MLB Free Agents 2012: Predicting Where Top Remaining Free Agents Will Land

The MLB Hot Stove is in full swing, and a number of minor moves have already been made this offseason. However, the big chips have not yet begun to fall, and there are a number of high-impact players set to switch teams this winter.

Part of the fun of the MLB offseason is speculating who will land which free agents based on the circulating rumors, as well as just an overall gut feeling at times.

So here are my predictions on where the top remaining free agents will land this offseason, as we move ever closer to the winter meetings where the big moves generally occur.

Rafael Furcal

Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers

After acquiring Ryan Theriot and letting Brendan Ryan walk last offseason in an attempt to add more offense, the Cardinals wound up trading for Rafael Furcal at the deadline when Theriot's poor defense more than offset his batting average.

Despite the fact the he is coming off of a down year offensively last season, Furcal still represents the best option at shortstop not named Jose Reyes, and he would certainly be an upgrade over Yuniesky Betancourt for the Brewers.

He could also potentially give them a more prototypical leadoff hitter and allow them to move Corey Hart into a more RBI-friendly spot in the lineup.

Javier Vazquez

Prediction: Kansas City Royals

Following a terrible season in his second stint with the Yankees, Vazquez was looking to get his career back on track when he signed a one-year, $7 million deal last offseason with the Marlins. He did just that, going 13-11 with a 3.69 ERA.

Now in a thin starting pitching market, he could very well earn a multi-year deal, despite the fact that he is 35 years old and has been hit-or-miss since leaving the Expos in 2004.

Still, he is a veteran starter who can eat innings and for a young Royals team looking to bolster their rotation, he could be a perfect fit, that is, if he doesn't decide to retire instead.

Wei-Ying Chen

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

A Taiwanese-born left-hander who is currently pitching in the Japan Central League, Chen is just 26 years old but already has four years of pro ball under his belt and has developed into one of Japan's top pitchers.

Making things more attractive is the fact that he is a free agent and does not need to be posted, meaning it will cost far less to sign him than it originally would have.

With the Angels losing Joel Pineiro, they have an open spot in their rotation and may be willing to take a chance on the international market.

Josh Willingham

Prediction: Cleveland Indians

Playing in a terrible park for hitters in a lineup surrounded by terrible hitters, Willingham still managed a 29 HR, 99 RBI season and in a weak outfield market, there will be plenty of teams vying for his services.

Last season, the Indians trotted out the likes of Austin Kearns, Trevor Crowe and Travis Buck in left field as they struggled to find a consistent starter.

With Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley locked into starting jobs, the Indians would be wise to add a third starting outfielder rather than rely on the re-signed Grady Sizemore.

Willingham would represent a much-needed run producer in the middle of the lineup as well.

Francisco Rodriguez

Prediction: Miami Marlins

The progression of Rodriguez's career has been an interesting one, and the fact that he complained about not getting save opportunities while pitching for a Brewers team in the middle of a playoff push and with a proven closer last year could hurt his value.

That said, there are a myriad of questions surrounding Juan Oviedo (Leo Nunez?), and the Marlins are in the market to upgrade at closer.

K-Rod won't command the money that Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell will, but he is still a proven closer who would represent a significant upgrade for a team looking to head towards contention.

Carlos Pena

Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays

Coming off a season in which he hit just .196, Pena signed a one-year deal with the Cubs last offseason looking to resurrect his career.

While he still hit just .225, he had a .357 OBP and hit 28 home runs while playing solid defense at first base.

The possibility remains that he could be back with the Cubs in 2012, but if they land one of the big names or choose to go with Brian LaHair, Pena could very well wind up back where he broke out, as the Rays first baseman.

Hiroki Kuroda

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers

Despite what his 13-16 record may imply, Kuroda had a terrific season last year as he posted a career-best 3.07 ERA while compiling a solid 3.7 WAR.

It looks as though he will either return to the Dodgers or go back to Japan, and while I don't see the 37-year-old signing a multi-year deal, I think Los Angeles will bring him back on a one-year deal at the $12 million that he made last season and hope for one more solid year.

Norichika Aoki

Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers

One of the top hitters in Japan, Aoki has won three batting titles in his five years in the Japan Central League and he made a name for himself in the 2009 World Baseball Classic when he was named to the All-Tournament Team for his performance.

Now he is expected to be posted this offseason, and in a market short on lead-off hitter types beyond Jose Reyes and Coco Crisp, he should garner some interest.

It is a toss-up as to where he could wind up, but the Brewers would make as much sense as anyone, as they lack an everyday center fielder and a true leadoff hitter.

Ryan Madson

Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays

After splitting the closer's role between Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch last season, the Blue Jays will no doubt be in the market for a closer this offseason, and while they may not want to pay for Heath Bell, they will no doubt be interested in second-tier guys Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez.

In the end, Madson will likely come cheaper, and while he is looking for a four-year deal, the Blue Jays may be able to talk him down to three if he is still on the market after the other big-name closers have signed.

David Ortiz

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

Just three seasons ago, David Ortiz looked to be at the end of his career as the then 33-year-old hit just .238 as his bat speed was down dramatically.

However, he bounced back with a solid 2010 and was even better this past season.

With Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield potentially on their way out the door, bringing back Ortiz would not only return his productive bat to the lineup but would also retain his positive influence in a clubhouse that will be in need of veteran leadership.

Expect Big Papi to end his career in Boston where he made a name for himself.

Tsuyoshi Wada

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles

Coming off of a season in which he went 16-5 with a 1.51 ERA over 26 starts, Wada has established himself as a legitimate MLB starting pitching candidate and should garner interest from a number of teams, thanks to the fact that he is a free agent and won't require a posting fee.

The 30-year-old left-hander has terrific stuff and also has some swagger on the mound, and his addition to an Orioles staff that does little to bring about excitement could go a long way towards making the Orioles more fun to watch, if nothing else.

With more than one rotation spot up for grabs, a high-reward type signing like this makes sense for the Orioles.

Mark Buehrle

Prediction: Chicago White Sox

Over his 12-year career, Mark Buehrle has won 161 games with a 3.83 ERA and he has only played for the White Sox, who drafted him in the 38th round of the 1998 draft.

After originally saying he would only play for the White Sox or his hometown St. Louis Cardinals, Buehrle now seems open to playing anywhere in 2012.

But in the end, I think the fan favorite and clubhouse leader will be back on the South Side to finish out his stellar career.

Michael Cuddyer

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

The Twins will try hard to bring Cuddyer back after they chose to hold onto him at the deadline, but in the end, the team's lone All-Star from last season will be playing elsewhere in 2012.

The Phillies and Red Sox look like the front-runners for his services, and if Boston missed out on Carlos Beltran like I think they will, Cuddyer will be Plan B.

His versatility would make a welcome addition to an already-potent offensive club.

Heath Bell

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

With Jonathan Papelbon signing with the Phillies, his days as the Red Sox closer have come to a close, and Boston will have to decide if they want to turn ninth-inning duties over to Daniel Bard or shop the free-agent market.

As a team looking to win a title now, I think the Red Sox will opt for a proven commodity and go hard after Padres closer Heath Bell.

While he has strong ties to San Diego, in the end the Red Sox could offer up the money to convince him to leave.

Jimmy Rollins

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

A 12-year MLB veteran, Rollins has spent his entire career with the Phillies, and now at the age of 33, he is hitting the free agent market.

Rollins is looking for a five-year deal which the Phillies have balked at, but in the end I can't imagine the Phillies letting him walk or Rollins playing anywhere else.

Unless the Giants come out of nowhere with an offer that he can't turn down, expect him back in Philadelphia in 2012.

Edwin Jackson

Prediction: New York Yankees

For all the promise he showed in making his big-league debut at the age of 19, Edwin Jackson has never quite emerged into the ace that many though he would, and he is set to join the seventh team of his 10-year career.

He is not quite an ace, but in a thin market, his value will likely be inflated and the Yankees could add the 28-year-old to their staff and have another reliable starter for the next several seasons.

Expect the Scott Boras client to test the market for a while before eventually going where the money is, which will be New York.

Aramis Ramirez

Prediction: Detroit Tigers

There is little question that Aramis Ramirez is the top third baseman on the market, and while many teams would love to add a bat of his caliber to their lineup, two contenders in the American League in particular make the most sense in the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.

I give the edge to the Tigers, as the last thing the Angels need is another veteran on a multi-year deal.

The Tigers on the other hand are parting ways with Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen, and after watching Brandon Inge hit .197 last year before trading for Wilson Betemit, they will go hard after the slugging third baseman.

Roy Oswalt

Prediction: Texas Rangers

The Phillies declined their $16 million option for the 2012 season, and he immediately became one of the top arms on the market. Meanwhile, the Phillies still have three of the game's best pitchers, as well as the up-and-coming Vance Worley.

The Yankees will no doubt take a look, and the Nationals have expressed interest, but in the end, I think Oswalt heads back to Texas and takes over for C.J. Wilson as the Rangers' ace.

Carlos Beltran

Prediction: San Francisco Giants

The Giants pulled the trigger on dealing top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, as they looked to make a push for the postseason. However, they fell short and now they very well may have given up Wheeler for a month of production from Beltran.

Re-signing Beltran would at least justify the trade a little better, and for a team in need of all the offensive help they can get, his bat would be a welcome addition for a full season. Jose Reyes would be the Giants' top target this offseason, but in they end, I think they'll have to settle for bringing back Beltran.

Yeonis Cespedes

Prediction: New York Yankees

Cuban superstar Yeonis Cespedes' defection to the United States has made him the most sought-after international position player prospect since Ichiro Suzuki, and there will be more than a few teams who make him an offer.

Early predictions have him signing a contract similar to the six-year, $30.5 million deal that Aroldis Chapman agreed to.

However, if the Yankees decide to deal Nick Swisher for a starting pitcher, they could make a substantial offer to Cespedes and take everyone else out of the running.

Yu Darvish

Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays

The biggest international import of the season, and the biggest since Daisuke Matsuzaka, will be Yu Darvish if he does in fact decide to make the move to Major League Baseball.

The Yankees and Rangers look to be the front runners for now, but the Blue Jays are a team on the rise with money to spend, and they may be the most willing to put up a big posting bid and take a chance on landing a future staff ace.

C.J. Wilson

Prediction: Washington Nationals

The Nationals showed last season that they are willing to spend money when they inked Jayson Werth to a ridiculous deal, and they will likely be major players on the market once again this offseason.

While the search continues for a center fielder, the answer will not come in free agency and the team seems more inclined to go after starting pitching.

The top arm on the market would be Rangers ace C.J. Wilson, and while the Yankees will likely make a run at him, in the end, the chance to be a staff ace once again with the Nationals will lead him to Washington.

Jose Reyes

Prediction: Miami Marlins

With the Marlins set to open a brand-new stadium this season, they have been aggressive on the free-agent market already, making offers to Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols while being linked to guys like Mark Buehrle and Cuban outfielder Yeonis Cespedes.

While I don't think they'll have what it takes to pry Pujols away from St. Louis, landing Reyes seems like a very real possibility, and that would essentially shore up two positions, as it would lead to a move of Hanley Ramirez to third base.

Prince Fielder

Prediction: Chicago Cubs

Many believe that Theo Epstein will rebuild the Cubs with a series of small moves and improved player development, and while that will play a big role, the Cubs still need to add an impact bat that can carry the offense now and down the road.

With Aramis Ramirez likely to sign somewhere else, and Carlos Pena ready to do the same, the Cubs simply don't have a middle-of-the-order hitter to drive in runs.

Adding someone like Fielder would give them a marquee name in the cleanup spot for years to come.

Albert Pujols

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals

Not since Barry Bonds has a player with the offensive firepower of Albert Pujols hit the free-agent market, but unlike Bonds, expect Pujols to stay put and re-sign with the only team he has ever played for in the Cardinals.

The team simply would not be able to justify letting someone of his caliber walk, especially when the team is coming off a World Series title and are in a good position to defend their title.