MLB Free Agents 2012: Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes and Stars Your Team Needs

The free-agent market is open for business, and teams are already placing calls to gauge the amount of money certain big-name players are looking for. With some of the biggest names in the sport on the open market, teams are expected to line up with an open check book, ready to bring in the biggest and the best.

The following players are the biggest gems on the market. Expect big-name clubs to go as hard after these stars as any in their history.

Albert Pujols—The prize of this year’s free agency is arguably the greatest player of the last 25 years, and one team may be able to say the stole Albert Pujols from the St. Louis Cardinals.

After extension talks broke down prior to the season, Pujols refused to talk again, and his idea of testing free agency has come to fruition.

Now that any team in the league has a chance to make an offer, expect Pujols to take his time making a decision and do what’s best for him and his family only.

Jose Reyes—The New York Mets missed their opportunity to re-sign the speedy shortstop, and now it’s time for the bidding war to open up for the star.

Jose Reyes is one of the fastest players in the league, and his abilities as a leadoff man make him one of the most valuable hitters in MLB.

Reyes won the batting title in controversial fashion, with a .337 batting average, while putting up 37 stolen bases for a terrible New York Mets team.

Jonathan Papelbon—While Heath Bell has more upside as a closer, Jonathan Papelbon has the playoff and World Series experience to give confidence to a contending team.

With 31 saves, a 2.94 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 2011 for the Boston Red Sox, Papelbon will be looking to get as far from the Red Sox train wreck as possible.

Teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs will be looking to add serious back-end-of-the-bullpen help, and Papelbon is one of the best in the sport.

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