Jon Heyman, Predictor

In a recent column, Jon Heyman looks into the upcoming offseason giving his predictions as well as some from executives and agents on how much the top free agents will get.

Just for shits and gigs I'll give out my early offseason predictions for some of the top players:

Carl Crawford: The Rays can't keep him and Brett Gardner has played well enough to have the Yankees not bid for his services.  I have a feeling, a strong feeling, that Crawford signs with the Angels giving them a boost similar to when they went out and signed Vlad.  I think Matt Holliday's 7 year $120 million deal will be a good comparison.

Cliff Lee: All signs point to the Yankees going after Lee, I can't say I disagree.  He will sign for 6 years and over $100 million.  The end of his contract may end up making the signing look silly but the Yankees have an older roster and you can't blame them for spending now to keep them on top, even if it bites them in the ass later.

Jayson Werth: An OF rotation of Werth, Gardner, Swisher, and Granderson would be quite sweet for the Yankees with Werth enabling the Yankees to bench Granderson/Gardner against lefties, so I think the Yankees will be more interested than people are saying.  However, as the second best hitter available, there is going to be a team that wants to make a splash, I think that team is the Tigers and Heyman's guess of 5 years $90 million seems fine with me.

Derek Jeter: I literally have no clue and judging by the disparity of guesses in Heyman's column, I don't think anyone else does either.

Adam Dunn:  Rumors are that Kenny Williams wanted him during the deadline so he'll definitely be involved as will the Nationals.  With letting Thome go really biting them in the ass, the White Sox will make up for it (or try to make up for it) by signing Dunn to a 3 year $36 million deal.

Adrian Beltre: The Red Sox have to reload for next year and part of that process involves resigning Beltre.  My guess is 4 years $48 million.

Rafael Soriano/Joaquin Benoit: I think the Rays resign Benoit to a reasonable deal (2 years $12 million) making him the closer for next year.  They'll probably give Soriano arbitration because there will inevitably be some team that is "just a closer away" from competing.  My guess is that team is the White Sox, 3 years $36 million.

Mariano Rivera/Andy Pettitte: Same old, same old.  The Yankees will get both of these guys just like they did last time.  Mariano 3 years $45 million and Pettitte a1 year deal between $8-15 million depending on incentives and all that jazz.

Carl Pavano/Ted Lilly: Best non-Lee pitchers available.  Non-ace caliber starters are always so hard to predict.  I mean Randy Wolf signed a 3 year $29.75 million contract, you have to think Pavano and Lilly are worth more than that no?  Consider the Angels and Mets as possible suitors.

Albert Pujols:  He has an option for next year and it's too boring to predict he signs with the Cardinals.  So, I'm going to make a wild prediction that TLR gets ousted and the Cardinals have a non-competitive year next year irritating Pujols to the point where he leaves St. Louis and much to my chagrin signs a $250 million contract with the Red Sox... Faaaaaaaaaak Youuuuuuk Me!