2012 MLB Free Agency: Roy Oswalt and 5 Top Impact FAs Not Getting Their Due

There are many free agents on the market that can make an impact for teams in 2012. However, they have not been drawing as much interest as one would expect.

This could come as a result of concerns about a player's health or as a result of the fact that they are older players. Some of these players also want more money then they are worth.

As these players wait out the free-agent market, they will be connected to a number of teams that could certainly use their services. These teams would be smart to go after them.

Roy Oswalt

Roy Oswalt was one of the four aces in the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation in 2011, but he had some injury issues during the year. As a result, the Phillies decided not to pick up his option.

Now, Oswalt is on the free-agent market, and teams have not had that much interested in Oswalt. They could be concerned about his back or they may think that his price is prohibitively high.

Edwin Jackson

Despite being one of the top pitchers on the free-agent market this winter, Edwin Jackson has not drawn an lot of attention. He wants a big contract, and many teams don't think that he deserves it.

Jackson wants to get paid like a No. 2 pitcher and with an agent like Scott Boras, this is scaring many teams away from him.

Javier Vazquez

There is a reason that Javier Vazquez has not drawn as much interest as he deserves this winter. He is considering retirement.

Teams might want to let Vazquez wait until he decides what he wants to do. This will prevent them from wasting their time and will allow him to choose if he wants to keep pitching.

Carlos Beltran

The market for Carlos Beltran has slowly begun to pick up, but he has not gotten the attention that he deserves yet this offseason.

The St. Louis Cardinals are rumored to be going after him according to Ken Rosenthal, but there are few other teams interested in him. This could be as a result of the high salary that he wants.

Derek Lee

Teams looking for an impact bat at first base that cannot spend the money required to bring in Prince Fielder certainly have alternatives. Derek Lee is one of these options. 

Carlos Pena is also an option for these teams, and he will likely sign before Lee does. As a result, the market for Lee won't really emerge until a few other players sign.