Ken Davidoff’s top MLB free agents

1. Cliff Lee, LHP
His free agency appears headed for an all-time bidding war.
Prediction: Yankees — Five years, $120 million.

2. Carl Crawford, OF
A career-high 19 homers could alleviate fears about his reliance on speed.
Prediction: Angels — Six years, $96 million.

3. Jayson Werth, OF
Arguably the best righty-hitting outfielder in the game.
Prediction: Red Sox — Five years, $90 million.

4. Derek Jeter, SS
A free agent in name only. No one thinks he’s leaving the Bronx.
Prediction: Yankees — Three years, $57 million.

5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
Signed a “pillow” contract with the Red Sox after a subpar 2009, and now he’s fully awake.
Prediction: Athletics — Three years, $40 million.

6. Paul Konerko, 1B
An institution on the South Side, and still quite good.
Prediction: White Sox — Two years, $27 million.

7. Derrek Lee, 1B
Due for a huge pay cut from his $13.25 million.
Prediction: Mariners — One year, $7 million.

8. Victor Martinez, C
Not a great receiver, but a great bat at the toughest position to fill.
Prediction: Tigers — Four years, $45 million.

9. Carl Pavano, RHP
It’s showtime for the “American Idle.” Who’s ready to commit multiple years? Prediction: Twins —
Three years, $33 million.

10. Orlando Hudson, 2B
His third straight year in free agency. A fourth is likely coming.
Prediction: Padres — One year, $6 million.

11. Javier Vazquez, RHP
You can bet on several National League teams urging him to come back to the easy life.
Prediction: Nationals — Two years, $16 million.

12. Juan Uribe, IF
He didn’t hit very well in the postseason, but it feels as though he did.
Prediction: Giants — Two years, $12 million.

13. Johnny Damon, DH-OF
If only he hadn’t been so stubborn with the Yankees last year, he wouldn’t be back here.
Prediction: Rays — One year, $6 million.

14. Andy Pettitte, LHP
To pitch for the Yankees, or to retire? That is the annual, increasingly tiresome question for the veteran lefthander.
Prediction: Yankees — One year, $10 million.

15. Lance Berkman, DH-1B
His bat showed some late life. He can help someone.
Prediction: Rangers — One year, $7 million.

16. Mariano Rivera, RHP
See Derek Jeter.
Prediction: Yankees — Two years, $31 million.

17. Jim Thome, DH
Enjoyed a rebirth season as he turned 40.
Prediction: Twins — One year, $6.75 million.

18. Adam Dunn, 1B
He insists he doesn’t want to DH, which really limits his options.
Prediction: Braves — Two years, $18 million.

19. Hideki Matsui, DH
He can still hit some, but he’s likely headed for his third team in three years.
Prediction: Athletics — One year, $6 million.

20. Hiroki Kuroda, RHP
Did a nice job for the Dodgers, but how much of that was propped up by the ballpark and the competition?
Prediction: Diamondbacks — Two years, $20 million.

21. Jorge De La Rosa, LHP
Little-known entity should capitalize on a weak market.
Prediction: Brewers — Two years, $15 million.

22. Aubrey Huff, 1B-OF
A year ago, he was a free-agency afterthought. Now he’s a champion. Who will buy high?
Prediction: Giants — Two years, $15 million.

23. Manny Ramirez, DH-OF
Does Manny Being Manny include playing for relative peanuts?
Prediction: Tigers — One year, $4 million.

24. Miguel Olivo, C
With such a great need for catchers, he’ll get a decent salary.
Prediction: Blue Jays — Two years, $7 million.

25. Rafael Soriano, RHP
Soriano picked the perfect time to have a breakout season. He’s the best non-Rivera closer available, easily.
Prediction: White Sox — Three years, $33 million.

26. Kevin Millwood, RHP
Still an innings-eater, but strictly a back-of-the-rotation guy now.
Prediction: Pirates — One year, $5 million.

27. Adam LaRoche, 1B
A perfectly solid first-base option. Teams aren’t dying for those, though.
Prediction: Orioles — Two years, $13 million.

28. John Buck, C
Enjoyed a well-timed career year.
Prediction: Red Sox — Two years, $10 million.

29. A.J. Pierzynski, C
On the spectrum of catchers, Bridgehampton product isn’t too bad.
Prediction: Rockies — One year, $4.5 million.

30. Carlos Peña, 1B
Remember when he was a rising star? Not so much anymore.
Prediction: Nationals — Two years, $13 million.

31. Felipe Lopez, IF
His dreadful 2010, including a release by the Cardinals, will deflate his value.
Prediction: Marlins — One year, $1 million.

Note: Top free agents based on each player’s cumulative Wins Above Replacement (WAR) from 2009 and 2010, provided by fangraphs.com and baseball-reference.com