2011-2012 MLB Offseason

[MasterX1918]

Well, it's that time of year again, and with Pujols and Fielder heading a stellar free agent class it looks to be a busy off-season.To get things started we can play a little guessing game by predicting where the top free agents will wind up by the beginning of the 2012 season. I'll start things off.

1-Albert Pujols, 1B: Cardinals (I think he stays put)
2-Prince Fielder, 1B: Cubs (I hope he stays but I think Chicago is a good fit, plus Theo will want to make a splash)
3-Jose Reyes, SS: Brewers (team has holes to fill and Reyes fills a big one)
4-C.J. Wilson, SP: Angels (Wilson gives them a great top 3 but might be outbid by other clubs)
5-Jonathan Papelbon, RP: Red Sox (they have Bard but I think he stays) 11/11/11: signed with Philadelphia
6-Jimmy Rollins, SS: Phillies (It doesn't make sense for the Phillies not to keep him around)
7-Roy Oswalt, SP: Nationals (team seems to want to spend money, why not start with Oswalt)
8-Heath Bell, RP: Padres (club has other options, but getting rid of Adams suggests they want to keep Bell around)
9-David Ortiz, DH: Mariners (not much of a market, but I think he leaves the AL EAST. I hope he comes back to Boston)
10-Aramis Ramirez, 3B: Cubs (It seems like Theo wants to keep him around but he might be tempted by other offers)
11-Edwin Jackson, SP: Yankees (Don't know why but it seems right)
12-Michael Cuddyer, 1B/OF: Twins (he seems like a Twinkie for life)
13-Mark Buehrle, SP: White Sox (I can't see him with another team)
14-Carlos Beltran, OF: Marlins (team needs to get some stars to draw a crowd)
15-Ryan Madson, RP: Phillies
16-Hiroki Kuroda, SP: Dodgers
17-Francisco Rodriguez, RP: Marlins
18-Erik Bedard, SP: Red Sox
19-Carlos Pena, 1B: Brewers (someone has to replace Prince)
20-Grady Sizemore, OF: Indians (I think they give him another chance)
Yu Darvish, SP: He stays in Japan

[SpecialFNK]

I was thinking about doing something like this.
mlbtraderumors.com has a contest to pick where the top 50 free agents sign, but the date to enter has passed.
the site still has it's top 50 predictions.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/2 ... nts-1.html

[SpecialFNK]

I'm going to be coming up with my own list of predictions for free agents.

looks like Jose Reyes could be close to signing with Florida, I mean Miami.

Jorge Sedano of 790 AM The Ticket in Miami reports that free agent Jose Reyes signing with the Marlins is "almost a done deal."
This report should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Not only would it be hugely surprising if Reyes signs with the first team he visits with, but we don't anticipate that it will be Sedano that breaks the news of the signing of one of the biggest offseason fish (pun intended). Nevertheless, it's clear that the Marlins are a real player for the shortstop. If he is brought in, Hanley Ramirez would have to change positions.

if this is true. what do they do with Hanley? position change, and if so where? 3B? CF?

[MasterX1918]

apparently the Phillies are close to signing Papelbon

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies and Jonathan Papelbon have reached a deal, pending a physical.
It's been an interesting week for the Phillies, as just a few days ago they appeared to be close to locking up Ryan Madson on a long-term deal. Those talks fell apart, so they turned their attention to Papelbon. The particulars of the contract aren't known at this point. If Papelbon does indeed sign with Philly, they'll have to surrender their first-round draft pick to the Red Sox.

[m16a]

apparently the Phillies are close to signing Papelbon

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies and Jonathan Papelbon have reached a deal, pending a physical.
It's been an interesting week for the Phillies, as just a few days ago they appeared to be close to locking up Ryan Madson on a long-term deal. Those talks fell apart, so they turned their attention to Papelbon. The particulars of the contract aren't known at this point. If Papelbon does indeed sign with Philly, they'll have to surrender their first-round draft pick to the Red Sox.

EDIT: Master beat me to it.


As a Phils fan with a strong distaste for Boston sports, not sure what to think.

[converge241]

much better move for phillies than madson if they were set to spend on a closer

im glad sox arent paying that to keep him and thx for the pick!

[Rubidium]

much better move for phillies than madson if they were set to spend on a closer

MLBTR reporting 4 years, close to $50MM. That's a lot of money, but I think that's a safer deal than Madson 4/$44MM, which was reported a few days ago.

[raiders_umpire]

$50 million is a lot of money. Good luck in the National League Papelbon.

[Pogotheostrich]

$50 million is a lot of money. Good luck in the National League Papelbon.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com hears the deal includes a vesting option that could bring the total value of the contract over $60MM

I can't see giving any closer $12 million a year.

[Syfo-Dyas]

I'm going to be coming up with my own list of predictions for free agents.

looks like Jose Reyes could be close to signing with Florida, I mean Miami.

Jorge Sedano of 790 AM The Ticket in Miami reports that free agent Jose Reyes signing with the Marlins is "almost a done deal."
This report should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Not only would it be hugely surprising if Reyes signs with the first team he visits with, but we don't anticipate that it will be Sedano that breaks the news of the signing of one of the biggest offseason fish (pun intended). Nevertheless, it's clear that the Marlins are a real player for the shortstop. If he is brought in, Hanley Ramirez would have to change positions.

if this is true. what do they do with Hanley? position change, and if so where? 3B? CF?

"Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports that the Marlins are "serious" about signing free agent Albert Pujols and "intend to make a competitive offer."

Step 1: Miami signs Reyes and Pujols
Step 2: Theo rebuilds the Cubbies
Step 3: Selig moves Miami to the AL
Step 4: