With baseball’s free agency period already started, teams are putting out initial feelers on what it’s going to take to sign some of the more-coveted players. Although no one has pulled the trigger on any market-setting contracts, once someone does, the others will fall like dominoes.
Here are arguably the best free agents on the market and their likely landing spots:
1. Albert Pujols, First Base, 31 years old:
Where he’ll land: Cardinals. Darkhorses: Cubs, Dodgers, Angels.
With the Yankees and Red Sox already set at first base, Pujols enters the market at a very inopportune time. Not only is the three-time MVP the greatest hitter of his generation, he’s also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, meaning he’s not in line to be a DH just yet. Could be interesting if Theo Epstein looks to make a major splash by signing him, with the Cards intent on keeping him in the aftermath of LaRussa’s retirement. The Dodgers could throw their hat in the ring as well as the Angels, but financial implications make it questionable.
2. Prince Fielder, First Base/DH, 27:
Where he’ll land: Dodgers or Mariners. Darkhorses: Angels, White Sox.
As much as the Dodgers would love to land this guy, they still have an ownership in flux. The offensively challenged Mariners may want him more, but here’s guessing Fielder would rather go to more of a winning franchise, all things equal. The Angels have a need for more offense as well, and you never know what the White Sox have up their sleeve.
3. Jose Reyes, Shortstop, 29:
Where he’ll land: Mets. Darkhorses: Nationals, Red Sox, Giants.
The toughest free agent to predict. At his best, Reyes is the best leadoff hitter in the game and he plays solid defense at the most premium position in the field. But the reigning batting champion has missed a ton of games over the last three seasons—191 of them—making teams wary of investing too much. The Mets look like they’ll take a wait-and-see approach to find out who is lurking with an offer. Again, New York is out with Captain Jeter at short and Boston is surely a little scared of too much investing after the Crawford and Lackey mistakes that they’re still paying for.
4. C.J. Wilson, Starting Pitcher, 30:
Where he’ll land: Yankees. Darkhorses: Nationals, Rangers?
The lefty-starter has won 31 games the past two seasons in a bit of a hitter’s ballpark, but did himself no favors with his postseason flop. The soon-to-be 31-year-old had a 5.79 ERA in 6 postseason appearances after posting a 2.94 in the regular season, surely scaring off potential suitors. The Yankees have a perennial need for a lefty, but with his recently diminished value in play, the Rangers may jump back into his salary requirements.
5. Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop, 32:
Where he’ll land: Phillies. Darkhorses: Brewers, Cardinals, Mets.
The former MVP and three-time Gold Glove Award winner should return to the Phillies where he’s spent the last 11 seasons, but the deal never happened, leaving the door open to sign where he pleases. Best bet is he stays in the National League where he has plenty of experience and several prominent teams in the Senior Circuit have openings. It’s hard to see him signing elsewhere especially with all the money the Phils are throwing around these days.
