2012 MLB Free Agents: Best Fits for Grady Sizemore

There was a time, not that long ago, when Grady Sizemore was one of the best all-around players in Major League Baseball. But now he will likely find himself without a team, as the Cleveland Indians will decline their $9 million option on the oft-injured centerfielder. 

From 2005-2008, Sizemore established himself as one of the premiere players in baseball. He played in at least 157 games in those four seasons, winning two Gold Glove awards and making the All-Star team three times. 

Everything fell off a cliff in 2009 for Sizemore. He has played in just 210 games the last three seasons, and had micofracture knee surgery, elbow surgery and two sports hernia operations.

His power came back a little bit in 2011, but he couldn't do anything else well. 

Now, after all that turmoil, Sizemore will have a chance to reinvent himself with another franchise. He is only going to get a one-year deal, or at least that is all he should get, but we have seen superstar players on short-term deals more motivated to prove themselves and get back to the level they used to be at.

Here are three teams that will be good fits for Sizemore in 2012.

Seattle Mariners

Forgetting the fact that Eric Wedge, who managed Sizemore in Cleveland from 2004-2009, is with the Mariners; this team needs anyone it can get who might be able to hit the ball. 

The Mariners have finished last in all of baseball in runs, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage in each of the last two years. They have some good young hitters on the team already—Dustin Ackley and, assuming he can stay healthy, Justin Smoak—but they need more. 

Sizemore doesn't help with the average or on-base percentage at this juncture, but he at least has the power to drive the ball out of the park. 

They can move him to left field where he would be an improvement over the dynamic duo Trayvon Robinson and Casper Wells. 

Washington Nationals

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is not above going after players with name cache, and Sizemore is still an attractive name. 

It is not like Rick Ankiel is anything special as a player. He hit just .239/.296/.363 with nine home runs in 122 games. 

Sizemore did not hit much better last season (.224/.285/.422), but he did hit 10 home runs in just 71 games. 

Buster Olney from ESPN.com wrote that the Nationals would likely keep him in centerfield. That would be a mistake because his body can't handle playing that position anymore. He needs to be a corner outfielder or designated hitter. 

Tampa Bay Rays

Buster Olney also mentioned the Rays as a landing spot for Sizemore, and of all the teams on the list, they seem to be the best fit for him. 

The Rays are contenders thanks to their pitching staff, but they need to find more hitters to support Evan Longoria in the lineup. 

B.J. Upton has worn out his welcome and the team could explore trade options for him, or they could keep him and sign Sizemore to play left field. 

The Rays were willing to give Manny Ramirez a chance to redeem himself last season before he walked away after failing a steroid test, so they could give Sizemore a one-year deal for $1 million and hope that he stays healthy for the season.