MLB Free Agency 2012: Top 20 Corner Infielders Potentially Available

As MLB free agency continues, fans continue to diligently watch and wait to see where the top players on the market will end up.  Will Albert Pujols stay in St. Louis?  Will Prince Fielder (pictured) bolt Milwaukee and if so, where?

Needless to say, Pujols and Fielder headline a rather shallow pool of free agents who can play either first or third base.  There is talent available at either position, but not much in terms of game changers.  Still, I'm never one to shy away from a challenge and the possibility of debate and analysis.

Let's take a look at the 20 best corner infielders who could be available this season.

No. 20: Mark DeRosa

Mark DeRosa isn't getting any younger, as he will be 37 years old next season.  Given how his past two seasons with the San Francisco Giants have been forgettable after an excellent 2009 campaign (.250, 23 home runs, 78 RBI), getting a new contract could prove to be tough.

During his brief tenure with the Giants, DeRosa has hit .235 with just one home run and 22 RBI in 73 games due to a recurring wrist injury.  Still, it might not be wise to count out the third baseman/outfielder just yet.

Despite his drop in production the past two years, DeRosa is still a great guy to have on the team.  He is a fine leader and has an incredible IQ for both baseball and in general, as he is an alum of UPenn.  If anything, he'll find a one-year deal.

No. 19: Lyle Overbay

2011 was a year to forget for Lyle Overbay.  In 121 games split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit just .234 and the power seemed to have been sucked out of his bat as he only had nine home runs with 47 RBI.

Despite his offseason, Overbay is a great leader to have in the clubhouse.  On top of that, he'll turn 35 next month and still could have some gas left in the tank.  Also, he plays a decent first base, which is hard to find, period.

No. 18: Eric Chavez

Last offseason, the Oakland Athletics finally cut ties with oft-injured third baseman Eric Chavez.  On the open market, the best he could get was a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.  Despite the circumstances, he played well enough in Spring Training to make the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder/bat off the bench.

A broken foot limited him to just 58 games, but Chavez still hit fairly well with a .263 average, two home runs and 26 RBI.  Chavez also showed that he could still play a decent third base and even saw some time at first.

His days as a regular are behind him, but he could easily prove to be valuable as a pinch-hitter and/or defensive replacement.

No. 17: Conor Jackson

OK, so he spends most of his time in the outfield.  Still, teams could be interested in Conor Jackson as an option at first base.  Given his ability to hit for average and decent pop, he could be a great option to have off the bench.

Jackson split last season between the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox, posting an average of .244 with five home runs and 43 RBI in 114 games.  That may not seem impressive, but he also posted a .310 OBP.

I can see Jackson getting a one-year deal from a team looking for depth both in the outfield and at first base.  If he is used regularly, then he could produce some impressive bench numbers.

No. 16: Jerry Hairston, Jr.

He may be able to play most of the positions around the field, but Jerry Hairston, Jr. actually played the most of his 120 games last year at third base, with 49 total.  He has been known for defense throughout his 14-season career and even showcased an effective bat last year in time split between the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers.  On the year, Hairston hit .270 while posting a .344 OBP.

He isn't getting any younger and will turn 36 next season, but Hairston still has the range of someone younger.  Given his team-first approach and versatility, he'll find a one-year deal for sure.

No. 15: Omar Vizquel

To be honest with you, folks, I'm shocked that Omar Vizquel even played last year.  The man turned 44 and played in his 23rd MLB season, this time as a backup infielder for the Chicago White Sox.  In 58 games, the 11-time Gold Glove winner hit .251 and only made one error in time spent all around the infield, mostly at third base.

At this point, I don't even know if the man will be playing next year.  He's at the age where most players retire to the wife, kids and golf course.  Still, if he wants to play, his defense is still so top-notch that a team could easily offer him a one-year deal.

No. 14: Wilson Betemit

In all honesty, I'm shocked that Wilson Betemit hasn't become a full-time starter yet.  At 30 years old, he has proven to be a viable option at third base who has some pop in his bat.  He split last year between the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers, hitting .285 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 97 games.  His OBP was an impressive .343.

That being said, whether a team needs a defender at third base or a bat off the bench, Betemit could prove to be a good option.  He will come cheap and his switch-hitting is a rare find on the free-agent market.  No matter how the market plays out, look for him to land a one or two-year deal.

No. 13: Carlos Guillen

The past three years have not been kind to Carlos Guillen.  Over that stretch, he has appeared in just 177 games, hitting .253 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI.  Last year alone, he was limited to 28 games and hit .232 with three home runs and 13 RBI.

Simply put, Guillen is someone who can hit well, but only when healthy.  Given his injury history and his being 36 years old, finding a new contract could prove easier said than done.  Of course, seeing as how he hit 21 homers and drove in 102 runs in 2007, not to mention his .285 career average, he could always receive a one-year deal full of incentives.

No. 12: Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds is not a free agent.  Still, last July, prior to the trade deadline, rumors swirled that the Orioles might trade him.  However, Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports tweeted that the team had no plans to move the unpredictable corner infielder. 

Yet, with the team in rebuilding mode and looking to acquire pitching, Reynolds could prove to be an attractive trade chip.  First, he makes $7.5 million next season and given his low batting average, below average fielding and propensity to strike out, he isn't exactly worth what he's being paid.

On top of that, the 28-year-old had 37 home runs and 86 RBI last year, but he hit just .221 and struck out 196 times.  That being said, if the deal for the right pitcher pops up, don't be surprised if new GM Dan Duquette pulls the trigger on a trade involving Reynolds.

No. 11: Derrek Lee

He may be 36 years old, but Derrek Lee still plays a decent first base and still has some pop in his bat.  Given how he hit .337 in 28 games after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates at last year's trade deadline, he could be in line for a one-year deal with incentives or maybe even a two-year contract.

Between the Pirates and Orioles last year, Lee hit .267 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI in 113 games.  One can only imagine what the numbers would have looked like if he stayed healthy all season long.

Thus, though he may be getting up there in baseball years, Lee could still be an attractive option for a cheap one-year deal.

No. 10: Carlos Pena

Carlos Pena earned $10 million last season playing for the Chicago Cubs.  That may seem inflated given how he hit just .225, but his 28 home runs and 80 RBI justify it, not to mention his .357 OBP and decent defense.

Yet, as he enters free agency and approaches the fact that he turns 34 next season, the possibility remains that Pena will take a pay cut of some sort next season.  That isn't to say he's a bad player, he's just at the point where an eight-figure salary may be too high.

Given his strong lefty swing, look for Pena to receive another one-year deal.

No. 9: Hiroyuki Nakajima

Just two days ago, the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball posted shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima.  Normally, I'm skeptical of Japanese prospects, especially since teams need to pay a lot of money just to negotiate with them on top of the contract offer they may or may not receive. But Nakajima seems like he could be the real deal, given how he can also play third base.

In nine years in Japan, he has hit .300 with 113 home runs and 471 RBI for his career.  He can hit the ball to all sides of the field, has tremendous opposite field power and won the Japanese equivalent of the Gold Glove in 2008.  He has also appeared in four All-Star Games.

That being said, though he won't come at a low price, teams looking for a better option at third base could find a lot of use for Nakajima.  He is only 29, so he could easily have a decent-sized career in the United States.

No. 8: Casey Kotchman

Given how he hit just .217 for the Seattle Mariners in 2010, it isn't surprising that the only deal Casey Kotchman received was a minor league offer from the Tampa Bay Rays.  He was assigned to Triple-A Durham at the end of spring training, only to be called up after the abrupt retirement of Manny Ramirez.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Kotchman went on to bat a career high .306 with 10 home runs and 48 RBI in 146 games and played stellar defense all season long as his team went on to clinch the AL Wild Card on the last day of the season.  Given that, he will surely receive at least a one-year deal with an option for a second, be it from the Rays or any other team that needs a first baseman.

No. 7: Michael Cuddyer

In the 10 years he has spent with the Minnesota Twins, Michael Cuddyer has split his time between the outfield and first base.  Given his 6'2" 220-pound frame, I'm going to assume that most teams interested in him will look to have him stay in the infield.  In doing so, they will acquire a powerful bat for their lineup.

Despite playing in the pitcher-friendly Target Field, Cuddyer managed to bat .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI as the lone consistent bat in the Twins' lineup.  More importantly, in 46 games at first base, he committed just two errors.

He'll turn 33 before next season starts, so chances are he won't be receiving a heavy contract.  Still, with his great clubhouse presence and powerful swing, some team in need of a first baseman who can also play the outfield on occasion will give Cuddyer the contract he deserves.

No. 6: Aramis Ramirez

At this point, it seems pretty clear that Aramis Ramirez will not be returning to the Chicago Cubs in 2012.  With the team focused on youth, there is just no place for the third baseman who will turn 34 in June.

In spite of that, teams in need of help at that position will surely show some interest in signing Ramirez to a multi-year contract.  Last year, in 145 games, he hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI.

The only big question mark with Ramirez is his defense considering how he committed 14 errors last season.  Still, the man's career resume speaks for itself.  If a team needs a power-hitting third baseman, they'll probably give him a call.

No. 5: David Ortiz

OK, so maybe I'm cheating by including David Ortiz.  Ever since joining the Boston Red Sox in 2003, he has primarily been a designated hitter.  However, Ortiz is a first baseman by trade and thus, he finds himself at No. 5 on this countdown even though he'll only play maybe two games at that position in 2012.

Simply put, Ortiz is still a valuable bat despite having just turned 36.  In 2011, after three years of struggling with his batting average, the man known as "Big Papi" hit .309 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI.  As a result, the man wants to get paid.

Ortiz is seeking a three-year deal and already has received a few offers, according to Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald.  Seeing as how he is a phenomenal clubhouse presence and great leader, not to mention that powerful lefty swing of his, Ortiz will surely get at least a two-year deal with a team option for a third, especially since he is just 22 home runs away from 400 for his career.

No. 4: David Wright

It's no secret that for the past couple of years, the New York Mets have been mired in drama.  Team ownership has been caught up in the aftermath of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme and as a result, the franchise has become financially crippled, so much to the point that a minority stake in the team was put up for sale.

On top of that, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that team management would explore the possibility of trading third baseman and fan favorite David Wright.

Wright is coming off the worst season of his career, having hit just .254 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in 102 games.  If you ask me, playing in the large ballpark that is Citifield is killing his production.

Still, though team officials have reported that pulling the trigger on a trade involving Wright is "unlikely," the fact remains that he is still a career .300 hitter and has plenty of years left being just 28 years old.  If a team needs a third baseman badly enough, don't be surprised to see the Mets receive an offer they simply can't refuse in terms of dumping the $32 million that remains on Wright's contract.

No. 3: Michael Young

Michael Young is easily one of the most underrated players in all of baseball and given his ability to play both third and first base, not to mention a little bit of shortstop, the way the Texas Rangers treated him last offseason was just plain awful.  They already had a good-hitting third baseman in Young, and they basically shoved him into the DH slot in signing Adrian Beltre to a long-term deal.

Sure enough, Young requested a trade because he felt "misled and manipulated" and wanted to play the field on a daily basis.  He ultimately stayed with the Rangers, hitting .338 with 11 home runs and 106 RBI while leading the majors with 213 total hits.  On the season, he saw some time at both third and first base when not DHing.

Still, it's no secret that Young prefers to be on the field.  Given how he is a free agent after this coming season and is due $16 million, it makes sense for the team to at least dangle him since Mitch Moreland appears to be penciled in at first base for the time being.

No. 2: Prince Fielder

For a contract year, Prince Fielder's 2011 season was pretty incredible.  The portly first baseman hit .299 with 38 home runs and 120 RBI, his OBP an off-the-charts .415.

Say what you want about his 5'11", 275-pound frame, his low range or anything else.  The fact remains that Prince Fielder could very well be the best available lefty bat in this year's free-agent pool.

A number of teams are reportedly interested in him so when he ultimately chooses one, expect the length of the deal and the money involved to be huge.

No. 1: Albert Pujols

Come on.  Did you really think anyone else would have the top spot?  First baseman Albert Pujols is the best corner infielder on the market this year, not to mention the best player in all of baseball.

In 2011, he hit .299 (a career-low) with 37 home runs and 99 RBI (also a career-low) as his season ended with him winning his second World Series ring.  In the playoffs, he hit .353 with five home runs and 16 RBI.

On top of that, Pujols' career numbers are reason enough to justify him being the best corner infielder (as well as best player) of this year's free-agency pool.  In 11 MLB seasons, he has hit .328 with 445 home runs and 1,329 RBI.  Even more amazing, he will only be 32 at the start of next season.

That all being said, Pujols deserves to be paid, and well.