MLB Free-Agent Rumors We Want to Believe

The MLB offseason is a time when the rumor mill runs rampant, and everyone with even a passing interest in the game is quick to put in their two cents on where certain players will wind up before the next season starts.

Everyone has their own opinion on the rumors, as fans with a rooting interest in a particular team will be far more interested in rumors involving their favorite team. 

From the stance of a fan of the MLB as a whole, and not just one particular team, here are a handful of rumors that will hopefully come to fruition, as they would make for a more interesting season in 2012.

Wei-Yin Chen to the Orioles

The Orioles have already tapped the international market to bolster their rotation once this winter, and they could very well be headed back for a second starter.

The team has already inked Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year, $8.15 million contract this offseason, and the 30-year-old left-hander is slated to open the season in the Orioles' starting rotation

Now they are reportedly pursuing the Taiwanese-born Wei-Yin Chen, who played last season in the Japanese league and is currently a free agent. The 26-year-old will likely command a larger deal, with estimates in the neighborhood of four years, $20 million. However, his upside is much higher than Wada's, and $5 million a year is still very reasonable for a big league starter.

Having two Japanese imports join the rotation at the same time will not only give fans a decent reason to watch what will likely be a last-place Orioles team, but it could also make the transition to the states much easier on both guys.  

Jason Varitek and Jorge Posada Headed for Retirement

The end of the 2011 season marked the end of an era for both the Yankees and Red Sox as Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek have become free agents and will not be back with their long-tenured teams.

Posada, 40, has spent all 17 seasons of his big league career with the Yankees and while he will not be back in the Bronx, he has generated some interest from the division rival Rays. However, he will only play if he can find the right situation, according to a tweet by CBS's Jon Heyman.

Varitek, 40, has spent 15 seasons with the Red Sox after coming over from the Mariners as a prospect. The signing of Kelly Shoppach to join Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway looks to have assured that this is the end of his time in Boston. However, the Red Sox would still like him to be a part of the club in some way.

At the end of the day, these two players have come to the end of their careers, and rather than tarnishing their images by playing another season or two as a backup away from the team where they spent their entire careers, they should just retire.

Roy Oswalt to the Nationals

When the Phillies declined their option on Oswalt for this coming season, he immediately became one of the top arms in a relatively weak starting pitching market.

Originally seeking a three-year deal, Oswalt has since changed his tune and is now willing to sign a one-year deal, according to a tweet by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

He has as much upside as anyone on the market, but chronic back problems and the fact that he will be 34 years old this coming season make him a big risk on anything but a one-year deal.

The Nationals were originally focused on Mark Buehrle, but now that he has signed with the Marlins and Oswalt has lowered his request to one year, he could be the veteran starter they need to front a young rotation.

Yoennis Cespedes to the Marlins

The Marlins have already made a splash this offseason, or should that be three splashes, as they have added Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell.

Despite that, the offseason has still been a bit of a disappointment, as the team made a serious run at Albert Pujols but fell short in the end.

That is not to say they are done, though, as the team is reported to be "very aggressively" pursuing the services of Cuban phenom Yoennis Cespedes.

With a new stadium and a new-found ability to spend, the Marlins have quickly become a very exciting team, and adding Cespedes would only add to the buzz already surrounding the Miami Marlins in 2012.

Hiroki Kuroda to the Red Sox

At the trade deadline last season and earlier this offseason, Hiroki Kuroda stated that he would only pitch for the Dodgers or return to Japan

However, he has backed off of that stance now and with the Yankees and Dodgers both reportedly out of the running for his services, the Red Sox could be the favorites to sign him.

After failing to strike a deal for Gio Gonzalez, the Red Sox could turn their sights toward trying to strike a deal with the Cubs for Matt Garza, but he will likely cost a hefty prospects package.

While signing Kuroda does not have the long-term impact that dealing for Garza would, he would help shore up the Red Sox's rotation for the coming season and allow the Red Sox to keep what has become a relatively strong farm system intact.

Prince Fielder to the Rangers

As we head towards January, the market for Prince Fielder has become no clearer, and there are still at least half a dozen teams in the running for his services.

According to a recent story by Jon Heyman of CBSSports, the Mariners, Nationals, Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays, Marlins and Brewers all remain in the hunt for the 27-year-old slugger's services.

While he would make any of the above teams that much better, adding him to the Rangers' lineup would not only make them the best offense in baseball, but perhaps one of the best of all time.

Rangers Lineup with Fielder
2B Ian Kinsler
DH Michael Young
CF Josh Hamilton
1B Prince Fielder
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
C Mike Napoli
LF David Murphy
SS Elvis Andrus

While the $51 million posting fee and subsequent contract the team is set to commit to Yu Darvish, cash could be an issue, but with their lucrative TV deal, they could no doubt stretch their payroll if they wanted to.