2012 MLB Free Agency: Jose Reyes, 10 Big Names Whose Offseason May Shock Us

The Hot Stove season has officially started, and fans and experts everywhere have begun putting in their best guesses on where all the big-name players will land before the offseason is over.

Some predictions remain more likely than others, but without fail there are always at least a handful of moves that come as a major surprise.

Here is a look at shocking offseason moves involving some of the biggest names on the market that, while a bit far fetched, could certainly happen.

C.J. Wilson: Gets a $100 Million Deal After Struggling in the Postseason

Coming off of a 16-win season, Wilson was the unquestioned ace of the Rangers staff entering the postseason and was expected to do much of the heavy lifting that Cliff Lee did last October for the Rangers.

However, he fell flat and went 0-3 in five starts and six appearances with a 5.79 ERA, and while he was better in the World Series, it still did little to boost his value heading into free agency.

That said, he is still the best arm available on the market, and with so few impact starting pitching available, a bidding war could push his value up to the ranks of the elite. It seems more likely he gets a five-year, $80 million type deal, but there is an outside chance at the big one.

Jimmy Rollins: Signs with Giants

It is no secret that the Giants are in need of a shortstop after suffering through the likes of Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera, Mike Fontenot and Brandon Crawford last season.

They will likely go hard after Jose Reyes, but if he proves to be too rich for their blood, they could make a play for Phillies staple Jimmy Rollins.

Rollins is seeking a five-year deal, and has stated that he is not afraid to leave the Phillies for greener pastures. It seems unlikely that the Phillies and Rollins don't come to some sort of agreement, but the Giants have an outside shot at the 32-year-old veteran.

James Shields: Is Traded Instead of Other Options

The Rays have perhaps the richest crop of young starting pitching in the history of baseball right now, as David Price (25), Jeremy Hellickson (24), Wade Davis (25), Alex Cobb (23), Matt Moore (22) and Alex Torres (23) are all among the top young pitchers in the game.

Add that group to James Shields and Jeff Niemann, and it is clear that the Rays have an abundance of starting pitching, something that few, if any, other teams in the league can say.

Manager Joel Maddon recently stated that James Shields will likely not be the one dealt, but seeing as he commands the highest salary and is the oldest of the group, don't be surprised if he is in fact moved.

Yeonnis Cespedes: Signs a Contract Bigger Than Aroldis Chapman Did

When the Reds signed Aroldis Chapman prior to the 2010 season, he was the most intriguing option on the market, as his triple-digits fastball had him immediately hailed as the left-handed Stephen Strasburg.

Now, two years later, a center fielder by the name of Yeonnis Cespedes has emerged on the scene ready to take his five-tool talents to the major leagues this coming season.

Coming off a season in which he broke the Cuban single-season home run record with 33 long balls in just 90 games, the 26-year-old is in high demand and has already drawn the interest of a number of MLB teams with a YouTube video that he released alone.

Early reports have him seeking in excess of $30 million, and if that is the case, he would exceed the five-year, $25.25 million deal that the Reds handed Chapman.

Jair Jurrjens: Traded to the Kansas City Royals

Despite the fact he is coming off of an All-Star season in which he went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA, the Braves are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for the 25-year-old right-hander.

There is no question he has a promising future, but the Braves already have a deep group of starters in Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor, along with prospects Randall Delgado, Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino.

One team said to be interested is the Royals, and they have the impressive position prospects the team would be looking for in return, and after trading for Jonathan Sanchez, the team looks ready to continue upgrading their rotation.

Yu Darvish: Costs More Than Daisuke Matsuzaka

When Daisuke Matsuzaka came over from Japan to join the Red Sox, it cost Boston a $51 million posting fee, and then a six-year, $52 million contract to sign him for a grand total of $103 million.

The Red Sox no doubt regret that move looking back after just two successful seasons before falling apart, that may not be enough to deter teams from spending the same type of money on this year's big import Yu Darvish.

Darvish is a year younger than Dice-K, and in a weak pitching market if he is posted he could represent the best arm available. Coming off a year in which he went 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA he is clearly a dominant pitcher, and depending on how many teams get involved, his contract could eclipse that of Matsuzaka.

David Wright: Traded to the Colorado Rockies

It seemed as though last season, everyone on the Mets roster was on the trade block at one point or another, but the most surprising was when David Wright was rumored to be on the move.

A free agent at the end of the 2012 season, the Mets will soon have to decide if Wright is a part of their future plans or if the team will be without the 28-year-old moving forward.

If they do decide to trade him, the Rockies showed interest last season and once again look to be focused on acquiring Wright according to recent report. With a gaping hole at third base following the fall-off of Ian Stewart, the Rockies offense would certainly benefit from adding Wright, and they have the prospects to pull off a move.

Albert Pujols: Signs Anywhere Other Than St. Louis

The popular opinion is that the Cardinals will do whatever it takes to retain superstar first baseman Albert Pujols, and that was the unanimous opinion of at least a few baseball writers here at Bleacher Report in a recent article.

Re-signing Pujols makes sense for both sides, as the Cardinals are in a good position to return to the postseason and beyond with all of their major contributors back, as well as Adam Wainwright returning from injury.

However, until it happens, there is still an outside shot that he ends up elsewhere and teams like the Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays and Nationals could be his alternate destinations. Still, it would come as a shock to most everyone if he was not back in St. Louis in 2012.

Jose Reyes: Signs with Miami Marlins

As the best shortstop and lead off hitter on the market by far, a number of teams will be in pursuit of the services of Jose Reyes.

The Braves and Giants have clear needs at shortstop, and the Mets kept him around last season with full intention of re-signing him this offseason.

However, one unexpected suitor has emerged, as it was reported yesterday that the Marlins are interested in him.

Signing Reyes would mean a shift to third base for Hanley Ramirez, which would shore up a position that was a revolving door last season while adding even more speed to an already dynamic lineup.

Prince Fielder: Signs with Texas Rangers Already Potent Offense

The Rangers lineup was hailed as one of the deepest of all-time this postseason, and was a big reason why the team won its second straight AL pennant.

With everyone returning from last season's team, the lineup will once again be an asset, but could it get even better heading into 2012?

A recent report has indicated that while pitching is the Rangers top priority, they could also take a look at Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols in an attempt to upgrade over Mitch Moreland.

While it remains to be seen how serious the Rangers are about this, just imagining their lineup with Prince Fielder added to it is an awful lot of fun.

SS Elvis Andrus
DH Michael Young
1B Prince Fielder
LF Josh Hamilton
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
C Mike Napoli
2B Ian Kinsler
CF Leonys Martin

Regardless of who makes up their pitching staff, this team would be dangerous and likely once again the favorite in the American League.