2012 MLB Free Agency: Top 30 Players Who Will Change Teams This Offseason

The free agent class that will hit the open market this winter is among the most star-studded of any in recent memory; what happens this winter could go a long way towards determining who contends for the next several years.

For some players, negotiations will go no further than talks with the players' current teams en route to re-signing and staying put. For other players, however, it is a foregone conclusion that they will be playing elsewhere in 2012 and it is just a matter of waiting to see where they sign.

Here is a look at the top 30 free agents who will be changing teams this offseason, and the reason behind their current teams not bringing them back—whether it is performance, money or something else entirely.

Top Unrestricted Free Agents Who I Believe Will Re-Sign

Catcher
Rod Barajas, Los Angeles Dodgers

First Base
Casey Kotchman, Tampa Bay Rays
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

Second Base
Jerry Hairston Jr, Milwaukee Brewers 
Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ramon Santiago, Detroit Tigers

Shortstop
Alex Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves
Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

Third Base
Jorge Cantu, San Diego Padres

Outfield
Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins

Designated Hitter
Johnny Damon, Tampa Bay Rays
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Starting Pitching
Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox
Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals
Freddy Garcia, New York Yankees
Dontrelle Willis, Cincinnati Reds

Relief Pitching
Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants
Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies
Darren Oliver, Texas Rangers
Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs

LF Raul Ibanez

2011 Stats

.245/.289/.419, 20 HR, 84 RBI, 65 R, -0.4 WAR

After slumping badly to start off the season, Ibanez rebounded to respectability, although it is clear that at 39 he is no longer the offensive difference maker he once was.

With Domonic Brown ready to take over in left field for the Phillies, Ibanez won't be in Philadelphia; however, he should be able to find a job somewhere if for no other reason than the fact that he is a left-handed hitter with some pop.

SP/RP Rich Harden

2011 Stats

4-4, 5.12 ERA, 79 ERA+, 1.427 WHIP, 91 Ks, 82.2 IP, 0.7 WAR

Injuries have struck for Harden time and time again, as he has eclipsed the 30-start mark only once in his nine-year career and has done little to shake the injury bug of late.

Still, he has a devastating splitter. When he is healthy, he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Still only 29, a move to the bullpen could lengthen his career and perhaps bring about a career renaissance, but it remains to be seen if that is in the cards.

2B Kelly Johnson

2011 Stats

.222/.304/.413, 21 HR, 58 RBI, 75 R, 1.1 WAR 

Just one year removed from a breakout season in which he hit .284 BA, 26 HR, 71 RBI in his first season with the Diamondbacks, Johnson came crashing back to Earth last season as his batting average dropped 62 points.

That said, he performed much better after being dealt to the Blue Jays with a .270 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI line in 33 games. With a weak class of second basemen, he will be courted by at least a few teams. The Blue Jays won't overspend to retain him, as they have their sights set on landing some big name talent this winter.

LF Ryan Ludwick

2011 Stats

.237/.310/.363, 13 HR, 75 RBI, 56 R, 0.1 WAR

The Pirates were the talk of baseball through the first half, and they were aggressive at the deadline picking up veteran hitters in Ludwick and Derrek Lee.

With Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Alex Presley, the Pirates outfield is set and they have no reason to bring back Ludwick for 2012. While he is no longer the All-Star he was with the Cardinals, he is still a steady run producer and should have no trouble finding a job.

RP Matt Capps

2011 Stats

69 G, 4-7, 15 SV, 4.35 ERA, 34 Ks, 4.7 K/9, 0.8 WAR

The Twins paid a hefty price to acquire Capps from the Nationals at the deadline in 2010, shipping stud catching prospect Wilson Ramos out in the deal. He was solid down the stretch that year, but he was not nearly as reliable this past season as he split closing duties with Joe Nathan.

If the 27-year-old can get his strikeout numbers back up to where they have been in the past (4.7 K/9 in 2011 vs. 7.3 K/9 in 2010), he should regain some of his dominance. He represents a low-risk, low-cost option at closer on this year's market.

The two-year, $10 million deal that Kevin Gregg received last season could be a benchmark for Capps, as he will likely be had for a similar—if not smaller—deal.

RF David DeJesus

2011 Stats

.240/.323/.376, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 60 R, 0.6 WAR

Hotly pursued at the 2010 deadline before he went down with a season-ending injury, DeJesus struggled through a down year in 2011, and that will likely be reason enough for the Athletics to let him walk as they look to get younger.

Still, after averaging a line of .294 BA, 12 HR, 72 RBI in 2008 and 2009 and putting up good numbers through 91 games in 2010, expect him to bounce back from what were the worst numbers of his career. He is still just 31 years old and should have at least a few productive seasons left in him.

RP Brad Lidge

2011 Stats

25 G, 0-2, 1 SV, 1.40 ERA, 23 Ks, 10.7 K/9, 0.9 WAR

It has been an up-and-down career for Lidge, as he has been among the most dominant closers in all of baseball at times, but he has also blown some big saves over the years. Throw in his recent injury problems, and it is understandable that the Phillies declined their $12.5 million option on him.

It remains to be seen if his days as a closer are over, but the 35-year-old is still a hard throwing reliever who can pile up strikeouts. He represents a low-risk, high-reward signing for whoever picks him up this winter.

CF Grady Sizemore

2011 Stats

.224/.285/.422, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 34 R, 0.5 WAR 

There may be no more intriguing player in all of the 2012 free agent class than Sizemore, as he once looked to be a future superstar until injuries repeatedly kept him off the field, limiting him to just 210 games over the past three seasons.

The Indians have a $8.5 million option on him, with a $500,000 buyout. While he is still just 29 years old and has the potential for a bounce-back season, it seems highly unlikely that an Indians team in the process of rebuilding will commit the money to keeping him around and hoping he performs.

SS Clint Barmes

2011 Stats

.244/.312/.386, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 47 R, 2.9 WAR

Beyond Jose Reyes, this years crop of free agent middle infielders is incredibly weak and that could mean that someone like Clint Barmes finds himself in the right place at the right time and cashes in.

Barmes has good power for a shortstop and it is essentially icing on the cake as his biggest asset is his defensive prowess. He posted a 1.5 dWAR last season and is capable of playing second base and shortstop so he could possibly get a multi-year deal from someone looking to add some depth and versatility. Don't expect it to be the Astros though, as they are in a full-blown youth movement.

RP Joe Nathan

2011 Stats

48 G, 2-1, 14 SV, 4.84 ERA, 43 Ks, 8.7 K/9, 0.0 WAR

One of the best closers in all of baseball from 2004-2009, Nathan averaged 41 saves per season over that stretch while posting a 1.87 ERA and making four All-Star games.

However, he lost the entire 2010 season to injury and then struggled to return to form last season. The Twins already declined their $12.5 million option on him for next season, so he will be pitching somewhere else next season—whether or not it is as a closer is up for debate.

1B Derrek Lee

2011 Stats

.267/.325/.446, 19 HR, 59 RBI, 55 R, 1.1 WAR 

After spending six and a half seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Lee has played for three different teams in the past two seasons and will be heading for his fourth this winter. The Pirates picked him up looking for an offensive boost at the deadline, and he produced with a .337 BA, 7 HR, 18 RBI line in 28 games.

There is still a chance that the Pirates could bring Lee back as they have no first baseman for 2012, but the team will likely make a run at someone like Carlos Pena or look to the trade market before settling on the 36-year-old Lee.

LF Logan Morrison

2011 Stats

.247/.330/.468, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 54 R, 0.2 WAR

After being demoted midway through last season more for conduct that performance, it looks as though both sides are ready to part ways and the Marlins will do what it takes to move Morrison this offseason.

The 23-year-old is not even arbitration eligible until 2014, and he is coming of a season that—by all accounts—is great for someone in his first full-time big league action. Trade rumors will swirl around Morrison all winter until he is moved, but it seems nearly certain that he will be dealt before the 2012 season starts.

1B James Loney

2011 Stats

.288/.339/.416, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 56 R, 1.1 WAR

A non-tender candidate last season, the Dodgers held onto Loney for the 2011 season, hoping to find a trade partner for the 27-year-old first baseman. In the end, he was still there when the season ended. Now, entering his final year of arbitration, he is in line to make roughly $6 million this coming season.

That should be enough of a reason for the cash-strapped Dodgers to non-tender him this time around; while he will never be a 30 HR guy, he hits for a decent average and drives in his fair share of runs. Teams should think of him as Lyle Overbay 2.0 and pay accordingly for his services.

SP Javier Vazquez

2011 Stats

13-11, 3.69 ERA, 106 ERA+, 1.183 WHIP, 162 Ks, 192.2 IP, 2.5 WAR

Coming off of a disastrous 2010 season with the Yankees, the Marlins took a chance on Vazquez, inking him to a one-year, $7 million deal. The hope was that a return to the National League would mean a comeback season for the right-hander and they were right.

The solid numbers should be enough to earn Vazquez a multi-year deal in a thin starting pitching class, and that will likely put him out of the Marlins' price range.

CF Coco Crisp

2011 Stats

.264/.314/.379, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 69 R, 49 SB, 2.1 WAR

Crisp has made a living off of his solid defense and speed on the bases and it was more of the same in 2011 as he led the American League in steals as the Athletics everyday center fielder.

While it is not saying much, Crisp is the best lead-off hitter on the market not named Jose Reyes. For a team in need of a table setter, he should come at a fairly reasonable price. Look for the Athletics to continue their youth movement and let Crisp walk.

RP Jonathan Broxton

2011 Stats

14 G, 1-2, 7 SV, 5.68 ERA, 10 Ks, 7.1 K/9, -0.6 WAR

Groomed as the Dodgers closer since his time in the minor leagues, the burly Broxton stepped into the role full-time in 2009 and saved 36 games while posting a 2.61 ERA and 13.5 K/9. After another All-Star season in 2010, he missed the bulk of 2011 with an elbow injury.

Now set to hit the open market for the first time in his career, the 27-year-old has to show he still has the stuff that made him one of the most dominant relievers in all of baseball. Regardless, the Dodgers likely won't be involved in his future plans as they continue to shed salary in preparation to re-signing their core of star players.

RF Jason Kubel

2011 Stats

.273/.332/.434, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 37 R, 1.3 WAR

The Twins left more than a few people scratching their heads when they decided not to become sellers at the deadline, instead clinging to a small hope of still winning the AL Central. Among their most attractive trade pieces were outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Kubel.

Both now hit the open market, and the Twins will have to do their best to retain them or else lose them with nothing to show for it. Cuddyer is the more valuable of the two, as he has the ability to play multiple positions and is coming off of an All-Star season. Look for Cuddyer to be back in Minnesota and Kubel to be elsewhere.

SP Erik Bedard

2011 Stats

5-9, 3.62 ERA, 110 ERA+, 1.284 WHIP, 125 Ks, 129.1 IP, 1.7 WAR

After the Red Sox rotation was hit with a wave of injuries this past season, the team went out and acquired Bedard from the Mariners, and he pitched well for them in eight starts.

Now 32 years old, Bedard has been saddled by injuries of late as he missed the entire 2010 season and made just 24 starts this past year. While the announcement that John Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery means the team will need another starter, they will likely go for someone a bit more reliable than Bedard.

LF Josh Willingham

2011 Stats

.246/.332/.477, 29 HR, 98 RBI, 69 R, 1.8 WAR

One of the pleasant surprises of the 2011 season, Willingham established himself as the Athletics top run producer as he drove in 98 runs on one of the worst offenses in all of baseball. While his .246 average doesn't look great, he did hit .313 with runners in scoring position.

Many believed that Willingham would be dealt at the deadline, and the fact that he was not moved could mean that the team is going to attempt to retain him. However, seeing as he is perhaps the most productive outfielder on the market outside of Carlos Beltran, he will likely sign with someone for more than the Athletics are willing to spend.

RP Francisco Rodriguez

2011 Stats

73 G, 6-2, 23 SV, 2.64 ERA, 79 Ks, 9.9 K/9, 2.4 WAR

Many expected the Mets to be in full-blown fire sale mode, but in the end they only dealt the two players that everyone knew would not be back for the 2012 season—Carlos Beltran and K-Rod.

While he was not in the closer's role and made it known that he was not happy about that, he was huge for the Brewers down the stretch—posting a 1.86 ERA in 31 appearances. That is likely the end of him being a setup man for now though, as he will be signed to a big-time contract as a closer by someone, and the Brewers seem content with John Axford in that role.

C Ramon Hernandez

2011 Stats

.282/.341/.446, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 28 R, 2.0 WAR

In one of the most puzzling non-trade moves of the deadline, the Reds held onto catcher Ramon Hernandez despite having a pair of top catching prospects in the high minors—Yasmani Grandal and Devin Mesoraco—as well as a good backup in Ryan Hanigan.

Instead, he will now hit the open market. The Reds will receive a draft pick as compensation, as Hernandez will be a Type A free agent. Hernandez is the only legitimate starting catcher on the market and if the three-year, $18 million deal that John Buck signed last year is any indication, someone will likely overpay for the 35-year-old Hernandez's services.

SP Edwin Jackson

2011 Stats

12-9, 3.79 ERA, 106 ERA+, 1.437 WHIP, 148 Ks, 199.2 IP, 0.8 WAR

Once ranked as the fourth best prospect in baseball, Jackson broke into the big leagues with the Dodgers at the age of 19. After three seasons with the Dodgers, he was with the Rays for three more; since then, he has bounced around a ton.

Twice in the past two years he has been dealt at the deadline, and this year he helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs. While St. Louis would love to have him back, he is a dreaded Scott Boras client and will likely demand more money than the Cardinals are willing or able to spend on him.

1B Carlos Pena

2011 Stats

.225/.357/.462, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 72 R, 2.2 WAR

Following a terrible 2010 season, his final year in Tampa, Pena had a bounce back year of sorts with the Cubs. While his average was still much lower than one would like, he showed good power from the left side and played a solid first base.

Many viewed Pena's signing to a one-year deal as a precursor to the Cubs making a run at Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols this offseason. Even if the team does not sign one of those two, there is a good chance someone else is manning first base in Chicago in 2012, as Pena will likely be looking for a multi-year deal.

RP Jonathan Papelbon

2011 Stats

63 G, 4-1, 31 SV, 2.94 ERA, 87 Ks, 12.2 K/9, 2.0 WAR

Papelbon has been one of the most scrutinized relievers in all of baseball of late, and that is just something that comes with the territory with relievers in big cities.

After blowing eight saves last season, he blew just three this past year. However, he picked a bad time for his third blown save, as it cost the Red Sox a playoff appearance on the season's final day. The Red Sox will likely play the market before thinking about re-signing Papelbon, and if K-Rod or Heath Bell can be had for similar money, look for them to make the move and let Papelbon walk.

SP Hiroki Kuroda

2011 Stats

13-16, 3.07 ERA, 121 ERA+, 1.213 WHIP, 161 Ks, 202 IP, 3.7 WAR

Kuroda was the victim of some bad luck last season, as he was a much better pitcher than his 16 losses indicate. His name was a hot one at the deadline; in the end, however, he remained a Dodger.

The biggest card in the Dodgers' favor when it comes to re-signing Kuroda is the fact that he loves the city and in fact vetoed trades to the Tigers and Red Sox at the deadline. However, he will be 37 next season; there is a chance he could return to Japan. Even if he does stay in the states, he will likely have to take a pay cut from the $11.7 million that he made last season if he wants to stay in LA, and that seems unlikely.

CF Carlos Beltran

2011 Stats

.300/.385/.525, 22 HR, 84 RBI, 78 R, 4.4 WAR

The market for outfielders is deep but very bottom heavy; aside from Beltran, there is no true difference maker. While he enjoyed a bounce back season in 2011, he still spent some time on the disabled list and the injury concerns remain moving forward.

As a Scott Boras client, he will no doubt command a multi-year deal from whoever goes after him and will be paid like the best outfielder on the market. He has said he is open to re-signing with the Giants if they upgrade their offense, but it seems unlikely the Giants will be able to do enough to make their offense look good and convince Beltran to stay as it was among the worst in baseball in 2011.

3B Aramis Ramirez

2011 Stats

.306/.361/.510, 26 HR, 93 RBI, 80 R, 3.6 WAR

While he was adamant about staying in Chicago at the deadline and made it clear that he would veto any trade the team tried to make, it now seems as though Ramirez is ready to move on as he has already informed the team that he will test the market and decline his $18 million mutual option.

Considering the second-best third baseman on the market is Wilson Betemit, teams will be lining up for a chance to add Ramirez. While there is still a chance he returns to the Cubs on a multi-year deal, it seems likely that someone else will be manning the hot corner in Chicago for the 2012 season.

SP C.J. Wilson

2011 Stats

16-7, 2.94 ERA, 152 ERA+, 1.187 WHIP, 206 Ks, 223.1 IP, 5.0 WAR

The prize name of the pitching market this season, provided C.C. Sabathia does not decline his option with the Yankees and become available, Wilson has emerged as one of the league's best starters after spending the early part of his career as a reliever.

Although he will be 31 years old this coming season, he has just two seasons with over 100 innings under his belt and only 708 career innings pitched, so he has a fresher arm than most pitchers his age. While the Rangers' success this season is a point in the Rangers' favor as far as re-signing him, the simple fact that the Yankees need pitching makes him in New York next season a more likely scenario.

SS Jose Reyes

2011 Stats

.337/.384/.493, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 101 R, 39 SB, 5.8 WAR

After an injury-plagued 2009 season and a sub par 2010 season, Reyes picked the right time to put up the best numbers of his career as he won the NL batting title in his walk year.

The Mets held onto him, despite the fact that they could have cashed in with a solid package of prospects had they moved him at the deadline in hopes of getting a jump on re-signing him. Whether or not he stays will be one of the biggest decisions of the offseason. However, with the direction the Mets team is heading and the fact that wherever Reyes signs he will likely be there for six or seven years, it seems more likely he chooses a team ready to win now.

1B Prince Fielder

2011 Stats

.299/.415/.566, 38 HR, 120 RBI, 95 R, 5.2 WAR

With the Cardinals' success this season and the fact that almost the entire team will be back in St. Louis next season, I truly believe that Albert Pujols will return to the Cardinals. That would make Prince Fielder the prize of the free agent market all by himself.

Dating back to last winter, it was clear that this was an all-or-nothing season for the Brewers as they looked to win now in what would be Fielder's last season and intended to lose him at season's end. There will be a handful of legitimate suitors for his services, and the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox will not be among them makes things that much more wide open.

My personal prediction is that Fielder goes to the Blue Jays, but that is just a hunch we shall see what happens this winter.