2012 MLB Free Agents: Where the Top Players Are Likely to Land

The hot stove season is upon us and the dominoes are about to start falling quickly in the next month.

The major players in this year’s bidding wars are the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and…Marlins?

That’s right, the Miami Marlins are trying to throw gobs of money at every big free agent in an attempt to re-make their new team that is entering their first year in a new stadium.

Where are the top free agents going to end up? Is Albert Pujols really going to leave the St. Louis Cardinals? He already has another offer on the table. His decision is going to impact the entire market for non-pitchers.

Yet, he is far from the only big-name free agent available. Here are some early predictions on where the biggest names on the market will end up for Opening Day 2012.

1. Albert Pujols

The Miami Marlins (still not used to calling them that) have already sat down with “King Albert” and made him an undisclosed offer.

With the Chicago Cubs likely to make a strong push as well; the Cardinals have some serious work to do. There have been reports that the Cardinals aren’t going to significantly raise the $210M, nine-year deal that was offered before the start of last season.

It’s a wide-open race right now that is likely to have plenty of twists and turns as both sides negotiated through the media.

Even Albert doesn’t know where he’ll end up:

"We're just going to see where God takes us”

Well then.

Where Will He End Up?

Cardinals. Too much history in St. Louis, too many good vibes after winning the World Series, too much respect for the franchise.

Unless a team tosses an absurd $300M his way, the 31-year-old will be staying put.

2. Prince Fielder

The 27-year-old doesn’t care about loyalty or staying with one team…he’s trying to get paid in a big way. Some argue that Fielder—who is four years younger than Pujols—has a lot more long-tern value on the open market.

He made numerous comments during the season that essentially said the Brew Crew couldn’t afford to keep him. G.M. Doug Melvin now agrees as well.

The Rangers and Dodgers are out…what about a big spender like the Cubs? Is Theo Epstein prepared to tie his future with the Cubs to Fielder?

The Mariners are in desperate need of offense in the middle of the lineup, as are the Angles. The Marlins are willing to sign anybody they can. The Red Sox and Yankees already have a franchise first basemen, so cross them off the list.

Where Will He End Up?

I think ultimately the Mariners are going to blow him away with a huge offer that no other team can match. Fielder isn’t concerned with wins and loses, and his decision will reflect as much.

Are you ready for King Felix and Prince in Seattle?

3. Jose Reyes

The reigning National League batting champ is the sort of leadoff hitter that every team in baseball would be thrilled to have.

His combination of speed, hitting and defense makes him on the top of wish lists for a plethora of teams around the majors.

Where Will He End Up?

The Marlins.

There are already rumors circling that Reyes has made his mind up on going to Miami. They are willing to give him a long-term deal and are selling him on a new-look franchise with the potential to also have Pujols on his side.

They need a leadoff hitter and can either move Hanley Ramirez to the outfield or Reyes can make the transition to second base.

This one is going to happen.

4. C.J. Wilson

If you ignore his rocky 2011 postseason, Wilson has been one of the best starters in the game over the last two years. He has piled up a 31-20 record with a 3.57 ERA as a starter and has proven to be reliable throughout the duration of the long and grueling season.

He is going to have big offers from all of the major players such as the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.

Where Will He End Up? 

Yankees.

They have more money to offer him than any other team, and are truly desperate for a legit No. 2 starter behind C.C. Sabathia. Sure the postseason woes are a concern, but the Yanks have to make a big splash in the starting pitching market and this is the best option.

5. Yoennis Cespdes

A super-star for the Cuban national team, he is going to have offers from a ton of major league teams now that he has decided to leave Cuba.

The five-tool center fielder would be the perfect player to replace Jacoby Ellsbury if he were to leave Boston.

Then there are teams like the Marlins, Royals, A’s and Blue Jays that are just trying to make a big splash in any way possible. Getting what Baseball Prospectus calls “the best all-around talent to come out of Cuba” would be a great start.

Where Will He End Up?

I think it’s a small market team battle between the A’s and the Blue Jays. Both teams know they don’t have the payroll to consistency compete in their respective A.L. divisions, and by signing a unknown talent like this for $50M is the best way to go.

I think Billy Beane and the Athletics will ultimately win this bidding war, as they quietly become a contender in the wild AL West.