Yu Darvish to Texas Rangers: How This Impacts Prince Fielder, Rest of FA Market

Now that the Texas Rangers have won the right to negotiate exclusively with Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish, the free-agent landscape in MLB has changed significantly.

The Rangers, who put up an astonishing $51.7 million to gain the right to sign Darvish, have long coveted the 25-year-old right-hander, sending several scouts, as well as GM Jon Daniels, to Japan over the last year.

With ace C.J. Wilson now with the Los Angeles Angels, the Rangers had a major hole to fill in their starting rotation. With the addition of Darvish, the Rangers rotation in 2012 (Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando, Darvish, Neftali Feliz) will be potent indeed.

Assuming that the Rangers will indeed come to terms with Darvish and his agents, Arm Tellem and Don Nomura, many other teams will now switch gears and put their focus on the remaining top free agents left on the board.

Bleacher Report will take a look at the top 10 free agents who have yet to sign and take a look at which MLB teams may be now focusing on the players remaining on the market.

Honorable Mention: Yoenis Cespedes

Even though he has yet to play a game in the majors, Cuban star hitter Yoenis Cespedes has been targeted by quite a few teams.

Teams Interested: Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins,Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles

Where Cespedes will land: Detroit Tigers. GM Dave Dombrowski is playing it very close to the vest, but he clearly appears to be very interested in landing Cespedes. 

10. Joel Pineiro

Right-handed sinkerballer Joel Pineiro presents an interesting case for teams seeking help for their starting rotation.

While a shoulder injury diminished his velocity, Pineiro still possesses a nasty sinker that hasn't lost much sink, and while lingering shoulder concerns present a risk, Pineiro could be an excellent low-buy option for several teams.

Teams Interested: Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees

Where Pineiro will land: Minnesota Twins. The Twins are desperate for pitching, and Pineiro represents a low-risk/high-reward option if his shoulder stays healthy.

9. Paul Maholm

In looking at left-handed starting pitcher Paul Maholm's 2011 won-loss record, one would think that his 6-14 mark would make many teams wary of offering him a long-term contract.

However, Maholm posted an excellent ERA of 3.66 to go with that dubious won-loss record, and despite a shoulder strain that ended Maholm's 2011 season early, he is drawing interest from several teams.

Teams Interested: Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins

Where Maholm will land: Chicago Cubs. The Cubs seem to be close in closing a deal with Maholm's agent, and his experience in the NL Central could be of benefit to the Cubs.

8. Javier Vazquez

The second half of the 2011 season was nothing less than spectacular for free-agent starting pitcher Javier Vazquez.

In 14 starts, Vasquez was 8-3 with a 2.15 ERA, striking out 96 batters in 96.1 innings, allowing just 67 hits and throwing two complete games.

While there were reports that Vazquez was mulling retirement, his second-half surge certainly gives pause for hope.

Teams Interested: Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins

Where Vasquez will land: Kansas City Royals. It's a signing that makes sense for the Royals, who have already bolstered their starting staff with the acquisition of Jonathan Sanchez and re-signing Bruce Chen. Adding Vazquez would give the Royals three quality veteran arms at the top of their rotation.

7. Carlos Pena

With mega-star Prince Fielder still out on the open market, free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena is more or less playing a waiting game in terms of his immediate future.

Pena, who hit 28 HR with 80 RBI in his lone season with the Chicago Cubs, has been mentioned as a possible target for several teams. However, with Fielder still in play, Pena will be looked upon as a Plan B for many teams.

Teams Interested: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs

Where Pena will land: Chicago Cubs. The guess here is that if the Cubs are unsuccessful in wooing Fielder to Chicago, they'll re-sign Pena.

6. Edwin Jackson

For a guy that has a no-hitter to his credit and electric stuff, right-handed starting pitcher Edwin Jackson has certainly moved around a lot in the past few years and will likely find a new landing spot for the 2012 season as well.

After helping the St. Louis Cardinals down the stretch and in the playoffs, it doesn't appear that the Cards will be inviting Jackson back, but with the top-tier free agents now signed (C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle), Jackson will be getting long looks.

Teams Interested: Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox

Where Jackson will land: Toronto Blue Jays. Several teams have kicked the tires on Jackson, but no one has really displayed a keen interest. However, now that the Blue Jays have lost the Yu Darvish sweepstakes, they could turn their sights on Jackson in hopes of bolstering the starting rotation to compete in the AL East.

5. Ryan Madson

After the Philadelphia Phillies pulled the plug on their original offer to closer Ryan Madson, signing free-agent closer Jonathan Papelbon instead, very few teams have come up in rumors regarding Madson's services.

Teams Interested: Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds

Where Madson will land: Cincinnati Reds. The Reds seem hesitant to bring back Francisco Cordero, and Madson is five years younger.

4. Hiroki Kuroda

After steadfastly refusing to waive his no-trade clause last season, 36-year-old starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda now appears to be open to moving away from Los Angeles.

As one of the top pitchers left on the open market, Kuroda has no shortage of suitors. His 3.23 ERA and 117+ ERA over the past two seasons is certainly an indication that Kuroda can still contribute as a solid No. 2 or 3 starter for several teams.

Teams Interested: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers

Where Kuroda will land: Boston Red Sox. GM Ben Cherington is said to be very high on Kuroda, who has been an innings-eater throughout his brief MLB career with the Dodgers. A two-year deal would put the Sox in excellent stead with Kuroda, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.

3. Roy Oswalt

With C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle now off the market, Roy Oswalt represents the only Type A free agent left on the market, yet there are relatively few teams who appear to be interested at this point.

Oswalt's back problems last year that landed him on the DL for two months are certainly a concern, so teams are balking on offering Oswalt what he wants—a three-year deal.

Teams Interested: Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals

Where Oswalt will land: Kansas City Royals. Yes, a three-year, $20 million contract is a scary proposition for Oswalt, considering his back issues. But the Royals clearly seem to be building for the short-term with the additions of Jonathan Sanchez and Jonathan Broxton. Adding Oswalt to the mix could mean the Royals are looking to make some hay in the 2012 season.

2. Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran can't run anymore, and he can't roam the outfield with the same gait of years ago, but his bat remains a potent weapon.

The San Francisco Giants are still in the mix to bring Beltran back to the Bay Area, but several other teams are in the offing as well.

Teams Interested: St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays

Where Beltran will land: St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards could easily move Lance Berkman to first to accommodate the signing of Beltran, whose bat certainly can't replace the departed Albert Pujols, but would nonetheless be welcomed.

1. Prince Fielder

Now that Albert Pujols is safely tucked away in Los Angeles with the Angels, free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder will now be the center of attention on the MLB free agent market, and there is certainly no shortage of suitors.

Fielder's choice could come down to several factors—money, winning and comfort level. With Pujols setting the bar, Fielder will command a pretty penny, but winning will certainly factor into that decision as well.

Teams Interested: Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers

Where Fielder will land: Toronto Blue Jays. It's just a feeling, but it's clear that the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to make a big splash and work to contend in the AL East. Signing Fielder would go a long way towards rekindling interest in the AL East beyond the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.