Top 10 MLB Free Agents of 2011 and Where They Might Land

It is about that time of year folks. The MLB offseason is upon us and it is shaping up to be one of the best free agent class in MLB history.

The big fish of this free agent class will be Albert Pujols who is expected to receive one of the the biggest contracts in MLB history. There are many more players who are free agents and I will tell you my predictions on which player might stay or go elsewhere. 

To the slides we go. 

1. Albert Pujols

Was there any doubt on who would be No. 1 on this list? 

Pujols is the best player in baseball today and is just an absolute monster. All 30 teams dreams of having him on their teams. As a Yankee fan, I even want him to sign with them. However, he is coming off a World Series championship which could influence him to stay as a Cardinal for the near future.

The problem is will St Louis give him the amount of money he wants? Cardinal fans should be very afraid of the Cubs who have the cap room to sign him.

Prediction: Pujols stays with St Louis. It would be catastrophic if the Cardinals let him go. 

2. Prince Fielder

The other big named player in the National League Central. 

Fielder is coming off a tremendous year for the Brewers. To me he is a better RBI man than Pujols.

Last season Ryan Braun signed a five-year $120 million contract extension which raises the question: Will Fielder want to take a discount to stay with Milwaukee? And how would his agent Scott Boras handle the contract negotiations?

Prediction: Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein will not let him sign with the Brewers. I believe that Fielder wants to go to a big market team. the Cubs are a perfect fit for him. 

3. Jose Reyes

You would think that the Mets would sign him to a long-term contract right about now. That would have been the case if the Mets wasn't involved in the Bernie Madoff scandal.

Reyes is coming off his best season despite being injured for most of the year. Reyes has been the Mets franchise player for a awhile now and it is a shame that the Mets couldn't resign him under these circumstances. So Mets fans if you need someone to blame for him leaving blame Bernie Madoff

Prediction: Florida Marlins. A new stadium and a chance to play with Hanley Ramirez and all the other young talents in Florida. It should be fun. 

4. C.J Wilson

He is the best pitcher in this year's free agent market. 

Wilson has always been the best pitcher the Rangers has had over the last three years and had proven it in the postseason. Many of the American League powerhouse teams are waiting at the shot to sign him.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Like Cliff Lee last year, Wilson will spurn the Yankees and sign with the Angels for less money. 

5. Mark Buehrle

The second best pitcher in the free agent market. 

Buehrle is coming off a good season with the White Sox and always have been a fan favorite in the south side of Chicago. The White Sox has been so good to Buehrle and he has returned the favor. I cannot see him leaving for another team.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox. Like I said before, I don't see him in another uniform other than the White Sox.  

6. Johnathan Papelbon

The video above marks the end of Papelbon as a Red Sox. 

Whoever is a Boston Red Sox fan and is reading this, I apologize in advance but this is the last image you will see Papelbon in a Red Sox uniform. Despite this, he is considered to be the best closer in the free agent market. I'm afraid that the Red Sox will not resign Papelbon.

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies. Phillies need a closer and he would fit perfectly in that bullpen. 

7. Carlos Pena

He is on this list because of one reason: He's a good bargain for any team. 

It seems like everywhere he goes he always produce. Last season with the Cubs, he had a good year hitting 28 homers and driving in 80 runs. He has been a journey man throughout his career and could be a perfect fit in the the NL Central. 

Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates need a power bat for the young lineup that they have. Clint Hurdle would love to have him.

8. Francisco Cordero

He is the second best closer in the free agent market. 

Cordero had 38 saves in 2011 but has seven blown saves. According to some reports,the Reds have declined his $12 million-option on him. I expect him to get some sort of discount from the Reds. 

Prediction: Cincinnati Reds. The Reds need someone to shut the door in the ninth inning. Cordero already has proven that. 

9. Aramis Ramirez

Here's another player who could be a bargain for some team. 

Ramirez had a pretty good year for the Cubs and has always been a reliable player when healthy. When he is injured, his value has gone down. He might not be the same player he once was but he is still productive. 

Prediction: Chicago Cubs. I think he's the best fit there. 

10. David Ortiz

I almost forgot about him. 

Ortiz had a spectacular year before him and the Red Sox collapsed during the stretch. With the turmoil that is going on in Red Sox nation, it is a possibility that Ortiz could leave the Red Sox. With a new era starting in Boston, it is a toss up on Ortiz coming back to the Red Sox. 

Prediction: New York Yankees. This could be very shocking.