2012 MLB Free Agent Projections/Signings

Author:
Charlie Miller
Publish date:
Nov 28, 2011

The 2012 Free Agency fun has really begun now. The Angels opened the Disney vault for Pujols and Wilson, while the Marlins make headlines on the other coast. Teams listed for Unsigned players are projections for 2012. The chart is updated daily. Some salary figures are rounded and all salary numbers are in millions.

Updated Dec. 8, 5:00p



	Signed
Rank	Player	Team	Years	Total	2011 Salary	Comment
1	Albert Pujols	Angels	10	254.00	14.50	Angels must put together a team to win now, because in six years this contract will be an albatross.
2	Jose Reyes	Marlins	6	106.00	11.00	Exciting offensive catalyst and flashy defender must prove he can play every day.
3	CJ Wilson	Angels	5	77.50	7.00	Stealth Angels reeled in their slugger and pitcher.
6	Mark Buehrle	Marlins	4	58.00	14.00	As consistent as anyone, the lefty will be reunited with manager Ozzie Guillen.
9	Jonathan Papelbon	Phillies	4	50.00	12.00	Closing games wasn't a problem for the Phillies in 2011, and shouldn't be in 2012.
15	Heath Bell	Marlins	3	27.00	7.50	Marlins begin buildking process from back of bullpen.
20	Mark Ellis	Dodgers	2	7.75	6.00	Brings solid defense, but has played in 135 games just twice.
21	Aaron Hill	Diamondbacks	2	11.00	5.00	Serendipity at the trade deadline for Hill leaving Toronto for first-place Arizona.
22	Clint Barmes	Pirates	2	10.50	3.93	Good money for Barmes; Pirates active in secondary market.
25	Bruce Chen	Royals	2	9.00	2.00	Chen has led the Royals in wins the last two seasons.
38	Ramon Hernandez	Rockies	2	6.50	2.95	Part-time catcher offers intangibles and veteran presence.
39	Ryan Doumit	Twins	1	3.00	5.20	His bat and defense suggest he belongs in American League.
41	Ramon Santiago	Tigers	2	4.20	1.35	Utility infielder stays put in Detroit.
44	Rod Barajas	Pirates	1	4.00	3.25	Pirates needed a catcher, Barajas needed a job.
47	Aaron Harang	Dodgers	2	12.00	3.50	Always seems to be underrated, but not worth this investment.
49	Jerry Hairston	Dodgers	2	6.00	2.00	Should have an opportunity to play at second and third.
51	Alex Gonzalez	Brewers			2.50	Shortstop market getting a bit thin and Brewers actually improved this position.
52	David DeJesus	Cubs	2	10.00	6.00	Just your typical $4.25 mil outfielder. Total includes a $1.5 mil buyout if $6.5 mil option isn't picked up.
53	Willie Bloomquist	Diamondbacks	2	3.80	.90	Goes from full-time shortstop to utility role.
63	Jamey Carroll	Twins	2	6.50	2.29	Twins may not like this deal when they see Carroll's range at short.
65	Frank Francisco	Mets	2	12.00	4.00	Mets' bullpen getting a total makeover.
69	Grady Sizemore	Indians	1	5.00	7.67	Indians declined $9 million option, then added $4.5 million in incentives to this deal.
71	Juan Rivera	Dodgers	1	4.00	5.25	Inexpensive complement to Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp in L.A. outfield.
72	Jim Thome	Phillies	1	1.25	3.00	Will keep the position warm until Ryan Howard return from Achilles injury.
73	Joe Nathan	Rangers	2	14.50	11.25	Is there anything left in his rebuilt arm?
75	Henry Blanco	Diamondbacks	1	1.20	1.00	Blanco, who turns 41 in August, has nabbed 44% of base stealers since 2008.
76	Matt Capps	Twins	1	4.75	7.15	Will once again have the opportunity to close.
82	Jonathan Broxton	Royals	1	.80	7.00	Does he still have it? We think so. Will set up for Royals then get traded at deadline.
83	Chien-Ming Wang	Nationals	1	4.00	1.20	If fully healthy, he'll be the best bargain of the winter.
85	Jose Molina	Rays	1	1.50	1.20	Should fits Rays' system very well.
86	John McDonald	Diamondbacks	2	3.00	1.50	I guess you never have too many middle infielders if you're Arizona.
88	Mark Kotsay	Padres	1	1.25	.80	Had three of his best seasons in San Diego from 2001-03, but he was in his mid-20s.
91	Gerald Laird	Tigers	1	1.00	1.00	Solid backup to giet Alex Avila badly needed rest.
96	Nate McLouth	Pirates	1	1.75	7.00	Returns to only city where he found success.
97	Laynce Nix	Phillies	2		.70	After four years of minor league contracts, Nix finally gets a guaranteed deal.
103	Adam Kennedy	Dodgers	1	.80	.75	Veteran infielder landed a major league deal with Dodgers.
112	Matt Treanor	Dodgers	1	.85	.85	Still not as accomplished (or attractive) as his wife.
153	Brian Schneider	Phillies	1	.80	1.63	Offense was woeful last season, defense was sub-par.
NR	Chris Capuano	Dodgers	2	10.00	1.50	Two-time Tommy John patient should love pitching at Dodgers Stadium.

	Unsigned
Rank	Player	Team	Years	Total	2011 Salary	Comment
4	Prince Fielder	Cubs	5	100.00	15.50	Fielder will become the fresh Prince of Chicago.
5	Carlos Beltran	Giants	2	20.00	19.30	Injuries and spotty production will scare off most would-be suitors.
7	Aramis Ramirez	Diamondbacks	4	60.00	14.60	What a year for a third baseman, especially a good one, to hit the market.
8	David Ortiz	Red Sox	2	24.00	12.50	Can Big Papi actually leave Boston?
10	Hiroki Kuroda	Dodgers	2	27.00	11.77	Best fit would be West Coast ballparks and should feel at home in L.A.
11	Jimmy Rollins	Phillies	3	35.00	8.50	J-Roll is asking for five years, but he'll likely get only three.
12	Roy Oswalt	Nationals	2	22.00	16.00	Would love to pitch for St. Louis, but Cardinals rotation has no vacancy.
13	Yu Darvish	Yankees	4	35.00		Shouldn't expect a posting fee anywhere close to $51 million for Dice-K.
14	Ryan Madson	Reds	4	40.00	4.83	Thought he had a deal with Philadelphia, but Cincinnati needs a closer as well.
16	Francisco Rodriguez	Orioles	3	25.00	12.17	Many teams may be nervous to commit to K-Rod as closer, but O's won't mind.
17	Johnny Damon	Rays	1	7.00	5.25	Questions of Hall of Fame worthiness begin as his career winds down.
18	Edwin Jackson	Mets	3	27.00	8.75	Ultra-talented Jackson always seems to slip below expectations.
19	Javier Vazquez	Marlins	1	8.00	7.00	Retire, or go one more year in Miami?
23	Kosuke Fukudome	Indians	2	15.00	14.50	With Grady Sizemore gone, Fukudome could become Tribe's full-time CF.
24	Francisco Cordero	Blue Jays	2	18.00	12.13	Cordero has averaged 39 saves over the last five seasons.
26	Michael Cuddyer	Braves	3	27.00	10.50	Only bright spot for Minnesota last season appears to be a good fit in Atlanta.
27	Freddy Garcia	Rangers	1	7.00	1.50	Garcia out to prove last season was no fluke in New York.
28	Carlos Pena	Rangers	1	8.00	9.96	The Ballpark at Arlington should suit Pena well.
29	Yoenis Cespedes	Marlins	5	30.00		Escaping the Marlins' grasp would be a major surprise.
30	Koji Uehara	Rays	2	14.00	3.00	Koji had an incredible 23.0 SO/BB ratio, but allowed 2.5 homers per nine innings.
31	Casey Kotchman	Rays	1	6.00		In successive years, he was traded for Mark Teixeira, Adam LaRoche and Bill Hall.
32	Josh Willingham	Orioles	2	15.00	6.00	Willingham would love hitting at Camden Yards.
33	Kelly Johnson	Rockies	2	11.00	5.85	Johnson would love hitting in Colorado, the question but could Rox stomach all those Ks?
34	Paul Maholm	Twins	1	6.00	6.25	Needs a one-year deal to prove himself worthy of more.
35	JD Drew	Nationals	1	5.20	14.00	Nats could be latest team to be duped by Drew's "talent."
36	Coco Crisp	Tigers	1	4.80	5.75	Tigers needs a leadoff hitter and Crisp swiped 49 bases last season.
37	Rick Ankiel	Reds	1	4.50	1.50	Consummate fourth outfielder brings speed, defense and occasional pop.
40	Joel Peralta	Red Sox	2	13.00	.93	Another good arm who "found it" in Tampa Bay.
42	Chris Young	Nationals	1	3.20	1.00	Needs a one-year deal to prove himself.
43	Rafael Furcal	Brewers	1	3.80	13.00	His defense is unquestioned, but his health and offense are uncertain.
45	Jeff Francis	Angels	1	4.40	2.00	Could benefit from starting over out west.
46	Jason Kubel	Orioles	2	8.20	5.25	Lots of pop for Camden Yards.
48	LaTroy Hawkins	Dodgers	1	4.30	4.25	Stuff of a closer, mindset of a setup man.
50	Derrek Lee	Nationals	2	7.00	7.25	Nationals will finish fourth or fifth in first baseman derby.
54	Jon Garland	Royals	2	6.00	4.44	Can he resurrect his career?
55	Wilson Betemit	Royals	1	2.80	1.00	Role will be a super utility man in K.C.
56	Brad Lidge	Twins	1	4.00	12.00	Lidge still wants to be a closer; little pressure in Minnesota in 2012.
57	Octavio Dotel	Cardinals	2	7.00	3.00	Meant too much to Redbirds' late-season surge not to be re-signed.
58	Darren Oliver	Rangers	1	4.50	3.25	Another season in Texas for the ageless lefty.
59	Kevin Millwood	Padres	1	3.20		Will find a job by spring training.
60	Andruw Jones	Yankees	1	2.10	1.50	Yankees actually like him in the clubhouse.
61	Cody Ross	Twins	1	2.50	6.30	His 45 days of fame in San Francisco in 2010 now a distant memory.
62	Yuniesky Betancourt	Phillies	2	7.50	4.30	Not as much of a downgrade at short as you might think for Phils.
64	Jack Wilson	Braves	1	2.00	5.00	Still has something to offer as an everyday player.
66	Jamey Wright	Cardinals	1	2.00	.90	Relishes the opportunity to reunite with Mike Matheny.
67	Vladimir Guerrero	Blue Jays	1	3.00	7.60	Vlad's return to Canada could be his final stop.
68	Ivan Rodriguez	Cardinals	1	1.50	3.00	Pudge and Yadier would be fun to watch.
70	Chris Snyder	White Sox	1	2.50	6.25	Made $11.5 mil over the last two years, won't get near that in 2012-13.
74	Kerry Wood	Rays	2	5.50	1.50	Maybe the new regime in Chicago can convince him to stay.
77	Nick Punto	Cardinals	1	2.00	.75	Must find a team in need of utility role and must accept the role.
78	Kelly Shoppach	Indians	1	1.30	3.00	He'll find a job as a backup somewhere, like in AL.
79	George Sherrill	Rays	1	2.00	1.20	Nice lefty setup man for Joe Maddon?
80	Ryan Ludwick	Blue Jays	1	1.50	6.78	Still living off one magical season in St. Louis.
81	Edgar Renteria	Brewers	1	1.50	2.00	Would be a nice complement to Furcal in Milwaukee.
84	Marcus Thames	—	1	ML	1.00	Will have to make a team in spring training.
87	Hideki Matsui	Yankees	1	2.00	4.25	Return to Gotham?
89	Mike Gonzalez	Cubs	1	.90	6.00	Can be an effective situational guy.
90	Rich Harden	Cardinals	1	1.00	1.50	Dave Duncan's next reclamation project?
92	Aaron Miles	Dodgers	1	1.00	.50	Likely return to L.A.
93	David Aardsma	Mariners	1	.80	4.50	After Tommy John Surgery in July, he's not likely to pitch until late in the season.
94	Ronny Cedeno	Phillies	1	.90	1.85	Some team could use a veteran backup infielder.
95	Austin Kearns	—	1	ML	1.30	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
98	Jonny Gomes	A's	1	1.00	1.75	Can still drive in runs.
99	Cesar Izturis	—	1	ML	1.50	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
100	Brandon Webb	—	1	ML		Wouldn't surprise to see him sign a rich, incentive-laden deal.
101	Casey Blake	—	1	ML	5.50	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
102	Lyle Overbay	Padres	1	1.20	5.00	Padres could use a cheap veteran pinch-hitter/first baseman.
104	Ramon Castro	—	1	ML	1.20	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
105	Jason Marquis	—	1	ML	.75	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
106	Juan Cruz	—	1	ML	.85	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
107	Jon Rauch	—	1	ML	3.50	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
108	Mark DeRosa	Phillies	1	1.00	6.00	Can be a valuable piece if completely healthy.
109	Nori Aoki	Dodgers	2	1.90		Japanese star should debut on West Coast.
110	Carlos Guillen	—	1	ML	12.90	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
111	Raul Ibanez	Indians	1	1.00	12.17	Will never see $12 million per season again.
113	Jason Varitek	Rockies	1	.90	2.00	Rox could use a mentor like Varitek.
114	Brad Penny	—	1	ML	3.00	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
115	Juan Pierre	—	1	ML	8.50	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
116	Arthur Rhodes	—	1	ML	3.90	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
117	Livan Hernandez	—	1	ML	1.25	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
118	Todd Coffey	—	1	ML	1.35	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.
119	Pat Burrell	—	1	RET	1.00	Retirement seems to be in order.
120	Scott Linebrink	—	1	ML	5.50	Minor league contract with invite to spring training.