closer. As long as they don't get another Billy Wagner, the Mets could be OK.

Albert Pujols

The potential crown jewel of the 2012 free-agent market is obviously Albert Pujols.

The Cardinals would absolutely love to keep Pujols, but money might be too big an issue.

He should easily command $30 million a year, and plenty of teams would be willing to pay it.

The Cubs could be the landing spot for Pujols considering new arrival Theo Epstein will want to make a big splash in his first year, and landing Albert would be a marquee move.