2012 MLB Free Agency: Predicting Where Top 10 FA Hitters Will Land

The 2012 MLB offseason has yet to see a major splash in the free agent market; elite players like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes haven't talked to many teams yet.

However, that will change in the coming weeks, as talks will begin to heat up across the league.

Let's take a look at some of the most likely destinations for the top hitters of the 2012 free agent class.

Josh Willingham

Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates

Left fielder Josh Willingham had a great year with the A's in 2011, hitting 29 home runs and racking up 98 RBI in the black hole that is the O.co Coliseum in Oakland.

He garnered a lot of attention at the trade deadline from teams like the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and the Pirates.

He's still a very hot commodity now on the free agent market, and after proving he could hit in Oakland, many teams have high hopes for him in 2012.

The Pirates put together a brief run at the playoffs, and with some veteran leadership and power from Willingham, they could be more serious contenders in 2012.

Carlos Beltran

Prediction: San Francisco Giants

Center fielder Carlos Beltran joined the Giants at midseason to help their struggling offense en route to the playoffs.

Beltran and the Giants didn't make it to the playoffs, but he is a good asset for the Giants—he can play in a center field that had been fairly unproductive until his arrival.

Michael Cuddyer

Prediction: Minnesota Twins

Michael Cuddyer has garnered at least a bit of interest from the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and, of course, the Twins.

Based on the signing of Ty Wigginton in Philadelphia and a lack of interest in Colorado, it seems like it's down to the Red Sox and Twins.

In the end, Cuddyer will feel most at home by staying in Minnesota rather than heading to the huge media spotlight that is Boston.

Aramis Ramirez

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles

Aramis Ramirez isn't the third baseman he once was, but in a free agent class with few third baseman, he has become fairly coveted.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim no longer seem like options for Ramirez, the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles are still in need of a third baseman.

With Robert Andino, who has yet to do much of anything in his young career, listed at the top of the Baltimore depth chart, they desperately need to sign Ramirez.

Jimmy Rollins

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

As an aging shortstop, Jimmy Rollins won't get the five-year deal that he is looking for.

But for the right price, Philadelphia would be more than happy to bring back the former MVP and let him end his career as a life-long Phillie.

Other teams are out there, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, but they only view him as a secondary option if they don't resign Albert Pujols.

A return to Philadelphia can be expected for Rollins.

David Ortiz

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz rejuvenated his entire career when he signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox in 2003.

Since then, Ortiz has been the lasting face of the Red Sox. On top of that, he is the only player left on the roster from the 2004 World Series Champion team who received a significant amount of playing time.

For him to leave the Red Sox or for the Red Sox to let him walk would be a travesty and a blow to the Red Sox, the city of Boston and his legacy.

Both sides need each other.

Yoennis Cespedes

Prediction: Washington Nationals

Yoennis Cespedes won't be a free agent for about two months, but when he finally becomes one, there will be an intense bidding war to earn the rights to negotiate with the 26-year-old outfielder.

He was a center fielder in Cuba, but he will most likely be moved to a corner spot in the Major Leagues. Expect the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees to be the front-runners for Cespedes, as they both have the money and could use an elite young outfielder.

If the Nationals sign him, they will have an amazing young core of Cespedes, catcher Wilson Ramos, pitcher Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper—not to mention the rest of their young cast.

Jose Reyes

Prediction: Miami Marlins

Shortstop Jose Reyes has an amazing combination of speed and hitting ability, stealing 39 bases and hitting .337 in only 126 games.

But with that great offensive ability comes a steep price tag—one that Miami would be more than happy to pay.

Yes, the Marlins do have Hanley Ramirez already at shortstop, but he could easily move to third base or even the outfield. On top of that, Miami wants to revamp their lineup and become competitive right away in their new stadium this season. Reyes would be the perfect man to do that.

Prince Fielder

Prediction: Chicago Cubs

Prince Fielder can flat-out hit the ball. 

Hard.

Wrigley Field is widely known as a hitter-friendly park, depending on how the Chicago winds decide to act, and Prince Fielder has 11 home runs there in just 49 games.

Plus, the Cubs have money and want to make a huge impact now that they are led by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. They can do just that by showing Fielder the money and luring him away from their NL Central rival.

Albert Pujols

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals

First baseman Albert Pujols is one of the greatest players to hit free agency in recent memory. 

At the age of 31, he has only begun to cement himself among the names of baseball's greats, and he is now due for arguably the biggest payday in Major League history.

His entire career has been spent in St. Louis, and having just won a World Series there, why wouldn't he want to stay and try for his third ring?