MLB Free Agents 2012: Speculating Where Jose Reyes & Top 5 Free Agents Will Land

Now that the 2011 MLB season has ended and the St. Lois Cardinals have been crowned World Champions, it's time to start looking towards the future, believe it or not.

The Cardinals will have their parade and they will have their parties, but even they are going to have to face the reality of 2012 soon enough; and that reality is free agency.

The Cards do not have the rights to star first baseman Albert Pujols anymore, but I can all but guarantee you they are going to try to bring him back.

Pujols isn't the only big name on the market though. In fact, there are a ton of big-time players that are available to the highest bidder in 2012.

Here are my projected top five free agents, and speculation as to where they will end up:

1. Albert Pujols: St. Louis Cardinals

Pujols has been with the Cardinals for 11 seasons now, so you'd have to imagine that he's going to at least consider going elsewhere. That being said, I think the desire of winning another World Series is really going to impact that decision.

The fans in St. Louis loves him and the organization doesn't want to lose him. He's going to cost a whole lot of money though, as some have speculated about $200-$250 million for an eight-year deal.

He wants to stay a Cardinal though, and I think they are going to do everything they can to keep him.

2. C.C. Sabathia: New York Yankees

I hate to be boring, but I don't see Sabathia going anywhere. He can choose to opt out of the four years and $92 million that he has left on his contract, but I don't see why he would want to. And the Yankees obviously want him back.

He hasn't necessarily shown a willingness to play anywhere else, and everything I've heard suggests that he and his family really enjoys what they have in New York.

3. Prince Fielder: Chicago Cubs

The two biggest problems with Fielder are his weight and his unwillingness to become a designated hitter. If he does go anywhere, it's going to most likely be in the National League.

The Cubs make the most sense, especially with Theo Epstein now at the helm as GM. The Cubbies have a void at first base, and Fielder can put up huge numbers at Wrigley. 

Not only that, but Epstein is going to be looking to make a huge splash to prove to the fans that they are dedicated to winning. It all just makes too much sense.

4. Jose Reyes: Washington Nationals

The Mets are reportedly going to make a low-ball offer to Reyes to allow him to test free agency. In my opinion that means he's going to be playing elsewhere in 2011. 

The Mets also have a ton of money tied up in other players, so really the question is, where will Reyes end up? In my opinion the Washington Nationals have a great shot at him.

They are a young and talented team that can make a splash with the addition of the superstar shortstop. They've also been known to throw out some pretty hefty deals, so I would watch out for this signing.

5. C.J. Wilson: Texas Rangers

I don't see the Rangers letting go of Wilson. They are going to have to pay him a good deal of money, but they can offer him the ace role, which is something he'd struggle to find on any other team showing interest.

He could go to the Yankees or Tigers and be the No. 2, but I think he'd rather be "the guy" on a team that went to the World Series two years in a row.