A few of the authors here at Love Boat Sports have decided to discuss the possible landing spots for 5 of the biggest names in this year's free agency class: Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, C.J. Wilson, Jose Reyes, and Jimmy Rollins.
So without further ado, here are the predictions:
El Fuser
Albert Pujols—St. Louis Cardinals
Fresh off winning the World Series, Pujols will most likely choose to remain in the city that he has called home for the past decade—that is if the Cardinals decide to pony up and pay the guy. Pujols has been baseball’s best player for majority of the past 10 years, and he deserves to be paid like it. At 31, while he’s probably just past/near the end of his prime, Pujols should continue to be an extremely productive player for the next 5 years. Last season, Pujols was making less than guys like Vernon Wells, Alfonso Soriano, and Jason Bay. Enough said. If the Cardinals hope to continue any success in the post-La Russa era, they need to keep Pujols.
Prince Fielder- San Francisco Giants
Here’s the curveball that you all have been waiting for. While many (including some on this blog) think that Fielder will be Theo Epstein’s first major acquisition in Chicago, I think that Prince will surprise everybody and move out to the west coast to the Giants. He certainly wants out of Milwaukee, and a move back to his native state could be exactly what he needs. The Giants, who had a disappointing season after their World Series championship in 2010, could be looking to add a big bat to the heart of their lineup to complement Sandoval, Posey, Beltran, and some of the other pieces they have out there in San Fran. If this deal goes down, look for the Giants to rebound big-time in 2012.
C.J Wilson- New York Yankees
This will be the Yankees’ big move this offseason. The Yanks didn’t win the Series this year, and in the city that never sleeps, that is considered a failure of a season. We all know that the Yankees can score runs--Granderson, Texeira, Cano, and the rest of that lineup will be back next year so they will surely be near the top of the list again in terms of run production. The one area in which they are lacking (and seemingly have been for awhile now) is pitching. Wilson is the top free-agent pitcher in this year’s class, and word has it that the Rangers are not willing to pay him the kind of salary he will demand, especially after his forgettable postseason performances. Look for the Yankees to bolster their already overpaid rotation by overpaying for Wilson this offseason.
Jose Reyes- Detroit Tigers
Nobody is quite sure where Reyes is going to end up, but I’m in the party of those who believes he won’t resign with New York. The Tigers are apparently set to make a run at Reyes, and I believe they will sign him. He would find in perfectly with Jim Leyland and the crew over in Detroit, and they could land one of the premier shortstops in baseball that could put them over the edge in their pursuit of a World Series ring.
Jimmy Rollins- Philadelphia Phillies
This is a tricky one. Rollins is a great player but he is certainly past his prime, and the market for him won’t be nearly as high as a player like Reyes. That being said, many teams will be looking to add a high-quality shortstop to their lineup. At the end of the day I think the Phillies will hold on to him. The Phillies have a championship-caliber lineup right now, and if J-Roll can turn back the clock and play like his former-MVP self over the next few years, the Phillies could be looking at a couple more rings for themselves.
Henno
Pujols- St. Louis Cardinals
It seems like the popular pick, but I really do think Pujols will be staying St. Louis. Except I also think this won’t be the Cardinals' best move. They are going to give him record money on the back end of his career. Without Pujols their offense is still very potent. Berkman could move to first base and Jon Jay could move to the outfield. With the money the Cardinals would spend on Pujols they could go out and get C.J. Wilson. When Wainwright comes back the top of their rotation would actually rival the Phillies’.
Fielder- Washington Nationals
Welcome to DC! Now this may be wishful thinking but I’m saying Prince lands in Washington. The Nationals have Scott Boras’ clients up and down the roster and have dollars to spend this offseason. Signing Fielder would take attention away from their terrible Werth signing and add a big left-handed bat to the lineup. Adam LaRoche is coming back from an injury at first but this shouldn’t prove to be an obstacle for the Nationals. Look for the Nats to also make a run at Mark Buehrle to solidify their young rotation.
Welcome to DC! Now this may be wishful thinking but I’m saying Prince lands in Washington. The Nationals have Scott Boras’ clients up and down the roster and have dollars to spend this offseason. Signing Fielder would take attention away from their terrible Werth signing and add a big left-handed bat to the lineup. Adam LaRoche is coming back from an injury at first but this shouldn’t prove to be an obstacle for the Nationals. Look for the Nats to also make a run at Mark Buehrle to solidify their young rotation.
Wilson- Texas Rangers
C.J. Wilson will get paid this offseason despite a disappointing postseason. He has said he wants to stay in Texas and I think that’s where he’ll end up. Texas gives him a great chance to win and will also dole out the big bucks. He’ll end up turning down suitors from New York, Washington, and even Florida… err I mean Miami. Look for Miami to make a big splash this offseason though.
Reyes- Miami Marlins
With a fresh new look and new stadium the Miami Marlins will finally be willing to spend some money in the offseason. In Miami, Jose Reyes will no longer need to teach the fans a new Spanish word every game. His acquisition will mean Hanley moves over to third making up a very talented left side of the infield. I’m looking forward to a new Marlins era in which they don’t trade away every promising star they have.
Rollins- Philadelphia Phillies
Seems boring that in three of my predictions I have players returning to their previous teams but that’s what I see Rollins doing as well. It doesn’t seem as if there will be a huge market for Rollins and Philadelphia has treated him well. He’ll sign a multi-year deal with the Phillies as his career winds down.
Matty H
Pujols- St. Louis Cardinals
I really wanted to put The Machine in a Cubs jersey but I just could not pull the trigger. What a story that would be though, win the world series in St. Louis and then pack your bags for the North Side of Chicago. Theo Epstein is going to make a big move this summer, but unless Pujols really wants to pull a Johnny Damon it won't be him.
Fielder- Chicago Cubs
Here is Theo's big move. Prince ended his 2011 season with his foot out the door. He would quickly be beloved by the Chicago faithful who have been desperate for a big star. They got one at their GM spot and now they got one at their first base spot.
Reyes- San Francisco Giants
Reyes seems certain to leave the Mets and there are plenty of teams that will want him after his bounce back 2011 campaign. As a Nationals fan I would love to see him end up in DC and think he would be a great fit but the Giants have a world series winning pitching staff and a solid young core of hitters. The Giants have the money to get Reyes and if they do it could put them right back in the playoff race for the 2012 season.
Wilson- Washington Nationals
It looks as if the Nationals big signing last year, Jayson Werth, was a complete bust of a signing. He was never going to be Werth the money he got, but last season he was not even worth a third of it. I think this will make the Nats want to go in a different direction with their big signing this year and grab probably the best pitcher, in a weak free agent class. Wilson had a rough postseason, which probably cost him a few bucks, but he will still get a hefty deal. Strasburg, Wilson, Harper, Zimmerman. Not a bad core.
Rollins- Detroit Tigers
The Tigers seem to want Jose Reyes, but I think he choses the California sun over Detroit. This will leave the Tigers with Jimmy Rollins, an older, worse version of Reyes. If Rollins can stay healthy though for an entire season he would still be a valuable asset for at least a few more years.
Nachyo
Pujols- Cardinals
Seems boring that in three of my predictions I have players returning to their previous teams but that’s what I see Rollins doing as well. It doesn’t seem as if there will be a huge market for Rollins and Philadelphia has treated him well. He’ll sign a multi-year deal with the Phillies as his career winds down.
Matty H
Pujols- St. Louis Cardinals
I really wanted to put The Machine in a Cubs jersey but I just could not pull the trigger. What a story that would be though, win the world series in St. Louis and then pack your bags for the North Side of Chicago. Theo Epstein is going to make a big move this summer, but unless Pujols really wants to pull a Johnny Damon it won't be him.
Fielder- Chicago Cubs
Here is Theo's big move. Prince ended his 2011 season with his foot out the door. He would quickly be beloved by the Chicago faithful who have been desperate for a big star. They got one at their GM spot and now they got one at their first base spot.
Reyes- San Francisco Giants
Reyes seems certain to leave the Mets and there are plenty of teams that will want him after his bounce back 2011 campaign. As a Nationals fan I would love to see him end up in DC and think he would be a great fit but the Giants have a world series winning pitching staff and a solid young core of hitters. The Giants have the money to get Reyes and if they do it could put them right back in the playoff race for the 2012 season.
Wilson- Washington Nationals
It looks as if the Nationals big signing last year, Jayson Werth, was a complete bust of a signing. He was never going to be Werth the money he got, but last season he was not even worth a third of it. I think this will make the Nats want to go in a different direction with their big signing this year and grab probably the best pitcher, in a weak free agent class. Wilson had a rough postseason, which probably cost him a few bucks, but he will still get a hefty deal. Strasburg, Wilson, Harper, Zimmerman. Not a bad core.
Rollins- Detroit Tigers
The Tigers seem to want Jose Reyes, but I think he choses the California sun over Detroit. This will leave the Tigers with Jimmy Rollins, an older, worse version of Reyes. If Rollins can stay healthy though for an entire season he would still be a valuable asset for at least a few more years.
Nachyo
Pujols- Cardinals
The Cardinals era that has resulted in two World Series and six division championships is simply over if Pujols leaves. They have to do whatever it takes to keep Albert in town, and make him a rarity in today's game: a one team star.
Fielder- Cubs
The Cubs are in a clear rebuilding phase, and Theo and whoever the new manager is would be wise to build around Prince. Fielder would give the Cubs a middle of the order threat for years to come. The move makes sense financially, as the Cubs have Carlos Pena’s awful contract coming off the books at first base.
Reyes- Nationals
The Nationals have been rumored to be making runs at Pujols and Fielder, but they would be wise to spend their dollars on Reyes. The Juggernats have lacked a true leadoff hitter for years, and Ian Desmond has showed little reason to believe he is the long term answer at short. Reyes would give the Nats a .300 average and 40 steals to set the table for middle of the order guys like Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, and eventually, Bryce Harper.
Wilson- Rangers
The Rangers rotation is the obvious weakness of a championship caliber team, and losing Wilson would deplete the unit even further. Wilson has said he wants to stay a Ranger, and perhaps more importantly, I’m not sure the dollars will be out there for him to lure him away.
Rollins- Phillies
Not sure how much of a market there will be for a long term deal for Rollins. Unless another team is desperate for a shortstop, I see the Rollins situation playing out similarly to Derek Jeter’s last year. Feelings will be hurt, but in the end, Rollins will stay in Philly.
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