Top Twenty Remaing MLB Free Agents

Well its officially January 12th and only a month until pitchers and catchers report, with two members of the top five free agent still available in number two Prince Fielder and number six Edwin Jackson. Neither of those guys were expected to last past 2011 on the market but the pool of potential teams has dried up. However there still are still a number of teams looking at free agents and still a lot of free agents available, with MLB trade rumors having a complete list. Here is my top twenty of the remaining free agents:

1. Prince Fielder- Washington Nationals: I did mention in my top 50 free agent post that if he did not go to the Cubs then he really didn't have a lot of potential suitors. The Mariners and Nationals were thought to be other suitors, but I think that the Mariners are a pipe dream that fans and the media came up with. Baltimore and Toronto have been mentioned as suitors but neither seems very interested in committing that type of money to Fielder and still don't. In fact the only suitor that has expressed any interest in a long term deal has been the Washington Nationals and that deal has some potential pitfalls as the Nationals already have Adam LaRoche at first and would like to move Michael Morse there soon. If the Nationals sign Fielder they would be forced to play Jayson Werth or Bryce Harper in Center  Field long term and that's not ideal. They also do not want to commit $20 million-plus salaries to three players before even making the playoffs. The idea has been brought up of Fielder taking a one year deal to try and sign a deal next year with the Dodgers who will have new ownership. This could make sense and the Brewers reportedly offered the deal to Fielder but Boras rejected it. The idea now is that Boras is going to wait until Yu Darvish signs to see if the Rangers can be interested in Fielder. However I doubt that the Rangers will commit to a big deal with Fielder when Kinsler, Napoli and Hamilton will need extensions. If Fielder decides to take a one year deal to look again at the market next year then it opens up, but the Nationals may be the only team that will offer Fielder anywhere near the money and years he wants and I think they are going to wait for his price to come down.
2. Edwin Jackson- Baltimore Orioles: Jackson wants a multi-year deal but his potential suitors, including the Yankees, do not seem interested in doing so. Boras reportedly even went to the Steinbreners to try and get them to sign Jackson and they wouldn't do more than a one year deal. Jackson is too young and talented to settle for a one year deal and so Jackson will have to look to non-contenders. The Orioles have signed Wei-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada out of the Japanese league but their unknowns and the rest of their starting staff has been mediocre to bad. Jackson has a lot of potential and has good stuff, but has never put it all together; however he eats innings and that's what the Orioles really want from their starters right now. Returning to St. Louis could always be in the cards but I haven't heard anything connecting them to Jackson. With a one year deal the field will open up just like it would for Fielder.
3. Yoenis Cespedes- Miami Marlins: He's not a free agent yet and I almost let him off the list as a result, but he reportedly is going to be a free agent soon and there is no better fit for both sides than Miami. All of our information about Cespedes has come from his Youtube videos and a few scouting trips, but the Marlins are interested in the 26 year old. Other teams need a center fielder but Miami is trying to restart its relationship with fans and is really trying to appeal to the Hispanic community in Souhern Florida. Their entire infield is Hispanic but the Cuban Cespedes could really appeal to the large Cuban community in Florida if he reaches his star potential. The Marlins are going to go hard after him and I expect that they will blow everybody else away.
4. Hiroki Kuroda- New York Yankees: Kuroda seems to me to be between two teams, the Yankees and the Red Sox. Kuroda is not going to return to Japan and while the Red Sox need a starter more than the Yankees do the Yankees will likely put out more money than the Red Sox will. It could really end up going either way but Kuroda is a great fit for either team, but the Red Sox just need pitchers who will eat innings so that may put Kuroda out of their price range.
5. Carlos Pena- Cleveland Indians: There are three big suitors for Pena in my mind and those are Clevaland, Texas and Tampa Bay. The problem is that only Cleveland has expressed serious interest in Pena and while the other two teams are fits, Cleveland seems to be the most aggressive team on the market for Pena. The addition of Pena would be great for Cleveland as they could try and take advantage of a potentially weak AL Central. I expect that he will sign a two year deal no matter who he signs it with
6. Joe Saunders: Saunders was non tendered by Arizona after a good 2011 and he wants to sign a three year deal. Unfortunately I do not think three years is extremely likely and I even question who will give him two years. The Red Sox have reportedly been pursing Saunders and he could be a good fit as he has eaten around 200 innings each of the last four years. However hes a soft tosser and will give up a lot of home runs and that seems to be the Red Sox's primary concern with him. I really like how he fits for the Tigers as a back end starter, but I don't know if they will be interested in paying him.
7. Casey Kotchman: I see Kotchman having the same suitors as Carlos Pena and I expect that he will sign with Tampa Bay or Texas. The issue is that as good as Kotchman was this year he had never has a year that good and he was terrible in Seattle. Being a Tampa Bay native I know that the Rays would like to bring him back but they got him for a bargain $750,000 last year and he will want to get paid. Kotchman could be an interesting fit for Texas as he is considered to be a good defensive 1st baseman and if he failed they could always turn back to Mitch Moreland.
8. Cody Ross: Ross is borderline starter and good fourth outfielder. As a result he has a lot of potential suitors with the Indians and Red Sox being the best fit if he still wants a two year deal. Both teams are lefty heavy and need a strong backup for Ryan Kalish and Grady Sizemore respectively. The Reds, Nationals, Mariners and A's could also pursue Ross and could play Center Field for the Nationals or A's.
9. Johnny Damon: I thought the Luke Scott deal was good for Tampa until I found out that they would be paying him $5 million, which is about $2-3 million more than I thought he would get. Damon will probably get $5-$7 million to DH but I see only two teams that could use a full time DH and those are the Mariners and Orioles. Damon can still sort of play the field but a team will want him to DH most days. I expect he will sign another incentive laden deal.
10. Roy Oswalt: Oswalt is an elite pitcher but he has had back issues for awhile and that's not going to go away. He is a big risk reward signing but someone will likely take a chance on him as a starter or he could sign with a team as a long reliever.
11. Francisco Cordero: Cordero was rumored to be close to a deal with the Reds before they signed Ryan Madson. Cordero could end up being a bargain for any number of teams and any number of teams could get him for cheap.
12. Bartolo Colon: Colon has scarred off a lot of teams because of how new his stem cell treatment is. I expect that he will end up signing for between $1.5-$2.5 million with somebody as a long reliever and teams looking for a bargain starter like Oakland or the Mariners could pick him up.
13. Derrek Lee: After Fielder there is Pena and Kotchman and after them is Derek Lee. Lee played well for the Pirates, after getting cut by the Orioles and is a cheap option. There are really three teams that I see potentially signing him and those are Tampa Bay, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. All three would be good fits for Lee and Pittsburgh and Milwaukee have both expressed interest.
14. Kerry Wood: Wood wants to return to the Cubs, but this year he wants to get paid whats hes worth and if he doesn't then the Phillie's have been linked to him.
15. Rick Ankiel: Ankiel can play a great Center Field but he hasn't hit very well the last three years. Any number of teams could get him as a backup and a return to Washington or Kansas City or Washington is possible. The Reds have also expressed interest.
16. Jeff Francis: Francis didnt pitch exceptionally well last year but he did eat a lot of innings and teams still looking for a fifth starter could try Francis. The team I think he fits the best with is probably the Tigers, but they havent been linked to him. I expect that he will sign a deal about the same value as Bartolo Colon.
17. Ryan Ludwick: Ludwick has been bad the last two years and he will be looking for a backup job. The Reds have been linked to Ludwick and it would probably be a good fit as would the Indians and the Red Sox.
18. Kosuke Fukudome: Fuckudome played better than Ludwick last year but he doesnt seem to be getting a lot of interest. He could go back to Japan but I expect he will sign for cheap with a west coast team. Fukudome isn't bad he just was getting paid a lot more than he was worth in Chicago.
19. Mike Gonzalez: The best lefty on the market. I expect that he will resign with Texas but he could end up going anywhere. 
20. Juan Pierre: Still can play the field and is a speed threat but past that he is little more than a name with the skill level of Chris Dickerson. He will sign as a backup outfielder with somebody.

After this the free agent pool gets into a lot of borderline replacement level bench players, old DH types and mediocre or injured pitchers with some upside. There still are names out there like Hideki Matsui, Rich Harden, Joel Pineiro and Ivan Rodriguez. These guys will probably all get invites from one team or another as somebody tries to find a diamond in the ruff, Javier Vazquez could also decide to not retire and be a good boost for any number of teams. Bullpen arms provide a good opportunity for steals and any number of guys could sign for cheap deals and prove valuable in the bullpen.

Top 50 Free Agent predicton

If you haven't seen MLB Trade rumors is having a prediction contest for the top 50 free agents and I thought I would give you mine as well as some justification for each.

1. Albert Pujols- Cardinals
They just built a freaking statue of the guy and who else is gonna pay him? He's a cardinal and always will be. If Epstein wants to make a big splash though he could target Pujols but the Cubs have a lot of holes.

2.Prince Fielder-Cubs
I don't really know if I can justify this that well but where the hell else is Fielder gonna go? Fielder is 4 years younger and will still be in his prime when the Cubs can contend again. He could return to the Brewers if the cubs aren't interested and the Nats and Marlins are also possibilities.
3.Jose Reyes- Milwaukee Brewers
I really have no idea where Reyes will go. He's not going back to the Mets and it seems like all the teams that need him don't want to show him the money. The Brewers have a hole at SS and 3rd and with Fielder coming off the books they will have some more money. I initially said the Angels but they never do anything that makes sense. The Nats, Giants and Red Sox are all possibilities.
4.C.J Wilson- Flordia Marlins
Wilson could end up with a number of teams, but it looks like the Rangers aren't that interested in resigning him unless his price tag is less than $80 million which it wont be. The Marlins have a protected draft pick and want to improve their rotation. Any contender and borderline contender could end up signing Wilson.
5. Yu Darvish- Yankees
Its all about the money and the Yankees have it. If they don't pursue him hard then the field is wide open but the Blue Jays would make the most sense.
6. Edwin Jackson- Washington Nationals
Next best option after Wilson and he is a type B free agent which is a bigger deal for the Nats because they have the first unprotected draft pick of the draft.
7. Jimmy Rollins- Phillies
The Phillies should probably go younger but they will likely retain Rollins. If they part ways the Giants will probably try and sign him.
8. Aramis Ramirez- Tigers
The best 3rd baseman on the market and signing him could make the Tigers a legitimate World Series Contender.
9. Carlos Beltran- Red Sox
Best Outfield bat available and the Red Sox are going to probably want more production than Josh Reddick can offer.
10. Jonathon Papelbon- Red Sox
While they may have wanted to make Bard the closer, they really wont have much of a choice other than to sign him. If bard fails as the closer then who would they turn to?
11. Michael Cuddyer- Phillies
The Phillies are disappointed with how they finished the season and a powerful Right handed bat that can play a number of positions will be very helpful.
12. Mark Buehrle- White Sox
Buehrle's agent says that he is open to playing anywhere but I don't believe him. However if he is serious then he could be of real interest to the Yankees.
13. David Ortiz- Red Sox
While some suggest that the Yankees could pursue him, that's not happening  and the Red Sox will need to retain his powerful bat.
14. Ryan Madosn- Phillies
 He's been with the Phillies his entire career and he will be there full time closer and look to cash in.
15. Hiroki Kuroda- Dodgers
He could help any number of teams but he dosen't want to play anywhere else.
16. Carlos Pena- Dodgers
 They would like to pursue Pujols or Fielder but they don't have the money. Pena has a good glove and a powerful bat and could really help the Dodgers in a weak division.
17. K-Rod- Jays
The Jays have a protected Draft pick and despite attitude problems he could help a Jays team that is looking to contend in the next few years.
18. Roy Oswalt- Rockies
The Rockies need pitching and nobody seems to think that Oswalt will be able to stay healthy
19. Javier Vazquez- Retires
He could play for any number of East coast teams but I think he will hang up his cleats on a high note.
20. Heath Bell- Padres
He wants to stay a Padre and said that he will accept arbitration if offered.
21. Coco Crisp- Giants
He wants to stay on the west coast and the Giants are a good fit for him.

22. Hisashi Iwakuma- Twins
The Twins really need pitching and they bid on him last year. He would be a good fit for the Twins but if he doesn't sign with them then any number of teams could sign him. 
23. Kelly Johnson- Jays
Look for him to be resigned by the Jays, but otherwise I think the Tigers would be the best fit for him.
24. Josh Willingham- Indians
 He is the lesser version of Carlos Beltran and could end up with any number of teams. However the Indians had little offense last year and they could either part with Fukudome or move him to center field. The Reds are a really good possibility if they will pay for him.
25. Paul Maholm- Royals
The Royals need pitching and will probably be stingy about their prospects.
26. Grady Sizemore- A's
A's will look to catch Sizemore's old stuff. Sizemore will get hurt though.
27. Bartolo Colon- Jays
Colon will look to show that last year wasn't just a flash in the pan and the Jays will hope to get another 160+ solid innings out of the former Cy Young winner.
28. Erik Bedard- Red Sox 
Good starter if he can stay healthy and the Sox are going to need Starting pitcher.
29. David Dejesus-Cubs
Good complementary piece for the Cubs. Mets are another possibility.
30. Jason Kubel- Twins
Its either Kubel or Cuddyer and Kubel is cheaper for the Twins.
31. Ramon Hernandez- Pirates
Pirates need a catcher and I would not be surprised if they traded for someone like Cervelli in addition to this signing.

32. Jeff Francis- Royals
 Royals probably shouldn't create anymore holes in their rotation and he did pitch 183 innings for them last year. Any number of teams could give him a look though.
33. Chris Capuano- Pirates
Good depth for a team that really needs to upgrade its pitching.
34. Tsuyoshi Wada- Mariners
Don't really know the guy but the Mariners or Dodgers make sense.
35. Clint Barmes- Twins
The Twins need a solid contributor in the middle infield until they figure out what to do with their younger players and Barmes works well for that.
36. Casey Kotchman- Rays
The Rays would love to retain Kotchman and he would like to return if they can pay him. If the Rays move on then he could end up any number of places.

37. Freddy Garcia- Yankees
He wants to return and the Yankees want him back. He will be in the Rotation or long releif.
38. Aaron Hill- Arizona
Hit very well for Arizona and they want to retain him.
39. Johnny Damon- Orioles
Veteran leader for a team that needs it. Could very well be retained by the Rays
40. Aaron Harang- Red Sox
The Sox need to rebuild their rotation and Harrang was good for the Padres last year.

41. Jamey Carroll- Tigers
 No power but they need a second baseman.
42. Rafael Furcal- Cardinals
 Shortstop will return to the world series champions
43. Juan Pierre- Reds
They need a left fielder and Pierre is better than nobody.
44. Frank Francisco- Tigers
Despite some solid late innings the rest of the Tigers bullpen was pretty crappy. Anybody looking for a solid reliever could get Francisco. though.
45. Jason Marquis- Mets
He's a New York guy who wants to play in New York and the Mets need a solid guy like Marquis in their Rotation. Cubs, Rockies and Twins are other possibility
46. Joel Pineiro- Cubs
Epstein will look to capture Pineiro's good stuff on a short deal.
47. Jonathon Broxton- Mets
Look for Broxton to sign with a team that will make him the closer for a year on an incentive laden deal. The Mets seem perfect.
48. Joe Nathan- Twins
In the end I think Nathan will go back to the Twins, but if they don't offer him much or he is really serious about playing for a contender then any team could make a play for him.
49. Kerry Wood- Cubs
Its Cubs or retirement for Wood
50. Bruce Chen- Royals
Chen wants to come back to the Royals where he has had success in their rotation over the last two years.  However Chen will want more money than the $2 million he made this year and will want more than a one year deal so if the Royals balk at that then any number of teams will try for him.