MLB Free Agents 2012: Predicting Destinations for the Top Available Players

Here's a quick look at my predictions on where the top three MLB free agents will likely end up this winter.

Albert Pujols: St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols had a "down year" (.299, 37 HR, 99 RBI) according to many, but his down year is better than most guys' career years. 

His "down year" is going to get him a lot of money. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Pujols is going to get somewhere around nine years and $250-300 million. 

Let's just forget about how insane that is and look at the teams that can actually afford that. 

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants are among teams with the largest current payrolls. None of those teams, with the exception of probably the Cubs, will likely be in the market for a first baseman.

Pujols' Cardinals winning this year's World Series was key, and I think the Cardinals will re-sign their future Hall-of-Famer, as most teams will be scared away at putting 40 percent of their payroll into one player.

Prince Fielder: Chicago Cubs

Fielder had a similar season to Pujols (.299, 38 HR, 120 RBI) and is four years younger, so, as crazy as you think it might sound, he'll command a similar price.

It's again going to have to be a team with deep pockets and in need of a powerful first baseman. The Brewers have a ton of other players that will be making a lot of money in 2012 (Zack Greinke, Randy Wolf, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo), so it's hard to imagine them putting a huge lump of money into Prince Fielder. 

The Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs are the most likely matches. The Mariners already have young options at first base and DH that they probably want to stick with, however.

The Cubs, on the other hand, have a lot of money coming off the books in Kosuke Fukodome, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena. They have the need and the money. 

Theo Epstein will want to make a big splash in Chicago, and he can do it with Fielder.

Jose Reyes: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are unlikely to give Jimmy Rollins the contract he'll be seeking, so, unless they see Freddy Galvis as an immediate replacement, they will have to find a replacement. 

Philadelphia will see Rollins, Raul Ibanez and possibly Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge come off the books, so they certainly have the funds to make a run at Reyes.

The young shortstop is an injury risk, but when healthy he's one of the most exciting players in the league. It's much easier for a team with deep pockets to take that kind of risk. 

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