MLB Free Agents 2012: Potential Surprise Suitors for Each Big-Name Free Agent

At this time last year, everyone knew that Cliff Lee was either going to re-sign with the Texas Rangers or head to the New York Yankees.

It was a foregone conclusion.

Yet Lee ended up with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Every year, a team seemingly comes from out of nowhere and signs a player that nobody thought it could—or would.

This year's crop of free agents is no different—at least one big-name player will end up signing with a team that nobody saw coming.

Let's see which teams could surprise everyone in free agency and "get in the game" with the 15 big-name free agents left on the market.

While these players would make sense for these teams, I am NOT stating that I believe they will sign them. This is merely a piece talking about teams that COULD make a strong move to sign one or two of them.

Speaking of the Phillies, yours truly was the only Bleacher Report MLB writer to correctly predict Jonathan Papelbon landing in the City of Brotherly Love. If you haven't already checked that article out, I highly recommend it—there is some excellent insight from some excellent writers in there.

Francisco Rodriguez: Boston Red Sox

After not re-signing incumbent closer Jonathan Papelbon, the Boston Red Sox have an opening at the back end of their bullpen.

Daniel Bard, once believed to be the closer-in-waiting, may have removed himself from consideration with some erratic performances over the last month of the season.

Then again, the entire club was fairly erratic down the stretch, so maybe that's unfair.

Regardless, the Sox need a closer.

Ryan Madson may prove to be too expensive for Boston's taste, as he is looking for a lucrative, multi-year deal.

Enter Francisco Rodriguez, the fiery closer turned setup man who is looking to close out games once again.

Whether the Sox want to stick their new manager, whomever it may be, with such a volatile personality remains to be seen, but K-Rod may be the reliever who makes the most sense—in terms of dollars and cents.

Grady Sizemore: New York Mets

Slashing ticket prices and bringing in the fences at Citi Field will not be enough to satisfy a frustrated fanbase that will grow even angrier after Jose Reyes leaves.

With declining attendance and the Bernie Madoff fiasco still hanging over their heads, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, the majority owners of the New York Mets, are not expected to give GM Sandy Alderson the keys to the vault that contains their money.

While Grady Sizemore has been oft-injured—five surgeries in the past three years—the 29-year-old former All-Star could placate Mets fans as a name that they recognize.

An incentive-laden deal based on games played is likely the kind of offer that Sizemore will receive from multiple teams, and proving that he is indeed healthy and back to his old form in a major media market could do wonders for his next contract after this one.

Ramon Hernandez: Cincinnati Reds

With über-prospect Devin Mesoraco expected to take over the catching duties in 2012 and backup catcher Ryan Hanigan under contract through 2013, why would the Cincinnati Reds bring back the 35-year-old veteran?

Hernandez believes that he is still a starting catcher, but how many teams agree?

The Reds will likely offer him arbitration so that they can assure themselves of draft-pick compensation, as Hernandez is a Type A free agent.

Should he refuse arbitration, it would hurt his appeal to prospective suitors, as teams may be wary of giving up a draft pick for an aging veteran at one of the game's most physically demanding positions.

If Hernandez accepts the arbitration offer, he is likely to receive a raise.

While the Reds have not yet stated their plans, they have nine days until the deadline to offer arbitration.

I expect Hernandez to start the 2012 season in Cincinnati, though where he ultimately ends up will be in the hands of Reds GM Walt Jocketty.

Ryan Madson: Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have been linked to nearly every big-name free agent thus far, though their interest in Ryan Madson has been lukewarm at best.

With their incumbent closer Juan Oviedo (formerly Leo Nunez) in flux and a new ballpark opening up, the Marlins will want to make sure they have the ninth inning locked down.

Madson has been one of the more consistent relievers in baseball over the past few seasons and is said to be looking for a four-year contract.

Should the Marlins be spurned by multiple free agents, they could easily swoop in and give Madson what he wants to come pitch in Miami.

Hiroki Kuroda: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Nobody expects Hiroki Kuroda to leave Los Angeles.

He has steadfastly maintained that he only wants to pitch in Los Angeles, for the Dodgers, and has refused to waive his no-trade clause in the past to ensure he stays where he wants to be.

With the Dodgers ownership situation currently in flux, nobody is quite sure what, if anything, they will be able to do in free agency this season.

Enter new Angels GM Jerry Dipoto, who could sell Kuroda on not having to move at all yet still receive the contract he desires.

Josh Willingham: Houston Astros

Like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Houston Astros are a team with an uncertain ownership situation.

GM Ed Wade knows that his team is in the midst of a long-term rebuilding mode and that attracting any worthwhile free agents is highly unlikely.

Josh Willingham could fill their void in LF and give the Astros another bat with power in the middle of their lineup to go along with Carlos Lee.

Mark Buehrle: Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has money and is willing to spend it.

While the Brewers have a solid starting rotation that features Yovani Gallardo, Shaun Marcum, Zack Greinke and Randy Wolf, their pitching was ultimately what let them down in the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Buehrle has spent his entire career with the Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee is less than a two-hour drive from the Windy City.

Could it be close enough to attract Buehrle to the National League?

Michael Cuddyer: Oakland Athletics

With virtually their entire starting outfield from 2011 now free agents, the Oakland Athletics need some bodies to fill those spots.

An 11-year veteran, Michael Cuddyer is one of the more versatile players currently available, having the ability to play corner spots in both the outfield and infield.

He is also an excellent clubhouse influence.

While Oakland GM Billy Beane generally does not get involved with high-profile free agents, one could see him make an exception for a player such as Cuddyer.

Edwin Jackson: Chicago Cubs

While the focus in Chicago has been on Theo Epstein getting the gang back together and how big of an offer the team will make to either Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, the Cubs pitching staff is one in need of a boost.

After Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster, the rest of Chicago's options are rather unimpressive.

Edwin Jackson, who is represented by Scott Boras, is likely to command a larger contract than he deserves.

But with the Cubs in need of starters, they could very easily become involved in discussions about bringing the 28-year-old to Chicago.

Jimmy Rollins: San Francisco Giants

Nobody expects Jimmy Rollins to leave Philadelphia, the only city he has called home in his 12-year career.

But could it be that the former NL MVP is pricing himself out of the "City of Brotherly Love?"

While no longer the offensive force he used to be, the soon-to-be 33-year-old would be a major upgrade at a position where the Giants sorely need one.

No stranger to giving out lucrative contracts—see Barry Zito—the Giants and Rollins seem to be a good match.

Heath Bell: Los Angeles Dodgers

Believe it or not, Heath Bell is looking to sign his first multi-year contract.

Sounds kind of strange for a 34-year-old who just finished his eighth season in the major leagues, doesn't it?

But it is true, and another truth is that Bell prefers to stay with the San Diego Padres.

While the topic of whether or not the Los Angeles Dodgers will be able to partake in the free-agent process due to their current ownership situation has come up previously, let us assume that the club will be able to spend money.

The Dodgers can offer Bell the three-year contract he is rumored to be seeking and the chance to remain in California, which he seems to prefer.

Yu Darvish: Arizona Diamondbacks

With Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy already entrenched and Jarrod Parker ready to join them in the starting rotation, coupled with 2011 first-round picks Trevor Bauer and Archie Bradley in the system, one would think that starting pitching would be the least of the Diamondbacks' concerns.

But the chance to add another young piece in Yu Darvish has to be enticing, and they have scouted him on more than one occasion.

Could they actually have the winning bid in the posting process?

Who knows?

Stranger things have happened.

Prince Fielder: Seattle Mariners

Could Christmas come to Seattle early this year?

Owned by the Nintendo Corporation of America, a company that generally does very well during the holiday season, the Seattle Mariners are faced with another rebuilding process.

Incumbent 1B Justin Smoak has largely been disappointing since arriving from the Texas Rangers as part of the package paid for Cliff Lee in 2010.

Getting into the Fielder sweepstakes could remind people outside the Northwest that there is actually a 25-man roster that plays baseball in Seattle, not just Felix Hernandez and Ichiro.

Jose Reyes: Philadelphia Phillies

Although rumors persist that Jose Reyes is in talks to join the Miami Marlins—a puzzling move considering the Marlins already have an All-Star in Hanley Ramirez who plays the same position—the Philadelphia Phillies could stick it to New York yet again.

As was mentioned previously, last year the Phillies seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Cliff Lee, leaving Yankee Universe stunned.

Why couldn't they stick it to the Mets this time?

While most believe Reyes leaving the confines of Citi Field is a given, nobody expects that he will relocate only a few hours south of his current home.

The Phillies could decide they do not want to give the older Jimmy Rollins the contract length and salary he desires and instead decide to spend that money on the younger, more exciting Reyes.

Albert Pujols: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos might be regarded as one of the worst in all of sports, but one thing Angelos has is money and a willingness to spend it.

It was only two years ago that the Orioles were suitors for 1B Mark Teixeira, who ultimately wound up with the New York Yankees.

After signing Derrek Lee as a free agent last season, only to trade him to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline, 1B is one of many holes that the Orioles need to fill.