2012 MLB Free Agency: Every Team's Downfall so Far This Offseason

Teams across the league finally have rosters that are taking shape as we inch closer to spring training.

With some moves, fans of some teams are now finding themselves having conversations about why their team will be contending in 2012.

Other fans are left wondering why their team made such a move.

Others are waiting for their team to finally make that move to get them over the hump.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Choosing Kubel over Beltran

In bringing Jason Kubel to Arizona, the Diamondbacks have certainly added a capable bat to the lineup that plays sufficient defense.

At $15 million, it's possible they overpaid a bit. And, keeping in mind the amount they did pay, you'd have to think they could've gone just a little bit higher and brought in someone like Carlos Beltran.

Atlanta Braves: Not Moving Jair Jurrjens

In what has been a relatively weak free-agent market for starting pitching, more emphasis has been placed on trades.

With the number of pitching stars the Atlanta Braves have in their system they could've worked out a beneficial trade for Jair Jurrjens, who has gotten a great deal of interest from other teams.

Baltimore Orioles: Bolstering Rotation with Tsuyoshi Wada

With the Baltimore Orioles signing of Tsuyoshi Wada recently, you have to think they're taking a risk in not utilizing a proven Major League pitcher.

The success rate of Pacific League players isn't the highest, and with Wada drawing comparisons to a slightly lower level Dallas Braden you'd think they could've done better for the nearly $10 million invested.

Boston Red Sox: Limiting Themselves

Whether or not it's due to the new management in the organization or not, the typically big spending Boston Red Sox are apparently tapped out.

Not wanting to cross the league's luxury tax threshold, the team hasn't made a big move this offseason and likely won't have much room to work with should they find a player they truly want.

Chicago Cubs: Playing the Waiting Game

When Theo Epstein became a part of the Chicago Cubs organization this fall, there was a renewed sense of hope for the future of Wrigley Field.

Whether it's a measure of calculation or not, the Cubs haven't made that big splash that the fanbase has been waiting for.

Chicago White Sox: Hiring Robin Ventura as Manager

With the Chicago White Sox re-signing pitcher John Danks to an extension they may be indicating that they're not just yet ready for rebuilding mode.

They may be able to contend in the AL Central with the squad they have. But, with a manager that has essentially no experience in place it'll be interesting to see how things pan out.

Cincinnati Reds: Giving Up Too Much for Mat Latos

The Cincinnati Reds clearly wanted to add a big-name starting pitcher to their rotation before heading to spring training, and they definitely did that with the acquisition of Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres.

While they'll like the productivity that Latos brings to the mound, it seems that even in Ohio the consensus is that the Reds appear to have gotten the short end of the stick in the deal.

Cleveland Indians: Not Adding Depth in Outfield

After signing a one-year deal loaded with incentives, Grady Sizemore will have millions of reasons to succeed in 2012.

Still, Sizemore has played barely more than 100 games in the past two seasons with very low productivity.

The team was in on the bidding for Carlos Beltran but ultimately fell short. They'll need to continue their pursuit in a dwindling outfield market as the look for insurance on Sizemore.

Colorado Rockies: Overpaying Michael Cuddyer

The Colorado Rockies picked up a solid outfielder on both sides of the game with the signing of Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million deal.

While they'll no doubt love what he brings to the table, the price point seems to be too high.

Based on Cuddyer's 2011 season in which he batted .284 and hit 20 home runs while contributing all over the field, you'd think the Rockies would be getting a steal.

The fact of the matter is that Cuddyer has only put up numbers near that one or two times in his 11 year career, and with him turning 33 prior to the season even starting, you'd have to believe his production could decline by the end of the deal.

Detroit Tigers: Not Doing Much of Anything

The Detroit Tigers entered the offseason with seven players heading into free agency—Wilson Benemit, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Brad Penny, Will Rhymes, Ramon Santiago, Joel Zumaya.

As of right now, none of them have been re-signed, with 38 year old Octavio Dotel and backup catcher Gerald Laird as the only free-agent signings thus far this offseason.

Houston Astros: Not Moving Pieces

After finishing the 2011 season with the league's worst record, it's not at all surprising to see that the Houston Astros haven't been active in the free agent market.

They did make a good move in bringing in Jeff Lunhow as the team's GM, and now his first order of business should be moving trade pieces like Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee to contenders in exchange for prospects that will help the franchise rebound in the long run.

Kansas City Royals: Adding Jose Mijares to Bullpen

The Kansas City Royals have made a number of positive moves to bolster their pitching staff ahead of spring training in signing Bruce Chen and Jonathan Broxton and acquiring Jonathan Sanchez.

Among all the signings, the contract to Jose Mijares is more puzzling.

He'll eat up innings in left-handed relief, but the Royals have likely seen what Mijares has to offer having played against him.

They should know that he doesn't bring much to the table.

Los Angeles Angels: ?

During the month of December, the Los Angeles Angels have added the top offensive player the game has seen in years and the best available starting pitcher on the market.

Hard to argue with that.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Not Re-Signing Hiroki Kuroda

Heading into the offseason, it seemed like Hiroki Kuroda would be back in the Dodgers rotation in 2012 with his other likely option being a return to Japan.

The Dodgers' signings of Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang essentially put Kuroda on the outside. And while it does appear he's open to heading elsewhere with the league, he'll be missed in L.A.

Miami Marlins: Backloading Jose Reyes' Deal

The Miami Marlins have had about the most active offseason in the entire league as they prepare to open play in their new stadium in 2012.

The acquisition of Jose Reyes puts one of this offseason's top targets on their roster, although the structure of the contract could end up hurting the team in the long run.

Reyes' severely backloaded contract helps the team in the immediate future, but if the team fails to contend down the road and needs to trade stars like Reyes, the salary could prohibit any move from being made.

Milwaukee Brewers: Not Pushing to Re-Sign Prince Fielder

The Milwaukee Brewers run through the NLDS and into the NLCS this season showed just what the team is capable of being with the right pieces in place.

They won't have the same look next season, however, with Ryan Braun set to miss the first third of the season and Prince Fielder apparently headed out the door.

Fielder still hasn't latched onto a team, as it looks he isn't finding the market for the length of a deal he'd like.

Minnesota Twins: Filling Hole in Rotation with Jason Marquis

While pitching wasn't the only problem with the Minnesota Twins in 2011, it was definitely one of them.

The Twins have long lacked a pitcher capable of striking batters out as they've favored the type that pitches to contact.

The signing of Jason Marquis to a one-year, $3 million deal in no way changes that, as Marquis rarely records strikeouts.

New York Mets: Not Making an Effort to Re-Sign Jose Reyes

The New York Mets fans made it very clear throughout last season that they wanted their team to do whatever it took to keep Jose Reyes in a Mets uniform for years to come.

When he wasn't traded at the deadline, it appeared there was a chance the team was taking steps to get a deal done. But, with all the conversations teams had this offseason, the Mets didn't even make a formal contract offer to their shortstop.

New York Yankees: Being Too Patient?

The New York Yankees are typically one of the most active offseason players when it comes to free agent signings and impact trades.

This offseason has been a different story, as the Yankees have passed on top free-agent targets, international prospects and trade bait put out by teams looking to sell.

With just one free-agent signing this offseason, I doubt anyone believes they're just unable to get the deals done but are rather waiting things out. It's just a matter of whether or not they're waiting too long.

Oakland Athletics: Not Moving Andrew Bailey

The Oakland Athletics finally got a deal they liked for Gio Gonzalez yesterday as he was sent to the Washington Nationals in exchange for a number of players.

Andrew Bailey has been a talked about trade target every bit as much as Gonzalez, and despite the A's receiving a number of offers for Bailey, they've failed to budge.

Philadelphia Phillies: Paying Jonathan Papelbon $50 Million

When the Philadelphia Phillies set out to sign a closer this offseason they wasted no time in agreeing to terms with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

He'll no doubt save many games for the Phillies in coming years and the organization can afford it, but spending $50 million is overpaying.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Clint Barmes

With one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates don't have much room to work with when it comes to signing players.

In giving Clint Barmes a two year, $10.5 million deal the Pirates highest paid player is one who has batted .242 over the past three seasons with an on-base percentage barely over .300.

San Diego Padres: Not Moving Chad Qualls

The San Diego Padres appear to have made a great deal with the package they received in return for Mat Latos, but after the departure of Heath Bell earlier in the month many wondered if Chad Qualls would be the next Padres reliever to head out of town.

SI's Jon Heyman has indicated that teams have expressed interest in Qualls, but despite the dwindling free agent market for relievers, a move hasn't happened yet.

San Francisco Giants: Not Making Moves

There was little doubt the Giants wouldn't retain top-10 free agent Carlos Beltran this offseason as they priced themselves out of the market.

With seven other players set to enter free agency—five over the age of 32the team has yet to address most voids created.

Seattle Mariners: Failing to Address Offense

With the least runs scored in baseball in 2011, the Seattle Mariners clearly need to address their offense with the open market.

They haven't made any significant moves this offseason, and while they appeared to briefly in on the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, there hasn't been much traction on that or any other front.

St. Louis Cardinals: Letting Albert Pujols Walk

The St. Louis Cardinals replaced a portion of their 2011 offensive production in agreeing to terms with Carlos Beltran on a two year deal.

But they'll still greatly miss everything that Albert Pujols offered when he set foot on the field.

Tampa Bay Rays: Not Moving Pitchers

The Tampa Bay Rays always seem to find a way to contend despite not typically having much wiggle room when free agency rolls around.

This offseason they've once again been quiet, and while it wasn't expected they'd make a major signing, some did wonder if they'd move a starting pitcher to bring in prospects or MLB-ready talent to fill in other positions.

They'll need to shift the rotation around with Matt Moore assumed to be joining in 2012, meaning a starter could ultimately be expendable.

Texas Rangers: Relying on Joe Nathan to Close Games in 2012

With Neftali Feliz heading to the starting rotation in 2012, the closer role became an immediate hole for the Texas Rangers to fill.

A large number of closers hit the open market this offseason, but the Rangers opted to sign Joe Nathan, a 37 year old pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery who is coming off a rough season in in a pitchers ballpark.

Toronto Blue Jays: Bullpen Uncertainty

The Toronto Blue Jays bullpen will take on a different look in 2012 as Jon Rauch, Frank Francisco and Shawn Camp entered free agency this offseason, with two already departing for new teams.

The Blue Jays will no doubt continue to look to address starting pitching as indicated by their pursuit of Yu Darvish, but they should also concentrate on replacing any late-inning voids they may encounter in 2012.

Washington Nationals: Adding Mike Cameron to the Mix

The Washington Nationals' signing of Mike Cameron to a minor league deal may not amount to much, but with the team looking to contend after adding Gio Gonzalez to their roster they should look to add true depth in the outfield by way of trading for a player like Denard Span—who has drawn interest from Nationals before.