2012 MLB Free Agent Projections/Signings

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.