MLB Free Agents 2012: Ranking the Top 10 Under-the-Radar Free Agents

The 2012 MLB free agent season is going to be a wild one as always, especially starting at the winter meetings later in the offseason.

We are all familiar with the big names like David Ortiz, Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and others. They are the clear cream of the crop and sure to secure big-time contracts in the coming months.

But who are some of the under-the-radar talents that can become heroes of a contending team without the $20 million per year price tag? Answering that question correctly can make the difference between a second place finish and a deep playoff run.

Here are 10 such players that you had better hope your teams are making a strong run at this offseason:

10. Jon Garland, SP

Seeing as Jon Garland was only able to pitch 54 innings due to shoulder surgery in July, his name among quality arms available is lost.

The surgery certainly is a large red flag on the 32-year-old righty, but if healthy he could be a solid addition to round out a thin rotation.

After Los Angeles declined his $8 million option for 2012, Garland could be open to an incentive-laden deal to help him pick up where his career left off.

9. Ryan Doumit C

Usually a catcher with pop would be a hot commodity on the open market, but injuries continue to be an issue for Ryan Doumit.

At this point in his career, he can't be counted on to be anything more than a platoon player. The issue is that Pittsburgh attempted this last season along with Chris Snyder and got underwhelming results.

His .303/.354/.477 slash line is encouraging, but Doumit continued to make friends with the DL.

There is upside to be found in Doumit's bat for a team in need of a backstop, but don't expect for the experiment to go up in flames.

8. Casey Kotchman, 1B

Many don't see Casey Kotchman as an everyday player due to his lack of power at the first base position; for a team in need of some solid production at the position, Kotchman could do just that.

While only slugging .422, Kotchman did bat .306 with an OBP of .378.

For a team like the Cleveland Indians, Kotchman could be a solid addition to play three to four games a week or be a stopgap for the St. Louis Cardinals if Albert Pujols leaves and they determine Matt Adams is not yet ready.

7. Johnny Damon, LF/DH

As teams continually undervalue Johnny Damon, he continues to produce.

While his OBP of .326 leaves a lot to be desired for a batter who tends to hit at the top of the order, his 16 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 2011 show he can still produce in a lineup that needs him.

Putting him in left field full-time would be ill-advised. Damon only played 84 innings last year in Tampa and had a UZR/150 of -15.6. His future will be in a DH role going forward, but he may not produce enough to merit a full-time gig there for a contender. 

6. Bruce Chen, LHP

Bruce Chen will never be considered an exciting addition to a squad, but that's what makes him an undervalued free agent. 

As a southpaw with a solid major league track record, teams with holes in their rotation will be calling for Chen this winter. After posting a 3.77 ERA in 2011—108 ERA+—Chen has shown that he can still help a contending team win.

While signing Chen won't have people lining up at the ballpark to get tickets, a on-the-verge contender could help shore up their rotation with the 34-year-old Panama native.

5. Jason Kubel, RF

Once one of the more solid and reliable bats in the AL, Jason Kubel struggled with a sprained foot in 2011. Kubel played in 99 games, and never played up to his full potential.

With a chance to land on his (hopefully healthy) feet in a new city, Kubel could return to hitting 20-plus home runs.

For a player that is still only 29 years old, Kubel's name should be mentioned a lot more in the open market than it currently is.

4. Coco Crisp, CF

Coco Crisp hits the open market again, but this time after showing off some speed not seen before.

Crisp has in the past regularly passed the 20-steal plateau, but in his two seasons in Oakland he swiped 32 and 49 bags.

The issue for Crisp is defense. In 2010 his UZR/150 was 15.5 and he also had a dWAR of 0.5. In 2011 that dropped off considerably, as he held a -6.7 UZR/150 and -0.1 dWAR.

Crisp's defensive metrics are usually pretty inconsistent, so the potential could still be there for him to play center field full-time.

Getting on base can also be a struggle for the 32-year-old. Despite having the skill set of a top-of-the-order hitter, his career OBP is only .330 and was a pathetic .314 in 2011. 

3. Kelly Johnson, 2B

Usually a 29-year-old middle infielder who can hit over 20 home runs and steal around 15 bags would be highly sought after on the open market. That isn't the case with Kelly Johnson.

But why is that? Johnson's slashlines are usually painful to look at–.222/.304/.413 in 2011–and he is incredibly streaky.

This past year, Johnson was all over the place with his monthly batting averages.

April: .180

May: .267

June: .176

July: .253

August: .193

September: .258

While neither batting average is very impressive, Johnson's home runs come in bunches.

Despite many teams seem to undervalue him, he is still a Type-A free agent. So while it will come cheap in terms of money to sign the second baseman, it will cost a draft pick.

2. Michael Cuddyer, Every Position but Manager

As the only reliable bat on a disastrous Minnesota squad this past year, Michael Cuddyer should be getting a lot more recognition as a free agent this winter.

Cuddyer is a super-utility player if there ever was one. He plays the majority of his games in right field and first base, but has also spend time at third base and second base, while also pitching an inning in 2011.

The thing that sets him apart is that he has a legitimate bat that should always be penciled into any lineup.

Just like Johnson, Cuddyer is a Type-A free agent so it will cost a draft pick to sign him. With his ability to play all over the field and produce every day, that shouldn't be too much of an asking price.

1. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Aramis Ramirez has long been an under-appreciated third baseman. Despite reaching his mid-30s, Ramirez can still be counted upon to hit in the middle of any lineup with about 25 home runs.

As a Type-B free agent, draft-pick compensation isn't a worry to a team that is inquiring into his services this winter.

Defense should stop a team from signing him to a deal longer than two or three years to be a full-time third baseman. Ramirez's dWAR has been -1.5 and -0.9 the past two years in Chicago. It may be time for him to look for an AL team in need of a DH, because his days at third are numbered.