2012 MLB Free Agency: Best Signing in Each Team's History

At any given moment a team's farm system likely has a handful of players who will make an impact at some point down the road for their big league club.

All teams however will inevitably need to look outside their organization when assessing what holes will need to be filled before the next season gets underway.

Free agency provides teams a way of grabbing the best talent possible, and when it pays off it can pay dividends for years on end.

While every team has no doubt had it's share of positive signings—here are a few that stick out above the rest.

Anaheim Angels: Vladimir Guerrero

After eight productive seasons with the Montreal Expos, Vladimir Guerrero signed a five year, $70 million contract with the Anaheim Angels prior to the 2004 season.

The Angels were rewarded with an MVP season from Guerrero in which he led the team to the ALDS thanks to his 39 home runs, 126 RBI and .337 batting average.

Guerrero enjoyed three more All-Star seasons with the Angels before signing with the Texas Rangers in 2010.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a relatively bold move in signing Randy Johnson to a four year, $53 million deal.

The young franchise was clearly in it to win it as they would acquire Curt Schilling just a year later, proving to be a move that got them over the hump as they went on to win the 2001 World Series.

He won Cy Young awards in his first four years with the team, winning more than 80 games with an ERA below 2.75 in each season.

Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux

Coming off a Cy Young season in 1992, Greg Maddux was due a big payday. He got it with the Atlanta Braves when they signed him to a five year, $28 million deal.

The Braves got the most out of their investment as he won 194 games in 11 seasons, winning three more Cy Young awards and participating in six All-Star games.

Baltimore Orioles: B.J. Surhoff

After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, B.J. Surhoff headed east—signing with the Baltimore Orioles prior to the 1996 season.

As a versatile member of the Orioles, Surhoff's value was seen on a daily basis as he played in at least 145 games in each season during his first stint with the Orioles, twice playing in all 162.

In 2003 he returned to Baltimore to finish off his career, driving in 121 runs in the 284 games he'd play during the final three years in Baltimore.

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz

After non-tendering David Ortiz following the 2002 season, the Minnesota Twins essentially gave up on the slugger that failed to produce up to their expectations.

Signing a one year, $1.25 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz set out to prove the league wrong.

In his first season with the Red Sox, Ortiz hit 31 home runs and finished fifth in MVP voting. Since then he's hit over 23 home runs in each season with the team, once hitting over 50.

Chicago Cubs: Andre Dawson

After an impressive 11 year career north of the border with the Montreal Expos, Andre Dawson made his way to Chicago in joining the Cubs in 1987.

His impact may not have immediately translated to wins for the Cubs, as they'd finish last in the NL East with a 76-85 record, but his individual numbers opened many eyes. 

His 49 home runs and 137 RBI (both career highs) were enough to earn him the NL MVP award and was a great start to a six year stint in which he'd knock in nearly 600 RBI with the Cubs.

Chicago White Sox: Carlton Fisk

After an 11 year career with the Boston Red Sox, Carlton Fisk changed scenery as he headed to the windy city to play with the Chicago White Sox.

Fisk would spend the final 13 years of his career with the White Sox, making four All-Star appearances and finishing third in MVP balloting in 1983 when he led the team to a division title.

Cincinnati Reds: Tony Perez

Signing with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1960, Tony Perez spent 16 seasons with the team and provided immense value along the way.

In nearly 2,000 games with the Reds, Perez went deep 287 times while driving in 1,192 runs and batted a composite .283, higher than his average with any of the three other teams he would play for.

He was a seven time All-Star and four times finished in the top 10 in MVP voting.

Cleveland : Juan Gonzalez

In the first 11 years of his career, Juan Gonzalez won five Silver Slugger awards, two MVP trophies and five times hit over 40 home runs.

After an off year in Detroit in 2000, Gonzalez signed a one year deal with the Cleveland Indians in hopes to return to form.

He would end up batting .325 with the Indians in 2001, hitting 35 home runs and driving in 140 runs while leading the Indians to a 91-71 record and postseason berth.

Colorado Rockies: Ubaldo Jimenez

When the Colorado Rockies signed Ubaldo Jimenez as a free agent in 2001 they probably didn't realize exactly what level of talent they had their hands on.

After spending the better part of five seasons in the Rockies' system, Jimenez first saw real action at a major league level in 2007 when he started 15 games, going 4-4 with a 4.28 ERA.

His stock would only rise from there as he won 12 games in 2008 and 15 in 2009 before exploding on the scene in 2010 with a 19-8 record and 2.88 ERA.

The Rockies sold early on Jimenez however, trading him to Cleveland this past summer in exchange for a handful of prospects.

Detroit Tigers: Magglio Ordonez

His productivity seems to have declined from his most prolific seasons in Detroit, Magglio Ordonez is still an important part of the success that the current AL Central division champions enjoy.

Ordonez signed a five year, $75 million deal with the Tigers in 2005 after playing less than 60 games the year before, but has since batted a combined .312 in seven seasons and has driven in over 500 runs.

Florida Marlins: Moises Alou

Signing with the Florida Marlins prior to the 1997 season, Moises Alou was an instrumental part in the team's World Series run.

Alou had 157 hits in 1997, 57 of which were extra base hits. His 115 RBI led the team and he'd finish fifth in MVP voting for his efforts.

Much like most of the other members of the 1997 Marlins, Alou played elsewhere in 1998.

Houston Astros: Nolan Ryan

After striking out nearly 2,500 batters in eight seasons with the California Angels, Nolan Ryan made his way to the Lone Star state as he would spend the next nine years of his career with the Houston Astros.

His dominance continued as he'd win 106 games with the Astros and struck out better than nine batters per nine innings during his tenure.

Kansas City Royals: Mike Sweeney

Mike Sweeney was one of the few bright spots in Kansas City during the many years of futility the Royals experienced (and to an extent still are experiencing).

He spent the first 13 years of his career with the team, appearing in five All-Star games and batting .300 with an OPS of .861.

Sweeney would ultimately leave K.C., signing with the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2008 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kirk Gibson

Kirk Gibson's heroics in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series were just one part of a remarkable first season with the Dodgers.

His limp-off home run against Dennis Eckersley was the momentum changer that led to the team knocking off the heavily favored Athletics in five games.

Gibson batted .290 in 1988 with a .377 on-base percentage and a .860 OPS, good for MVP honors.

It proved to be the most productive of his three seasons with the team as he finished his tenure in Los Angeles with a .264 average and .353 OBP.

Milwaukee Brewers: Paul Molitor

In 15 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Paul Molitor eight times batted over .300, including the 1987 season in which he batted an impressive .353.

The former third overall pick (1977) finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1978 and after that would make five All-Star appearances in a Brewers uniform.

After the 1992 season the Brewers offered Molitor a one year deal worth nearly $1 million less than he made the prior season.

With the Toronto Blue Jays offering a three year, $13 million contract Molitor would head north of the border for the 1993 season.

Minnesota Twins: Jack Morris

The Minnesota Twins' worst to first turnaround in 1991 certainly wouldn't have been possible without the offseason acquisition of Jack Morris.

Morris won 18 games during the 1991 season as he threw nearly 250 innings and led the Twins to a matchup with the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.

It was then that Morris turned in one of the best pitching performances of all time in Game 7 leading the Twins to victory in extra innings.

New York Mets: Tom Seaver

When the New York Mets signed Tom Seaver as an amateur free agent in 1966, they probably didn't expect to see the immediate returns they got.

He made his major league debut in 1967, when he would win 16 games and earn himself Rookie of the Year honors.

Just two seasons later Seaver would win 25 games, good enough for the first of three Cy Young awards he would win during his 12 seasons with the Mets.

New York Yankees: C.C. Sabathia

In just three seasons with the New York Yankees C.C. Sabathia has a 59-23 record, with a 3.18 ERA.

Striking out nearly nine batters per nine innings while walking just two, he's one of the most dominant pitchers in the game today and clearly the ace of the Yankees' staff.

At just 31 years old, Sabathia will no doubt continue to be a perennial Cy Young contender during his next five years in the Bronx.

Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson

In 14 seasons with the Oakland Athletics (during multiple periods) Rickey Henderson was the catalyst of an offense that boasted talents like Jose Canseco, Dennis Eckersley and Mark McGwire.

His speed on the basepaths was unparalleled as nearly 900 of his 1,406 stolen bases came in an Oakland uniform.

During his time in Oakland Henderson also went deep 167 times contributing to his 648 RBI with the Athletics.

Philadelphia Phillies: Pete Rose

Steve Carlton may have been the best trade acquisition the Phillies have ever made, but Pete Rose resembles one of their better offseason signings.

It can be hard to consider a four year contract handed out to a 38-year-old a blockbuster, but when you're talking about Rose it's a little different.

He batted .331 in the first year of his contract and showed tremendous durability while playing every game that season. Just a year later, the Phillies would celebrate their first World Series championship.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Willie Stargell

Signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1958, Willie Stargell would spend his entire 21 year career in the Steel City, racking up many accolades along the way.

He was a seven time All-Star for the Pirates and seven times finished in the top 10 of MVP voting, culminating with the MVP trophy he won in 1979.

Stargell was a part of three World Series championship teams and in 1979 took home NLCS and World Series MVP honors.

San Diego Padres: Ken Caminiti

After spending his first eight major league seasons with the Houston Astros, Ken Caminiti signed with the San Diego Padres prior to the 1995 season.

Some of his best years came with the Padres as he would win three Gold Gloves, one MVP trophy and make two All-Star appearances during his four year stay.

His best individual season came during his 1996 MVP campaign but he also contributed 29 home runs and more than 80 RBI during the 1998 season in which the Padres would reach the World Series.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds

After the Pittsburgh Pirates declined to retain their two time MVP Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants saw an opportunity and acted on it.

They signed Bonds to a six year, $43.75 million contract and he picked up right where he left off. He hit .336 with 46 home runs in his first season with the Giants, earning him MVP honors.

In the 14 years following the 1993 season Bonds hit 540 more home runs, surpassing Hank Aaron atop the all-time home run list.

Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki

With an initial concern of his ability to handle the transition to playing in the Major Leagues, it was somewhat of a risk for the Seattle Mariners to sign Ichiro Suzuki to a $27 million dollar deal, making him the first position player from Japan to make the move.

The move went well. He won both MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in his rookie season and has batted over .300 and had 200 hits in every season with the exception of 2011.

St. Louis Cardinals: Stan Musial

Signing Stan Musial as an amateur free agent in 1938 turned out to be a move that would pave the way for one of the best players in baseball history to leave his mark on St. Louis.

Musial spent his entire 22 year career in St. Louis, winning three MVP awards while making 20 All-Star appearances.

He six times garnered more than 200 hits in a season and was an integral part of three World Series teams.

Tampa Bay Rays: Greg Vaughn

Since the Tampa Bay Rays have much more of a history of letting free agents go and not so much signing high profile free agents the talent pool in all-time moves is relatively low.

While he may not have panned out as planned, Greg Vaughn was one of the highest profile moves made by Tampa Bay, coming to the Rays in 2000 after hitting 95 home runs in his previous two seasons.

He spent three seasons with the and hit 60 home runs, but batted only .226 during his time in Florida.

Texas Rangers: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan had already had successful tenures in both California and Houston, and after the 1988 season decided to move in-state and join the Texas Rangers.

In his five seasons with the Rangers he went 51-39 with a 3.43 ERA and struck out nearly a thousand batters.

His best season proved to be his first, when he struck out over 300 batters and finished with a 16-10 record.

Toronto Blue Jays: Carlos Delgado

Signing with the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1988, Carlos Delgado would really catch on with Toronto in 1996 when he hit 25 home runs and drove in 92 runs.

He would spend a total of 12 years north of the border, driving in over 1,000 runs and hitting 336 home runs with an impressive .949 OPS.

Washington Nationals: Tim Raines

It wasn't until the 1981 season that Tim Raines fully emerged as a player in this league. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting after batting over .300 and showcasing his true value with 71 stolen bases.

His speed would only improve as he'd steal 78, 90 and 75 bases in the following seasons, all of which led the league.