Listed below are THE 1 CONSTANT top 30 free-agents(15 position players or designated hitters and 15 pitchers) and with what team I predict they will sign with this Hot Stove season.

RANK	PLAYER		POS	TEAM
1	Albert Pujols		1B	Marlins
2	Prince Fielder		1B/DH	Mariners
3	Jose Reyes		SS	Brewers
4	Carlos Beltran		RF	Giants
5	Aramis Ramirez		3B	Angels
6	David Ortiz		DH	Blue Jays
7	Jimmy Rollins		SS	Giants
8	Michael Cuddyer		OF/1B	Red Sox
9	Carlos Pena		1B	Cardinals
10	Casey Kotchman		1B	Dodgers
11	Coco Crisp		CF	Mets
12	Josh Willingham		OF	Reds
13	Jason Kubel		OF/DH	Rays
14	Kelly Johnson		2B	Blue Jays
15	Grady Sizemore		OF	Dodgers

1 – Pujols: The Cardinals are the safe bet but I have a feeling the Fish are going to go after the largest fish in the pond and land this year’s prize free-agent in King Albert. A combination of a new ballpark, new manager, new outlook in Miami and the departing Tony La Russa in St. Louis makes all this at least possible. If the Marlins do not get the revenues they desire they can always have another fire sale and then build back up from within yet again.

2 – Fielder: Beyond a return to the Brew Crew I had originally predicted the Angels as a likely destination, however, upon further investigation the makeup of their roster and depth chart would make it tough or illogical to add the slugger so I will instead go with the offensive deprived Mariners who need an impact bat in the worst way and seemingly have the resources to make that happen as well as an open DH spot although I guess he could see some time at first base as well depending on the development of Justin Smoak.

3 – Reyes: If Reyes is willing to sign a five year deal he remains in Queens otherwise he says hello to Milwaukee and continues to miss large portions of the schedule while his game centered around speed declines rapidly as does the aberration that was his .337 AVG and .384 OBP in his walk-year.

4 – Beltran: He and the Giants have a mutual likeness for one another and will get a deal done quickly which is probably why he changed agents considering Scott Boras probably wanted him to drag out negotiations with other teams.

5 – Ramirez: A logical fit would be the Angels so I will go with the Halos, however, the Tigers are in need of a third baseman and the Orioles will likely show interest as well. In the end and like so many others Ramirez’s landing spot will go to the highest bidder as that would seem to be the determining factor more than anything else with this player.

6 – Ortiz: The Jays will be busy this offseason and Big Papi will be their ultimate prize as they weaken a division opponent by stealing a middle of the order bat. An overpay is in order but Ortiz probably has two good years left at least after being left for dead a few years ago.

7 – Rollins: The Giants and Brian Sabean love aging veteran position players and Rollins fits that bill plus he is from the area and they need a shortstop. A perfect match and cheaper in years and monetary resources than Reyes. A classic Giant acquisition.

8 – Cuddyer: The Red Sox are rumored to “love” him for some reason. Cuddyer is a decent player, definitely not great, and supposedly a good clubhouse guy and whatnot. Don’t eat the chicken or play the latest Halo.

9 – Pena: He finds a landing spot on a team in St. Louis that is desperate to find a slugging first baseman after being devastated by the King’s departure. Could be a bargain if he hits 30+ HR but do not expect much improvement in the AVG department, however, he does provide solid defense at least.

10 – Kotchman: The Dodgers decide to trade or non-tender James Loney as they feel he has been given enough chances to prove his worth so they then sign a similar player in Kotchman who if he repeats his 2011 performance may be another bargain.

11 – Crisp: The Amazins decide to cut bait with the center field masquerading Angel Pagan and bring in one of the best defensive outfielders in the game who will provide nearly the same offense and speed threat.

12 – Willingham: The Reds looking to add a little more punch in left field find it in the 30 HR potential bat of Mr. Willingham on a 2 year deal with a team option.

13 – Kubel: The Rays could bring back Johnny Damon or add someone like Kubel who will probably be cheaper than Damon and the Devil Dogs are all about cheap options.

14 – Johnson: The Blue Jays resign the second baseman who they acquired late in the 2011 season. He adds power to a lineup that continues to improve.

15 – Sizemore: He seems like a Southern California type so why not as the Dodgers take a flyer on him and put him in an already all-star studded outfield.

RANK	PLAYER		POS	TEAM
1	Jonathan Papelbon		RHP – CL	Red Sox
2	Heath Bell		RHP - CL	Phillies
3	Yu Darvish		RHP – SP	Yankees
4	Mark Buehrle		LHP - SP	Marlins
5	Roy Oswalt		RHP - SP	Rangers
6	CJ Wilson		LHP - SP	Red Sox
7	Francisco Rodriguez		RHP - CL	Dodgers
8	Ryan Madson		RHP - CL	Blue Jays
9	Hiroki Kuroda		RHP - SP	Dodgers
10	Edwin Jackson		RHP - SP	Mariners
11	Javier Vazquez		RHP - SP	Brewers
12	Eric Bedard		LHP - SP	Blue Jays
13	Bartolo Colon		RHP - SP	Orioles
14	Kerry Wood		RHP – SU	Cubs
15	Paul Maholm		LHP - SP	White Sox

1 – Papelbon: The Red Sox need Papelbon for his ability and Papelbon needs the Red Sox for the big contract. Even with the late season failures Pap is still one of the game’s top two or three closers and he is battle tested in the vaunted AL East which will play a big factor in negotiations which may go on for a long time.

2 – Bell: He finally gets a multi-year contract and gets a legitimate shot at closing games for a World Series contender. He settles for a two year deal with a club option tacked on plus he gets a chance to stick it to the Mets on a regular basis.

3 – Darvish: He may be the best pitcher available but I will slot him in at number three considering the lack of experience at the big league level. The Bronx Bombers add a needed pitcher by winning the posting bidding as they sign Darvish to a lucrative four year deal with a mutual option year.

4 – Buehrle: The Marlins land another big fish as they are feeling all fuzzy with their new stadium opening by signing the steady Buehrle who reunites with manager Ozzie Guillen in South Florida.

5 – Oswalt: The Rangers and Roy are a match made in heaven. End of story. Move on.

6 – Wilson: AJ Burnett, John Lackey, ring a bell? It should because Wilson is going to dupe someone into giving him that type of contract. Be careful – I am looking directly at the BoSox when I say that.

7 – Rodriguez: He returns to Southern California as the Dodgers are more active than many anticipated. If LA-LA land will not have him then those free spending Miami Marlins will but we will stick with the Former Lords of Flatbush.

8 – Madson: First Ortiz, then they resign Johnson, now Madson? Yep, the Blue Birds are trying to move up the ladder in the AL East.

9 – Kuroda: Says he will either retire or pitch for the Dodgers only. My guess is they come to an agreement on a one year deal. The guy really knows how to pitch and is very solid in doing so.

10 – Jackson: See CJ Wilson. The Mariners add what they think is a second tier type starter but ultimately turns out to be an inconsistent backend of the rotation type.

11 – Vazquez: Says he might retire but I will go with the Brew Crew offering him an impressive one year deal that is too good to pass on.

12 – Bedard: A Canada native finds his way home. Those Blue Jays sign another one to an incentive laden deal and hope for the best health wise.

13 – Colon: After he rediscovered his velocity due to some, ahem, treatment of some sort the pitching deprived Orioles give him a one year deal with an attainable vesting option.

14 – Wood: Another guy who is going to retire unless a certain club signs him. In this case, the Cubbies in all likelihood will honor his wishes.

15 – Maholm: The White Sox will try to replace the departure of Buehrle with a similar pitcher, stuff wise, in Maholm.