Top 10 Free Agents with 64/60 Sports Predicted Destination
*Players are not listed in any specific order
Prince Fielder- Giants. At some point this offseason Brian Sabean will realize this era of good young pitching within the organization will end. In order to capitalize to the fullest with the likes of Lincecum, Cain and Bumgarner one must have offense. Many have the Giants targeting Jose Reyes however the top of the order is hardly the issue with this anemic group of bats. What the organization needs is a player to pencil in alongside Buster Posey in the 3 or 4 hole in the lineup for the next 8 years.
Albert Pujols- Cardinals. The Yankees and Red Sox are sit at the position. The Rangers would like to have Pujols but as loaded as they are on offense they would not overextend their long term finances to obtain him. Theo Epstein has been in office long enough to examine one long term bad contract after another from the previous regime thus it's hard to imaging his first deal being just that. Which leaves us with the Marlins and Cardinals as the only true bidders for the best hitter currently in the game. Pujols wants to stay in St. Louis and the Cardinals will be the highest bidder.
Carlos Beltran- Tigers. It was rather clear the Tigers were short on offense. Both Corner OF spots in the Tigers lineup were rather forgettable. Perhaps the most intriguing name, Ryan Raburn, is more of a Super Utiltiy option than a everday play. Beltran would benefit from a move to a corner OF spot and having the DH option available to him would likely increase his workload by decreasing the number of days off due to minor setbacks. Beltran would be a nice addition to the middle of a Tigers order featuring Cabrerra and Martinez.
CJ Wilson- Angels. One would think the Yankees would be a lock. The biggest Free Agent Pitcher with the Yankees in desperate need of a option behind CC. I for one believe the Yankees just don't see Wilson as a step closer to winning a playoff series. I couldn' agree more. Wilson is a good three and a solid two but given the free agent company he keeps he will be paid as a ace. To the Angels the move gives them a needed arm but perhaps more importantly it takes the most reliable arm away from the team within their division they are chasing.
Aramis Ramirez- Angels. It seems every year one team obtains several headliners within one Free Agent class. 2012 will be the Angels time to shine. As much as the Wilson additon would help the Angels offense has certainly been the issue with two consecutive 2nd place finishes. Ramirez is that middle of the order bat the Angels have been without since Guerrero's departure and the upgrade over Alberto Callaspo would be tough to calculate without assistance.
Jose Reyes- Brewers. The Brewers are built to win now and even as Fielder departs this team is still good enough to compete for a division title. The offense struggled at the top of the order last season and SS was a blackhole of offense and defense. Reyes likely won't win a Gold Glove but you couldn't script a better resolution for the other problems assuming good health.
Roy Oswalt- Yankees. A better fit for the current makeup of the Yankees. Oswalt will likely want nothing more than a two year deal with good chance of winning a title. The Yankees are looking for productive options that wouldn't hinder the flexibility of adding a young arm via trade.
Jimmy Rollins- Phillies. The Yankees and Red Sox don't have a need at SS, no non-contender will be willing to give a quickly declining player anything more than two years at with minimal financial commitment. Therefore Rollins best deal will likely come from the only team he has ever played for who still has a need at the position.
Carlos Pena- Cubs. Should they bypass on Fielder and Pujols the Cubs will need to fill the 1B position as the Farm System doesn't figure to provide a immdeiate replacement. Pena provides a good clubhouse prescence and has the skill set that will be targeted by the Cubs new front office regime.
Michael Cuddyer- Rockies. Cuddyer is a solid player who's versatility makes him a good player. At this point the Rockies appear less than decided at 2B, 3B and in LF all positions Cuddyer has patrolled the last two seasons. About a month ago Cuddyer was considered to be heading to the Phillies. That was before the Rockies sent Ty Wigginton to Philadelphia. It was this move that opened up a need and a roster spot that in my opinion is reserved for Michael Cuddyer.
WEEKLY TRANSACTIONS
* Rangers sign Joe Nathan. Though not as big of a name as Johnatan Papelbon, this could be the biggest offseason acquisition thus far. Nathan struggled out of the gate in 2011 after Tommy John surgery robbed him of 2010. After a slow start and DL stint in May, Nathan was rather effective untill a terrible month of September to close out 2011. Nathan will likely never return to the sub-2.00 ERA pitcher he was prior to the surgery but he is a guy who should still get guys out while playing for a good team which is a basic formula for over 25 Saves. The biggest news to come from this could be the move of Neftali Feliz to the rotation. They flirted with the move last season but the lack of a proven ended flirtation. Nathan gives them that reliable arm they didn't have a year ago. Feliz's move to the rotation likely ends the Rangers search for a arm and likely puts Scott Feldman and Matt Harrison in a competition for the 5th spot in the rotation.
* Pirates sign Clint Barmes. For as long as I can remeber the Pirates have had a irrelevant SS eating up 500 AB's and I am glad I live in a world where that tradition can continue. Barmes gives fantasy owners nothing but PA's and robs Chase D' Arnaud of SB's opportunities.
* Indians Re-Sign Grady Sizemore. Sizemore comes back on the cheap for the chance to prove he can stay healthy for longer than a month. Not a bad move by the Tribe who get a potnetial 30HR hitter on the cheap with little risk financially. Sizemore will be penciled in as a everyday OF knocking Shelly Duncan out of regular playing time. Sizemore is a guy who is certainly worth targeting but will likely be nabbed 5 rounds to early by the big name collector of your local league.
* Marlins send John Baker to Padres for Wade LeBlanc. Not much fantasy value to be had in this deal. Baker will split time with Nick Hundley and does become a good play in daily leagues when facing RH pitching. LeBlanc has been a popular Petco matchup over the last couple of seasons. Though it is unclear how the new ballpark in Miami will play one would have to figure LeBlanc already limited portfolio wasn't improved by the move.
* Yankees sign Freddy Garcia. Somewhat of a suprise move as you would figure the Yankees would want to inject some youth into the aging roatation. For many teams this move would signify a end to rotation shopping as Garcia gives them a clear 5 opitions. However this is the Yankees and having a 7 million per year RP would hardly causes panic. Therefore expect the pursuit of Wilson to continue to some degree or look for the Yankees to make a trade in order to fill a more pressing rotation spot. Should the Yankees stay pat Garcia would be a back end of the rotation option who would be hard pressed to improve on his sub 4.00 ERA from last season. Regardless of his position on opening day Garcia is a name you want to avoid come draft day.
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