The winter meetings for baseball are upon us this week!  The winter meetings are being held in Dallas and the place that MLB General Managers, player agents and scribes will be in and out of conferences, dinners, rooms and bars trying to discuss needs for their teams, landing contracts and breaking stories respectively.  Here is a quick look at some potential free agent candidates:

1. Albert Pujols. Agent Dan Lozano has spoken with the Marlins, Cubs and Cardinals.  Marlins are reported to have “low balled” a contract to Pujols, Cubs are in need of a first baseman soon but honestly with the amount of players that team needs, I don’t see them paying Pujols.  Cardinals are in the driver’s seat on this one.

If Lozano was smart he would take arbitration so Pujols would get a first baseman’s market all to himself next year, but what do I know.  Lozano was also reportedly spotted in Dallas last weekend.

2. Prince Fielder. The Cubs are a better fit for Fielder than Pujols since they are a rebuilding team and he’s just 27 years old compared to Pujols’ 31. Plus, it can’t hurt that new Cubs manager Dale Sveum, most recently the Brewers hitting coach, is a Fielder-file from their days together in Milwaukee. Conspiracy?

3. C.J. Wilson. Wants $120 million.  Yankees, Nationals and Marlins are the only teams that can pony up the cash.

4. Mark Buehrle. A middle of the road and sometimes B+ type of starter.  He is highly overvalued in my opinion, but teams will overpay because of short rosters.

5. Aramis Ramirez. This guy has been injury-prone as of late.  Phillies, Brewers and Angels show interest.

6. Jimmy Rollins. This market unfortunately is losing its luster. He had better sign with Philly while he still can.

7. Ryan Madson. Emerged as a good young closer for the Phillies last year.  They burned his bridge signing Papelbon and would be great revenge for Boston.

8. Edwin Jackson. Asking $40 million for four years.  He can’t get out of the fifth inning so I believe he needs to be cheaper.

9. David Ortiz. He will get paid somewhere.  Still a solid hitter, but aging.  Why let him go, Boston?

10. Carlos Beltran. Declining numbers, the only two teams interested are Boston and SF.

12. Francisco Rodriguez. Rumored to return to the Mets as of last weekend.  They need a closer.  A good fit.

13. Carlos Peña. His numbers had dropped off into oblivion.  Wouldn’t be surprised if he was unsigned.  Who wants a FB that hits .225?

14. Josh Willingham. Wants to return back to Florida, naturally being his hometown.  His services aren’t that high in demand.

15. Francisco Cordero. Having a down season last year, and the emergence of young closers sprouting everywhere, he better take a cheap contract.

So long everyone, I will see you next quarter.  Follow me on Twitter @TheToddWashburn to get your updates over the break!
Thanks for reading.
-Todd