MLB Free Agents 2012: Jose Reyes & 5 Players Who Won't Get What They Want

Most players in baseball are overpaid in my opinion, and the trend will continue for the free agents this offseason.  

Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder will likely get what they want in the open market, but there are several players out there who won’t get what they are looking for. 

Many teams will look at the age, the recent production and the market value of all the free agents. I have made a list of five players who won’t get what they want because of these factors.

5. David Ortiz

David Ortiz wants to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox, but this might be the end for the Red Sox legend. He will be 36 years old this upcoming season, which usually means the decline of most hitters.

This past season we saw a resurrected David Ortiz who hit 29 home runs, 96 RBI’s and had a .309 batting average while making $12.5 million. This was likely due to a motivation of wanting a new contract.

He greatly wants to stay with the Red Sox because he is the face of the franchise and the team is in a big market. However, a designated hitter who is about to turn 36 years old is not worth that kind of money.  

Ortiz will likely not return to the Red Sox and won’t receive more then a two-year contract with a huge decrease in pay. Expect the bat speed to slow down this year and the decline of “Big Papi.”

4. Jimmy Rollins

The Phillies have one of the biggest payrolls in baseball, and giving a large contract to a 33-year-old Jimmy Rollins might be too steep. He has been the unquestionable leader for the Phillies this past decade, and he is looking to be paid for what he has done in the past. 

Rollins will have to wait to sign with a team until Jose Reyes receive his contract. Reyes plays the same position and is five years younger than Reyes. He is currently looking to get a similar contract of what Reyes is going to get, but no team will offer him that. He will have to wait a lot longer then he would like to get his contract.

Rollins has benefited greatly from playing at the hitter friendly Citizens Bank Park. If he signs with a team that has a not so friendly park then we can expect a huge dip in his numbers.

I fully expect a team such at the Giants to sign Rollins to a two- or three-year contract with some options at the end of it. He won’t be pleased with the contract, but that is what is expected for an aging player on the decline.

3. Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez recently opted out of a $16 million option for the 2012 season after the Cubs decided to pick it up. He must feel as though he will get more money in the open market. 

Ramirez was indeed one of the top hitting third basemen in MLB this past year, but it seemed as though he was playing well to get his new contract. He has admitted that he was pleased with the Theo Epstein signing and wouldn’t mind returning to the team, but at the age of 33, I do not seem him getting a long term contract. 

Once free agency starts, Ramirez will only be offered a two year contract with an option for the third year from some team. He will also be disappointment that he won’t get paid anywhere near the $16 million that he turned down.

Ramirez will also be sad that he won’t be apart of the Cubs as Epstein improves the roster for next season.

2. C.J. Wilson

C.J. Wilson has pitched really well in his only two seasons as a full-time starter with a 31-15 record. Before the post-season began, he was well on his way to a $100 million payday. Then the playoffs came and Wilson unraveled with a 0-3 record and a 5.79 ERA.

He is 1-5 combined in the past two postseasons. 

He has the stuff to be the ace of a staff, but he lacks the mentality that is needed in the playoffs. Whether he signs with the Rangers or another team, Wilson will likely be disappointed because he will only be offered between $60 million to $80 million.

He is the best pitcher on the free agent market as C.C. Sabathia resigned with the Yankees, but teams will be weary by an inexperienced pitcher with playoff problems. This is definitely beneficial to the Rangers who want to retain his services for another run at the World Series.

1. Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is the best shortstop on the free-agent market. He has been great with the bat and electrifying with his legs. The one thing that scares me and a lot of teams about Reyes is that he is always injured.

What also frightens me is that all his injuries have been in his lower extremities, which is vital for Reyes’ success. He has never played a full season, and as he gets older, Reyes will become even more injury prone. 

Reyes was hoping to get Carl Crawford money before the season, but teams seemed weary to give seven years for $140 million after Crawford’s mediocre season. His next contract will likely come up short in terms of years and dollars.

He will likely re-sign with the Mets for far less then what he expected after he test the market for his value. 

Reyes will probably receive the best deal from the Mets but will be stuck in a franchise that likely won’t win for years to come.