WHERE EACH TOP FREE AGENT WILL LAND

1B Albert Pujols: The world champion St. Louis Cardinals’ best player (possibly baseball’s best) has hit the open market, but might not be as hot a commodity as expected. With the Red Sox and the Yankees already secure at first base, the only major competitors for Pujols are the Rangers, Cubs, and Angels. I think he stays in St. Louis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals

1B Prince Fielder: There is no doubt in my mind that he is leaving Milwaukee. I believe the suitors will be the Rangers, Angels, Orioles, and the Cubs. He also has the problem of a small first base market. Chicago is a perfect fit. It’s a small ballpark where he can hit a lot of home runs, they have a new General Manager who wants to make a splash, and they are rebuilding and can build around him.

PREDICTION: Cubs

SP CJ Wilson: Wilson isn’t an ace, but is looking to get paid like one. This may be an issue for some teams, but the one team I think will pay him is the New York Yankees, who badly need a number two starter. Brian Cashman said earlier on Friday that Wilson is “the most attractive” pitching option.

PREDICTION: Yankees

SS Jose Reyes: The Mets will likely be losing their best player, but to whom? He will have many suitors like the Brewers, Angels, and Red Sox. Though I believe he will become a hated Mets rival and will sign with Florida. Hanley Ramirez has already offered to move to third base for him.

PREDICTION: Marlins

SP Yu Darvish: This is a guy who has seven pitches, including a fastball that tops out at 97 miles per hour. The twenty five year old would be a great fit in Texas, especially if they lose CJ Wilson. JAPANESE

PREDICTION: Rangers

SP Mark Buehrle: Buehrle, who went 13-9 last year for the White Sox, would probably make a great fit for the crosstown Chicago Cubs. He knows how to get ground balls and not give up home runs, which the Cubs need.

PREDICTION: Cubs

CL Jonathan Paplebon: With Daniel Bard having a subpar second half of 2011 (his ERA was 5.28), the Red Sox probably wouldn’t want to run the risk of worsening their already suspect bullpen.

PREDICTION: Red Sox

DH David Ortiz: Though Ortiz has sounded frustrated with the lack of an offer from the Red Sox, it won’t be enough to pull him away from them

PREDICTION: Red Sox

SS Jimmy Rollins: The one team that may be able to lure Rollins away from Philadelphia is the Nationals, who are an up and coming young team who could use some veteran leadership. Rollins could fill that void easily.

PREDICTION: Nationals