MLB Free Agents 2012: Where Prince Fielder and Top Remaining Options Will Land

The MLB Hot Stove is in full swing, and with the winter meetings wrapped up a number of the big-name players have found their new homes for 2012 and beyond.

Part of the fun of the MLB offseason is speculating what teams will land which free agents based on the circulating rumors or 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 start of spring training with a number of high-impact players still remaining on the market.

Tsuyoshi Wade

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles

Coming off 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. His addition to an Orioles staff that does little to bring about excitement could go a long way toward making the Orioles more fun to watch, if nothing else.

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

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 second-tier guys Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez would make the most sense.

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—especially if the Red Sox deal for Andrew Bailey as many believe they will, as they would take the biggest spender out of the equation for Madson.

Michael Cuddyer

Prediction: Colorado Rockies

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 once looked like the front-runners for his services, but the Rockies have emerged as the most aggressive pursuer of his services, and Cuddyer could be the next top-tier free agent to make his decision.

Cuddyer's versatility is what makes him truly valuable. He is able to play the corner outfield spots, as well as anywhere other than shortstop on the infield.

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: Texas Rangers

The Rangers were more than content to let C.J. Wilson depart in free agency, and they seem ready to hand the role of ace over to Derek Holland if they don't sign any of the remaining options on the market.

In the end, I think Holland will be the ace, and the team will sign Jackson to follow him in the rotation; the 28-year-old doesn't necessarily profile as an ace on a contender.

That said, with Scott Boras as his agent Jackson will likely look to be paid like an ace. The Rangers will have to decide how much money they are willing to spend on shoring up their rotation with someone like Jackson.

Roy Oswalt

Prediction: Washington Nationals

The Nationals have been front-runners to land a veteran starter this offseason, but after missing out on C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle, their options are becoming more and more limited to add a proven staff ace to their young core of starters.

Their best remaining option looks to be Oswalt, who is seeking a three-year deal despite the fact that he will be 34 when the season starts.

The Rangers and Yankees could also be in on Oswalt, but the Nationals look to be the front-runners as of now, and giving him the third year he is looking for could push them over the top.

Carlos Beltran

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals

Despite being the top outfielder on the market (excluding Yeonnis Cespedes) Beltran has not gotten much attention so far this offseason.

That said, a number of teams still remain interested in his services.

A new team has emerged, as the Cardinals are now likely in the running for the slugging right fielder's services.

With Albert Pujols gone, Lance Berkman will likely move to first base, and while Allen Craig would be the most logical option to step into the starting right field job, he is set to miss the start of the season following knee surgery.

One thing looks to be sure, and that is that Beltran will not be suiting back up for the Giants next season.

Yeonnis Cespedes

Prediction: Miami Marlins

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 Cespedes signing a contract similar to the six-year, $30.5 million deal Aroldis Chapman agreed to, but it is looking more and more like it will take something in the $50 million neighborhood now.

After missing out on Albert Pujols, the Marlins are once again major players for Cespedes' services, and while teams will likely be lining up to make him an offer, the Marlins have been as aggressive as anyone this winter. They will get their man this time.

Yu Darvish

Prediction: New York Yankees

With C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle now off the market, the Yankees have failed to do anything to improve their rotation to this point; they have brought back Freddy Garcia, but done nothing else.

The more starting pitchers are scooped up off the free-agent market by teams other than the Yankees, the more likely it is that they have their sights set on landing Darvish from the on-set.

New York could very well be sitting back and waiting until he is posted, at which time they could make an offer that would blow other contenders for his services—such as the Blue Jays and Rangers—out of the water.

Prince Fielder

Prediction: Chicago Cubs

While Theo Epstein has stuck to his statement that the Cubs will build from within to get back to contention rather than use the spending spree approach, the fact remains that they have no proven run-producer in the middle of their order.

As it is, Marlon Byrd or Alfonso Soriano would likely hit cleanup, and regardless of what approach you are trying to take, that simply doesn't cut it.

The Rangers have expressed interest in dealing Mitch Moreland and signing Fielder, while the Mariners and Blue Jays have their hats in the ring as well. In the end I think Fielder stays in the NL Central and signs with the Cubs.