Just one opinion on the best FAs available!
USA TODAY's Paul White ranks the top 50 free agents of the 2011 class (Rankings as of Nov. 1):
Player Current team Projection Comment
1. Albert Pujols, 1B Cardinals Cardinals They may have to backload deal to make it work.
2. Prince Fielder, 1B Brewers Cubs New regime has to make a major splash.
3. C.J. Wilson, SP Rangers Yankees They're still burning from last winter and this fall.
4. Jose Reyes, SS Mets Braves It will cost to out-bid the Giants and others.
5. David Ortiz, DH Red Sox Red Sox Ignore all the accompanying drama -- he stays.
6. Carlos Beltran OF Giants Tigers They need one more solid everyday bat.
7. Aramis Ramirez, 3B Cubs Angels Make-up move for whiffing on Adrian Beltre last year.
8. Jonathan Papelbon, RP Red Sox Red Sox Too much uncertainty elsewhere to let him walk.
9. Javier Vazquez, SP Marlins Reds Cincinnati staff needs a veteran leader
10. Hiroki Kuroda, SP Dodgers Dodgers He'd rather not play anywhere else.
11. Michael Cuddyer, OF Twins Giants Just the kind of character guy they love.
12. Casey Kotchman, 1B Rays Rays Makes more sense than that Manny Ramirez experiment.
13. Francisco Cordero, RP Reds Blue Jays More dependable than their recent gambles.
14. Ryan Madson, RP Phillies Cardinals More flexibility at a reasonable price.
15. Jimmy Rollins, SS Phillies Phillies Neither side will find a better deal elsewhere.
16. Kosuke Fukudome, OF Indians White Sox The upgrade they need on Juan Pierre.
17. Josh Willingham, OF Athletics Giants They need to start collecting younger hitters.
18. Carlos Pena, 1B Cubs Indians They've soured on Matt La Porta as the future at 1B.
19. Hideki Matsui, DH Athletics Athletics Getting comfortable with finishing U.S. career there.
20. Coco Crisp, OF Athletics Nationals Badly need to inject life at top of the order.
21. David DeJesus, OF Athletics Cubs He's still a darling of analytical front offices.
22. Heath Bell, RP Padres Phillies Perfect fit, pitching- and personality-wise
23. Chris Capuano, SP Mets Red Sox Tough offseason to need starting pitching.
24. Johnny Damon, OF Rays Rays It's close to home and they love his leadership.
25. Jamey Carroll, IF Dodgers White Sox Lots of questions in White Sox infield.
26. Erik Bedard, SP Red Sox Tigers Good ballpark for a pitcher worth a gamble.
27. Raul Ibanez, OF Phillies Rockies His power will play there in diminished role.
28. Juan Pierre, OF White Sox Marlins Can help Ozzie Guillen get across his message.
29. Jason Kubel, OF Twins Reds Nice upgrade from the old Jonny Gomes role.
30. Joe Nathan, RP Twins Mets A New York guy can finish his career at home
31. Aaron Hill, 2B Diamondbacks Diamondbacks Arizona just wants friendlier contract.
32. Cody Ross, OF Giants Orioles Buck Showalter still molding his clubhouse.
33. Clint Barmes, IF Astros Twins Low-cost solution for a continuing problem.
34. Juan Rivera, OF Dodgers Dodgers Too many teams see better options
35. Roy Oswalt, SP Phillies Red Sox One-year deal for his last hurrah.
36. Vladimir Guerrero, DH Orioles Orioles Useful until the develop more depth.
37. Ryan Ludwick, OF Pirates Phillies They need veteran insurance in the outfield.
38. Derrek Lee, 1B Pirates Brewers Need a veteran in case Mat Gamel isn't ready.
39. Grady Sizemore, OF Indians Red Sox They can overpay for insurance for young RFs.
40. Kelly Johnson, 2B Blue Jays Dodgers Younger version of recent L.A. gambles at 2B.
41. Freddy Garcia, SP Yankees Nationals Short-term fix while kids develop.
42. Aaron Harang, SP Padres Twins This would have never worked in the Metrodome.
43. Guillermo Mota, RP Giants Rangers Good depth move for a continuing contender.
44. Ramon Hernandez, C Reds Royals Perfect fit to help tutor young Salvador Perez.
45. Francisco Rodriguez, RP Brewers Rockies Stock has slipped but Colorado needs depth.
46. Mark Ellis, 2B Rockies Rockies Consummate professional fit in after trade.
47. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS Brewers Astros Default move for a disappointing player.
48. Edwin Jackson, SP Cardinals Pirates At the worst, they could flip him at trade deadline.
49. Bruce Chen, SP Royals Royals Comfortable where he resurrected his career.
50. Chien-Ming Wang, SP Nationals Nationals They've invested the time to get him healthy.
