MLB Free Agency: Top 5 Overachievers on the Market and Where They'll Go

Every MLB season has its fair share of overachievers, and this free-agent class isn't any different. Just because they had a good season the year before, it doesn't mean they will really have success the next year.

In the past, players like Alfonso Soriano and Johan Santana have proved time-and-time again that their past success will not translate into success the following year.

This past season, there were quite a few overachievers, and many still remain on the market. It still remains to be seen where some of these players will land, so here is a look at the biggest overachievers remaining on the market.

5. Roy Oswalt

After the 2011 season, the Philadelphia Phillies decided to not pick up on the option of pitcher Roy Oswalt.

Oswalt was set back by injuries in 2011, only making 23 starts—his lowest mark since 2003. On the season, he went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA. For the season, Oswalt only had 93 strikeouts, which was the lowest amount he has ever had in a single season.

Because he is a 11 season veteran, Oswalt will continue to be a hot-commodity this offseason. He was classified as a Class-A free agent. While Oswalt is considered one of the better pitchers on the market, who knows how he will bounce back after injuries really slowed him down in 2011.

It has been said that many teams have interest in Oswalt, but a place where he would fit best is with the Miami Marlins. Oswalt has been a dominate pitcher in the NL with the Phillies and Houston Astros, so he should fit best on a NL squad. Also, they could use one more pitcher to fill out their rotation, so the addition of Oswalt will really fill out their rotation.

4. Carlos Pena

This past season, first baseman Carlos Pena signed on with the Chicago Cubs. Pena improved on his numbers from last year, so his stock will be rising.

After hitting a pathetic .196 in 2010, Pena hit for .225 this past season, and he had nine more doubles as well.

Despite not very impressive numbers, Pena still could be considered an overachiever. He struck out 161 times last season, his third highest mark in his 11-year career.

Pena though is a power hitting left-handed bat, so many teams will find an interest in the 33-year-old. Pena has also been a Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger over his career.

With 28 home runs on the season, Pena provides an option to many teams that are in need of a power hitter.

With Albert Pujols leaving the door open for a power hitting first baseman in St. Louis, it has been said that Pena could be a fit for the Cardinals. While Pena wouldn't be the same hitter as Pujols, he would be able to make up for some of the lost power numbers.

3. Coco Crisp

Coco Crisp is coming off of one his better years over his 10-year career. He had his most at-bats since 2007, totaling 140 hits in 531 at-bats. 

More important, Crisp was a beast on the bases last season. He swiped 49 bases, by far the most of his career. Those 49 steals were good enough for second best in the entire MLB.

The thing is, Crisp has never played an entire season. While his numbers were good this past season in 136 games, there is no guarantee that Crisp will be productive if brought in as a full-time player.

He batted .264 this past season, so he doesn't really present a great bat. When he gets on base though he has proven he can get around the bases.

He did steal 36 bases in 2009, and that season he only appeared in 75 games. Crisp definitely has the speed, but one would have to wonder if he would be able to get on base given more at-bats.

A good fit for Crisp would be with the Chicago Cubs, a team that he has been said to be interested in. In Chicago, Crisp would share time with Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano in the outfield.

2. Carlos Beltran

After being slowed by injuries in 2010 and only appearing in 64 games, Carlos Beltran bounced back in 2011 with both the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.

Beltran batted an even .300 in 142 games last season. He had a bump back into his power numbers, hitting 22 home runs and 39 doubles. The place where Beltran wasn't effective was hitting batters in, as he only had 84 RBI on the season.

Beltran will likely get a good contract and will be looked upon to fulfill a sizable load for a team, but in the end they may be the fools. Beltran is going to be 35 years old once the season begins, and he will be considered a risk.

Injuries have slowed Beltran after having huge years in 2006-08, so it has been quite awhile since Beltran has made a major impact for a team.

Beltran should be heading to a contender, and the city that suits him best would be St. Louis. The Cardinals need a power hitter, and he will be a much better option than the previously mentioned Carlos Pena. Rumor has it, the Cardinals have offered Beltran a two-year contract at $8 million a season. 

1. Edwin Jackson

Over his nine-year career, Edwin Jackson has a career record of 60-60 with a career ERA of 4.46. This past season, he was apart of the St. Louis Cardinals' World Series team and has been considered one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market.

Considering the drop off in talent after CJ Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish, Jackson presents the next best option that teams will be looking to add.

Jackson had a reasonable season, going 12-9 with an overall ERA of 3.79 combined with both the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals.

After Jackson was traded to the Cardinals, he saw much more success in the National League than he did in the American League. He went 5-2 in 13 starts and lowered his ERA 34 points from what it was in Chicago.

In the postseason, Jackson did give up 11 runs in only 17.2 innings. His postseason wasn't all that impressive, but still he showed progress during the regular season.

Jackson will have a lot to prove coming into the 2012 season. A lot of people are high on him right now, and his stock is higher than it was ever be.

A team that has been linked to being interested in Jackson is the Minnesota Twins. Now that they have signed Jason Marquis, it will remain to be seen how much interest they will continue to have.